One More Drink

[Lakkerun Joh'had]

*I ground my teeth, deciding what to do. On the one hand, this man had caused plenty of trouble at my bar, and tried to kill me...

Aww, who am I kidding? I'm a Jedi, I can't just let him die. So with that, I kneel down, and put my hand on his bleeding arm, letting the Force flow through my hand...

His arm is soon healed, although it no longer has a hand. It cooled off, however, and left a healed stump in its place. Kneeling there, I realize this man could be an asset to the Jedi. A real benefit. But I can't just change a man, change his life, leave him unknowing of all his past! I'd heard the story of Revan, things don't always end well. Quite the dilemma.

Thinking it over, I raise the body into the air, and walk back up the metal stairs with it, closing the door behind me. I walk straight across the hall, and speak 'Ron Runs Really Rapidly with Red Rancors in Rear.' and the door slides open. Inside, I place K'tal on my bed, and sit down in a chair, looking at him and pondering what to do. Maybe I could persuade him to join the Jedi, then, erm, alter his memories if he wouldn't join the Jedi? But then again, maybe not. Maybe I should just leave him here, let him be. But then again, he knows the Force. He can't just be allowed to run free with that knowledge...*

[Lakkerun Joh'had]

*A sudden groan from the body startles Joh'had, and he looks up from his deep thought, standing up, and knowing what had to be done.

I close my eyes, and use a Force Revitilize on the body, trying to stir K'tar from his sleep. Come on, wake up, we have to talk...*

[August/Heetho]

K'tal layed still, his face seemingly pale and lifeless. His right hand twitched suddenly, followed by his cheeks regaining it's natural color. His eyes started rolling around under his eyelid. With a gasp of air, he jerked forward. He slowly moved his hands in front of his face, everything ablurr, but slowly forming. When he realized his left hand was a mere stub now, the flashbacks of what had happened started shooting through his mind.

He leaned foward, looking down at what he was laying on, then saw the man who had just destroyed what he had cherished most, his body. A tear rolled down his cheek as he looked down at his hand, and suddenly all the anger he had held in from his youth was lost. It was as if that hand was the evil that had plagued his mind, though in reality, it was loosing, both his hand, and the fight.

He couldn't face the man, not out of anger or fustration, but he thought he owed the man both his life, and apology, "I'm...I'm sorry." He looked out of the corner of his eye, while at the same time he was feeling around the stump on his forearm. "Are you hurt?" He sighed, a sense of despair heavy in his voice, "Did this hurt?" He held his stump up.

[Lakkerun Joh'had]

"Relax, all is well. I am fine, and you will be too. We had a fight earlier, and I cut part of your left arm off, as you can tell...

Did that hurt? I'm sure it did, and I'm sorry for that. It was severed with a lightsabre, so it was cauterized instantly, so no blood, although it was probably heated to an incredible degree. I believe shock did you in, as it does with most who lose a limb.

For now, you will be fine. I am... was a trained medic with the Republic, and that will heal. We can even put in a cybernetic hand if you wish."

[August/Heetho]

K'tal slid his feet off his bed, looking at his invisible hand.

"Cybernetic hand..." He began turning his forearm back and forth, when normally, he would be turning his hand also. "I guess that'll have to do. I truely am sorry." He looked up at the man once more, wincing at bit as he did so.

He leaned forward, hesitant to get up, then pushed himself off the bed, carrying his injured arm at his waist. The battle flashed through his mind again, causing him to reach his hand up to his forehead. He closed his eyes tightly, then opened them again. "I remember now. The power, the speed. I'd never seen someone move that fast, ever."

[Lakkerun Joh'had]

*I get up, and pace towards K'tal slowly but steadily. I clasp a firm but comforting hand on his shoulder.*

"Such pains... I can teach you to shield yourself from them....

The Jedi have a technique, and you have the potential... but you must be willing to help us in return. I can sense the goodness, deep inside, a Jedi can. I need you to find it, and use it to benefit all. But most of all, you need to be willing. Willing to help us, and willing to forgive me."

[August/Heetho]

K'tal laughed at the idea, getting rid of his pain, that which has infested itself so heavily upon him, tainting him into what he has become today. It would be a heavy burden lifted.

"I will try, but I'll need your help. You have my sword, as it may be." He met the man's eyes, "You never did tell me your name." It wasn't a question, though he did expect some answer.

[Lakkerun Joh'had]

"Lakkerun Joh'had by name, Jedi Master by trade. And likewise for you, I don't think I got it..."

[August/Heetho]

K'tal nodded, "Jedi Master...That explains it. My name is Sin K'tal...Though...I'd like to say that he died in this day, and August Vecktrow was born." He nodded in agreement with himself, wondering if the Jedi Master understood what he ment.

[Lakkerun Joh'had]

"Then welcome to the Jedi Order, August..."

*I give him another friendly clap on the shoulder, a brief smile, then ruffle my hair for a moment and sigh.*

"We've got plenty of work ahead of us. For now, I want you to rest, and tomorrow we can begin your training."

*I turn to leave, then suddenly stop at the door and turn to look him dead in the eye.*

"The decision you made to join the Jedi is one not many people would take. It shows great promise, and I'm proud of you for it..."

*I nod my approval, make a brief saluting gesture, then close the door behind me, leaving my new Apprentice alone in the room.*

[August/Heetho]

August bowed as Master Joh'had left the room. He felt like, for the first time, he did the right thing. He sat back down on the bed, resting his elbows on his knees, then resting his head on his hand, looking at the stump on his mid-forearm.

He slid his feet onto the bed and leaned back, placing his right hand behind his head, and placing his left arm against his stomach. A dull silence filled the room as he stared at the ceiling, then as he closed his eyes to rest, he muttered in a very low, half broken voice, "Thank you..." He fell to sleep shortly after, and for the first time since he was a child, he had decent sleep.