A Beacon in the Storm

[Riamah]

He made a valid point, but it went hand in hand with her view of life. In saying he found the same problem, Ra looked at him with a questioning look.

"What do you mean?"

Vulpesen had said he had loved. From what she could piece together what she knew of him in this short amount of time was that it hadn't fully been returned. If that's what he meant, then there was nothing she could do or say as a reply. Looking down at Ace, she smiled. He trusted her enough to fall asleep on her lap and looked up again when he spoke.

"Well, if you want a place to stay besides your ship while you're here, a room could be made ready for you."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"After my last love, I haven't really had much of a social life. Until recently, I've been holed up in my castle, passing legislation and giving decrees to help my people reconstruct their society. Guess this trip of mine is just a way of learning to live again." Upon hearing Ra's offer, Vulpesen flicked his ear and tail, perking up just a bit. "That would be very nice. But I wouldn't want to intrude on you." A part of him berated himself for not immediately saying yes. But what could he do? It wasn't exactly polite to unquestioningly take such an offer only a day after meeting someone.

 

[Riamah]

"I don't have much for people here, obviously."

When she was with the Dominion that had been different, but with their destruction, her people had gone away. Teaching and training those who would work for her and intelligence, they were gone.

"You're learning to live...again and in a way I haven't yet."

Ra shook her head at his suggestion he would be intruding on her. His reaction couldn't be missed and she also wore a bit of a smile.

"I have a handful of servants for company in a large castle. You won't be a bother at all."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"I mean... I wouldn't use it as a background for a dating profile on the holonet." Vulpesen looked to the door. "Whats even on that dating profile? Likes bourbon, dark castles, and dancing in the rain as it burns holes in my flesh?" He turned back, bearing that wide smile. "It can be a bit difficult to get back into the swing of things, but you have to start somewhere. And as lovely as your castle is, the scenery could use some work. I'd suggest going on a trip. But for now, I think I might stick around and keep you company. Though, I will need to figure out how to get my ride some food."

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

"Dating profile? You certainly have an interesting sense of humor, Vulps."

It was a very funny idea and he had such a contagious smile. Ra gave him a smile back and took another drink.

"I have no such thing, but let's see. Has a second home on the barren ice world of Helska, loves learning and teaching. Carrying a soft spot for children and doesn't approve of slavery."

Going on with the light banter, she told him a few more things about herself he didn't already know.

"If you think the scenery is bad here, you should see my other home. Nothing but ice and snow there. At least here there is life. Where would you suggest a trip be taken?"

He said he would stick around and keep her company for a while. Giving him a smile that clearly lit up her face. He mentioned his mount and she certainly had enough room for more here.

"I assume it would be something large. As you can see I have room here."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"Loves long walks through the man eating forests, fighting the forces of evil and, and has a tendency to drop slavers into his labor force for irony's sake." He peered into his empty glass and narrowed his eyes, lashing his tail behind him. "Dislikes empty glasses, slavers, and genocidal maniacs. Oh, and people who are incapable of even a faint smile. As for where to visit, Veradune is as lovely as ever. Just stick to the path and close to your guide." As Ra mentioned the size of his mount, Vulpesen set aside his glass and stood up. "You could say that. Shadow's a veran fox." He stepped away from the chair, giving himself some room as he took his amulet into his hand. "About this big... Varos!" As he called out to the Ur-spirit, Vulpesen found his body shifting and warping before turning into the massive creature and standing before her, standing almost two meters tall.

 

[Riamah]

Chuckling at his further description of himself, Ra hadn't noticed his empty glass. Not wanting to disturb the sleeping Ace, she looked over at the desk and floated the decanter over to the table next to him. Setting it down, she hoped he would get the message clear enough.

"What if it's a genocide that has a purpose?"

It was a question she asked very softly, but was sure he would hear it. While not something she would condone personally without a good reason, she knew it had been done in the past.

When he stood up it was a bit of a surprise, but she watched him. Looking around himself, he spoke and then transformed into a multi-tailed animal that was almost as cute as Ace. On a much larger scale though. True to her word though, there would be enough room for something of that size.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

While unable to answer Ra's question with his voice, Vulpesen did shake his head to her question, the firmness of the motion giving a good indication as to his beliefs. After a moment of parading around in the massive form, he shifted back, mostly so that he could use his hands to pour out a portion of the alcohol into his glass. "The only possible reason there could be, is that an entire race is trying to exterminate another. And even then, a surrender should be accepted if possible before they are annihilated."

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

Even if at first he couldn't speak since his form didn't allow it, Ra got the idea of his opinion and agreed with it. She had never done a genocide herself and wouldn't do it if there was a way to avoid it. Unless there was a very good reason, it was just wrong.

He went back to his normal form and poured himself more from the decanter and broke the brief silence with his actual answer. Nodding, she saw his point.

"Yes, but if they don't surrender, then death is the option for them. Not something to be pursued though."

His movements had been graceful and certainly large enough to be a mount. Giving him a smile as she looked at his normal form, she was glad he had showed that trick to her.

"I imagine the purposes of that would vary."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen nodded and retook his seat, taking another burning sip with a relaxed smile. "Last time I used it in battle, it was to knock down a wall so that I could get out of a tight spot. And as for No other options, that's certainly something I'm familiar with. After all, nine years of war does bring such things to the forefront of a person's mind." He set the glass aside and leaned forward, now shifting the conversation away from himself. "So, what about you? Any life on this world you might have taken a shine to?"

 

[Riamah]

"Is it that much stronger than your natural form?"

There wasn't much Ra could say in reply to his words about war. She had been in a few and actually defended a race from being wiped out. However, this was before her time with the Sith Empire, that still didn't change who she was though. In the amount of time she had been with them, they had to dragged her down to their level. She wouldn't allow it to happen.

"In this harsh climate there only like four native species to Vjun. One of them is called a Vjun Fox. They aren't sentient though, like Ace. Is your mount like him?"

Even though he was sleeping quite soundly in her lap, Ra reached down to pet him again. Her touch was rather soft and hoped not to wake him up.

"There is also the Vjun, but I haven't met one. Then there's two others that are similar to seagulls and fish. No plants because of the rain."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"I might be fairly strong as I am, but I can only do so much. The fox is as tall as a rancor. By sheer body mass I can break through most barriers that get in my way." Vulpesen's ears flicked a bit at the mentioned of another species of fox. "Shadow is a very intelligent creature, but I wouldn't call her sentient. I suppose semi-sentient would be the correct designation for her kind." A small huff of satisfaction left Ace as she started to pet him, and he stretched out to sprawl in her lap, obviously very comfortable.

 

[Riamah]

"One wouldn't be able to tell just by looking at you that you're stronger than what a human would be."

He didn't have the fine motor skills in the other form, but brute strength and the ability to carry another on his back if he wished. Finishing off her own drink, she set the glass down on the small table next to her. She noticed his ear flick when she mentioned the Vjun Fox and she smiled slightly knowing he would probably like to see one.

"Perhaps we can go find one."

It wasn't a question, but might be taken as one due to the lift in her voice. From what she had learned, they could be tamed to an extent. While not a beast master by any means, she had tamed and trained her nexu. So could try and do the same with one of these foxes.

Ace let out a sigh as if he had just been pretending to sleep as Ra started petting him again. Letting out an almost giggle, she looked at him a moment before turning the shining gaze back to Vulpesen.

"I'd like to meet her."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"I'm always open for finding new creatures. The man who raised me was a beast tamer." As she set her glass down, he simply took another sip form his own. "Perhaps when the storms blows over, I'll let Shadow out and we can go for a ride to search for one of the Vjun Foxes." His eyes met hers for a moment then looked down at his canine companion. "Shameless... Utterly shameless."

 

[Riamah]

"Deal."

She said that with a large smile and nodded when he mentioned about the storm letting up.

"I've never flown on the back of nature before. It'll be something new for me, if she likes me."

For a moment they looked at each other and then his eyes dropped to Ace, what he said just made her laugh. Whatever he was doing was softening her slightly. While she may not have noticed it on a conscience level, a change was happening within her.

"Do you think something like Ace would ever bond with somebody like me?"

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"I'm sure you two will get along fine. Shadow's pretty well mannered." While one hand swirled his glass, the other took his pendant into his fingers to fiddle with it, rubbing his thumb over the golden star. "Of course. Ashlan wolves come in many different temperaments. And their lives are spent trying to find a bondmate to latch onto. Perhaps one day I might just show you the commune and let you try to find a friend among them." Ace popped up and looked at him with drowsy eyes. No doubt, paying attention now that his home was mentioned.

 

[Riamah]

"I hope you're right. Well, I'm sure you are about Shadow being well mannered. Wouldn't do any good to have my hand bit off in meeting her though."

Running said hand she thought of through the fur of Ace, she listened to what he said about the little wolves.

"It would be neat for something like that to happen."

It brought to the surface​ of her thoughts on the whole idea that having somebody close was bad. Starting to rethink that though after speaking with Vulpesen at length on the subject. Maybe the risk of the pain was worth it.

Ace sat up and looked at Vulps, but with sleepy eyes.

"What does he say on the matter?"

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"I'm sure I could find some use for a disembodied hand. But I'm sure there are better treats for my fox." As Ra asked about Ace, he rose a brow and waited for the answer from the Ashlan. After a moment of thinking, Ace sent his impression over, though he was too tired to put it into words, leaving Vulpesen to translate it with his own. "You seem trust worthy enough for it. And he's confident in my ability to protect the commune."

 

[Riamah]

"Well, I would hope there would be."

Her voice was totally full of humor when she spoke and while she wasn't exactly smiling, it would shine in her eyes. In answer to her question, she gave Ace a little hug and set him back down in her lap.

"I swear I wouldn't do anything to put it in danger."

That word was golden and Ra meant it.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"Sounds like a plan, then." His grin widened as he knocked back the rest of his glass, a bit thankful that his zorren physiology would keep it from affecting him too much. As Ra hugged Ace, Vulpesen shifted in his seat, a sudden wave of emotion hitting him through his link with Ace. Comfy. Shutting down the open connection, he nestled back into his seat. "That's good to hear."