A Long-Awaited Return (Lady Kay)

[Kirie]

Chasin City, Commenor
The Royal Palace.

Many things had changed since she’d left. For one, war had come to the Galaxy, and Commenor had retained their trademark neutrality as the vast empires of the stars tore each other apart in increasing acts of violence and depravity. The clinical, cold-hearted fury of the First-Order war machine, the wild and unpredictable rage of the Sith Empire, and the self-righteous, holier-than-thou resistance of the Alliance. All of it was the same to Kirie. The leaders of each vying faction was equally blind as the others. All of them rushed headlong into the conflict, and all were in so deep there would be no preventing the destruction that would ensue. It was amid this reality that Kirie travelled to the Expansion region, the innermost depths of which had avoid the brunt of the Great Galactic War.

Commenor was a bright jewel, a bastion of peace in a Galaxy embroiled in the largest conflict in recent history. Despite pressure and adversity, they had stuck to their values of peace and diplomacy. It was admirable, and perhaps foolish, but only time would tell if a hungry competitor would prey on the System-Alliance’s relative weakness.

In the midst of war, life must go on. As a new Padawan of the MPTC’s Trade Council Order, Kirie had been sent to Commenor in hopes of establishing a trade deal between the smaller Mara-Perlemian planets and their larger Commenori neighbours. She’d been perceived as a perfect ambassador because of her prior relationship with the Queen, [member="Lady Kay"]. Perhaps that was true. At any rate, it would be a good to return to the peaceful planet she had called home.

Her time on Commenor had been… Complicated. On the one hand, she lived a lifestyle better than anything she’d experienced before, she’d been cared for and looked after, and she was doing good work. However, it would also be during her stay there that she would experience the most traumatic event of her life, the Incursion, and the appearance of the Controlled Ones. The memories were still painful and the fallout had been devastating. Despite a physical recovery her emotional damage, and the appearance of strange visions had lead her to leave the safety of the peaceful world in search of answers.

That felt so long ago now, and every day she felt as if she grew further and further from that dark time. The Voice barely bothered her anymore, though it stuck persistently to the corners of her mind. She was rarely bothered by hallucinations, or night terrors. She was moving past it, returning to normal. Her training in the Force helped immensely. When she was given time to meditate, to hone in on the Light Side, it would wash away the darkness that threatened to drown her.

Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she entered the grand main foyer of the Royal Palace of Commenor. A moment later, she was approached by a guard and presented her ID. She was escorted into the building without fuss and brought to a large room with a high vaulted ceiling. The furniture was stylish, the carpet plush, and the decorations expensive and tasteful. She took a seat with some unease. She’d quickly become used to the simple furnishings of the temple on Centares. She’d forgotten how the Palace and the Senate looked.

Placing her hands on her knees, the deaf diplomat sat straight in her chair, waiting to be joined by the Queen of Commenor.

 

[Kay-Larr]

To say that Kay was excited to see [member="Kirie Ito"] again was an understatement. Ever since the girl had departed Commenor to pursue her own goals, she had been waiting and waiting to hear something from her. But time wore on and still there was nothing. It made her wonder if Kirie was okay or if she had just forgotten her old boss.

But then the message came through. It brought a huge smile as well as a sigh of relief. Kirie was okay. What's more, she had elevated herself to a position that required great responsibility and wasn't the kind that was tucked away in an office. It made her proud.

Their parting had been a sad one. It came as quite a shock to Kay. She hadn't expected the sudden resignation. Of course she blamed herself for it all, as it was because of her that Kirie got hurt on Kwenn Station.

Yet now she was here, on Commenor and in the Royal Palace. Olivia let her know straight away and so it was with hurried steps that took Kay over to the meeting room where Kirie waited. She smiled ever so brightly and waved before signing to her, ~Hello Kirie! I have missed you! How're you doing? We must catch up!~ She sat down beside her and waited like a little kid expecting to hear an amazing story.

 

[Kirie]

Kirie gave a polite smile when she noticed that [member="Lady Kay"] had entered. She’d been lost in thought, gazing blankly at her hands on her thighs, and fiddling with the fabric of her simple dress. The small current of air generated as the wide doors swung open to allow the Queen entry was enough to stir the loose strands of hair that always evaded the loose bun she wore. Her eyes flitted upward to see the graceful figure of the monarch approaching. At once, she rose to her feet, giving a deep bow. It was not just formality to her. Kay had been an important guardian and mentor. She’d provided for her when she’d been most alone. Despite the misfortunes that had befallen her here, she was forever indebted to the woman before her.

She nodded as Kay signed to her, sitting back and taking a moment to think about the question. After a moment, she cleared her throat, and spoke aloud. “I myself am well enough…” She paused, trying to remove the raspiness of her throat, and the guttural discomfort of words streaming from disused vocal cords. Speaking was a skill she’d been practicing, but it was highly uncomfortable after so long. With help from teachers at the temple, she’d relearned how to speak evenly at a comfortable volume, but because of the effort it took, she reserved her words for special occasions only.

She continued. “I have found something good within the Trade Council Order. I am learning the ways of the Force. My… Internal conflicts have lessened, and I am doing good work.” She sighed heavily. “The war troubles me, though. It’s all turned into mayhem. Everyone’s at each other’s throats, neighbour against neighbour, brother against sister. It’s bedlam. That’s why I’m here I suppose. Our other neighbours are somewhat wrapped up in the business of war.”

“But enough on me.” She flashed a pearly smile. “What has life been like here, on Commenor?”

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay blinked in surprise as [member="Kirie Ito"] began to speak. She hadn't heard her do so since she was infected by the black substance on Kwenn Station. And even then, it wasn't really Kirie doing it.

More surprises came as she continued. First was upon hearing of a Trade Council Order, which was something entirely new to Kay. The second surprise was that Kirie was Force sensitive. Was she aware of it? She couldn't quite remember. There had been so much going on that there were times when events were just blurs in her memory. Stress had a way of doing that. And she was getting counselling for it.

Her head lowered ever so slightly as she heard about the wars. Yes, they were everywhere, or so she had been told. But they had yet to reach the CSA borders. Hopefully they never will.

Kay sat up a little straighter, given that now it was her turn to say her piece. However she decided to only sign out the good news. ~For the most part we've been well. I gave birth to a healthy set of twins. Our borders are expanding, putting more worlds under our protection. Thankfully the conflicts abroad are staying abroad." She just had her own political fires to put out. And she was working on it.

 

[Kirie]

She nodded placidly as the Queen talked. A slight smile tugged at the corner of her mouth when the Lady mentioned the birth of her children. It made her happy that Kay could still find a life for herself outside of her duties. She imagined it was exhausting having to spend all your days toiling, and worrying for your people. Kirie wondered if Kay had ever wanted to escape, as she herself had done. When she made mention of staying out of conflicts abroad her eyes couldn't help but fall to the floor. Yes, Commenor had done much to accommodate the stream of refugees from war-torn empires, but they could do more.

The System's Alliance was situated in something of a buffer zone. Their position in the mid rim prevented outright clashes between warring factions, and kept vital trade routes open. It could be argued that without the CSA holding the line, the Mid Rim would descend into chaos, with far-reaching consequences throughout the Galaxy. However, Commenor had largely ignored the larger Galactic conflict, at least politically. They remained isolated, pulling away from anyone that wished to draw them into a fight, and shatter their long-standing neutrality. But, Commenor hadn't fought for peace either. They seemed content to quietly profit off increased trade in the peaceful Mid Rim, as the war raged around them.

Kirie showed none of this, instead she merely smiled and said "Twins! You must take me to meet them sometime." She cleared her throat, and coughed heavily. "Now, what does a diplomat have to do to get some tea?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay gave [member="Kirie Ito"] a bit of a sad smile when she mentioned meeting the twins. Both [member="Caedyn Arenais"] and [member="Loreena Arenais"] were offworld on their own journeys. It kept them safe from any troubles that she might cause for them. It also kept them safe from being taken hostage for ransom. ~You'll meet them some day. Probably not together, but you'll meet them~ At least she didn't ask what her husband was up to. That was a PR nightmare that she was still trying to fix. It has taken it's toll on her however.

But there were other things to worry about.

The mention of tea brough a twinkle to her eye. Kirie knew of her addiction well. A side table had everything ready. The Sapir leaves needed only to be prepped. Kay got up and headed over to it, gesturing for Kirie to follow her. This time she didn't sign, as her hands were busy crumbling the tea leaves into the cups. But she made sure that her lips could be seen and read. "So tell me about this Trade Council Order of yours. What is it that they'd seek from the Systems Alliance?" They couldn't spend all of their time gosdiping. They needed to get some business taken care of as well.

 

[Kirie]

Kirie rose to her feet to follow the Queen to the other side of the room, standing beside the woman as she prepared the fragrant sapir tea she loved so much. There was a strange expression on Kay's face when she talked of her children, as if there was something else that she was withholding. Kirie didn't pry, clearly it was personal business.

She watched keenly as the woman spoke, the form and movement of the Queens lips spelling out the words. Kirie gave a nod of affirmation when the woman finished. It was time to get to business.

"Right." She said aloud, ignoring the gravelly sensation in her throat. "I'm here as a representative of the Mara-Perlemian Trade Council. They're a peaceful council charged with overseeing political, economic, and social matters on the planets around Centares. The reason I'm here is to extend a formal invitation to the council to establish a trade deal with the System's Alliance, as the council wants to limit its dealing with the Galaxy's warring parties."

A slight pause, and a sip of tea.

"The specifics can be worked out at a later date, I've been sent more as a messenger, and to gauge your interest."

[member="Lady Kay"]​

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Kirie Ito"] 's place in the galaxy sure has risen. Although Kay had always seen her as more than just some assistant. Especially after what had happened on Kwenn Station. And that was good. She deserved to be in a better place.

Kay handed her the tea and then sipped her own as she gestured for the two of them to sit back down. She cradled the cup in her hands, resting them on her lap as she listened to the proposal. It was of a kind that she was quite familiar with. The CSA was a safe haven from war, it kept economies moving and ensured that supplies continued to reach their intended destinations.

"I am interested, very much so, especially in hearing of a peaceful government like our own. Would it be an issue though, that we have trade agreenents with some of those warring parties?"