A Beacon in the Storm

[Riamah]

He answered her question which took her back to an earlier question he had asked. What Ra had taken to mean one thing and answered truthfully to it, he had meant something else entirely. Her answer was still accurate though to a degree. Difference in theologies only became an issue when they were forced on another person. Her own view was to let others do what they wanted to do as long as it didn't interfere with her.

"Oh dear. I saw that question in a totally different way and thought you were asking if I had a husband."

Never expecting to feel embarrassed about anything, she did this and very likely her cheeks grew in color. However, she didn't look away from him.

"So going off how I heard the question, I did state the truth."

She raised a hand to keep him from speaking if he was going to before she continued.

"Even knowing now what you meant, I will not go out of my way to seek confrontation with anybody. I give you my word on that."

Most people wouldn't trust the word of a sith, but Ra felt herself unique among their number. Once she gave her word or a vow, she would do everything within her power to hold herself to it.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

For along hard moment, Vulpesen stared at her, his eyes narrowing. She couldn't have... could she? It was a common phrase, to have a dog in a fight. And the idea of him speaking about marriage would have come quite out of the blue. Certainly there was a bit of interest from him but that was completely beside the point, and an initial attraction was certainly not enough to make him feel that bold. Really, she had to be lieing to him. Every word she spoke about her words being true from a certain point of view went in one ear and out the other as he continued to stare at her. Logic demanded he call this woman a liar. The mistake was simply too much... and yet, the force and all the training he'd had in mercantilism and politics told him... this woman was telling the truth.

Finally Ra stopped speaking, leaving a still silence as Vulpesen stared on, his golden eyes blazing with an inspecting look. Then whether it was the absurdity of it all or the shade of her face... Vulpesen broke. Leaning back, he opened his mouth and filled the room with laughter, so wide mouthed that the pair of fangs in his mouth were prominently displayed. Barely able to keep from flailing, he raved while he gripped the edge of the chair. The noise was an odd once, barking, howling, and yips all mixed into a human voice while tears rose to his eyes. "By the stars!" He tried to gain control of himself, whines of distress leaving his body as he held it in to control his words. "Y-you're serious!" With that, he burst into yet another fit. Who'd have thought that the noble king, the warrior who felled countless sith forces, would be sitting in the castle of one, doing his best not to drop to the floor in a fit of mirth.

 

[Riamah]

After she finished speaking, he stared at her with an intense gaze. He studied her closely to get a read on her. From her head to her feet. A look that weighed her words against what he had known in his life about sith. After he assessed her, the words and the situation, he broke out in laughter.

All the truth she spoke and the fact it was done openly without any façade between them made her know he believed her. His few words he was able to exclaim when he had the breath for it caused her to smile. The laughter was almost contagious, but not fully. A few giggles came out of her and her eyes lit up with a sense of joy she never knew she could feel.

When his laughter subsided and he was left panting in the chair Ra still had wore her smile as she spoke.

"What purpose would there be to lie, Vulps?"

As he was lost in his laughter, Ra stood up and walked over to her desk. Reaching into one of the drawers, she took out two glasses and a decanter of something stronger than tea. Pouring them both a glass, she carried one over to him and offered it to him when he was able to take it and resumed her seat.

"To address your apt observation, I am serious."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Panting indeed Vulpesen did his pest to smooth over the marks his claws had left in his seat. Lifting his tail up to wipe his eyes, he still let out a few tired sounding laughs as he recovered. "That's what made me believe. I apologize, but that has got to be the funniest moment I have ever had!" He leaned back and placed a hand over his aching abdomen. Then as Ra picked out the glasses and decanter, the Veran king's singular ear popped up. Maybe it was a bit too eager looking, but what could he say, of the things zorren culture had impressed upon him, the love of drink was quite high on the list. "Sorry, maybe I shouldn't laugh at a gracious host, but that really was something else." He reached out to take the glass, unable to wipe the wide crooked grin off his face.

 

[Riamah]

"Hey at least you know you can take me at my words."

Ra actually gave him a slight wink when she said that and waved off his apology for laughing. Unlike many other sith that would have taken offense at the laughter, Ra took it in stride. As she thought about something, her eyes narrowed just slightly. She trusted him. How he had accomplished that so soon was beyond her, but she knew it inside.

He took the glass she offered to him and apologized a second time. She leaned forward in her seat looking at him and had to think on her next statement for a few moments. When the words finally did come, she spoke almost with a sense of hesitation, but carried a touch of humor.

"Here I thought you were offering yourself as well, but like a little girl dreaming of owning a castle as an adult, that may be all it is. A dream to have somebody loyal."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

He smirked and took the glass, his clawed fingers curling around the clear glass. Observant as ever, he had of course caught the wink, as well as the look of minor uncertainty. While unknowing at the moment of what caused that look, he was aware of his gift which allowed him to relate to others. Though, it was something he rarely thought about. "Who's to say I wouldn't, given a bit more time? As for loyalty, the last one I gave my heart to, I quite literally went to hell and back for her." His nail tapped against the glass. "Too bad I couldn't say the same for her." There was a bit of wistfulness in his words. But it was obvious both though his presence in the force, and the tone of his words that those scars had healed. He wasn't one to hide his past, or forget about it. But he certainly wasn't one to let it hold him back either.

Again, laughter filled the zorren's voice as a thought occurred to him. "Quite the classic story. My parents fought on either side. my mother was one of the broken zorrens... one who's mind had been shattered by the sith. My father was the last king and a master in the jedi order. Yet somehow, between the wars and battles, I came to be. Its not a bad dream to look for a someone that would defy their world to join yours. Dare I say its a rather beautiful one."

 

[Riamah]

"A fair point, Vulps. If I had the luxury of having somebody in my life like you did, then I would do the same. It is unfortunate she couldn't do the same for you."

Ra did mean what she said​ even if she didn't know how far Vulpesen had actually gone in the past. Even though he spoke of what he did for the one he had been loyal to and that it hadn't been repaid, he had moved beyond it. Remembering it, but not allowing it to maintain a control over him.

He then told her about his parents and even though she didn't remember hers, they shared a similarity. She only knew what her master told her as he raised, the only person she thought of as a father. Their relationship had been nothing like that though. All her life it was clear she was his apprentice and he was master. There was no love between them, but no hate either. When he died, he named her a Sith Lord and ejected her into an escape pod. Somewhere along the line her memory was covered and she remembered none of this. It was all clear to now though.

"If your father was the last king, does that make you a prince and royalty?"

While the question was meant more in a light manner, Ra was curious of the answer.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"We live and learn. Better to have loved and lost they say." At her next question, the zorren returned to that crooked grin and gave a sort of nod. "I suppose it does. But the Veran people have always elected their leaders from a council. Of course, since I was the one who liberated the planet, and I was the long lost son of the last Valde, and a descendant of a well revered line, I didn't stay a simple 'prince' for very long. Now I use the title of Valde, or as some would say, King." He might have been the most unkingly king in existence. But the truth was, he was still a king.

His eyes fell on her with a bit of a mischievous glint. "Sorry to say, but I think my palace has yours just a little bit beat. Tall spires which reach into the sky as we build our home in the forest rather than over it. A city that is one with nature as opposed to it, using its dangerous to protect us from those that would do us wrong. Its a beautiful sight, a palce where the wilds are used to serve our ambition as a society rather than hinder it."

 

[Riamah]

A sort of wistful look crossed her face for a moment when he talked about having loved and lost than not known love at all. It was something that had never happend to her. When she was younger it wasn't something she thought of, considered or even missed. In the span of a few years though that had changed. It was as if she suddenly felt a piece was missing. While it may or not be love, the thought did cross her mind that it was.

He did answer her question on being a king and with the same bit of humor she had put in her question. The mention again of the architecture used though perked her interest again and she had to shake her head. It wasn't in a negative way, but humorous.

"Trees that can eat people and I wonder what else is there that would be detrimental to the safety of life and limb. It sounds like your world is harsh to those that aren't prepared. It sounds quite nice in its own way though."

Given the opportunity she would travel there, but not without somebody that was aware of the land, people and nature. Such a person was sitting there, but Ra was hesitant to ask that of him. Especially on their first meeting.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen could feel the idea of missing something as it moved its way through Ra in the force. Easily identified as something he himself had often held. Still, he shook the thoughts from his mind to return to the discussion at hand. "Its not all flowers and leaves. My people also ride giant five tailed foxes, one of which is in the cargo of my ship. A bit less domesticated are the zipher. A very fast wingless two legged dragon that shoots acid from its mouth." He smiled quite, proud of his home's ability to defend itself. "Yes it is dangerous, but the wilds of Veradune are gorgeous, and my people have long since learned to live in harmony with our surroundings."

 

[Riamah]

Listening to him further speak of his world, Ra smiled. His home was nothing like she had ever been to and there was nothing she could compare it to in her mind.

"So it isn't just trees that can eat people."

While she had a certain interest in running across the fox like animal, there wasn't one so much for the dragon. Especially one that shoots acid. She could just imagine what damage it could do and how dangerous it was. He was proud of his home and Ra picked that up from him. She didn't have a planet she could really call home, only what she made for herself as an adult. A home they now sat in.

"I'm sure to live there one would need to be familiar with what is what. The time needed to learn everything is great, I'm sure. Sadly, I have never been given an opportunity to connect with nature much."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"If it were just the trees, things would get so boring." He grinned persisted leaned back, a hand drifting up to clasp a pendant which hung from his neck. "Not as great as you might think. The zorrens have made it quite easy to navigate the forest with minimal danger, clearing certain trails. Just stay close to the pathways and you'll be fine. And in my experience, nothing is like eating in a Veran dining hall." He chuckled softly as a few memories flew into his mind. "Though perhaps that would be more dangerous than anything the wilds would have to offer." As his hand rested on the pendant, a small weight under his wrist would start to stir from its slumber.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

He spoke while grinning at her, it gave off the aura of a man that was comfortable and confident. He knew how to live life to the fullest and had respect for others. Ra knew deep inside that he would make a wonderful ally and worse enemy. His open attitude rubbed off on her and for once she felt like she could be open with somebody and actually be herself. Not having to wear any mask, it was why she had revealed herself to him in the first place.

"Sadly, I am unable to make safe paths through the rain here. Sometime if I could, I would like to visit your home."

There she had said one of the thoughts that had flitted through her mind. As a part of her and feeling like she could speak freely with him, she did just that. Chuckling at his next statement, she shook her head slightly in confusion.

"How could eating be dangerous?"

She was observant and noticed his hand had moved up to grasp at his necklace pendant. The movement within his pocket was blocked by his wrist so she didn't see that.
​
[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

To be honest, Vulpesen enjoyed the idea of bringing this woman over to see his home, the pride of his life at the moment. Of course, even if she was rather kind, there were limits to his own tolerance. "I hope you'd understand if I first took measures to see to it that you couldn't make a return trip to Veradune without me. I can't very well have a sith knowing where I rest my head, even if she seems surprisingly sane for the title. As for eating... we Zorrens don't believe in privacy if you go out to eat in public. Every meal is eaten at a large table with all the other patrons. Its one massive buffet with alcohol aplenty laid out with all the other drinks. We're also a bit of a warrior culture... so no restaurant is complete without some sort of medic station." Lifting his hand a bit, Vulpesen found himself momentarily distracted as a glowing blue head poked out of his coat. "Oh, hello Ace."

 

[Riamah]

"I understand your concern fully. Though how you would go about doing it, I wonder."

Ra couldn't help but laugh when he called her same for carrying the title of Sith, "sane, by who's standards? I agree with you though. Some of them out there and well rather out there."

She wouldn't dream of going there without a guide of some sort any way, but he wouldn't know that. Tipping her head to the side as he spoke of how his people are, she wondered how it work for somebody like her.

"Sounds like things can get hectic while eating."

Her mind flashed with the vision of people like him sitting, chatting and sharing food. An accidental elbow that would then turn into a brawl. Wearing a small smile at the thought, she saw a small, blue head poke out under the wrist of Vulpesen. He lifted his hand to reveal a small creature he called Ace.

If Ra had thought herself opening up before, this little thing sealed the deal. Her face looked like she was almost a child looking into a candy store and her eyes were lit up. Sith she may be, but at the moment there was nothing in her indicating it and she looked between her guest and his critter.

"He is so cute!"

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Upon being cute, Ace let out a small bark before trying to clammer out of the pocket. 'Who's this? Oh, look at those eyes, she loves me! *Expletive* Vulpesen, let me go up to her!' The voice could of course, only be heard in Vulpesen's head due to the personal telepathic nature of Ashlan communication, and even then, Ace often expressed himself in ideas rather than words(hence the general expletive). Of course, the telepathic communication also had the side effect of Vulpesen tilting his head like he'd heard a dog whistle while he listened to Ace's questions. Lifting a hand under Ace to let him climb down and trot his way over to the sith, Vulpesen rolled his eyes. "That would be Ace, my best friend. Ace, this is Ra'a'mah. Ra for short." Ace gave a sort of bow before sitting on his hind paws at her feet, doing his best to balance while his front ones rose into the air. Have her pick me up! "Also, it'd be quite simple. Either you come in my ship, or I wipe the travel logs from your ship as you come to visit us and again as you leave."

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

Ra watched with a look of pleasure on her face at the interaction between Vulpesen and his little blue friend. While she could not know what was said between them, she could imagine though. The little creature barked and then scampered over to her. He appeared to give a bow and then sat back on his hind feet. His position clearly indicating a wish to be picked up.

Ra did just that and put the small animal in her lap. If he wanted to wander around her, he was more than welcome to. If he stayed in her lap, then she would pet him if he allowed it.

"Hello Ace. You are so cute."

For the moment, her full attention was on Ace, but when Vulpesen did answer she looked up from him. That look was still on her face as she listened to his answer.

"You know if your planet eats people, I'd be concerned what a ship could do. At least you wouldn't like wipe the memory of my visit from my mind. So if it ever happens I do go there, I agree to your terms."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

He chuckled softly and shook his head. "Its just an old yt-1930. The Vixen isn't too impressive. And you're free to join me whenever you wish." Ace curled up in Ra's lap, his tail thumping against the woman's thigh. I like her. She's soft. And she pets me! Vulpesen did his best to ignore the pleased voice that was echoing in his mind. "As for sane, compared to most of the sith I know, you're a star among them. Which begs the question, why do you stay with them? By what I heard from your servant, you don't agree with their policy of grinding the week beneath your heel, something which is a bit integral to being a sith."

 

[Riamah]

As she pet Ace, the motion relaxed her more than she thought it could. The feeling of a small animal under her hand was something she had never had before. Vulpesen said she would be free to join him whenever she wished and she smiled at the thought.

"Same can be said to you. While here you only have to face burning raid, you can come and go as you want."

He answered her question about her sanity and then asked why she stayed with them. It took her a few moments to think of an answer that satisfied her before she spoke. Her answer was true though.

"It is all I've known actually. My master found me when I was almost an infant and raised me as a Bainite. He was the person that guided me and turned me into what I am now basically. He used being a sith to gain power on a small world and taught me how to rule. To not allow anything to stand in my way in accomplishing my goals. He also taught me that being sith doesn't require a need to be evil and dominating. So I am not that way."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

You aren't... Why not? Alright. "Once upon a time, the jedi were all I knew. But while I believed in their mission, their method disgusted me. Now then, doesn't it seem off that while you might agree with the ambition of the sith, their common methods and mission do seem to be rather detrimental to your beliefs. They live for slavery and oppression, ideals which I've seen at the very least, a distaste of in your home. Miss Ra, perhaps you should rethink your place among the order. The desire to be a part of something bigger is compelling to be sure. But sometimes ones individuality must be set free from the restrictions of a corrupt order." Perhaps it was a bit rude to launch into such a sermon when she had been so kind to him. But of course, Vulpesen had his reasons. he liked Ra, as did Ace. And as such, he couldn't stay silent as he watched her walk a path of darkness, even if she avoided the pitfalls that littered her walkway. He had seen the sith, and even as he fought against them from within, the things he did in their name still gave him nightmares to this day.