A Squire's Duty (Benedali Serrus)

[Orron Thrask]

Her hand on his cheek felt warm, even against his own skin as for a moment he almost forgot he had it. He looekd down and saw how close they were as well before Orron, at the same time as she did, recoiled and gave an awkward laugh at how close they suddenly were. Even though her hand landed on his chest it wasn't as intament as when she was touching his face.

He pulled back a little, rubbing the back of his head, as Benedali began to say how they should try to get to know one another better despite everything else. He nodded his agreement before she'd asked his favorite color.

"Oh. Uh...blue, I suppose." he answered. Afetr that he gave an awkward laugh before saying "Sorry. I'm...not used to talkign to girls this way. I've, uh, never really had the....'oppertunity' I guess. Not that I mind it! It's just...well you know."

[member="Benedali Serrus"] (Just letting you know I'm going to post in the garden party to indicate him leaving, that way I'll bring my other chara in after.)

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

((Sounds good!))

Benedali laughed at his awkwardness. She still found it to be adorable. "It's alright; like I said, I figured you Jedi didn't do much outside of training or defusing situations. Not exactly ideal for getting to know the finer details of someone." Benedali felt a trickle of relief when she realized the intimacy, while most likely there, was dulled down enough to avoid too much awkwardness.

She paused for a moment, thinking. "Hmm. I would have to say that dark green is my favourite colour. It reminds me of the beginning of spring." In a teasing tone, she added, "Plus, it's one of the few colors that goes with my hair." The Duchess twisted her mouth as she tried to come up with another question. "What about your favorite food?"

 

[Orron Thrask]

Orron, hearing her difuse his awkward answer with her own assumptions of the Jedi, gave a lighthearted huff before saying "Sometimes we're better off fighting in wars than small talk." After that he lisnted to her comment about why dark green was her favorite color and how it went with her hair; the last part he commented with "I agree." After that he added "Blue reminds me of the sea. I went to one of the ocean planets once as a vacation with my family. I always loved swimming...." he trailed off as indication that it wasn't an option to swim anymore. Thanfully this was diffused when she asked his favorite food, to which he chukled a reply "Would you find it wrong of me if I said I couldn't define a favorite? I've always had an open appitite."

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

Benedali tilted her head. "I've always wanted to go to the ocean, but quite frankly I'm not a very good swimmer." She was about to suggest, jokingly, that he teach her, but she refrained. It would probably sour the mood. The Duchess was no expert on cybernetics, but even she knew that they were not compatible with swimming, not usually.

She did laugh, though, when Orrus admitted to not having a particular favorite. "Not at all, not at all. That just means you are willing to eat more than I." Benedali grimaced. "I meant, you aren't as hindered by pickiness. Oh, kriff it, there is no good way to say that." She eyed the cyborg wryly. "You know what I mean, though."

Absently, the Duchess began drumming her fingers again. "I would have to say my favorite dish is grazer stew. Our head chef can make the best grazer stew in the galaxy. You will have to try it sometime."

 

[Orron Thrask]

As she stumbled over her remarks Orron chukled before saying "I know what you mean." After that when she'd mentioned the tasting sound of the dish grazer stew he gave a delighted hum while saying "I'll be sure to try some at some point while I'm here." After that he sighed, seeing as the tension from before was basically gone at this point. He then said "I suppose I should ask something next. Perhaps, if anything, what's life like as a duchess at your age? I mean I would think royalty doesn't come for someone so young. At least not anywhere else."

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

Mulling over Orrus' question, Benedali sighed. "It's not all fun and games, let me tell you. But it's not bad, either." Thinking about the circumstances surrounding her promotion to Duchess, though, caused some of the happiness to disappear from her face. "Actually, my brother Arick would have been Duke, not me, had he not decided to step down and become the Captain of my guard. But I guess you could say I was the one who got all of the political sense from our father."

At first, Benedali was just going to leave it at that. But it wouldn't have been fair to Orrus, to tell the truth -- especially since he had told her about the death of his father. "I was technically a Duchess at age 18, but we had to wait for me to take the title until after I turned 19; it wouldn't have felt right, anyway. See, my -- our -- dad died of a twice-broken heart. Arick's mother, a nonhuman, passed away when he was little. I don't remember how, though. Then, my dad married my mom, but she passed away, too, when I was 17." Benedali sighed, clearly saddened by the recollection. "Poor Papa; he couldn't handle losing his beloved twice."

 

[Orron Thrask]

Orron was quiet and attentive as he listned to Benedali explain her story. As she went into the more tradgic details he had a more sorrowful look in his eye. He understood the loss of a parent, but losing both mother and father was a hard pirce to bare. He sighed as he though how much he'd missed his father, and his mother even though she was still alive.

"It's not easy, losing a parent." he commented. "Even worse when your whole world changes around you. I feel more sorry for you for losing both, in fact. I still have my mom, but she really hasn't been the same since my father died. And...well this." he dincated his cyborg impalnets.

Speaking of which, at this point it had been dark to where the glow from his red eye stuck out in the darkness. It became like a small candle light, illuminating a small portion of the area including his and Benedali's face while they stood and talked.

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

Benedali murmured her agreement with Orrus, lowering her gaze. Talking about her parents' deaths had sorely dampened her mood, but she didn't want the Jedi to notice. So, trying to break away from the painful subject lest she cry, she lightly rapped her knuckles on his metal chest. The red light from his eye and the decorative lights gleamed in the reflection, and Benedali could make out a distorted image of her face. In a falsely cheery mood, she said, "So! Moving on from that, how do your cybernetics work, exactly? Can you feel it when something touches the metal?"

 

[Orron Thrask]

Sensing her trouble emotions Orron had agreed moving on to a different subject was for the best. However it moved to a more awkward topic for him to discuss when she asked about his metal covering and cybernetic implants. Seeing as her knuckles went against his metal chest he's blushed a little before trying to figure the best way to answer.

"Actually...I can't feel anything." he answered. "Part of the implants involved dulling most of my senses and covering my tissue in this metal skin. My limbs aren't even real. Just...fittings. I can only feel here." he pointed to the part of his face still human. "And....here." he finished, pointing at where his heart would be.

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

Benedali placed her hand on the spot that Orrus had pointed to, the one on his chest. Her head tilted in curiosity, she asked, "So you can't feel anything except for this? But if someone were to burn the metal, would you notice? Can you even feel pain?"

Her questions were borderline rapid-fire, but the Duchess had never actually met a cyborg, especially not one built like Orrus. She couldn't help herself; she was extremely curious now. "What about your organs, have they been replaced too?"

 

[Orron Thrask]

Seeing that she didn't understand what he'd meant at first, Orron chuckled a bit before explaining "I mean I still feel inside. You know, with my heart and soul. They can't take any of that away from me." He smirked before going on to say "But, actually, I'm not sure if I'd feel anything if the metal were to burn. To be honest, though, I'll bet it would sting a lot." When the question of organs came up he answered "Not a lot. But they're about as sensative as the rest of my body would be if the armor was ripped off. Basically this is the only thing keeping me from ending up as the burnt corpse I would've been if they hadn't found me in time. Can't really say what they did in great detail. I was out for a whole month while they were putting me back together."

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

Benedali rolled her eyes in mock-impatience. "Well, duh, of course you can still feel emotions, silly," she said with a smile. "Otherwise you wouldn't have blushed."

Her eyed widened in wonder when he mentioned being out for a month. "Wow. That's...Wow. You must've been well-rested when you woke up, if you were asleep for a month." She smiled again to let Orrus know that she still understood what he'd meant -- the Duchess was simply playing with him. "So how are you still able to use the Force, then? Does just depend on your brain being intact? I thought it was something to do with your blood?"

The Duchess blushed when she realized that it sounded like she was interrogating him. "I'm sorry, I'm probably annoying you with these questions," she said apologetically.

((Sorry for the late reply -- I fell asleep around quarter past nine, woke up at 3, and spent the last hour trying to get my kindle to wake up))

 

[Orron Thrask]

Realzing his own mistake he gave a small laugh while awkwardly rubbing the back of his head. After that he heard as she gave one quick question after another, each time trying to answer before she followed up with another right after. Some he felt more easier to answer than others before she'd finally stopped, asking if it was annoying.

"No, not all all. You can ask however many you want." he assured her. After that he took a deep breath before saying "Well, after waking up, the first real thing that hit me was dealing with this new body. Took a bit of time to get a good feel for it. How heavy it was. How bulky. I felt like I had extra muscle added while wearing armor. And then, of course...I was scared of it." His tone had dropped a little. "I mean the last thing I'd remembered was nealry burning to death in the Jedi temple, and my whole body felt like it was broken beyond repair. They went through a lot to put me back together." He sighed before asnwering part of her next question with "When it came to using the force that was something else I wasn't sure about. At first I thought because I didn't have hands anymore than it wouldn't work. But..."

He looked around before seeing a tree with fruit hanging from it's branches. He looked back and smiled to the duchess before looking to one peice of fruit. Holding out one hand it took little to no effort for him to reach out with the force and bring it into his hand. Once it fell into his palm he turned and offered it to Benedali.

"The force isn't something that requires special blood or some sort of inflation in the mind. Using the Force is something that becomes part of every living being. It's a mystery how some use it and others can't, but no matter what your body is like you still have the ability to reach out with it."

[member="Benedali Serrus"] (It's okay )

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

She listened closely as he answered her questions, relieved that he didn't mind her questions. Despite everything, Benedali had still lived a sheltered life, resulting in childish behaviour from time to time.

The Duchess smiled when Orrus offered her a piece of fruit. She accepted it and, on a whim, gave him a peck on the cheek. "Thanks," she said, taking a bite. She didn't know why she did it -- it was sure to cause some awkwardness now -- but she didn't regret it, either.

After she swallowed, Benedali pursed her lips thoughtfully. "If the Force is a part of everyone, though then why can't certain people use it? And why can't the Yuuzhan Vong be sensed by it?"

 

[Orron Thrask]

The quick peck made the human part of Orron's face go a little red. He rubbed the spot where her lips had landed before rubbing it a little, an almost dumbfounded smile breaking on his lips. He'd heard her question, making him sigh as he regained himself from her geasture.

He shook his head while explaining "It's something even the Jedi or Sith don't fully understand. Perhaps it's something in our genetics. Some people, like me, inherit the power of the force through our bloodlines. Yet not everyone does. And some creatures can or can't be sensed by the force. I've read about certian animals that can actually repel the force or use the raw power of it for going through a metamorphosis. It's a strange power that we can't explain. Not yet at least. I think that's why instead of giving it some other name we just call it 'The Force'."

(Wow. I got a little deep there lol) [member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

((Lol the sign of a good role play))

She laughed a little at Orrus' expression before quieting down as he answered her question. His answer was deep, and as such Benedali thought hard about it, while taking another bite of the fruit. "Do you think you will ever understand the Force? Or would everyone just be better off just going with it?"

The Duchess went to take another bite when it occurred to her that it would be rude not to share. "Oh!" Benedali exclaimed. "I'm being greedy." She offered the fruit to him. "Would you like some?"

 

[Orron Thrask]

He shrugged and answered "Maybe. In time we may slowly understand more and more until we finally figure out the secret. Until then, I'd say it's best not to question it. It's better just to accept that there IS a Force, and that whatever explanation someone will give may not be the right one. Becaue even they don't fully know." After she offered the fruit he waved it off while saying "No, no. I'm fine. All yours." He only stood there and smiled as he let her finish it off before asking "So...Benedali...do you...uh...well I mean to say....are you....with anyone right now?" he asked before flincthing in anticipation for an answer.

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

Benedali gave a delicate shrug when Orrus refused the fruit, finishing it off with as much grace as one can when eating a ripe fruit -- no easy task, as many know. The two stood in silence while she ate, and once she finished, the Duchess gave the core to Balthazar to eat. Celestine was too busy eating the grass to really care.

Orrus' question caught her off guard, though. True, she had noticed him looking at her a few times at the party, but hey -- the Duchess was lovely, and she knew it. That's why she didn't think too much about it. This, though... It wasn't unpleasant, merely unexpected.

Keeping her composure intact, Benedali gave him a smile. "Contrary to Maka's belief, I am single. It's hard to find another half when you're either cooped up on the estates or have your brother scaring away every eligible man within the area." Twirling a strand of hair around her finger, she asked, "What about you? Any lady Padawan awaiting you back home?"

 

[Orron Thrask]

Given her answer Orron nodded before retorting with "Well he IS your brother. It's understandable he'd want to look out for his younger sister. Though I think your friend Maka's problem is that he's a bit full of him self." When she'd asked about any ladies in the Jedi he shook his head and gave a small "Nah. I mean I've never really had time. Kind of like you, I'm cooped up with all my training and such. Besdies afte rmy....accident, I've never really felt like I was the same. I sort of had this feeling that girls wouldn't find me....'more whole'. If you know what I mean." His equivalent to Bendali twriling her hair was he rubbing the back of his head as he had been for most of the conversation.

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

She gave a small laugh at his comment about Maka, before eyeing him wryly. After a pause, Benedali said, "You are going to wear down your neck metal if you keep rubbing it like that. I wouldn't be surprised if it was shiny already."

When Orrus confessed his insecurities, though, Benedali's heart went out to him. Making a sympathetic face, she held his hands in hers and squeezed them gently. "Don't people always go on about how it's the inside that counts? If you really have a heart and soul like you said you do, then why should your lack of tissue be a factor in finding someone?"

If there was another thing Benedali was good at, it was offering advice. After all, advice was paramount to being a good noble, and a good politician.