Vren's heart was heavy.
Reports had filtered in from the scant Karjr garrison on Tatooine. He had no idea what to expect when he got there, but he knew he had to go. There was just one thing he needed to do first.
Veshok Rook was offworld currently, so Vren had no other way of saying what he needed to say before he left to clean up some mess on Tatooine. A recording was the only way to get it to the boy before he had to leave.
So he dragged a chair over to face the already rolling camera and sat down. He drew in a deep breath before looking straight at the lens. He then cleared his throat before speaking.
"Vesh, I won't be here before you get back, so I figured I'd let you know this way so it reached you on time. Reports have come in of some issues on Tatooine. I'll be heading there soon and I also want to check on my ranch while I'm there." he said, more Guildmaster than father up to this point. But then he hesitated. "I wanted to tell you before you think I ran out on you too."
That was the real reason why he notified his son of where he was going.
Vren drew in another breath. His heart was getting heavier by the minute. He swallowed, then continued.
"This is a conversation that I really wanted to have with you face to face during a more peaceful time. I guess it's only an old fool's dream that there will ever be peace." He hesitated again, swallowing away the growing lump in his throat before clearing it. "I never once imagined to receive a blessing so late in my life, yet you appeared and you had stayed." He looked away suddenly, blinking quickly to clear the wetness from his eyes before clearing his throat again. His gaze returned to face the lens once more. "I know we didn't start off on the greatest of terms and for that....I am truly sorry. Of everyone, I was most angry at your mother for never telling me about you." The lump was back and he struggled harder to swallow it away. His voice cracked slightly when he spoke again. "My greatest regret...," more softly, "My utmost regret in all my years in this Galaxy, is to not have known about you earlier, Vesh." The wetness didn't want to go away from his eyes, but he bit back from letting them spill over. "To not have been there when you were born, Son. To not have been the one to teach you how to shoot. How to tell right from wrong. When to take a life and when to spare it." He drew in a deep shuddering breath. "But you grew up an incredibly strong young man regardless. You possess all the best qualities and wisdom beyond your years. I don't take credit for any of it, but Vesh," he smiled despite the first tear finally spilling over. "I can't be prouder of how you turned out. To know that my son can stand on his own two feet and make the right decisions no matter what he faces..." Another tear but his heart couldn't be fuller. "You are a true Mando'ad, Son. Never change."
He cleared his throat again. It was hard to say it all in such an impersonal way, but he had to....just in case.
"I don't know what I'll face on Tatooine, but I wanted you to know this just in case I don't make it back in one piece. You are the greatest treasure I didn't ask for, but I thank the Manda every day that you found your way to me anyway. For the off chance that I won't be seeing you again," He drew another, more heaving breath as he got ready to talk through the emotion.
"I love you, Son. I really do."
He got up quickly and shut off the camera.
Then he collapsed onto the chair again, buried his face in his hands and finally let all the emotions go to flow freely.
Hours later, an emotionally exhausted Vren found his basilisk, Nag, and asked her to transmit the message to Veshok while he prepared their departure.
