Just Feel Better (D10 EE, Closed)

[Niall Organa]

Niall smiled. "That's very kind of you to say." He said. "And I expect you're right. Peace is likely going to be at least as much work as war. I don't doubt that there will be plenty for me to do. And while I'm only a Captain, I won't deny that I've become a rather prominent one."

He smiled again. "It sounds as though you're fairly optimistic about peace, I take it?"

[Cole Ormont]

"Maybe less optimistic than hopeful," Cole shrugged. Peace wasn't going to be a silver bullet to his problems, but at least it lowered the chance that he'd find himself on the wrong end of a Sith lightsaber. He shuddered, wondering if Shaisha would hesitate for a full heartbeat, or just half of one, if she was ordered to cut him down.

Running a hand through his hair, "Hala, uh Colonel Moraal, was greviously injured yesterday. I spent some time with her, talking about peace. She has a damn good head on her shoulders, and a firm grasp of the challenges ahead."

[Niall Organa]

Niall nodded, his eyebrows going up. "Oh, yes. I actually spoke to her earlier today. She's doing well." He inclined his head to Cole, figuring the doctor was almost certainly involved for at least part of her good condition.

"But yes, she is quite an impressive Officer." He pursed his lips for a moment. "I can't quite call myself her opposite number. She's got the rank, and more importantly the experience. Still, there are some comparisons that can be made. Similarities and difference." Niall frowned, considering these.

[Cole Ormont]

"You'd make a formidable team, the two of you," Cole declared simply.

[Niall Organa]

Niall chuckled. "Perhaps so. Part of that is that good officers are made to be at least somewhat interchangeable. Still, some fit together better than others." His lips pressed together for a moment. "Colonel Garza and I, for instance, aren't the best fit."

He smiled at Cole. "But a serving officer isn't supposed to admit that sort of thing, of course, so that's just between you and me."

[Cole Ormont]

Cole smiled and raised his hand as if to be sworn to silence.

"Do you ever wonder what it would be like to be Force-sensitive?" Cole ran a hand through his hair, "I mean, I used to try, when I was a kid. I tried so hard to make things move with my mind," he chuckled, "of course, back then I thought that's all the Force was, really. Moving things with your mind."

[Niall Organa]

Niall nodded. "Oh, yes. I've wondered all the time. Ever since Aly was taken by the Jedi."

He pursed his lips thoughtfully. "But... I suppose that's not the same. I've wondered what it would be like to be a Jedi. To be part of that order. It's far more rarely that I wondered what it would be like to be Force sensitive. Although I did, just the other day." He tilted his head inquisitively. "Why do you ask?"

[Cole Ormont]

There was a faint, reflexive kick as Niall mentioned his childhood friend turned lover, but Cole was surprised by how distant it felt. "They say the Force works on us all, whether we know it or not." He ran a hand through his hair, "when you got here, I was trying to listen, really listen. I thought if I could just try hard enough, maybe I'd hear some whisper, some hint of what I was supposed to do."

"Three paths in front of me, and no clue which to take. The indecision's killing me."

[Niall Organa]

"Perhaps it would be better if we could all feel that." Niall said, with a scarcely perceptible shrug. He'd rarely had doubts in his chosen path. Just the individual steps. "Although I've known Jedi to be uncertain about that sort of thing. The future may be a little less opaque to them than to the rest of us, but I think it's still a mystery."

He offered Cole a smile. "With that in mind... I don't see that you have to decide right now. It's been a long day, capping a long week. And tomorrow will bring important answers. Sleep on it, at the very least." He waited a moment. "Although, I am curious to know what pulls you in each direction."

[Cole Ormont]

"At the very least, I suppose I should wait to see if the talks succeed. It will all be moot if the war continues."

Cole considers, carefully, what he's about to say next. "The first choice, to return to Service, seems the easy choice. It's familiar, and I know that wherever I'm sent will be in the best interests of the Republic. To go to the Outer Rim appeals because it is the place where I feel my abilities can have the greatest impact on the immediate wellbeing of others, saving lives."

Running a hand through his hair, "the third choice, the unlikely one," Cole's mouth twists. "The allure of the unknown, to help set in motion change that will benefit not just the lives of millions of inhabitants of the Empire, but their children's lives, and their children's children." He takes a breath, "a chance to turn enemy to friend," and more than friend, he silently adds.

[Niall Organa]

Niall was silent, his expression impassive.

Finally he spoke. "I am torn." He said. "On the one hand, I want to keep such a skilled surgeon, and a good person, as you are around. After all, who knows when the next time I'll be shot through the chest will be?" He smiled, shaking his head.

"On the other hand..." He went on, his expression turning serious once more. "I don't know that, all else being even, I would give someone the advice to stay where they're comfortable. I would advise them to go for what really drives them. I think one person really can make all the difference, as long as it's the right person."

He gave Cole a crooked smile. "I don't know if that helps. I rather hope it does. But either way, it's all I've got."

[Cole Ormont]

"It's a lot to think on," he ran his hand through his hair. Cole heaved a sigh, "thanks for listening, sir, and for the advice. I shouldn't keep you any longer, and I might see some patients, maybe that will help clear my head."

[Niall Organa]

"Of course." Niall smiled, straightening from the wall. "Do keep me informed. I should like to know how it turns out." He frowned a little. "And... don't over do it with your work. Again, not really something I have much of a right to say, but still."

[Cole Ormont]

Cole got to his feet and stuck out a hand for the Captain to shake, "will do, on both counts."

[Niall Organa]

Niall shook the man's hand. "Take care, Cole." He smiled. "And let me know about Alderaan. It's a terrific place to visit. And live." He sighed. "Either way, I should like for you to see it."