A Squire's Duty (Benedali Serrus)

[Orron Thrask]

Reacting to her comment about his neck rubbing he realized what she meant before forcing his hand down to his side. He added with an awkward chukle before shying his gaze away from her out of feeling like a fool again. However when he felt her take his hand he looked down, confirming this for himself, before looking to her and hearing how she spoke about the inside being what counted most. He'd heard that phrase spoken to him plenty of times, especially after his incedent, but hearing it from her had put the same spark in him as it had when he first fully accepted it as a truth.

He fully turned his body towards hers, now taking her other hand in his, before adding "I guess even a cyber-heart can have a beat then." with a smile.

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

Benedali smiled, pleased that he seemed to have accepted what she had said. "Why, Mr. Thrask," she said coyly, "whatever could have made you think differently?"

Squeezing his hands again, she added in a more serious tone, "In my opinion, a heart's a heart, and a heart needs to beat, whether it's cyber or not." In the back of her mind, the Duchess quickly reviewed the events of the night, before deciding this was one of those nights worth remembering. She then hugged the Jedi again, whispering, "I'm sure you'll find someone, cyborg or no. Just be glad you don't even remotely resemble a Hutt."

 

[Orron Thrask]

He returned her coy tone with a smile before hearing her give her take on his having a heart all along. He knew it, it was just at time Orron questioned what was part of emotions in the heart and soul of a person. Given his implants he questioned how much of his old self was still intact among the artifical shell of his former body. However the more he talked with Benedali the more it became clear to him just how much truly had.

At her joke about looking like a Hutt he chukled before returning her hug and saying "Would it be wrong if I thought I did find someone? Someone who...who I'm not sure if it's right that I feel that way about her?"

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

The Duchess withdrew a bit, to better study Orrus' face. "Well, I don't see why not... Unless she's one of the few good Sith. Then, even if you like her, the Jedi may not take too kindly to your feelings."

Her face was passive, maintaining a pleasant look, while her insides roiled with...jealousy? Haha, very funny... Who was she to be jealous? If Orrus had found someone, then who was she to impede him? Even if it was a Sith?

Granted, the chances of it being a Sith were low, but hey, stranger things had happened. Her party from earlier was proof enough of that.

Nonetheless, she would be a good person. Cupping his face in her hands, she added, "Though, even then, if you think it's the right thing to pursue her, then go for it."

 

[Orron Thrask]

"Oh no. Not a Sith." he said, trying to reassure her. "Belive me, I doubt that's a road anyone would want to go down." he added with an akwakrd chukle again. He was about to say something before she'd added more to her advice, to which he responded "Well I would go after her if I could. But I'm worried. You see...her line of work makes her....'busy'. I mean she's such an influenceial person on her home planet and I worry what would be said if a Jedi started a relationship with someone in her position. From what I understand Jedi and royalty can sometimes have negative outcomes. Sometimes..."

Clealry he was playing around the fact it was his feelings towards her, but he wasn't sure if Benedali had understood or not. Given her last reaction, which he'd found hard to read, he was starting to second guess acting as vuage as he did.

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

The Duchess gave a considerably unladylike snort to mask her surge of relief, though that was tampered when he mentioned that this woman was of nobility. Like that's even better!

Once again, though, she clamped down on her tongue. "Oh, well, royalty isn't so bad then. And who cares about what other people think? Just as long as she doesn't interfere with your duties, I'm sure you two can work something out." Benedali practically choked the words, but she hoped that it wasn't noticeable. She shrugged, adding, "And really, if you don't then she'll probably always be on your mind, distracting you, and then something might happen..." She trailed off, her inner conflict causing her to stop talking. On one hand, she always was a romantic, and if this lady made the Jedi Padawan happy, then Benedali would just have to help them get together. On the other hand, though...

This is utter balderdash, she thought angrily. I really don't have any room to be jealous.

 

[Orron Thrask]

Hearing her response made Orron roll his eyes and groan a little. Obviously his analigy wasn't getting through to the duchess and he needed to save this sinking ship of a situation he was in before it was too late. He looked back as she'd continued talking before giving deep breath and putting a calm smile on his face. He reached out and took her hand to bring attention back to him before giving her a look that said he wanted her to listen.

"Benedali. I was talking about you, of course." he said, still keeping a smile on his face to show how serious he was.

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

"Oh..." was all she could say.

Boy, did Benedali feel stupid. Here she was, a politician, and yet, she had missed the signs! Well, granted, she had noticed, but she'd played them off as being noting to worry about.

Embarrassed by the unnecessary jealousy that had been present not too long ago, she continued, "Well, why didn't you say so in the first place?" If there was any anger in her tone, it wasn't directed at Orrus, but at her own ignorance.

Nonetheless, the Duchess returned his smile with a weak one of her own. "Good news is, I doubt Arick will want to kill you; at the party he seemed rather fond of you." So, not the best response in the world, but it wasn't every day she got confessions like these.

 

[Orron Thrask]

"Sorry." he began. "I thought you would've known by now. I mean you call me out here to ride horses, talk about joining a rebellion and then we get into talks about how we feel and what we like and all that. How could you not think someone who'd go through all of that just to sit here and talk with someone wouldn't have feelings for them?" He brought her hand up and cupped in both of his while saying "I know I'm not much to look at, and your priorities as a duchess and mine as a Jedi would make this all complicated, but I'd think I'd be ready to risk it all for you if given the chance."

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

"Well, the riding horses was just to add a cover for asking you to join us. And I just figured you had accepted because you were a Jedi, and..." She trailed off, not really sure what else to say. Her excuses were flimsy, at best.

Benedali offered another weak smile to Orrus. "Congratulations," she said. "You rendered me as speechless as I'll ever be." She pulled her hand out of his and gave him another hug. "I'm sure we could work something out, though." This was, essentially, her way of accepting him, her brother, Maka, and everyone else be damned. Just in case, though, she gave him another peck on the cheek. "And I've already told you, you look fine[/], honest. I'm the one who has to worry about appearances, remember?" She didn't give voice to her worry about what the One Sith might do to her House; there was more than enough for them to worry about.

 

[Orron Thrask]

Another hug and kiss on the cheek but Orron was more comfortable with it now. He closed his eyes as she emrbaced him while she spoke in his ear about damning the consequences and all. As much as Orron wanted to agree he still had to deal with his training and duties as a Jedi as much as she did as a duchess. He held her at arm's length once they finished and looked her in the eye.

"I promise you, when I'm ready enough I'll do whatever I can to make you happy. I'll fight to bring your planet back to the way it was and free your people. Until then, all I can do is just be there for you when you need me."

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

Benedali nodded. "And for right now, that's plenty." A sudden yawn escaped her lips, and a wave of exhaustion swept over her. She hadn't realized how late it was, but now that the excitement was over her body began to call out her bed's name.

Eyes half-closed, she leaned against Orrus. "It's getting late; if you want, we have more than enough beds for you to stay in."

 

[Orron Thrask]

Even with the feint glow of his eye still against her face it wasn't hard for Orron to see that the duchess truly was getting tired. And given how long they'd been talking and being caught up with everything it was understanable. He, on the other hand, still had plenty of energy in him but knew not to push the duchess any further for tonight; even if he didn't mind talking with her until dawn.

"I woud stay if I could, but I should head back to Tython. My master's will wonder where I've been if I come back to the temple so late." he rubbed her back as she leaned against him before saying "Here. Let me help you back on your horse."

After helping her on he picked up his Jedi robes and replaced them on his body before mounting his horse and taking the reins. He indicated he was ready before letting Benedali give direction on the way back to the estate.

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

((Oh suuuure; make the tired one lead the way xD))

Benedali nodded, yawning again as she urged Celestine forward. There really wasn't much work needed to be done, as the horses knew their way back to the house, so for the duration of the trip the Duchess merely dozed, though a couple times she nearly fell off.

As soon as they arrived at the stables, she slipped off her horse and handed the servant her reins, gesturing for Orrus to do the same. At this point in time, it was all she could do to not fall down in a dead sleep.

 

[Orron Thrask]

As soon as they'd reached the stables Orron hopped off as Bendali did before handing the reins to the servant. After that he could see how the duchess was so tired and stood as if ready to catch her. He kept his hands and arms out as a precaution, though she hoped she wasn't that tired that he would need to carry her. Mainly because he worried about how improper it might look to some of the other servants if he did.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "Here, maybe I can help you to your room." he offered.

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Orron Thrask"]

Benedali yawned again, nodding. "Yeah...that's probably the best course to go..." she mumbled. "Sure you can't stay? Our cook...has a good breakfast planned...for everyone..."

Eyes half-closed, she reached out blindly to grab Orrus' arm for support, nearly tipping over in the process. When the Duchess was awake, she was one of the most coordinated people on this side of the galaxy. When she was as sleepy as she was now? Forget about it.

"I just hope... [member="Maka Sumoto"] and [member="Arick Serrus"] aren't...too mad..." she muttered, almost incoherently. "They don't...like strangers, much..." Benedali covered her mouth as a big yawn slipped through again.

 

[Maka Sumoto]

Maka was, as always, looking for somebody to talk to. The guards didn't seem to like him very much, and barely answered when he greeted them. Neither Arick nor Benedali were anywhere to be found... So, Maka kept on tromping around, his cape swishing around behind him. He passed by a window. Nothing interesting there, just a guy and-

A guy with a glowing eye, with girl stumbling along next to him. A red-haired girl. Damn cyborg had to come here and interfere, huh? Couldn't just leave Maka to be with the duchess... Had to come and take her for himself. As they neared the gate, he stayed near the stairs, leaning on the still-open door, waiting for them to say something, anything... It wouldn't make him less angry, but at least he could feel less bad about storming off to the town for a drink after he talked to them.

[member="Orron Thrask"] [member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Orron Thrask"]

As the couple neared the door, Benedali was still awake enough to notice Maka. A big grin broke out on her face, and she gave a clumsy wave. "Hello, Maka! What are....*yawn*...what are you doing up so....*yawn*....So late? It's...past your bedtime?"

Another thing to note about the Duchess: along with her characteristic grace becoming non-existent, the more tired Benedali got, the loopier she was.

Barely able to keep her eyes open, she gestured at Orron. "He's...in on our group...Maka...! Isn't that wonderful?" Another yawn escaped the Duchess' lips, and she continued to lean on the Jedi for support.

I'm so tired....

 

[Orron Thrask]

As she continued to yawn and lean against him, Orron was just trying to help the tired duchess up to her room without having her completely pass out on the floor. He was suprised at how tired she was and how the time wasn't even that late. He wondered if maybe she'd been up far longer than suspected and only now started to feel the need for sleep.

As he helped her up he didn't see Maka until she'd said something, the cyborg Jedi turning and giving an awkward grin before added "This isn't what it loosk like. Trust me. Just helping the lady to bed. To sleep! Helping her get to her bed so she can sleep. Alone. With no one to bother her." he tried clarifiying really fast.

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Maka Sumoto]

Maka glared at Benedali, who was either really drunk or really sleepy. Even with the duchess so happy, he couldn't help being angry. He stepped down the stairs, and offered his hand to Benedali, looking up at Orrus and trying not to glare, or seem as angry as he was. He replied, "Yes, the Jedi's here. Whoop dee doo."

He actually spoke to Orrus now, trying not to actually growl at the guy, "I can take her upstairs, Orrus. She's perfectly safe with me, no matter how little that seems to count."

[member="Benedali Serrus"] [member="Orron Thrask"]