A New Opportunity

[Riamah]

Ra had very few people she actually considered friends. Zhin was one of those few. He was one of the first people she contacted upon her return. She left a message with him and requested he join her on Vjun. Assuring him, she would provide transportation for him, a young man arrived at the address he had given her to pick him up.

After her return of discovery and telling a few people within the Dominion of her change, she was given a sort of leadership position within the faction and a location for training. Along with the position came the filling out of positions and finding people to into them. She had the training facilities on Vjun as well as Castle Bast to live in. It was to the castle she would have her friend brought.

Upon his arrival, the pilot would lead him into the castle instead of the cardboard box that was next to it and an old man would then take over. He introduced himself as Vincent and hoped the journey had gone well. This would be said as he guided Zhin through the castle to the library where Ra waited.

The walls and floors were covered in tapestries and rugs. Lights were spaced evenly and overall the castle looked lived in and well cared for.

In her own home, Ra wouldn't be wearing her business clothes and instead wore a light blue skirt and dark blue shirt. Her weapons were also missing from her person. Her nexu cat was laying in front of the fireplace and watched the doorway. She sat in a chair that was sideways to the fireplace so she could use the light of the fire to read by.

The walls were lined with shelves and cabinets filled with scrolls, books and parchments. She had a personal study area in a back corner with a desk, chair, light and holonet access. There was a table in the middle of the room and chairs around that as well as an additional one by the fireplace.

When Ra heard the sound of Zhin and Vincent coming through the castle, she set her book down on the table next to her and waited for them to walk through the door.

[member="Zhin Zondaar"]

 

[Zhin Zondaar]

@Ra'a'mah

Zhin was surprised when he received a message from his friend. Some time had passed since they last met and he honestly didn't expect to talk to her again. But here he was walking to a ship sent by Ra, that would take him to her location.

Vjun. He had no idea what this place was like nor did he expect to ever travel there. Zhin and Ra had a long chat the last time they encountered each other but he didn't recall her mentioning Vjun. Mysterious, his friend was.

The attire probably wasn't important for their meeting but he still dressed in nice clothes. He wore a black button up shirt with black jeans and a brown cloak on his back. The belt he had on wasn't ordinary, in fact it was his old utility belt. Zhin had a lightsaber attached to it for nothing other than protection. He didn't intend to use it at all unless necessary.

When the ship stopped Zhin stood up eager to exit. The pilot helped him out and continued to guide him towards Ra. Vincent, was his name. Zhin thanked him and said 'All well' when he asked about the journey. As they were walking to where Ra was, he looked all around the castle's inside. It was unbelievable to him for her to own this castle.

Vincent led him throughout the castle until they finally reached the destination. It was a library. Vincent held the door for Zhin as he walked into the room. Zhin scanned the room seeing bookshelves, a nexu by the fireplace, and Ra. For a moment he ignored Ra and eyed the nexu that was already watching him.

After that moment he looked at Ra and smiled. "Hello again Miss Ra." his voice was calm even in this foreign environment. Something was different about her, in appearance. It's the blue clothing he was thinking to himself. Zhin was used to her other attire and didn't expect it to be different, but as it appears a lot changed.

An extra chair was close to the fireplace where Ra was seated. He walked over to it slowly. "May I sit?"

 

[Riamah]

When they did walk through the door, Ra would stand up and return Zhin's smile with half of one of her own. It didn't make it to her eyes however. They were still the normal gold color they always were, the fact she was a sith lord had not yet fully changed them. In fact, the only time they actually glowed of the dark side was when she was using it.

Her personal aura or mood was changed from what he had known and he would tell she was darker in nature now.

He asked if he could take a seat and Ra nodded.

"Would you care for a drink or something to eat, Zhin? Thank you for coming." If he said yes to either, Vincent would get them for him and return with a drink for Ra that was her favorite.

Her voice was the same as it always was. It would show she cared and while he didn't know she was sith it would hopefully allow him to relax a little.

Pointing to the nexu, "that is the cat I told you about before. Her name is Ankhaara and I promise she won't attack you."

[member="Zhin Zondaar"]

 

[Zhin Zondaar]

@Ra'a'mah

Her smile wasn't complete, Zhin tried not to let it bother him. The atmosphere made him nervous so he would feel off anyways. Zhin sat down in the chair and exhaled.

This really was quite the surprise for him. He wasn't expecting Ra to be in possession of a castle. What she did in order to obtain it, he could only imagine. It wasn't like he was going to ask. With all of these things different about her something had to happen though. He tried to ignore his imagination and focus on their conversation.

The first thing she did was ask if he wanted anything to drink or eat, then thanking him for visiting her. "Yes, wine if you will. And its my pleasure Miss Ra." he said looking at the fire. Zhin didn't make eye contact for awhile but stared at the flames instead.

Zhin looked down a little to see the nexu when she talked about it. Ra called it Ankhaara. "Beautiful name." his eyes moved back up to the flames.

 

[Riamah]

Her friend took the seat and let out his breath. What he was thinking, Ra didn't know and she felt no real curiosity from him as to how she got the possession of a castle. He said yes to the wine and a short time later Vincent returned with a glass of red wine for Zhin and a different drink for Ra. Hers might look familiar to him if he had paid attention to what she had the evening they initially met. It was blue and very sweet.

He addressed her as Miss Ra and that half of a smile almost turned into a whole one. The emotion never reached her eyes though. If he looked at them, he might see they were a little sad, but for the most part more neutral than anything.

"Thank you, her name came to me when I found her."

The nexu was almost full grown now and was vicious looking. She almost appeared tame, but her eyes were that of a wild cat.

"Well, my dream of having a castle came true, my friend."

Taking a sip of her drink, Ra looked at Zhin and contemplated exactly how to explain how it all came to be, why she was here, what she was and the reason for summoning him.

"How have things been for you since we met last?"

[member="Zhin Zondaar"]

 

[Zhin Zondaar]

@Ra'a'mah

Zhin recieved the drink and a thank you for Vincent followed after. He held the drink loosely without drinking from it yet. The liquid in Ra's glass felt familiar but he couldn't picture where he seen it. If he was still bartending he probably would have recognized what it was. Shaking off the thought he raised his glass about to drink some of the wine, he stopped. He wanted to drink but he also felt sick.

A grin formed on his face when she mentioned her dream coming true. "That's very fortunate for you. I didn't see others while walking inside this place, are you living here alone?" he didn't mean to pry. The question just popped up. Zhin brought the glass up to his lips and he tasted the wine. He savoured the drink.

The question of his well-being since they parted ways came. His answer wouldn't be interesting or enough for a story. Everyday was the same to him. "It's been good. I do the same thing everyday and somehow don't get bored." he grinned slightly when talking about the next part. "I don't know if I told you before but I love alcohol too much. I'm not gonna lie since I brought that up. I've went to the bar everyday since we last met." the small grin remained.

 

[Riamah]

Zhin accepted the drink with a thank you and Vincent walked out of the room after saying a you're welcome. If Ra needed him for anything else, she knew how to reach him. He was a freed slave and held Ra in high respect for what she had done for him. As of now, she was all he had and Ra had all his loyalty.

He grinned again at her words of her dream coming true and this time, Ra did return the smile. He had that ability. Just his carefree attitude rubbed off on her and while she knew her news might upset him, she had the feeling he would still be her friend. He asked if she lived alone and she appeared slightly confused for a moment before she could answer.

"Well, as alone as one can be with servants and a pet cat."

The answer Ra got from him wasn't any more or less than she expected and just nodded.

"Why do you keep going back there? As for the drinking, I think everybody has a vice, that one is yours."

[member="Zhin Zondaar"]

 

[Zhin Zondaar]

@Ra'a'mah

Zhin laughed when she answered his question. "Ah, I see." he no longer felt nervous and relaxed just a little. Even though he felt better he imagined his friend didn't bring him all the way to her newly obtained castle for a short visit, and that stayed on his mind. He took another sip of the wine to get that out of his head.

The fire attracted is eyes once again, they reminded of that day. Sith destroyed the Jedi Temple where he did all of his duties. They burned it and took someone down with it. Someone he would've replaced without thinking. But that's in the past. Zhin looked away from the fire since it did produce a terrible memory.

Ra asked why he goes to the bar again and again. An answer he would usually give would include a joke but couldn't right now. "I love the feeling I get when I walk inside. The liquor, music, arguments, all of it. It's great." he said smiling when thinking about the bar. The arguments led to fights and fights led to entertainment. That was his most favorite part about it.

 

[Riamah]

Ra took a sip of her drink and sat as silently as her friend did. At least he was a little more relaxed than he had been.

"I've told you before I'm not going to bite. Nothing here is going to hurt you, unless you might attack first."

Sooner or later she was going to have to tell Zhin of her past and her story, she also dreaded his potential reaction. She didn't know if he would attack or not. He smiles as he answered her question and she nodded. For now, she wanted to avoid telling him so continued to make a bit of small talk until she felt the time was right.

"I'm sorry I wouldn't be able to offer you anything like that here."

Setting the drink down, Ra leaned forward in her chair slightly, her hands folded under her chin, elbows on her arms of her chair.

"I think my vice is the hunger for knowledge."

[member="Zhin Zondaar"]

 

[Zhin Zondaar]

@Ra'a'mah

Zhin listened as Ra said he was safe in the castle. That, he didn't doubt. It wasn't getting hurt that bothered him though. He couldn't reveal that so he acted like he was okay. "I'm not worried about that Miss Ra. I've never been to a castle or this world so I just feel a little lost." he wasn't sure if that was believable enough but it was worth a shot.

The wine tasted so nice that he almost drank it all by the time that he looked at his glass. He finished it and set it aside. Ra said she wouldn't be able to offer the same enjoyment as he experiences at the bar. "What? No way. I guess I'll have to go then." he acted like he was going to stand and chuckled as he stopped. "The wine is enough for me to stay."

She changed her position in her chair. That caught his attention until she spoke of her hunger for knowledge. He looked straight up to the ceiling. "You like knowledge, huh?" he said looking back to Ra. There was a lot he could say about knowledge. "I guess it's nice to know things but why? What are you gaining knowledge for?"

 

[Riamah]

Zhin said he wasn't worried about getting hurt, just felt a little lost being in the castle and on Vjun. Ra could certainly agree with it. When she had learned she could stay in the castle and run intelligence, she had felt a bit lost as well. Luckily for her, she had some business learning in her experiance and treated intelligence as such.

"Would you like a tour? I'd be happy to show you around."

Other than her husband and her friend Stardust, only Zhin really knew how to make her smile. When he jokingly moved like he would leave, she gave him a warm smile that did reach her eyes.

"I'm glad you like it, Zhin. And for the love of the great maker, please just call me Ra. I know you insist on the other, but there's no need to be so formal with me all the time."

She would perform like a little wave of her fingers as the rested under chin just in motion, nothing else. When she moved, he looked over at her, then up at the ceiling and back to her. Then he asked why she liked knowledge and what she was gaining it for.

Leaning back in the chair now, Ra looked at him for just a moment before answering him.

"Curiosity. I've always wanted to know more about everything. Specifically languages. I can pick them up so quickly, it's amazing."

[member="Zhin Zondaar"]

 

[Zhin Zondaar]

@Ra'a'mah

Zhin nodded when she asked if he wanted a tour. "That sounds like a good idea, later if you would be so kind." he said smiling. The castle seemed pretty large extending in many different ways. It was still a mystery how she got her hands on it. Zhin didn't plan on asking no matter how much he wanted to. He figured it was best that he didn't.

He grinned a little after she commented on him addressing her as 'Miss Ra'. "That's a difficult request Miss Ra. You are a lady and for me to call you solely by your first name... that's impossible!" he was proud of his little act. Zhin stopped grinning. "If that is what you desire, then your wish is my command." he said smiling.

The answer was curiosity for his question. She added that languages were the specific knowledge she was after. "Oh really? Knowing a wide variety is useful I'm sure." Zhin put his hands on his lap and was about to speak. "Knowledge can be dangerous in this galaxy, be careful Ra." he called Ra by her name without any add-ons. "I know language isn't going to cause bad things to happen I'm sure there will be a point where you crave more than knowledge of a language." he said this in a serious tone.

The tone of his voice returned back to normal. "But hey, that's just my outlook on knowledge. If you can achieve your goal go for it."

 

[Riamah]

Her mission accomplished of having him just call her Ra and him wanting her to show him around later, she gave him another smile and any aura she had previously of being in a dark mood was gone. He had wiped it away, though she had to tell him of her change. That would have to be addressed, but didn't have an idea how to go about doing it.

He further commented about wanting knowledge and she nodded in agreement.

"In my new position though, knowledge is needed. I'm head of intelligence."

There were other areas she covered, but the department area was intelligence all around. She could also set bounties on people or have them assassinated. Each person that worked for her, she knew their story and very little could be kept secret from her. This thought sort of brought her back to why she had so suddenly contacted Zhin.

"Are you currently employed? I didn't ask last time we chatted or when I asked if you would come today."

[member="Zhin Zondaar"]

 

[Zhin Zondaar]

@Ra'a'mah

Zhin was a little shocked when she talked of her new position. Last time they talked he recalled her to be a transporter. Then he receives a message asking for him to meet at her castle on Vjun. The castle part was enough to shock him but then it's revealed that she is in some high position. He figured this meant there were others who worked with her, possibly an organization. What he wanted to do was ask about everything but that other part of him stopped him.

When he could talk normally, he responded. His voice sounded happy. "Really? That's incredible. It's only right that you'd be the one in control." he smiled after giving his thoughts. There were things that he didn't know about Ra but he tried to keep that separate from the conversation. That could be seen by his smiling.

A question of his current job situation was next. He had no reason to hide that he wasn't working. The explanation was with a story. "I do not have a job at this moment. The reason is because I met this girl and she was complicated. It wasn't like we dated each other but there were people after her so I helped her. Unfortunately, the result was me having to use force and I knew my boss wouldn't have me anymore." he didn't add in that the girl was a Jedi. Probably the only one he helped after the loss of his wife.

 

[Riamah]

Ra could sense his shock and curiosity at what she was saying. Yet he didn't ask and she wondered why. If their roles were reversed, she would be all over him asking questions. When he did break his brief silence he said it was right that she was in control. Shaking her head and giving him half of a smile before she corrected him.

"I'm not in complete charge, only of the broad field of intelligence. Somebody else is in charge of protecting the senators and Archlord. I keep as much trouble away from them as I can and only pass on what I feel they need to know about. The Archlord is the one in charge."

He smiled, but still didn't ask what was on his mind. What he was curious about.

"I know you want to know how I got from being a freighter pilot to here. Unless you ask though, that secret is mine."

Giving him a grin and challenging him to ask she listened to what happened to his job. Listening to his answer, she shook her head slightly, but it gave her a bit of hope when she could ask him about working for her. She would wait to ask that until after she told him of everything that happened with her.

"Are you looking for work now?"

[member="Zhin Zondaar"]

 

[Zhin Zondaar]

@Ra'a'mah

Zhin smirked after she explained the whole structure. "You shouldn't have told me that. I'm actually here for spy work, but I can't act any longer." he said still smirking. "On a serious note, I'm glad you are in the intelligence section. Someone who has a hunger for knowledge like you fits there best." Zhin didn't exactly know what her organization did but he knew Ra wouldn't choose a side that is wrong.

It appeared that Ra had figured him out. She told Zhin her transformation would remain secret unless he asked. That wasn't something he wanted to do, he decided to suck it up and ask in the end. "You'll have it your way then." he said curious to know. "How did you do it?" whatever she told him he was going to try and stay cool. Not that he could be shocked anymore than he already was.

Ra asked if he was currently looking for work. He didn't understand why she was asking but didn't fail to answer. "I'm always eye's open. There's bills to pay after all, mainly my apartment. I also have a drinking habit to pay for." he said thinking about other things that required money. "I'll be fine for another month or so though. Long ago I started saving money for a time like this. It was only me and I don't spend a lot of money in the first place, so it all came together."

 

[Riamah]

Her friend got a smirk on his face as she explained the hierarchy of her work, but that it was actually a good fit for her. With that she totally agreed and nodded saying as much. Next he did give voice to his curiosity, but waited until he finished speaking about his employment situation before answering. For a brief moment, her eyes looked sad at what she was about to say, but that look away as she clenched her jaw.

Standing up to face the fireplace, not really wanting to look at her friend at the moment she let out a sigh and turned around.

"Zhin Zondaar, you have been a friend of mine for two years now. As long as anybody I've known. I can offer you a position as my employee if you would have it."

She walked over to him and knelt down so she looked up at him.

"I have become what you swore you hated. My past isn't what I thought it was and I'm sith."

How he was going to react she didn't know. Noticing he had his lightsaber on his belt, something he didn't wear before sort of surprised her. She was without weapons and hoped he wasn't going to attack her just because she was sith. Hopefully he would realize not all sith were of the murderus kind and that she was not that type.

[member="Zhin Zondaar"]

 

[Zhin Zondaar]

@Ra'a'mah

Hearing his full name got his full attention. Ra gave him an offer, an opportunity. He didn't know if he wanted to get involved with her people. That's really what made him think. If he said yes, he wouldn't have money issues but at what cost? Saying no would leave him at his current situation.

Zhin watched as his friend stood up and walked over to him. She knelt down before him, this made him confused. What she said next was the ultimate shocker. Ra was a sith. His hand immediately went for the lightsaber but stopped before he could grab it. Zhin's hand was now twitching and he knew why. The younger version of himself was still there inside, wanting revenge against the sith. He's changed over the years though, the sith aren't his enemy. Ra isn't his enemy. It was time for the other Zhin to realize that.

He took in a deep breath and exhaled to relax. His voice was quiet."You know, it's ironic that the queen is kneeling for the knight." he said smiling. Looking at his friend he felt no anger. The sith that hurt him were in the past, he had no intention of grouping her with them. Zhin felt her face with his hand. "I apologise for going for my weapon. I would never harm you over anything, including being sith." he stood up and held his hand out to Ra.

"Now rise your highness." he said grinning.

 

[Riamah]

When Ra spoke his full name, she did it to get his attention and she certainly had it. When she lowered herself to look up at him, she felt his confusion and then his clear shock at her revelation. He made a move to go for his lightsaber, but stopped, his hand twitching to go after it. If he had finished his movement, Ra would have attempted to stop him from killing her, but would have done her best not to harm him. Zhin was one of her friends and was clearly relieved when he stopped himself.

His voice was the quietest she had heard from him and what he said caused her to raise an eyebrow at him. His smile though was magical to her and took away any stress that was there between them. He accepted her for what she was now and knowing she was different than those from his past. He apologized for going for his saber and she waved it off pretty much and shrugged a little.

As he stood up, he held his hand out to help her calling her royalty and that made her blush slightly.

"Look it was as much of a shock to me as it is to you, my friend. Also I'm only Baroness and not even of this planet."

Chuckling a little, she would actually offer him a hug when she stood up if he would accept it.

"Oh, yes, as for a position for me. I would like to know if you're feeling up to the task of being my personal guard. You see, I have none and while I feel confident I could take care of myself, it would be nice to have another person watching my back."

[member="Zhin Zondaar"]

 

[Zhin Zondaar]

@Ra'a'mah

"Still, it's inexcusable." he said feeling ashamed. Ra informed him that she was only a baroness. That made him want to joke. "Oh. My friend is only nobility?" he said shaking his head as a part of the joke. "I'm kidding. But you must be powerful to get such a rank." Zhin assumed she worked hard for it as well. Though he didn't have any experience with it so he couldn't be sure.

When Ra stood up she offered Zhin a hug. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered into her ear. "You smell so nice Miss Ra." he said teasing her. The reaction he expected was for her to push him away, whatever she did he would laugh. Sometimes he went too far with his playing around but it was for happiness.

Now the time had come, the time where he'd decide his fate. Zhin got serious when she spoke of this job as a bodyguard. While he didn't have an issue with protecting Ra for an occupation, he didn't want to get involved with her connections. She is a sith and thats okay. Her friends wasn't his friends however. That's what he wanted to make clear. Zhin walked over to the chair and sat down again. He thought about the offer from Ra.

"You know that I've been out of the action for many years, and you want me as your bodyguard?" he thought it was strange for her to pick him. His eyes wandered over to the fire and back to Ra. "If you trust me, then I am interested. But, I have one condition." he paused before speaking again. "Kill me if I attack you at any time. Don't hesitate."