A Family Life Day [Past]

[Josh Dragovalor]

Life Day had come. Josh had expected this to be his first Life Day alone, but... That wasn’t the case, was it? No, instead he woke up in his bed at the DragonsFlame Homestead on Naboo, as the seaside air smell hit him. Feeling a presence beside him, he moved his head to Ra’s shoulder as he just lay there for a bit. As if just... Accepting that this was real. That his worst nightmare hadn’t come true, that this was real, this was true. That this wasn’t just a dream and he would find himself alone when he opened his eyes.

Slowly, he cracked an eye open, afraid that he might see just a ensemble of pillows that resembled the feel and shape of a person. But the mess of red hair all around brought credence to the reality of the situation. He felt around then until he felt Jason resting on his chest as well. And it all brought a smile to his face.

He laid there a little bit longer, just... taking it all in. Just... Happy.

 

[Riamah]

There were times when Ra slept like a rock. This was not one of those times. When Josh started to stir, it woke her up. This was among her first days at his real home. The one he kept secret from almost everybody. Yet, he allowed her here. It went to show just how much he trusted her and by now how much he loved her.

His head rested on her shoulder and she woke up under that gentle pressure. Being this close, even her weak empathic ability was strong enough to pick up on his happiness. Not moving at all, they laid together in almost silence. Only their mutual breathing was heard.

If he was paying attention, he would notice it had changed from the rhythmic breathing of sleep to one of wakefulness.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The seaside air continued to be a comfort for him. Despite it being winter, Naboo was always one of the warmer planets and so it wasn't as cold as it could be. It'd certainly be colder when they returned to Kashyyyk later though... Either way, he was content to lie there just a bit longer.

Though he could feel it when she woke, and he took a deep breath then. He could feel another presence being awake: Jason. It seemed the child was still half asleep and had similar thoughts to him, just wanting to-

"Daddy, you snore loud."

Josh's eyes would open when he heard the voice. Apparently a thought had come to Jason's mind, and seeming to realize his father was awake somehow, he'd spoken it. Josh would blink a few times in surprise, but smirked lightly.

"I do not snore."

 

[Riamah]

It was a fact of life that everybody snored, even if they didn't know it. Josh appeared to be one that didn't know he snored and if the truth was known, she didn't she did either. Keeping quiet until Josh spoke in reply, Ra chuckled a little and lifted her head to look at Jason.

Giving him a wink, Josh would feel a light elbow to his side.

"I've heard people snore way louder on my merchant ships. Your daddy is far from a loud sleeper."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Well, I'll take that as a compliment... I think?" Josh responded, chuckling a bit while Jason giggled in response. "Good morning, honey. Jason. Happy Life Day to you both."

Letting out a yawn as the Jedi Master would sit up straight, he would stretch out as his long blonde hair would fall around him all over the bed like a small blanket. Usually he kept it in a braid when he was at the Rest or on business, but since he had come home he had taken it off and let his hair flow past his shoulders.

"Shall we, then?" He would inquire as he would crack his fingers a bit to get some feeling back into them as he rolled off the bed. "Breakfast first, or shall we remind Jason of what Life Day is all about, now that he's better able to understand?"

 

[Riamah]

Josh had seen Ra with her hair in various styles, but she was normally fairly simple when it came to things. Her hair was down and free like his. Considerably longer though.

She sat up with Josh and stretched slightly. More than just slightly, it was one that went from head to toe and she extended her arms above her head. Since they did have Jason in the bed with them, she wore a lightweight shirt and shorts.

Climbing off the bed, she held a hand down to Jason if he wanted help out and looked up at Josh as he spoke. Giving him a slightly embarrassed look, she shook her head slightly.

"This is my first Life Day, so don't know what it is all about. So it is up to you."

Which ever choice he made, she would go along with it.

"Caff first though."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh wore a simple black t-shirt, and sleep pants. A welcome change from Jedi robes and armor and all that. It would be easy for Ra to tell now why Josh kept this place, on the coast of an uninhabited island on Naboo, such a secret. Here he could let his hair down. Here he could wear t-shirts and loose fitting pants. Here he could relax and take in the beachside air without worry. The property was the subject of devices that ensured it wouldn’t be found by trackers or anything of the like. They were safe here. They could get away here and never be bothered. It was paradise, a sanctuary. And in how Josh dressed and behaved here, it showed.

Getting to his feet, he would help Ra up as he would let out a roaring yawn.

“Breakfast it is. Then I’ll try and explain a bit more about life day” He spoke as he would begin to head downstairs. Once in the living room and kitchen mash-up, with only a quarter wall on each side barely dividing the two, he would get started on breakfast.

“Anything you’d like to suggest this morning, honey?” He would inquire, still adjusting to calling her as such but enjoying doing so all the same. “I was thinking bacon sandwiches and eggs but feedback is appreciated! And obviously caffeine. Gotta start with that.”

 

[Riamah]

There was a change in Josh and Ra had certainly noticed it. Though unless they were on a mission, they were usually pretty open with each other. Even at the various social functions, they were able to be together and still maintain a professional distance.

He was at home and she could tell. Here he could let his hair down and just be. They all helped each other out of bed it appeared and she smiled slightly. In time, she could let her hair down as well and find a home here. That is what a relationship was supposed to be like, right?

"I'm good with that. If you want me to help let me know. It's been a bit since I've cooked anything for more than myself."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He smiled in turn. “Of course, feel free. I’d appreciate the help” He would admit warmly, as he noted Jason’s practically nipping at his heels, clearly the child was hungry and knew that his father was the food trail right now. “Jason, why don’t you feed Porgbert?” Josh would recommend to Jason as he would begin assembling ingredients. “Ra, honey, why don’t you start on the eggs if you know how while I start on grilling these?” He asked, while he got to grilling the bread and bacon on the stove. Since he could grill them same time, he didn’t mind taking the bigger load here. Not that he did in general... He had gotten used to doing all these by himself.

Of course he kept an eye on Jason as he did. Porgbert’s food was nearby and as easy as opening, scooping, pouring, closing. But Jason was still learning.

 

[Riamah]

She found her stomach growling as they prepared breakfast. Her new metabolism seemed to have her hungry all the time. Assuming Josh meant for the eggs to be put on the sandwiches, she carefully cracked the eggs to start frying them on the small pan she selected for the purpose.

Her own attention was also divided and she kept an eye on Jason just as much as Josh did. There wasn't a way for the boy to harm himself easily in getting the food for his pet, but the tubby could always spill over and a mess made for them to clean up.

"So what are the plans for the day? After eating of course."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Gonna scramble the eggs once they're done, bacon goes on the sandwiches" Josh would elaborate, seeming to realize he hadn't specified what each was for. He'd hoped that by separating the tasks, it'd make it easier to tell, but elaborating in detail didn't hurt. It kept them from getting mixed up, and healthy communication was a good part of any good relationship, right?

Jason meanwhile, would grab a handful of porg food and put it in the bowl, then rinse and repeat. He put in a fair bit more than Josh had instructed him to, as he was three and still getting memorization right for tasks, but he at least remembered the basics. At the least, Porgbert wouldn't go hungry. Nor would he want lunch, probably. But maybe it would, knowing Porgbert, they'd gobble up the whole thing and then want theirs. And then still want lunch. Porgbert and Jason were a fitting par.

At Ra's question, he pondered it over a moment as he continued to grill, making both the bacon and bread both nice and crispy. "Hmmmm..." He mulled over a moment. "Obviously there's the gift-giving. Then later we'll be heading off to Kashyyyk for the tree lighting and then spending dinner with Nicholas, possibly Madalena if she can show. I'd invite all here but... Obviously while Nicholas is my brother, I'm not bringing him here anytime soon" He spoke. "As for the rest of the day... Well, can just kinda decide as we go, yeah?"

 

[Riamah]

Oh, well it was clear Ra had made a mistake in her thoughts on food prep and instead of waiting to scramble the eggs, she did it now. Adding in a bit of milk and cheese into the mix, the added flavor might not have been thought of before.

"They taste better if they are cooked this way. The yolks and whites really mix well if you scramble them now as opposed to when everything is done cooking."

If she learned they didn't like their eggs this way after they tried them, she would adjust her cooking style to match what they preferred. Maybe it was all part of that change Josh had mentioned before.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Jason overfed his pet, but the food was already in his bowl before the eggs were done. Assuming Porgbert was more like a dog than a cat, Ra figured he would eat the whole bowl and want food again later at the normal time. That would be taken care of then though and hopefully a lesson learned by Jason on how much to feed his pet.

Turning the heat down on the eggs because the meat would take longer to cook, she nodded as Josh answered her question.

"I didn't know there was gift giving...Uh oh. I don't have anything for you, Jason or anybody else!"

This is what happened when she spent more time with droids and learning what they celebrated then with organics. She would have to find something quickly to make up for her lack of doing research on Life Day.

"The rest of the day sounds like a good plan though."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Hmm, fair" Josh spoke. He was willing to try things. The reason he usually waited was to keep it from going cold too soon, but he'd take her advice. Josh wasn't surprised that Jason overfed Porgbert, of course. It was par for the course by now. Odds are Porgbert would either take what he needed, or eat it all and just not bother with the food bowl until it was hungry. Sometimes he wondered if that porg was actually a cat. Though he sometimes acted like a dog too... It was a very confusing porg.

Ra would reveal that she hadn't done her research on Life Day, or even listened to Josh's explanation of it when she no doubt asked the first time. But it was fine. If it was her first Life Day, he was fine to give it a pass. Not that the gift giving was the end all, be all for it for him anyway. Just part of the spirit of it. If Ra was unable, it was completely fine. He just hoped she would like what he got her, he thought as he continued cooking the meat. "You're fine" He promised. "Maybe next year. It's no big deal."

Finally, the meat would finish cooking and Josh would begin to put everything together. Before long, the plates were assembled on the table in the living room. There wasn't a dining room in the house, instead the kitchen was semi-adjacent to the living room and the living room had enough room for everyone to sit and eat.

 

[Riamah]

Not knowing anything about birds or their kind, Ra thought nothing on the matter of his eating. One thing she had learned about herself was the meaning of her names. Her first name meant mercy and her last panther. Maybe it was a fitting name for her and she would have to mention it to Josh sometime.

There was one thing Ra was good at, even if it was a poor skill. She was good at deception and had done just that with Josh. Her time among the droids of the Metal Lord had drawn her away from organic celebrations, but they had their own too. So she had done her research and prepared something for them.

She had a small glint in her eye when he said it was no big deal and maybe Josh would notice it, but she hoped not. No need to spoil the surprise she did have ready for them. It wasn't anything large, but something from her heart. Not making any further comment about it as the food finished cooking, she kept her secret to herself.

Once their food was ready, she took a seat the table they had here.

"This looks and smells wonderful! What is your favorite Jason?"

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh had no reason to suspect Ra of lying, though after this odds are he'd have the possibility in mind. The lot of them were seated and the food was laid out. When Ra would ask Jason what his favorite was, Jason would turn to stare at her, already with a mouthful of food. "Ffy like fthu bacon" Jason would answer, muffled by a full mouth and Josh would let out a sigh. "Jason, it's impolite to talk with your mouth full" He would remind him. Jason would swallow his food, and tried to speak immediately but began choking. "Drink" Josh spoke calmly, to which Jason responded by drowning the milk that Josh had at some point poured for him and Ra when nobody was looking. "I like the bacon!" Jason chirped cheerfully, and Josh smiled lightly. "He's becoming quite the meat lover already, which is fine with me. He's a growing boy, after all."

The Jedi would take a deep breath then, before digging in himself. Between swallows, he would ask Ra a question.

"So if you're not familiar with Life Day, what holidays do you celebrate?" Josh would ask her. "Perhaps we can integrate them? Even if the SJO themselves don't, we certainly can if they're important to you. You're part of the family now, at this point, right?"

 

[Riamah]

Even though it might have been rude to talk with food in one's mouth, it was something some people did. When Jason started choking, Ra would pat him on the back and help support the glass of milk when it was pointed out to him. He answered clearly after that and Ra smiled.

"Meat and potato type guy? It seems many people are that way. To be honest, I am too. Though I do balance it a bit and eat some green things."

Growing children needed food and Josh had pointed out Jason was growing.

"Do you think you'll ever be as tall as your dad? I never knew mine so have no idea where I fit compared to them."

Turning her attention to Josh when he spoke to her and asked what she celebrated, Ra shook her head.

"I had none really. Birthday or rather the day my master said it was. No family, no friends and nothing else really. At least until I met Star. Even then we never celebrated anything."

Part of the family...that made Ra feel like a whole different person and brought a smile to her facec.

"I guess so. Thank you."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh was grateful for her trying to assist Jason. How quickly she did so was something he certainly noticed. Was he taking notes? Maybe. Little mental notes. He took a lot of notes. Ra had probably already noticed the army of little post-it notes on his dresser by now, they were just... There. And everywhere.

"Oh we definitely make sure to get some greens in there. All part of a balanced diet" Josh spoke with a small smile. At the question as to if he would be as tall as his dad though, Jason would suddenly drop his fork and stand up on the chair. "I'll be even taller!" Jason would suddenly proclaim as he would raise his hands up. "I'll... I'll be this tall!"

Josh noticed Jason had begun teetering and with a small hand motion of the Force, Jason's posture was righted again. "Jason, down" Josh would speak calmly, with a small bit of firmness. Nothing Jyoti-like, just enough for Jason to understand that he was doing something he wasn't supposed to be. Jason was at least disciplined enough to understand that he was doing wrong and would promptly sit down and return to his food.

"So you guys never really celebrated anything? Huh..." Josh would respond when Ra would explain her experiences with holidays. "That doesn't sound like much of a life to live. I mean, I guess I used to be the same, birthdays aside... But let's put that in the past. This is now" He spoke with a smile.

"Like I said, you're part of the family. I'm sure there'll be plenty of time to celebrate holidays now."

 

[Riamah]

Everybody had their idiosyncrasies and those notes of his were one of his. Yes, she had noticed, but never did anything to them. Her own notes were kept in her head or on a datapad if one was handy. Quite often she did both.

Smiling when he said he made sure to include some greens, she stuck her tongue out slightly. When her body went through the change it had, Ra craved meat more than pretty much anything else. Though she did eat some greens.

Laughing when Jason said he would be even taller, she nodded. There was always that chance, but it wouldn't be for a long time before he got there. When Josh told him to get down, she held a hand out to help if he wanted it and got him sitting back in his seat.

"What other holidays are there?"

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Oof, you know what? Why don't I get back to you on that. Even I don't remember half the time" Josh would admit with a laugh in turn. He was still... Somewhat getting used to holidays himself. It'd really only started when he became a family man, after all. Shedding the soldier type lifestyle for one more suiting was still something he was somewhat adjusting to, and that meant that there were things he still wasn't the best at.
He'd go check a calendar later.

Once the two had finished eating, Josh would casually begin picking up plates and silverware and stashing them in the dishwasher. While Jason was preoccupied with Porgbert, he would leave for a few minutes to grab some things before stepping out.

"You guys ready?"

 

[Riamah]

"Probably a good idea. Just more notes to add to your collection. I know one important one though."

Closing her mouth, Ra wasn't going to say more on it. Not until that day came around.

Finishing eating wasn't an issue for her and she was done almost at the same time as the other two. Helping with the clean up, she waited for Josh to return before she left the room herself.

Though she had done a small deception in saying she had forgotten to look up Life Day, she had put something together for them. Not any sort of grand gift, but made by her own hand in her own time.

Being a merchant at times, she was able to gather a few items and objects together from the places she visited. So as she had started to move a few belongings to Naboo, some of them had come with her.

Picking up two boxes she had put together, she put them into a bag and returned to where they were waiting. Nodding, she gave them both a large smile.

"Ready."