The inn wasn't the best place in the galaxy. A bit more run down than some of the other establishments on the planet but it was the closest to the place that he was supposed to meet with the gentleman for business. Sadly, the revitalization of Budpock to something beyond a crime-infested backwater was taking some time.
When he finally got Aretsuya to the room, he laid her down as gently as he could on the bed. He put a hand to her head and felt that she was beginning to warm right up. With a sigh Irtar rushed to the bathroom. He looked around a bit and found a washcloth and doused it in the cold water.
Coiling the cloth a bit, he came out with the damp rag. He looked at Aretsuya who kinda mumbled something incoherent. He pulled up a chair next the bed and tapped along her forehead. He smiled a bit as her muttering passed a bit.
“Just calm down Aretsuya.” Irtar said to her gingerly as he patted the rag on her flesh. “Now just get some rest. You’ll need it.”
It was about one o’clock when Aretsuya gave into her urge to rest. Irtar sat next to her for a long time, running his hand along her head every so often as he felt the feverish feel her flesh was beginning to hold pass. Irtar heaved a sigh of relief when he got up and made his way over to his toolkit. Now it’d be safe to leave her side.
Irtar made his way over to his toolkit, content to begin tinkering while she slept. He ran his hand over the battered durasteel kit. He was surprised it survived the incident over Glee Anselm when so much of the Wi-Jiang was destroyed. But remarkably, the case had made it out of the scenario relatively intact. He’d have to commend the Corellian Engineers Corp one of these days. Maybe when the Coalition and the Empire finally knew a strong measure of peace.
For now, Irtar opened up the kit and took out some of his more delicate tools as well as a memory processor he was working on. He still as a hobby did some droid tinkering, though he wasn’t able to pursue it as deeply as he was able to a couple of years ago. Between politics and training, there wasn’t much time for one to enjoy oneself. Irtar checked on Aretsuya every so often, to make sure she was sleeping well and that small fever didn’t decide to try and rear its ugly head again.
For the most part, Irtar allowed his work to take him. He was actually currently working on a droid brain to replace the one from the old defective farming unit back on the farm. He sighed when he thought of it all. His older brother, Indarin, refused to talk to him, and last he heard his father was still in a coma. And his younger brother and sister cowed down to Indarin. Irtar wanted to try and prove he still cared and thought about them but he didn’t quite know what to do.
Sadly, political lines now drew a line between them. As the rift between the Coalition and Empire grew, so did the distance seem to become worse. There were times he regretted his choice to become a Jedi. His thoughts were pierced by the sounds of Aretsuya mumbling as she turned a bit in her sleep.
If he had never become a Jedi, would Aretsuya have starved to death on the streets? Would the Sinsangese have been doomed to be absorbed by the Empire? Would the Anx have been doomed to die a silent, undignified death?
Irtar smiled softly to himself as he resumed his work. At some point, he went down an grabbed some fruit from downstairs and brought them back up to serve as a snack. He was just sitting it down when he heard a rustling sound next to him. He saw the blankets pilled on the floor as well as the pillow. He walked over with a sigh and picked up the pillow, sitting back in the seat next to her again. His eyes were caught just a second by Aretsuya’s opening for just a second.
“So you’re awake now? You should really eat something.” Irtar said to her in a half-serious manner. He took a knife and the plate he’d grabbed and began to peel an apple as Aretsuya slowly began to stir. He put some pieces of it on the table next to her. A hint of concern was on his face as to how he’d take to the meal he presented but she thankfully took it.
At least she was beginning to trust him.
“There’s more if you want. Should I get it for you?” Irtar said, as she hungrily laid into the apple. Sitting up a bit as if to make his way for the rest of the fruits, until she motioned for him to sit weakly. Though he was kinda thrown off by her laugh.
Her mood had pulled an entire turn-about from her previous mood. Not that he minded or anything, but it was definitely something to readjust to. He smiled a bit as she made her way off to the bathroom, seeming to be alright. A bit wobbly but in all respects she seemed to be fairing far better than earlier.
It was at about this point she tripped and fell down. Irtar immediately jumped to his feet and was heading towards the bathroom to see if she was alright but was hurriedly stopped by a bit of a giggle. Irtar raised a brow as he watched her slowly stand up.
“Uhm, are you alright?” Irtar said as he watched Aretsuya dust herself off a bit. She just, once again, kinda waved him off. Irtar merely shrugged as he returned to his seat as he tended to herself. He looked out the window as the rain began to fell and the storm came upon them, turning the orange hue of the evening quickly into the darkness of the late night.
Aretsuya came from the bathroom as he was pouring himself a glass of water, and she went for the jug. For just a split second, their hands touched before both shot away. It was truly like a jolt of lightning. Like when your hydrospanner got too close to that power motivator. Both turned away from each other as both of their faces turned crimson.
“So… uhm….” Irtar stammered out. “Tell me about yourself? So far we’ve either been talking about me, or trying to keep you conscious. I’d like to know a bit more about the woman who I spent the whole day watching over. Erm, I mean, to make sure you were alright. Not that I was gawking or anything. Not that you’re not pretty or anything it’s just. Gah.”
Irtar just stopped himself, once again more being taken by the rush that hit him from their connection. But something was different with that. Not like when dealing with any other woman. That shiver. It was weird and different. And yet still was so familiar. He just couldn’t put his finger on it….
“Well… I come from Dantooine. I think I told you already but you might’ve forgotten, all things considered. Farm boy and such. How about you? Where do you come from?”
