A Time to Think (Gherron Vael)

[Nimue Stormson]

After enough time of sitting in silence the Empress asked "What now? Is there more? Would I see anything about the future now?" Her questions were more like a child who had finished with a story that left everything off on a cliffhanger.​

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[member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Opening his eyes, Gherron was surprised to find the Empress so willing, especially after what she had just seen. He wouldn't know exactly what had caused her the pain, but he knew it must've been something closer. At her question, he simply smiled and shook his head. "Hard to tell. Visions and prophecies come whenever they want. It's not something you can have much control over unless you're a dedicated master at the art. I've only seen one, maybe two. Plenty of visions of my past, yes. But the future is always changing. The force is a strange entity."

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Nimue sighed since the answer wasn't as clear and foward as she thought. She did, however, try to focus her meditiation to think of the events of the future. She let herself go into the inner pool of the force within her while breathing deep and peacefully. She was going to try and get this down one way or another. It was then she began to see something. "I...I see....smoke." she began. "There's so much of it. I can see something behind it.... people running and screaming.... There's a battle going on and.... Is that me?" She opned her eyes and shook it off, looking a bit welidered by what she'd seen. Looking to [member="Gherron Vael"] she said "I couldn't see too well but I think it was a battle. And I was in it!" ​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

From what the empress said, it seemed as if sjed seen a vision of her world in a war. It was possibly true, but had just as much chance of the vision being false, as well. "Like I said, visions are not always accurate. Sometimes, they lead us into doing things that cause the visions to be true. We do all we can to make sure the vision doesn't happen, only to find it happening because of our actions."

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Given that answer the Empress didn't know if she should or shouldn't act on it. True there was a chance it could be changed if she did, but what if her actions only brought it that much closer? This vision bothered her now as it was a possibility as much a probability. "Is there anything I should do?" she asked. "What does you Jedi teaching offer me? I need to know or else my people could suffer." ​

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[member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron shook his head softly, the pain wvident in his eyes. He knew what she was going through, very well. "If that is the future, not much can be done to change it. But I can offer you help when it comes to pass. The Republic are a generous people. If you need help, we will come to your aid." He hoped that was at least enough to calm the empress's thoughts.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

She didn't know too much about the Galatic Republic, only that they were one of the more powerful factions within the galaxy. If they could be an ally in a time of war then so be it. Though, as she thought about it, the Empress had an odd suspicion if they were the ones she would end up fighting. Uncertian as she was she still nodded and said "Thank you, Master Vael. I will consider that negotiation." After that she stood, saying "I think I have this meditation trick down, unless there's more I should know." ​

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[member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Standing up as well, he offered a small smile. "I'll tell you the same thing I always tell my padawan. Just keep practicing. The more you work at it, the better you get." Brushing his clothes off, he looked around the room, not for the first time, to admire te artwork. It really was something...

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Given that she nodded and said "Thank you, Master Vael. I will. At least an hour every night I'll be with only my thoughts and the force." After that, seeing his look of the palace, she said "Do you wish to start your tour already, Master Vael? So soon after practice?" ​

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[member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

"I really don't mind either way", Gherron replied to the empress. He really was anxious to see what the planet had to offer, but he wouldn't rush the woman. She had, after all, just had to come to terms with the possibility of her kingdom being under attack.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

With a smirk she walked over and reclaimed her scepter before saying "Come. I'll show you around the palace. And then you may rest until tomorrow. From there I'll have some men escort you all across this planet as your lesuire." After that she'd walked him out of the library and into the halls, back to the art covered hallways of the palace itself.​

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[member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron followed the empress, always looking on in wonder at the design of the whole place. It had a really elegant look, something he could easily admire. He tried not to leave his mouth gaping open, reminding himself where he was. It was hard, though. Everything was just so impressive, to a guy transfixed on scenery and architecture.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

For over half the day the Empress had shown [member="Gherron Vael"] the ins and outs of the palace. They toured the halls going from one room to another. Inside and out they were passed by servants who bowed, asking if they needed anything while the empress gave the Jedi the curtesy of showing him her home. From the barracks where the guards trained and slept to the gardens within the center of the palace itself. All the way up the walls and guard towers where she showed him both the view and the more modern turrets that had been installed, further evidence of how they were integrating themselves to galactic technology, to the armory where there was a mix of both old fashioned weapons mixed with the more up-to-date. With every picture they passed there was a bit of history to be told, usually about the person or persons in it or the event that was depicted. Apparently the Empress had been well learned enough to know nearly all of it off the top of her head, only needing to consult a scholar now-and-then to see if she was right. Finally they’d reached the very last room that the Empress had yet to show.​

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“Here we are.” She said turning to back to Master Vael. “By bedchamber.” She gave a little smirked and asked “Interested to see inside?”​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

As they walked through the palace, Gherron was in wonder at how much history lay behind the walls. He was new to the servant thing, and tried not to ask anything of them. The idea of ordering people around too do things that he could easily do himself under most circumstances appalled him. When the empress stopped in front of one room, he looked at her inquisitively until he saw what was inside. At her offer to go inside, he paused for a second, and shook his head, offering a smile. "No thank you, I can see just fine from out here." He tried to put friendliness in his voice, and hoped she would just write it off and continue the tour.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Given his response it was clear the Jedi was either nervous or likey had something keeping him back from entering. She smirked, however, and said "Are you sure? There's more art peices and the like in here. Some of the more valud ones. Not to mention it's the last room you've yet to see in the enitre palace." She cracked the door open a little just so he could only have a small glimpse of what was inside.​

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[member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron simply smiled again, obvious he wouldn't budge. "I'll be fine, empress. Thank you for the offer, though." He didn't know what was on her mind, but from the tone of her voice and her expression, it was safe for him to assume he didn't want to go inside the room. Something like that wouldn't look very good for a Jedi of his stature...

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Seeing as his Jedi ways had the better of him the empress simply shrugged and said "Very well. Then I'll see you to your room." After that she tapped her staff against the floor, a servant neaby rushing over and bowing to her. "Show Master Vael to one of the guest rooms." The servant nodded before she looked back to the Jedi and said "I may or may not see you in the morning, Master Vael. In anycase I hope your travels around Effekt are well. And thank you again for all the ...advice." She hinted, not wanting the servant to fully know.​

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[member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron nodded, understanding, and followed the servant girl to his room. It was very well furnished, just like the rest of the palace, and the bed was extremely soft. He sat in the bed for a while, jotting down the events of the day, and eventually fell asleep.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

For the remainder of the day the Empress sighed, thinking how the Jedi were stubborn and yet resilient enough to not want to spend a 'pleasurable night' with an empress. It mattered little though. She was used to denials once in a while. Either way she had learned a valuable lesson from the meditation. In fact, true to her word, as night approached and she grew tired she agreed to spend at least an hour's worth of meditation. ​

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After changing into a night dress she sat in front of her fireplace, enough room for her to sit on the floor while her legs were folded and her mind made clear. She breathed in deeply and began to let her mind wander into the inner pool of the force. From there she'd seen the same calming sight of the river and her long lost love from before. But she dismiised that in favor of what came next. The vision of war she had from before returned. In reality it wasn't as cloudy as she'd told [member="Gherron Vael"] , and nor was it hard to see what was going on. ​

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There was a battle indeed only Empress Nimue wasn't just in the middle of it, she was leading it. An army of warriors at her back while in her hand her staff was raied high. Energy surged from it as she lead a loud battle cry, sending her people against the enemy before them. That part was, as far as she could see, blind to her. She had no idea who it was she was fighting. It didn't matter though. Seeing the power ruler she would become had put a smile on the Empress' face. ​

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(End?)​