Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:38 pm by Morgan Calmcacil
*Slowly, Morgan's eyelids fluttered open. She was laying on her stomach, spread-eagle, on what felt like soft grass. Once her blurry eyes recovered their vision, a quick look around confirmed this, and it was the greenest grass she had ever seen in her life. She turned her head upward as much as she could, and saw that the sky above her was the clearest and brightest blue sky she had ever witnessed.
Morgan drew her arms to her sides and planted her palms on the ground, then drew her legs together and pushed herself up onto her knees. She then took a look around at her surroundings. She seemed to be in a meadow, lit with an almost ethereal light. There were trees... shimmering silver oak trees with glittering gold leaves; a gentle breeze licked the landscape, causing a few leaves to scatter across the meadow. Wherever she was, a crisp and lovely autumn scene was being painted before her very eyes.
Now, just how did she get here?
Vaguely recalling a head injury, she reached back with her right hand to rub her forehead head, but paused before her arm was fully raised; she felt no pain at all. Now, why did she recall a head injury? ... that's right... The Earth Empire had attacked Belkadan and blown open a hole in the wall of the Academy. She and Michelle and Ethan had been running from that hole, trying to find safety, when Darth Maul caught up to them and attacked her by causing the floor to explode. The last thing she could remember, she had been sent hurtling through the air, a piece of debris hitting her in the head as it happened.
That explained the recollection of the head trauma, but that did not explain how she ended up in this new area, where danger did not exist. And suddenly Morgan became aware of yet another development: Whereas before she had been wearing a burgundy shirt and lavender skirt, she was now garbed in robes of pure white and silver, elegantly weaved and delightfully comfortable. They were smoother than silk, and softer than feathers.
... but Morgan had bad memories of intricately-designed clothing and bright worlds full of trees. Immediately she panicked, recalling when Psallo had produced quite a similar effect through the use of an illusion, and threw her head about, looking around for any sign of danger. But she almost immediately relaxed, her tensed shoulders returning to their original position as a breath of relief passed through her lips.
The light side of the Force permeated this place. In fact, that seemed to be the only thing that existed: Pure light; no ill feelings abounded whatsoever. It soothed her and gave her comfort, and allowed her to realize that this was no illusion, at least, not one a demonic creature like Psallo would have been able to conjure. But with this much concentration of the Force's light, then where was she? Was she recovering, in a calm state of mind induced by a Jedi healer who was projecting the light upon her frame?
Perhaps that was indeed the case. Well, that was good news then, if it meant she had survived. And if a Jedi was watching over her, that must have meant that the Earth Empire had lost, and someone was just watching after her body till she recovered. In a way, it reminded Morgan of how her mother Felucia had opened up a dream world version of itself for her that first night she had stayed on Felucia, a place she could roam until she awoke. Only, Felucia possessed more of a balance of the Force, instead of merely light. And this place, as pretty as it was, was nothing at all like Felucia's landscape. But she was still given her own world, she might as well go explore it a little├óÔé¼ÔÇØ*
Who are you?
*Morgan had been getting to her feet when she heard the young voice behind her. She gasped softly and whirled to face its origin, and was surprised to see a boy with sandy blond hair and hazel eyes sitting cross-legged upon the ground, an open book sitting in his lap. His robes consisted of a long-sleeved top and a pair of pants, similarly as ornate as Morgan's dress-like set of robes.
He seemed like he was just younger than Michelle. He was looking at Morgan curiously, but in a welcoming manner, a faint smile upon his lips. Morgan furrowed her brows, wondering who this boy was. Something about him seemed very familiar, but she couldn't place it. But he seemed friendly; in fact, his question had a more curious tone than anything else. A corner of Morgan's mouth twitched uncertainly, but she decided to answer him.*
I'm Morgie.
*After giving her common nickname, she then tilted her head to the right curiously, attempting to place the reason why she was certain she somehow recognized him.*
Have I seen you before?
*The boy had smiled a bit more noticeably as Morgan gave her name, but frowned curiously when asked if she had seen him before. In response, he seemed to squint slightly as though studying her, before finally shaking his head gently.*
I don't think so. You don't look familiar to me. But it's nice to meet you, Morgie.
*The boy lifted the book out of his lap and set it beside him on the ground before getting to his feet, still smiling in a friendly manner as he approached Morgan with his right hand extended in greeting. Morgan looked at the hand suspiciously for a moment, unsure what to think of this stranger. She concentrated upon the Force, which thankfully was still present, and examined him again, but it betrayed no treachery, showing only good will and intentions. And now that she was looking at him through the Force, he seemed even more familiar than before.*
My name's Jamie.
*Morgan's eyes widened as the words cut into her thoughts like a lightsaber through plasteel. "Jamie..." she repeated in her mind. She knew that name... And now she recalled his face, too! She had seen it in images and holos her father kept, heard his story many times... How could she have possibly forgotten that face? It was him... Her father's first Padawan, the one that Darth Maul had killed. But... how was he here? Where was she? She did not even realize that her mouth had fallen open in surprise. Jamie seemed to notice this and lowered his hand slightly, looking upon her concernedly.*
What's wrong?
*Morgan, realizing that her jaw had dropped, quickly shut it and her eyes, shaking her head and trying to come to her senses. But what she could not understand was, how was she seeing him? "It has to be a dream," she thought. "It has to!" Certainly if someone was treating her and inducing the light side of the Force upon her to comfort her, she could witness strange things like this, right? It was just like on Felucia!
And yet... this was different from Felucia. She was more conscious, more aware, more in control of her own actions here than she had been during her free rein in the dreamscape her mother had created for her. ... in fact, this felt nothing like the dreamscape. It felt... more like when her spirit had separated from her body and had joined her mother in her spiritual realm, meeting with her physical form and exploring the world together that way...
... could it be?
No, she was just jumping to conclusions. Had to be. It was just a dream, one that soothed her with the light side of the Force and allowed her to embrace and experience it like a normal human being. Yeah, that was it. She looked up at Jamie again, then down at his hand. Without a second's hesitation, she reached out to take it with her own tiny right hand and shook it. Jamie smiled once more, but his concern was still apparent.*
Are you alright?
*Morgan tried to smile, and one even did form on her face for a brief moment, before it fell away as she removed her hand from his and let it fall to her side. What she wanted to say? "How can I see you? You're dead! This doesn't make any sense!" But she knew that would sound rude and insensitive, so she had to ask something else, something less blatant. At length, she settled for something basic.*
... How did you get here?
*Jamie briefly frowned thoughtfully at the question, but soon smiled again as he lowered himself to the ground, folding his legs once more. He reached forward and patting the ground before him, inviting Morgan to sit down as well. He then sat up and began to speak.*
Well, I was a Jedi in training.
*As he began, Morgan quickly stepped forward and sat down on the ground before him, crossing her own legs as she eagerly awaited his explanation as to how he got here, hoping it would reveal more about this place and, most importantly, confirm her theory about what this place was.*
A person named "Michael" was teaching me. But one day, he told me we were going to look into "suspicious activity," or something like that, and so we did. We found a bunch of bad guys wearing white armor, and Michael was beating them up, but then a guy wearing black with red skin and pointy horns appeared, and he had a lightsaber with two red beams.
*Morgan suddenly frowned solemnly, knowing exactly where this story was going, having heard it multiple times already. But she was nonetheless captivated; there was something incredibly intriguing about hearing this tale from the boy himself instead of from her father, and she was eager to know why he was here, though a bit confused as to what the story of his death had to do with what he was doing here; after all, this was just a dream, right?*
He fought Michael, while I hid in the bushes. Michael looked like he was losing, so I wanted to help, so I snuck out, tiptoed towards the bad man, and turned on my lightsaber, hoping I could hurt him, ya know?
*Morgan nodded sadly, fighting the urge to wince, already aware of what exactly happened next, but she let the boy finish his story, remaining silent apart from a small gulp. Jamie himself paused, frowning briefly and looking down at the ground, before reverting to a neutral expression, as though the next part had not been as bad as it really had been.*
But I wasn't ready. He knocked my lightsaber aside and stabbed me, burning away my heart.
*Even though she knew this part, Morgan gasped at the revelation. Perhaps, again, it was because the speaker was the one who had suffered through it. Regardless, her gasp had caused Jamie to look up at her, but he only smiled reassuringly. He lifted his right hand to his chest, right over where his heart should be, and gently flexed his fingers.*
It's okay. My heart's okay now. You don't have to be worried.
*Morgan stared at Jamie's hand, wondering how exactly his heart would be okay if it had been incinerated by a lightsaber blade. But... how could she ask in a polite manner? She swallowed and stared at the ground as she thought about this question for a moment. How could she phrase it a little more delicately this time? Finally deciding her words, she looked back up into his eyes.*
But, how is your heart okay now? Did someone fix it?
*Simple curiosity, in a gentle tone; Morgan hoped that sounded delicate enough. It must have, for in response, Jamie's smile turned even softer, and what sounded like a gentle laugh escaped his throat before he answered her.*
No, but everyone who comes here gets everything fixed.
*Morgan frowned again, once more wondering where "here" was, and now who "everyone" was as well as how "everything" got fixed. People went to see doctors to get things fixed... Did that mean that she was right about being in a dream induced by a Jedi doctor, just as she thought? She looked about from side to side, examining everything curiously as though looking for signs that might answer any of those questions, even as Jamie seemed to chuckle.*
What are you looking for?
*Morgan's eyes returned to his. Truthfully, she didn't even know, apart from some sign that would indicate the name of their location. In the end, however, it seemed that the only possible route left she had was to ask Jamie outright.*
Where are we?
*Jamie continued to smile pleasantly and with what seemed like a small bit of compassion emerging in his hazel eyes. He raised his hands in an encompassing gesture, looking up at the trees and the clear blue sky as he spoke.*
We are in Harmony. All Jedi go here when they die.
*Morgan was trying to determine whether or not she had heard of "Harmony" before, but then suddenly froze, then gasped when she heard the last word Jamie had spoken. "'Die'?" she thought frantically. "But... I can't be dead! Daddy says I'm gonna grow up and be a great Jedi! Not even Psallo could kill me! How can I be dead?!"*
No...
*She mumbled this aloud disbelievingly, then scrambled to her feet, her breaths catching in her throat as she looked about frantically, as though this were a joke, some mistake, or even that if it was a dream, it was just a very bad one.*
No, no, no!
*Jamie remained seated, looking a bit surprised, but looked up at her and spoke with concern.*
What's wrong?
*Morgan simply looked around at him, shocked. How could he not know what was wrong with her? He had just said that they were in a place all Jedi went when they die! Morgan didn't want to be dead! She was still little, and she wanted to be a kid as long as she could! And she wanted to grow up one day!*
I can't be dead!
*Morgan's exclamation was accompanied by tears forming in her eyes that dangerously threatened to spill forth.*
I can't be here! Daddy says I'm gonna grow up and be a great Jedi! He said!
*As the tears fell from her eyes and trailed down her cheeks, Morgan lowered her head, her expression contorting into one of fear, sadness, and utter horror. Her next words were choked with sobs.*
I wanna go home! I don't wanna be here! I don't wanna be dead!
*Morgan's sobs became hysterical, her shoulders and body shaking with each one. Jamie's smile became a sad smile as he got to his own feet. He approached her and gently set his hands upon her shoulders, attempting to look into her lowered eyes, her beautiful, glistening, emerald green eyes, with the most reassuring look he could summon.*
It's okay.
*Morgan looked up into his eyes strangely. "It's okay"?! Of course it wasn't okay! She was apparently dead now; how could he even say it was okay?! She yelled at him, cutting off his attempts to console her.*
No it's not!
*But Jamie only chuckled softly, apparently unfazed by this. Morgan stopped sobbing briefly and stared at Jamie incredulously. Was her pain causing him to laugh? Were the dead so insensitive? Morgan would have said something were she not so distressed, but Jamie had only shook his head in response and continued to attempt to reassure her.*
You're obviously not dead.
*At this, Morgan's entire body froze. The sobs ceased, tears stopped flowing, and she simply stared at him with wide eyes. "'Not... dead'?" she thought. "How can I be not dead? You just said I was in a place dead people go!" ... all the sudden, she realized the irony of her current situation: She didn't want to be dead, and yet she here she was, arguing that she had to be based on his words. She sniffled, attempting to clear her nasal passages a bit, before relaxing slightly and asking a completely different question.*
What do you mean?
*Jamie's smile lingered, yet remained as pleasant as ever before, as he answered her.*
Well, because you're sad. When people come here, they're not sad. I wasn't sad. I knew I was in a good place and was happy. Sure, I miss Michael, but there are others here I made friends with, but I like to come here to be alone sometimes, until you showed up. If you're sad, then you're not dead.
*A moment after finishing his explanation, Jamie's smile suddenly faded, and a look of complete and utter confusion overtook his countenance as his arms fell to his sides.*
... Actually, I don't know why you're here.
*Morgan frowned, studying Jamie's expression intently as she tried to process this explanation. She was sad when he had revealed to her they were in a location where Jedi went when they died, and apparently people who came here were not sad, so, according to his logic, she was not dead because she had been sad. ... that didn't make much sense to her. Especially the part about Jamie being happy because he was "in a good place"; if that was the truth, then why wasn't Morgan happy for that same reason, dead or not?
As it seemed, Jamie was just as confused as she was as to why a person that apparently wasn't dead was in a place where dead people went after they die. As she normally did when processing deep contemplation, Morgan sucked the flesh of her left cheek between her teeth and started to gently chew upon it in thought as she attempted to determine her own explanation for arriving here. The last thing she could remember was when she was attacked by Darth Maul├óÔé¼ÔÇØ
Maul. Maul had done this to her. Had chased her and Michelle and Ethan, had gotten to her, had created some telekinetic blast of energy near her that had flung her. A blast that Maul must have assumed to be fatal, despite how much the Earth Empire wanted to abduct her. And who else was standing before Morgan but the boy Maul himself had murdered six years ago? This was no mere coincidence.*
Darth Maul did it...
*She spoke softly, in a reverent tone. Jamie looked upon her curiously with his eyebrows raised, as though wondering how she knew of Maul. But Morgan only took a step forward, raising her right hand and placing it upon Jamie's chest, over his heart, her eyes fixated on the spot. Maul had meant to kill her, just as he had killed Jamie. But, while he had at least succeeded in sending her soul to Harmony, she was apparently not meant to stay here.*
What are you doing?
*Jamie looked down at the hand on his chest as he asked this. Morgan did not recoil her hand nor look up at him, her eyes still locked on the spot. Tears had long ago stopped falling, though streaks were still visible on her face, but her eyes were once again clear and shining emerald as she spoke slowly.*
He tried to kill me, too. Twice, even. And both times it didn't work.
*As she revealed this, she began to smile triumphantly, as another realization came to her: She never knew just how strong she was, having been through so many attempts on her life, only to survive and, at least in the cases of Psallo's attack and Maul's first attack when she was three, come back stronger. Jamie's own eyes widened as though he too realized how durable she was. He looked up from her hand to her face with wonder written on his expression.*
He did? How did you stop him?
*Morgan kept her gaze locked upon her hand and his chest, but she grinned as she spoke again.*
Well, the first time, he tried to use lightning on me, but somehow I blocked it, and he was so surprised that Daddy cut his arm off.
*Jamie's eyes widened even further at this piece of information, but he let Morgan continue, her eyes unmoving.*
Then, I don't know what he just did before I got here, but he, like, blew up the floor, and it threw me through the air, and I got hit hard and landed on the ground, then woke up here.
*And suddenly, Morgan realized that, despite apparently not being dead after all, she still had no clue how she had gotten to Harmony, nor how she would leave. Her grin faded, her hand finally fell to her side, and she frowned. Would someone have to draw her spirit back to the world of the living, or would she have to determine a way home for herself?*
... But now I don't know how to get home.
*Jamie smiled at her, placing his right hand on her left shoulder comfortingly as he responded.*
You will. I've seen other people come here before, though I've never talked to them. They go back when it's time; you will, too.
*Morgan stared into Jamie's eyes as he spoke. His words were assuring, but, while she had read about people who had visited the Netherworld, she was a bit skeptic; those people knew what they were doing and came here and left voluntarily. She had arrived involuntarily, and therefore didn't know how she managed to arrive here nor how she would leave here. Perhaps she was bound to some sort of time limit that would expire and send her home on its own?
But a new thought overtook Morgan as she looked at Jamie's hand, the one situated upon her left shoulder. The shoulder that Psallo had bitten into, that had required grafted skin to replace. And a moment ago, when referring to his heart, Jamie had said that everyone who came here had everything fixed. Did that mean... ?
Morgan suddenly reached up and removed Jamie's hand from her shoulder, then pulled back the fabric to expose it. And sure enough, the circular scar from the graft was no longer present. Eyes widening in surprise, Morgan then reached with both hands to her collar and extended it forward so that she could see her chest. The four claw marks from when Psallo had cut into her were also missing, in their place nothing but pure, unbroken flesh. Much like there once was before that fateful day. Jamie certainly hadn't been exaggerating then...*
What are you doing?
*Morgan looked up at Jamie to find him watching her confusedly. She then realized that she must have looked silly, tugging at her robes like that without explanation. She released the fabric and reached up to straighten out the collar a bit as she answered Jamie with a bit of an embarrassed smile.*
I... had scars, but they're not there anymore. You said everything gets fixed, so I was just looking to see if I was, too...
*Jamie frowned, clearly wondering where she could have possibly gotten scarred from, especially at such a young age. Morgan saw this look and recognized it, then, figuring it was worth an explanation, took in a deep breath and sighing before giving him one.*
Well, a little while ago, this monster came to our planet and got me alone and tried to eat me... He cut up my chest and bit my shoulder and I almost died... My spirit even left my body but it didn't come here, it went to my mommy, and she kept me safe until they fixed my body. That's why I had scars. That's why I looked to see if I was fixed, too.
*Jamie frowned again, this time sympathetically, clearly somewhat saddened by the fact that Morgan had had to endure a fate that sounded worse than his own. But Morgan only offered him a reassuring smile and shake of her head.*
It's okay, I don't mind them... They actually look kinda cool!
*Jamie paused, looking at her for a moment as though confused at the notion of having what sounded like such gruesome scars yet finding them cool. But then he simply smiled at her, as though finding it unique and refreshing.*
Well, cool! So, since you don't know how long you're gonna be here, why don't you stay for a little bit? We can maybe talk more.
*Jamie seemed to hesitate for a moment, as though weighing the odds of asking what was on his mind, before he apparently decided to take the gamble and ask it anyway.*
Do you know Michael?
*Morgan perked up at the question. Did she know him? Of course she did! She went from smiling to beaming as she answered with a joyful exclamation.*
Yes! He's my daddy! Well, he's not my real daddy, but my old daddy died so he became my daddy, but I don't care, because I love him, and he loves me!
*At this news, Jamie stared at Morgan in surprise with eyebrows raised, but he otherwise looked cheerful, even happy for her, smiling at her energy and conviction.*
That's good! He was good to me, too. I bet he's a very good Daddy.
*Morgan only nodded enthusiastically in reply. But then suddenly, her cheer seemed to fade a bit when a new thought entered her mind: How was Jamie, once alive and close friends with her father, taking this? What was going through his mind as she told him her tale of the loving relationship she had with him, when Jamie's relationship with him had been cut short? They had both lacked true parental care in the early stages of their lives, but at least Morgan's parents had been alive and... sometimes there, and she didn't have to live in an orphanage...*
What's wrong?
*Jamie's question snapped her out of her thoughts as she looked upon him, noting his frown when he clearly noticed her change in demeanor. Morgan only shook her head as she responded.*
Nothing.
*It was a lie, and Jamie seemed to know it, for all he did was smile reassuringly again.*
It's okay. You can talk to me about it. I won't laugh.
*Morgan just looked upon him for a moment. She wondered if she should say anything at all and just skip the subject, not wanting to risk hurting his feelings. But at last she sighed and sat down upon the grass once more with her legs folded. Jamie quickly followed her example, looking completely willing to listen to her and help her in any way he could. This probably was what allowed Morgan to relax a bit and the words to easier come from her mouth.*
Well...
*Just as soon as she began, she paused. She had no inkling how to properly voice her concerns. Her eyes glanced back and forth, before she suddenly improvised a suitable way to lead into the topic.*
Um... What was my daddy like to you?
*Jamie's ever-present smile only grew wider after the question was asked; obviously the answer was a positive one.*
He was great! He was friendly and funny, and he helped me learn stuff and was really fun! He kinda even treated me like his brother or something too! I had a lot of fun with him! I just wish it could've lasted a little bit longer, but at least I had some time with him.
*Jamie seemed excited, but Morgan could only frown and look down into her lap. His words were making her feel slightly guilty that she had been around her father for over three years while Jamie spent less than two years with him. All of those things were true: Her father was friendly and funny, was very helpful, and always counted everyone as a close friend and many of his close friends like family; Morgan hated that Jamie had received so little of that in comparison to herself and others.
And Jamie was being so oddly optimistic and accepting of his condition, it was almost unnatural. Was he really that content with how things were? Would he hold the same feelings if he were of the mindset of a living child, that hadn't died? These were thoughts she just couldn't bring herself to voice, not that she had the chance; her musings had been interrupted anyway when Jamie asked her his own question.*
How good is he to you? You said you loved him and he loved you.
*Morgan looked up, frown evaporating as thoughts and memories of her father and the times they shared together flooded her mind, causing her to once again smile with joy.*
He's the best Daddy ever! He loves me and we play together and he teaches me and helps when I need him, and makes me feel better when I feel sad, and everything!
*Morgan suddenly realized that she may have sounded as though she were bragging, or at least on the verge, and winced slightly. She wondered if all this would have made Jamie feel bad, or jealous, and yet, Jamie was still simply smiling; on anyone else, it would have creeped her out by now, and yet, on Jamie, it remained ever-pleasant, and even comforting. Jamie himself even seemed to be pleased by Morgan's tale.*
That's good! I'm glad to hear he's still fun. He was the best person ever.
*Morgan smiled again, relieved that he didn't seem offended, and let a titter escape through her teeth in agreement with his statement. His apparent acceptance of his fate was still a bit unnerving, but she was slowly coming to accept it. Still, she did not wish to keep talking about her father, in case his constant smile were just a facade, and so she moved on to a new subject, one she actually was curious about.*
So what was, um, your life like?
*Jamie seemed to perk up at the question, as though he were eager to explain that particular aspect.*
Oh, it wasn't very good at first. I didn't know my mommy or daddy, I think they died when I was a baby, but I don't know how.
*Morgan frowned, partly in confusion as to why he was smiling while telling this, but mostly due to sympathy. Her parents had died, too, but not at such an early age, and she had at least seen them sometimes... even though it hadn't been enough to really remember their faces. A thought and a question suddenly came to her mind, but Jamie continued speaking, so she remained quiet for the moment.*
Then I lived in an orphanage with a bunch of other kids without mommies and daddies. They thought I was weird, because sometimes I knew what they were thinking, but I didn't know it was because I was a Jedi. I could even fix little electronic stuff, so if something got broken, one of the workers would bring it to me to see if I could fix it, just so I could feel special sometimes. It was really nice of them to do it, too.
*Morgan examined Jamie as he spoke, as though looking for any hint of him exaggerating any of his positive feelings. He was so focused upon the positives and completely disregarded the negatives. It was... strange, but not unfamiliar... The question she wanted to ask was bubbling beneath the surface, eager to burst forth and be voiced, but Jamie was clearly not finished speaking, so she allowed him to continue, not wanting to interrupt him.*
But then Michael found me, and he told me about the Force and stuff, and he said I could be a Jedi! But... I wasn't very good at first, and I knew I would have to train really hard if I wanted to get better, but it was okay. I was doing good, but then we had to go fight those stormtroopers and...
*For the first time since Morgan's spirit had awoken in Harmony, for the first time since Morgan had seen Jamie's smile, traces of sadness finally appeared on his face. But not even these lasted, for almost immediately he cast the negative emotions aside, continuing as though they had never surfaced at all.*
... Well, you know what happens next, but it's okay. Michael lived, so I actually did help him!
*Once more, the smile returned, but now, Morgan no longer found it capable of being creepy. No, now she understood the source of his unwavering joy: Jamie may have died, but he died knowing he had saved his master's life. His spirit lived on in peace, because he was able to ensure the life of another would go on. And learning that his master had a happy family, or at least a daughter, probably fueled this joy even further.
This was... heartening news to Morgan. To know that Jamie had given up his life to save her father's life and was content with it, even more content to know that without his sacrifice, Morgan may have never met her new father. But... how could she express her gratitude to him? That... though he may have died, he had left behind a future not only for her father, but for herself as well?
Morgan would have to express that the only way she knew to. Without hesitation, she pushed herself to her feet, scrambled to Jamie's left side, plopped down on the ground beside him, and threw her arms around him. She leaned against his side lovingly, resting her head against him affectionately. Jamie seemed surprised at the sudden hug, but he managed to respond by loosing his left arm and putting it around her shoulders, patting her upper arm gently.*
What was that for?
*Morgan only had a simple phrase in response, but one that held all the sincerity her tiny body could muster.*
Thank you.
*Jamie, uncertain what she was thanking him for, only repeated his question.*
What for?
*Morgan's twinkling emerald eyes looked up into Jamie's own brilliant hazel eyes, a small yet grateful smile on her lips.*
Because if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have my daddy, and I might not be as happy as I am.
*Morgan's expression then seemed to falter somewhat as she realized what she had basically just said: That, basically, she now possessed all the things Jamie might have had had he not died. She fought not to frown, her smile barely remaining in place, but her eyes were widened a bit as she watched him for a response. Fortunately, Jamie only seemed to smile more broadly, and he even wrapped his other arm around her and squeezed her gently.*
That's good! I'm glad that I was able to help you, too!
*Morgan was beginning to think that Jamie liked to say "That's good" a lot. She stared into his hazel eyes, trying to find something, some sign that he was being insincere. She extended her senses, seeking into his form for the same purpose. In the end, she found nothing that would indicate that he was being anything less than sincere, and it was shocking to her. After all, she was fairly certain that, were she in his place, she would not be so happy to hear that someone else would have all the things she could have had if she had not died. However, Jamie seemed to read the skepticism on her face and he looked upon her curiously.*
What's wrong?
*Morgan sighed, removing her head from his side and leveling it, looking forward. She kept her arms around him and remained still, not wanting to suggest she wanted him to remove his arms from her, for that was not what she wanted at all. After a moment of silence, she looked up at him again, looking as curious as he had.*
You're really not mad? You're not mad, or sad, or anything?
*Surprisingly, Jamie's reaction was to look at her as though her suggestion was an incredibly strange one.*
Why would I be mad or sad? I'm glad that you're happy.
*Morgan looked up at him, blinking a few times, before sighing and laying her head against his chest. It was odd that he felt that way, and she still could not understand it. But, she realized, she was no stranger to this type of behavior. In fact, he was a lot like Annabelle in a way, for all she ever cared about was the welfare of others over her own. Morgan had simply not been used to anyone besides her aunt acting in such a way.*
Thank you.
*The expression of gratitude came after another brief silence, as Morgan at last accepted Jamie's caring and selfless disposition.*
You're welcome.
*Jamie's gentle reply was accompanied by an equally gentle squeeze. And for a few moments they simply remained seated upon the grass, arms around each other, Morgan leaning against Jamie's side and her head nuzzled against his chest as he held her close to him. It was a lovely scene, the two children garbed in silver and white, sitting together and holding onto each other in such a serene environment. Golden leaves fell from the trees, the soft green grass swayed, their hair rippled in a gentle breeze, and there was not a cloud in the sky.
At length, Morgan recalled the thought that had been building up with in her, the question she so desired to ask, but had been temporarily buried amidst the conversation and mix of emotions. In her mind, it was a very important question, one she was very eager to ask and hopefully have answered. But she managed to contain her avidity and remained clung to Jamie, looking up at him as she finally gave her looming question a voice.*
You said Jedi come here when they die. Do you think our mommies and daddies are here?
*Jamie looked down at her, his smile becoming a sad smile as he slowly shook his head. Morgan's face fell, knowing the answer before he even began to speak.*
I said Jedi come here. My mommy and daddy weren't Jedi. Were yours?
*Morgan knew they weren't, but as though clinging to some desperate hope, she quickly attempted to recall any details that might suggest that they had in fact been Jedi, but all she could remember was that they had simply been officers that worked for her father's old Rebellion. But by no means were they Jedi. Reluctantly, her expression fallen slightly, she shook her head in response. Jamie lowered his head apologetically before he continued.*
Then they're not here. I'm sorry. Only Jedi come here. Everyone else, Sith, normal people, everyone, they go to their own places. Some of the older Jedi know how to travel to the different places, but it takes a lot of practice, and I can't do it, but I would if I could...
*Morgan sighed, lowering her head and nuzzling it against his chest once more. It would have been nice to have been able to see her old mommy and daddy while she was here, but at least Jamie was being so nice to her. That, and she was assuming he could not see his own parents, so she didn't wish to be able to see her own deceased mother and father if Jamie couldn't see his either. Not that she suspected he would care, but she still felt slightly guilty already for all the things she had that he could have had. Even if he was happy that he had been able to indirectly provide those things for her. Finally, at length, she spoke again, this time reassuringly.*
It's okay. I have a new Mommy and Daddy now.
*But then Morgan realized that Jamie would not know that Morgan was referring to Felucia when she talked about her mother, and the link between the two that had caused the world to "adopt" Morgan as her child.*
Well, my mommy's a planet.
*She then looked up at Jamie with a mischievous grin, awaiting his reaction. He stared at her with wide eyes, but he also seemed fairly amused by the notion.*
How can your mommy be a planet?
*Morgan tittered at his bewildered response, as it was exactly the kind of answer that she had expected. She lifted her head so that she was looking at him more fully as she began to explain the story to him.*
She can use the Force! She can talk to me and she saved me, and she adopted me! It's Felucia! I went there one day with my family and I somehow connected to her, and she adopted me and protected me when I got lost out there, and after Psallo attacked me, she saved me again by holding onto my spirit while she fixed my body, and I actually got to meet her! Like, the real her! And now I can even listen to all the life on the world, and can talk to the Felucians, which don't speak Basic!
*Morgan's beamed, her excitement once again unable to be contained, just as when she spoke of her father. It was an infectious sort of excitement, one that made Jamie grin as well, though the notion of a planetary parent was still surprising to him, but he believed her fully, though he only said one thing in response.*
That's cool...
*Morgan tittered to this, but she suddenly frowned confusedly as she felt a sudden pull in the back of her mind. She looked about curiously at the landscape in front of her, before releasing Jamie and pushing herself to her feet, looking about again in a wider range. What she had felt was a pull in the Force, that much was certain, but it didn't seem to be guiding her in any specific direction. Jamie, getting to his own feet with a confused look, spoke, interrupting her thoughts.*
What's wrong?
*When Morgan heard this, she turned to face him, then looked to the side, as though still looking for the source of the mysterious pull.*
I don't know. I feel like something's calling me, but I don't know what.
*Jamie's expression faltered briefly, and after a brief moment, he finally responded, at long last sounding a little disappointed.*
Oh, I think that means it's time for you to go.
*Morgan's head snapped back to look at him, shocked. Time to go? Already? She hadn't even been here that long, and├óÔé¼ÔÇØalthough of course she wanted to go back, to return to her friends and family to make sure they were alright, and especially to make sure that the Earth Empire was beaten├óÔé¼ÔÇØshe didn't want to leave her new friend Jamie so soon.*
What's wrong?
*In answer to Jamie's question, Morgan immediately ran forward and threw her arms about his chest, pressing her face against him. Slightly surprised at how sudden the gesture was, Jamie quickly recovered and slowly put his arms around her, patting her gently on the back, resting his cheek against the crest of her head. Guessing her thoughts, he smiled reassuringly, even though Morgan couldn't see it from her angle, and assured her with his words.*
I'll be okay. Don't worry. It's a nice place here, and I see other people sometimes who are nice too. You should go home now.
*His heartwarming attempts to reassure her only made her want to stay even longer. But the pull was growing stronger and stronger by the second, and it took all of Morgan's effort to just to focus, to prolong her visit for as long as she could... And then an idea came to her. Just as she had been given a token by her mother to remember the times they spent together by, she would give Jamie one as well. But... what would she give him? She released him and looked about frantically, at her robes, at the ground, at the├óÔé¼ÔÇØ
There. The motion had caused her thick, dark hair to swish into her line of sight out of the corner of her eye. She had once heard a story about women giving a lock of hair to their sweethearts to take with them to remember them by. While Morgan did not harbor romantic feelings for Jamie, it was her best bet; she reached up with her left hand to grip a fistful of her own hair while gesturing about with her right hand as though requesting a cutting instrument.*
Quick! Give me something to cut my hair with!
*Jamie stammered for a moment before suddenly kneeling down and placing both of his hands, palms down, upon the ground, making subtle movements with them. Morgan, while both confused and intrigued by what he was doing, watched impatiently, bouncing up and down while gesturing he hurry, not wanting to miss the window. But then Jamie suddenly stood with a pair of small scissors, and Morgan froze, staring at them, wondering where they had come from when they had not been there before. Had... Jamie just made them out of thin air?*
Where do you want cut?
*His question immediately snapped her back to attention, causing her to stammer slightly before answering, her voice once again frantic as she pointed to her hair, just above where her left hand gripped it.*
Here! Hurry!
*Jamie made an uncertain noise as he carefully raised the scissors in both hands, placing the blades over the hair above her hand gingerly, not wanting to accidentally slip and cut Morgan. Once in position, he snipped the hair successfully, causing the hair still attached to Morgan to fall back and blend into the dark follicle sea once more. The task completed, Morgan held out the lock of hair for Jamie, who only looked at it oddly and tentatively.*
What's this for?
*Morgan's impatient air suddenly faded slightly at this question. She smiled bashfully and blushed a little bit, wondering how he would respond to the gesture as she explained it to him.*
It's for you to keep and remember me by.
*Jamie's eyebrows raised, but then he smiled at Morgan, reaching for the five-inch lock of hair and taking it from her.*
Thank you. I'll always remember you, Morgie.
*Jamie then stepped forward and put his arms around her again, hugging her gently. Morgan threw her own arms around him in response, hugging him tightly for as long as she could before she inevitably ran out of time.*
Tell Michael that I'm glad I helped you meet each other.
*Morgan nodded, her reply somewhat muffled as her face was pressed against his chest.*
I will.
*They held onto each other for a few moments longer, cherishing these last moments. At long last, she released him, but before she stepped back, she turned her face towards him, standing up on the tips of her toes so that she could plant a small kiss on his cheek. She then finally stepped back to look at him one last time, a strong smile on her lips despite the moisture in her eyes.*
I'll miss you, Jamie!
*Jamie seemed to notice the tears, and briefly, he looked as though he would reach forward and wipe them from her eyes, but he stopped, simply standing up straight as he returned the smile.*
May the Force be with you, Morgie!
*A flicker of confusion passed over Morgan's face for the briefest instant, before she beamed again, giggling softly.*
You too!
*But as she spoke, her voice seemed to sound slightly faint, and echoed softly. Her vision also became blurry. Or, perhaps the world itself began to blur, fading to a gray landscape as she glanced about, intrigued. Before it vanished entirely, she looked upon Jamie once more, his frame barely visible. She smiled at him one last time before a tear broke free and fell from her eye. As the world faded to black, the tear splattered upon a blade of grass, where mere seconds ago Morgan's foot once was...*
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Jamie stood there, the lock of hair in his hand, as he watched Morgan fade away, leaving this plane and returning to her own body in the living world. He didn't even notice her last tear land on the grass, his attention instead drawn to the lock. He had expected it to have also faded, but to his surprise, it had remained. He smiled sadly, reaching up to stroke the hairs, all he had left of his new friend.
His eyes returned to the spot where Morgan had vanished, and for a moment, all he did was stare. She was gone, and had left him behind. Just like when he had somehow made contact with Kalli through a link to the living world, when the conversation had to end. Only, during that meeting, the communication was merely verbal, and lacked any... for lack of a better word, physical interaction. Morgan's appearance? It had been much more personal, and Jamie had immensely enjoyed the communication and actual contact.
I'll never forget you, Morgie. I'll miss you...
As he spoke, a single tear had formed in Jamie's eye. When he finished speaking, it had fallen from his eye, hurtling towards the ground before dripping upon the grass near his foot. In neither his life nor his afterlife, he had never met anyone like her... Michael had always cared for him, but he was an adult. Morgan was a child, one near his own age├óÔé¼ÔÇØshe seemed older than she looked├óÔé¼ÔÇØand had shown true care for him. She had conversed with him, listened to him, shown him friendship and affection...
And had kissed him.
Jamie's hand rose, seemingly of its own volition, fingers gently brushing against where Morgan's lips had touched his cheek. No one had ever kissed him before... Oh, how Jamie had longed for someone to care for him during his life. And finally, when that someone he had at last encountered, she had cared for him more than he could have ever hoped for, even if it was only for a brief amount of time. And thus, Jamie developed his first ever regret in the afterlife: That he could not have had more time to spend with Morgan.
But he had the lock of hair, her special gift to him. And it remained with him even after she had left. He pressed it against his chest, over his restored heart, and pinned it there permanently with a little manipulation of Netherworld physics. Now she would remain close to his heart physically, not just emotionally.
Ironic, the information Jamie had waited so long to hear, that Michael was still alive and well, was only a small benefit from Morgan's visit. Not only was he alive and well, he also had a family; but the war, the one in which Jamie had died before it had truly begun, was still ongoing. But Jamie had faith. Morgan sounded like a tough and durable child, and had survived worse, if her tale about the monster that came to her planet was any indication. They would all be fine.
As would Jamie. The single tear was the only one that had fallen. He smiled again, more satisfied than he could ever have hoped to be as he sat upon the grass again, once more taking up his book and setting it in his lap so he could continue reading. And yet, he could not remove Morgan's image from his mind's eye. She was so beautiful, she was such a lovely presence, and her laughter had been the prettiest sound he had ever heard... And the best part? She had tried her best to stay with him as long as she possibly could before she had at last been pulled away, back to the world of the living.
Perhaps his regret for not having at least one more moment with her was unfair. She had tried her hardest and gave him all she could. Almost as soon as it had come, his one regret eased away, and his smile was once more full and content. All he had left to do was try to come into contact with Kalli once more, and hopefully before she found the information on Michael he had asked for. He'd hate for her to have possibly done that research for him, only for it to be useless. But at least she had cared enough to offer to do so, and he'd be able to at least break up the monotony of his afterlife a bit once more with a conversation with her. As content as he was, knowing that not only was Michael alright, but that Jamie now had someone who cared for him...
