Post by Troy Vortex on Dec 22, 2005 3:39:05 GMT -5
Writer's note: Read "Ysalimir Effect" first, because this is it's sequel.
Kavin ignored the pain in his broken arm and ribs, and the throbbing in his battered head as he tried his best to keep the ship's nose up, but it kept its downward plunge toward the Kashyyyk jungle. There was a pop, and the ship shook violently. Kavin looked out his cockpit and saw flames coming out of the port engine. R5X4 squealed a warning, and Kavin read the translation on the screen. "Ten seconds to explosion." Kavin hit the eject button, and the canopy tore off and away from the ship. His seat ejected from the cockpit with him securely buckled in. Five seconds later the force of the ship's explosion sent him spiraling dangerously towards the forest canopy.
Quickly centering himself, he reached out with the force to steady the fall. No longer spinning, the young Jedi padawan released the parachute. He screamed as the upward pull of the parachute squeezed his broken ribs, and then passed out.
Several minutes later:
Someone was moaning. The stabbing pain in his chest woke Kavin, and he realized it was himself who moaned. Opening his eyes, he saw trees all around him. Looking up, he saw that his parachute had caught on a branch further up one of the trees, and he was just hanging there. Looking down, he saw his feet dangling, branches of the tree he hung in below him. Because of all the layers of the jungle foliage, he couldn't tell how far down the ground was.
He couldn't move or feel his right arm. He felt very weak. Deciding it wise not to release himself from the parachute just yet, he reached out with the force, hoping he could contact someone, anyone who can help him. He must have passed out while doing so.
He heard some growling. Was it an animal? Kavin opened his eyes and saw intelligent eyes looking back at him from a furry face. The Wookie tilted his head and spoke to him in Shyriiwook. He couldn't understand him(?), but the voice sounded reassuring. "Thank you." Kavin replied weakly. Again consciousness fled as he closed his eyes once more.
The next day:
Kavin awoke feeling much better than he did the previous day, though he still couldn't feel his right arm. He opened his eyes to see a Wookie with white fur streaked with orange standing at a computer terminal, looking at a screen. The Wookie looked over at him, and growling in Shyriiwook, walked over to his bedside. "Dr. Cheeyava is asking," A polite mechanical voice said from the other side near his head, "if you feel better."
"Yes, thank you, doctor," he answered the wookie, then looked over to his right and saw a green-colored translator droid standing next to him. He touched his bandaged head with his left hand and looked down to see his upper right arm and shoulder was bandaged as well.
The doctor nodded, speaking through the translator droid. "We were able to save your arm, but, the nerves to it are severed. We will be able to attach a bionic link to the ends of the nerves so you will be able to use the arm, but we have to wait until the swelling in the tissue goes down."
Kavin listened carefully to the Wookie, trying to get the feel of the language. He was fluent in seven human and eight non-human languages. He was hoping to be able to add Shyriiwook to them, because he wanted to thank the doctor in her tongue.
Slowly, Kavin sat up. "Is there a way I can use a long range radio?" He needed to get in touch with his master.
"That won't be necessary." A deep, baritone voice said in basic. Kavin and Doctor Cheeyava looked to see Master Seama Phtam standing in the doorway with his head bandaged. Seama bowed to the wookie doctor and asked, "May I please have a moment to speak with padawan Kavin alone?"
The doctor nodded assent saying something briefly to the Jedi who nodded, then left the room.
"Master Phtam, where's Master Jev? I..." The sight of Phtam's grave expression as he approached silenced Kavin. A feeling of dread came to him, and he quickly pushed it away. "What's happened?" Even as he asked, he knew. Master Jev was dead. Kavin fought for control of his emotions.
"I'll not tell you what you already know," Seama Phtam spoke softly. "Where is the data crystal?"
Kavin closed briefly closed his eyes, willing the tears that threatened to come, to stay away. "It's in my trouser pocket." He said flatly, his voice hoarse. Wearing a white hospital gown, he got up from the bed and walked over to the counter where his clothes lay. He went through the pockets of his trousers with one hand. Sliding out a data crystal, Kavin turned back to Master Phtam. "Here it is," he walked to his elder and handed it to him.
The Jedi Master put a hand on Kavin's shoulder as he took the crystal. "You did well, Kavin. What happened wasn't your fault."
Kavin found he was unable to return Seama Phtam's gaze and starred at his boots instead. He felt so tired and weary all of a sudden.
Seama must have sensed this as he said in a gentle voice, "Lie down and rest, Kavin."
As Kavin went to lie down on the bed, he asked with concern. "Where's Jefri? How's he taking this?"
"He's on the ship." Master Phtam shook his head, "He's taking it pretty hard."
Kavin started to get up, "Maybe if I speak to him..." He was interrupted by severe dizziness, and would have fallen to the floor if Master Phtam hadn't caught him.
Carefully, the older Jedi eased Kavin onto the bed. "You'll be staying here the next couple weeks to recuperate." Seama paused, and then continued. "I've spoken to the council and they believe Kashyyyk will be a good healing place for you. Doctor Cheeyava has kindly opened her home to you for recovering time so you don't have to be cooped up in the hospital. That is, when you're strong enough to be discharged." Seama paused a bit as he came to stand next to Kavin's bed. "I'm sorry for your loss, Kavin. Master Jev will be missed by us all. She was a good friend." He put a hand once more on his shoulder.
Kavin looked straight ahead as he nodded, shoulders stiff. He was determined not to let the tears come. He wished that Master Phtam wouldn't be so kind. Kavin thought in anguish. It is my fault! You know it! She’d still be alive if it weren't for me!
Thankfully, Seama decided to leave. He patted Kavin's shoulder saying, "May the force be with you."
Two days later:
Kavin bowed to Doctor Cheeyava as he entered her abode. "Thank you," Kavin spoke haltingly in Shyriiwook, "for letting me stay here, doctor." He had convinced the green translator droid, TR7V2, to teach him the Wookie language. He still needed practice speaking it, but he could now understand it well enough to carry on a conversation.
Cheeyava beamed at Kavin, pleasantly surprised to hear him speak her language. "You are welcome, young Jedi." She closed the door behind her.
"Please, call me Kavin." I don't deserve to even be a Jedi padawan after what happened. "You're home is beautiful!" Kavin looked around in awe at how nature and technology blended together to create a welcoming atmosphere to all who entered.
Suddenly there was a roar and some laughter, followed by four Wookies of varying sizes running into the room. All save one were taller than Kavin's 5' 7" frame, but not as tall as Cheeyava. Three were tossing something back and forth to each other and dodging the largest one, who almost knocked Kavin over as he tried to get whatever it was back. Cheeyava was directly behind Kavin when it happened and was able to steady him. He couldn't tell what the object they were throwing was, but the biggest Wookie looked enraged as he was yelling, "Give it back!"
"Give it back!" The others mocked him as they kept tossing it to each other. One had jumped onto the couch which was in the middle of the room.
"Stop it!" Kavin jumped as Cheeyava hollered from right behind him. The younger Wookies all stopped immediately. Whatever the object was they'd been throwing hit one in the head, then hit the floor and rolled under the couch. The biggest quickly retrieved it, then stood next to one of the smaller ones, glaring at him.
The four looked to their mother. "Now, this is Jedi padawan, Kavin. As we've discussed, he'll be staying with us a week or so. I expect you to be on good behavior as he heals!" She turned to Kavin. "These," she looked warningly at her children, "are my four youngest sons: Korvacca, Chanavva, Vikyyvu, and Thraykshyyva." The smallest was Korvacca, and the largest Vikyyvu. The other two looked to be twins. Kavin smiled and waved to each as she introduced them. They each waved and greeted him in turn. Vikyyvu looked somewhat familiar, but, Kavin couldn't be sure why. "Where is Kahreeshku?" Cheeyava asked.
At the name, a furry head appeared from behind the couch. "Kahree, come from behind there and greet our guest." As Kahree stood and came around the piece of furniture, Kavin could see she was the youngest, being two heads shorter than he. With beautiful white fur striped with orange and black, she looked allot like her mother. She stood just to the side and back from Korvacca and waved, saying nothing.
"Hello, Kahreeshku," Kavin smiled, "how are you today?" The youngest of Cheeyava's children took a sudden interest in the floor near her feet.
"She doesn't speak." Korvacca said, "She's afraid of her own voice." Kahreeshku snarled and pushed her brother, who just laughed.
"Korva!" Cheeyava warned.
"Yes, mother." Korvacca sighed. "Sorry Kahree." He apologized to his sister who just stood there with her arms folded. She stole a furtive sideways glance at Kavin.
At this moment, the front door opened. Kavin looked back to see a very tall Wookie coming in. "Dalocca," Cheeyava greeted him happily as she gave him a hug. "Our guest is here." She indicated Kavin.
Dalocca seemed twice the height as Kavin as he towered over him. "You look much better than when Vikyyvu and I found you hanging in a tree three days ago." He slapped Kavin on the left shoulder. It was a friendly gesture, but, Kavin's knees buckled a little and he nearly fell. "I'm sorry, Kavin!" Dalocca exclaimed profusely as he grabbed the young human to steady him. "I don't know my own strength sometimes.
"That's quite alright." So, that's why Vikyyvu seemed familiar. His was the face I saw when I first woke up. "I feel much better. Thank you for coming to my rescue." Kavin bowed to Dalocca, then looked at Vikyyvu and bowed to him as well.
Vikyyvu chuckled as he waved his arm toward Kavin. "No need for thanks, Kavin. We can't very well leave Jedi hanging around to feed the vashyyk!"
"Yes, as my son said, I couldn't ignore your call." Kavin furrowed his brow. He didn't remember making a call. Seeing his confusion, Dalocca explained. "You reached out in the force for help. I felt it."
"Oh!" Kavin replied, surprised.
"My husband was a Jedi padawan many years ago." Cheeyava said proudly.
Kavin looked at Dalocca. "Are you a Jedi knight, then?"
Dalocca shook his head. "I chose to come back to Kashyyyk to use my talents to serve my people instead of the galaxy before I was given that honor."
Before Kavin could think more on this, Cheeyava spoke. "Kahree, could you please show Kavin where he'll be staying?" Cheeyava then turned to Kavin. "Kahree volunteered to give you her room to use during your stay."
Kavin bowed to the young Wookie. "Thank you, Kahree."
Kahreeshku bowed, then simply started walking out of the room. She paused at the archway before turning to look at him, and gestured for him to follow. She waited for him to catch up to her, then took his hand and led him to her room.
"Where are you going to stay while I'm here?" He asked as he entered. She only pointed down the hall towards the living room. "Well, I appreciate you giving me your room, Kahree."
There was an awkward silence as they just looked at each other. He didn't have anything to put away, and she just stood there staring up at him. He looked about the room. The bed was a hammock strung across the room, hanging about five feet in the air. Either end was suspended from a pole designed to look and feel like a tree trunk. He walked over to it, trying to figure out how he'd get into it without falling. He looked back at Kahreeshku. She grinned and motioned for him to step aside. He did so, and she just walked towards the bed, and when she was a couple feet away, jumped up, grabbed the side, and flipped into the bed as it swung. Next thing he knew, she was laying in it as it swayed gently back and forth. Her head was cradled by a fluffy pillow. As she lay there, he noticed there was a large lump on her throat. Then she just as nimbly exited what to him looked more like a giant sling shot than a bed and indicated he should try it.
He looked at the bed, then to his small host, then back at the bed. When he looked back at Kahreeshku, it looked like she was smirking a little behind her hand. When she saw him looking at her, her eyes widened and she quickly straightened, pulling her hand behind her and looked very serious. He chuckled. "I don't think I'm up to that kind of acrobatics right now." He held his side where his ribs had been broken. They had been mended with the best of today's medical technology, but were still tender.
He thought carefully. He was tempted to say she could keep her room and he'd sleep in the living room, but, something in Cheeyava's voice when she had announced where he'd be staying, and Kahreeshku's manner gave him pause. He had a feeling that might hurt the young one's feelings. "Do you mind if I slept on the floor?"
She tilted her head at him, then Kahreeshku jumped onto one of the pseudo-tree trunks and shimmied up to where one end of the hammock was fastened. She unfastened it, then fastened it lower. She did the same on the other side. Now the hammock was low enough where he could just sit down to get in. If he was careful while moving around he wouldn't fall out.
"Or," he shrugged as he looked at the Wookie's handiwork, "you could lower it."
Kavin heard a strange sound and looked at Kahreeshku. She was covering her mouth again. This time she was definitely laughing. Again, she forced herself to stop with her eyes wide when she saw he was looking her way. "Sure," he quipped, "laugh at the funny human." He winked at her, laughing. She relaxed and smiled brightly.
"Kahree?" Kavin and Kahreeshku turned at the voice. Korvacca was standing in the doorway. "Mother wants you to help her in the kitchen."
Kahreeshku looked up at Kavin. "Thank you," Kavin bowed to her, "for your gracious help and hospitality." She returned the bow, and skipped off to help her mom, going around her brother.
Korvacca remained standing in the doorway, looking at Kavin appraisingly. "Kahree hasn't smiled like that for a long time. Not since," he paused and looked out the doorway, then continued, "she had the operation." The boy put a hand to his throat. Kavin remembered the lump he saw on Kahreeshku's throat earlier. "She was born without a voice box, so they operated on her to give her a fake one. She only spoke once, and hasn't spoken or smiled since. That was about six months ago." Korvacca leaned against the doorway and sighed. "I miss the old Kahree. Sometimes I wish they never gave her a voice box. Or that they made it so she sounded real." He looked down at his feet. "What I said earlier, I didn't really mean. She's not afraid of her voice, she just doesn't like it."
Korvacca pushed himself off the doorway then, and said, "Well, I had better let you settle in. Mother had Kahree come help her so you could be left alone."
As the boy turned to leave, Kavin said, "Korvacca?" The boy paused in the doorway, looking back at Kavin. "She'll be alright. With a caring brother like you, she'll come around." Korvacca looked thoughtfully at Kavin, nodded, and then left.
Kavin smiled to himself as he sat on the hammock and leaned back, using it as a chair instead of a bed at the moment. Swaying in the hammock, he couldn't help being reminded of his home on Corellia. He was the middle child of five brothers and two sisters. He remembered how he would tease his younger sister unmercifully, but cared deeply for her, just as Korvacca obviously did for Kahreesku. The gentle swaying lulled him into a light sleep.
Kavin ignored the pain in his broken arm and ribs, and the throbbing in his battered head as he tried his best to keep the ship's nose up, but it kept its downward plunge toward the Kashyyyk jungle. There was a pop, and the ship shook violently. Kavin looked out his cockpit and saw flames coming out of the port engine. R5X4 squealed a warning, and Kavin read the translation on the screen. "Ten seconds to explosion." Kavin hit the eject button, and the canopy tore off and away from the ship. His seat ejected from the cockpit with him securely buckled in. Five seconds later the force of the ship's explosion sent him spiraling dangerously towards the forest canopy.
Quickly centering himself, he reached out with the force to steady the fall. No longer spinning, the young Jedi padawan released the parachute. He screamed as the upward pull of the parachute squeezed his broken ribs, and then passed out.
Several minutes later:
Someone was moaning. The stabbing pain in his chest woke Kavin, and he realized it was himself who moaned. Opening his eyes, he saw trees all around him. Looking up, he saw that his parachute had caught on a branch further up one of the trees, and he was just hanging there. Looking down, he saw his feet dangling, branches of the tree he hung in below him. Because of all the layers of the jungle foliage, he couldn't tell how far down the ground was.
He couldn't move or feel his right arm. He felt very weak. Deciding it wise not to release himself from the parachute just yet, he reached out with the force, hoping he could contact someone, anyone who can help him. He must have passed out while doing so.
He heard some growling. Was it an animal? Kavin opened his eyes and saw intelligent eyes looking back at him from a furry face. The Wookie tilted his head and spoke to him in Shyriiwook. He couldn't understand him(?), but the voice sounded reassuring. "Thank you." Kavin replied weakly. Again consciousness fled as he closed his eyes once more.
The next day:
Kavin awoke feeling much better than he did the previous day, though he still couldn't feel his right arm. He opened his eyes to see a Wookie with white fur streaked with orange standing at a computer terminal, looking at a screen. The Wookie looked over at him, and growling in Shyriiwook, walked over to his bedside. "Dr. Cheeyava is asking," A polite mechanical voice said from the other side near his head, "if you feel better."
"Yes, thank you, doctor," he answered the wookie, then looked over to his right and saw a green-colored translator droid standing next to him. He touched his bandaged head with his left hand and looked down to see his upper right arm and shoulder was bandaged as well.
The doctor nodded, speaking through the translator droid. "We were able to save your arm, but, the nerves to it are severed. We will be able to attach a bionic link to the ends of the nerves so you will be able to use the arm, but we have to wait until the swelling in the tissue goes down."
Kavin listened carefully to the Wookie, trying to get the feel of the language. He was fluent in seven human and eight non-human languages. He was hoping to be able to add Shyriiwook to them, because he wanted to thank the doctor in her tongue.
Slowly, Kavin sat up. "Is there a way I can use a long range radio?" He needed to get in touch with his master.
"That won't be necessary." A deep, baritone voice said in basic. Kavin and Doctor Cheeyava looked to see Master Seama Phtam standing in the doorway with his head bandaged. Seama bowed to the wookie doctor and asked, "May I please have a moment to speak with padawan Kavin alone?"
The doctor nodded assent saying something briefly to the Jedi who nodded, then left the room.
"Master Phtam, where's Master Jev? I..." The sight of Phtam's grave expression as he approached silenced Kavin. A feeling of dread came to him, and he quickly pushed it away. "What's happened?" Even as he asked, he knew. Master Jev was dead. Kavin fought for control of his emotions.
"I'll not tell you what you already know," Seama Phtam spoke softly. "Where is the data crystal?"
Kavin closed briefly closed his eyes, willing the tears that threatened to come, to stay away. "It's in my trouser pocket." He said flatly, his voice hoarse. Wearing a white hospital gown, he got up from the bed and walked over to the counter where his clothes lay. He went through the pockets of his trousers with one hand. Sliding out a data crystal, Kavin turned back to Master Phtam. "Here it is," he walked to his elder and handed it to him.
The Jedi Master put a hand on Kavin's shoulder as he took the crystal. "You did well, Kavin. What happened wasn't your fault."
Kavin found he was unable to return Seama Phtam's gaze and starred at his boots instead. He felt so tired and weary all of a sudden.
Seama must have sensed this as he said in a gentle voice, "Lie down and rest, Kavin."
As Kavin went to lie down on the bed, he asked with concern. "Where's Jefri? How's he taking this?"
"He's on the ship." Master Phtam shook his head, "He's taking it pretty hard."
Kavin started to get up, "Maybe if I speak to him..." He was interrupted by severe dizziness, and would have fallen to the floor if Master Phtam hadn't caught him.
Carefully, the older Jedi eased Kavin onto the bed. "You'll be staying here the next couple weeks to recuperate." Seama paused, and then continued. "I've spoken to the council and they believe Kashyyyk will be a good healing place for you. Doctor Cheeyava has kindly opened her home to you for recovering time so you don't have to be cooped up in the hospital. That is, when you're strong enough to be discharged." Seama paused a bit as he came to stand next to Kavin's bed. "I'm sorry for your loss, Kavin. Master Jev will be missed by us all. She was a good friend." He put a hand once more on his shoulder.
Kavin looked straight ahead as he nodded, shoulders stiff. He was determined not to let the tears come. He wished that Master Phtam wouldn't be so kind. Kavin thought in anguish. It is my fault! You know it! She’d still be alive if it weren't for me!
Thankfully, Seama decided to leave. He patted Kavin's shoulder saying, "May the force be with you."
Two days later:
Kavin bowed to Doctor Cheeyava as he entered her abode. "Thank you," Kavin spoke haltingly in Shyriiwook, "for letting me stay here, doctor." He had convinced the green translator droid, TR7V2, to teach him the Wookie language. He still needed practice speaking it, but he could now understand it well enough to carry on a conversation.
Cheeyava beamed at Kavin, pleasantly surprised to hear him speak her language. "You are welcome, young Jedi." She closed the door behind her.
"Please, call me Kavin." I don't deserve to even be a Jedi padawan after what happened. "You're home is beautiful!" Kavin looked around in awe at how nature and technology blended together to create a welcoming atmosphere to all who entered.
Suddenly there was a roar and some laughter, followed by four Wookies of varying sizes running into the room. All save one were taller than Kavin's 5' 7" frame, but not as tall as Cheeyava. Three were tossing something back and forth to each other and dodging the largest one, who almost knocked Kavin over as he tried to get whatever it was back. Cheeyava was directly behind Kavin when it happened and was able to steady him. He couldn't tell what the object they were throwing was, but the biggest Wookie looked enraged as he was yelling, "Give it back!"
"Give it back!" The others mocked him as they kept tossing it to each other. One had jumped onto the couch which was in the middle of the room.
"Stop it!" Kavin jumped as Cheeyava hollered from right behind him. The younger Wookies all stopped immediately. Whatever the object was they'd been throwing hit one in the head, then hit the floor and rolled under the couch. The biggest quickly retrieved it, then stood next to one of the smaller ones, glaring at him.
The four looked to their mother. "Now, this is Jedi padawan, Kavin. As we've discussed, he'll be staying with us a week or so. I expect you to be on good behavior as he heals!" She turned to Kavin. "These," she looked warningly at her children, "are my four youngest sons: Korvacca, Chanavva, Vikyyvu, and Thraykshyyva." The smallest was Korvacca, and the largest Vikyyvu. The other two looked to be twins. Kavin smiled and waved to each as she introduced them. They each waved and greeted him in turn. Vikyyvu looked somewhat familiar, but, Kavin couldn't be sure why. "Where is Kahreeshku?" Cheeyava asked.
At the name, a furry head appeared from behind the couch. "Kahree, come from behind there and greet our guest." As Kahree stood and came around the piece of furniture, Kavin could see she was the youngest, being two heads shorter than he. With beautiful white fur striped with orange and black, she looked allot like her mother. She stood just to the side and back from Korvacca and waved, saying nothing.
"Hello, Kahreeshku," Kavin smiled, "how are you today?" The youngest of Cheeyava's children took a sudden interest in the floor near her feet.
"She doesn't speak." Korvacca said, "She's afraid of her own voice." Kahreeshku snarled and pushed her brother, who just laughed.
"Korva!" Cheeyava warned.
"Yes, mother." Korvacca sighed. "Sorry Kahree." He apologized to his sister who just stood there with her arms folded. She stole a furtive sideways glance at Kavin.
At this moment, the front door opened. Kavin looked back to see a very tall Wookie coming in. "Dalocca," Cheeyava greeted him happily as she gave him a hug. "Our guest is here." She indicated Kavin.
Dalocca seemed twice the height as Kavin as he towered over him. "You look much better than when Vikyyvu and I found you hanging in a tree three days ago." He slapped Kavin on the left shoulder. It was a friendly gesture, but, Kavin's knees buckled a little and he nearly fell. "I'm sorry, Kavin!" Dalocca exclaimed profusely as he grabbed the young human to steady him. "I don't know my own strength sometimes.
"That's quite alright." So, that's why Vikyyvu seemed familiar. His was the face I saw when I first woke up. "I feel much better. Thank you for coming to my rescue." Kavin bowed to Dalocca, then looked at Vikyyvu and bowed to him as well.
Vikyyvu chuckled as he waved his arm toward Kavin. "No need for thanks, Kavin. We can't very well leave Jedi hanging around to feed the vashyyk!"
"Yes, as my son said, I couldn't ignore your call." Kavin furrowed his brow. He didn't remember making a call. Seeing his confusion, Dalocca explained. "You reached out in the force for help. I felt it."
"Oh!" Kavin replied, surprised.
"My husband was a Jedi padawan many years ago." Cheeyava said proudly.
Kavin looked at Dalocca. "Are you a Jedi knight, then?"
Dalocca shook his head. "I chose to come back to Kashyyyk to use my talents to serve my people instead of the galaxy before I was given that honor."
Before Kavin could think more on this, Cheeyava spoke. "Kahree, could you please show Kavin where he'll be staying?" Cheeyava then turned to Kavin. "Kahree volunteered to give you her room to use during your stay."
Kavin bowed to the young Wookie. "Thank you, Kahree."
Kahreeshku bowed, then simply started walking out of the room. She paused at the archway before turning to look at him, and gestured for him to follow. She waited for him to catch up to her, then took his hand and led him to her room.
"Where are you going to stay while I'm here?" He asked as he entered. She only pointed down the hall towards the living room. "Well, I appreciate you giving me your room, Kahree."
There was an awkward silence as they just looked at each other. He didn't have anything to put away, and she just stood there staring up at him. He looked about the room. The bed was a hammock strung across the room, hanging about five feet in the air. Either end was suspended from a pole designed to look and feel like a tree trunk. He walked over to it, trying to figure out how he'd get into it without falling. He looked back at Kahreeshku. She grinned and motioned for him to step aside. He did so, and she just walked towards the bed, and when she was a couple feet away, jumped up, grabbed the side, and flipped into the bed as it swung. Next thing he knew, she was laying in it as it swayed gently back and forth. Her head was cradled by a fluffy pillow. As she lay there, he noticed there was a large lump on her throat. Then she just as nimbly exited what to him looked more like a giant sling shot than a bed and indicated he should try it.
He looked at the bed, then to his small host, then back at the bed. When he looked back at Kahreeshku, it looked like she was smirking a little behind her hand. When she saw him looking at her, her eyes widened and she quickly straightened, pulling her hand behind her and looked very serious. He chuckled. "I don't think I'm up to that kind of acrobatics right now." He held his side where his ribs had been broken. They had been mended with the best of today's medical technology, but were still tender.
He thought carefully. He was tempted to say she could keep her room and he'd sleep in the living room, but, something in Cheeyava's voice when she had announced where he'd be staying, and Kahreeshku's manner gave him pause. He had a feeling that might hurt the young one's feelings. "Do you mind if I slept on the floor?"
She tilted her head at him, then Kahreeshku jumped onto one of the pseudo-tree trunks and shimmied up to where one end of the hammock was fastened. She unfastened it, then fastened it lower. She did the same on the other side. Now the hammock was low enough where he could just sit down to get in. If he was careful while moving around he wouldn't fall out.
"Or," he shrugged as he looked at the Wookie's handiwork, "you could lower it."
Kavin heard a strange sound and looked at Kahreeshku. She was covering her mouth again. This time she was definitely laughing. Again, she forced herself to stop with her eyes wide when she saw he was looking her way. "Sure," he quipped, "laugh at the funny human." He winked at her, laughing. She relaxed and smiled brightly.
"Kahree?" Kavin and Kahreeshku turned at the voice. Korvacca was standing in the doorway. "Mother wants you to help her in the kitchen."
Kahreeshku looked up at Kavin. "Thank you," Kavin bowed to her, "for your gracious help and hospitality." She returned the bow, and skipped off to help her mom, going around her brother.
Korvacca remained standing in the doorway, looking at Kavin appraisingly. "Kahree hasn't smiled like that for a long time. Not since," he paused and looked out the doorway, then continued, "she had the operation." The boy put a hand to his throat. Kavin remembered the lump he saw on Kahreeshku's throat earlier. "She was born without a voice box, so they operated on her to give her a fake one. She only spoke once, and hasn't spoken or smiled since. That was about six months ago." Korvacca leaned against the doorway and sighed. "I miss the old Kahree. Sometimes I wish they never gave her a voice box. Or that they made it so she sounded real." He looked down at his feet. "What I said earlier, I didn't really mean. She's not afraid of her voice, she just doesn't like it."
Korvacca pushed himself off the doorway then, and said, "Well, I had better let you settle in. Mother had Kahree come help her so you could be left alone."
As the boy turned to leave, Kavin said, "Korvacca?" The boy paused in the doorway, looking back at Kavin. "She'll be alright. With a caring brother like you, she'll come around." Korvacca looked thoughtfully at Kavin, nodded, and then left.
Kavin smiled to himself as he sat on the hammock and leaned back, using it as a chair instead of a bed at the moment. Swaying in the hammock, he couldn't help being reminded of his home on Corellia. He was the middle child of five brothers and two sisters. He remembered how he would tease his younger sister unmercifully, but cared deeply for her, just as Korvacca obviously did for Kahreesku. The gentle swaying lulled him into a light sleep.
