And So, A Flower Blooms [Jak]

[Slot 14]

It had been three months. Three months with out a word, or a sighting, or even a sign. Leyan was completely gone. But how had she left? Did she leave on her own? It was something that Jak couldn't figure out.​

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Until, of course, a clue was discovered.​

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Near the entrance to Jak's ship, there was something very, _very_ small next to the door. It only just became visible from the light of a sun that shined through one of the far windows...​

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[member="Jak Sandrow"]​

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Jak was buffing out a few errant scorch marks when something caught his eye. A gleam from a reflection? Following the little beam of light, he traced it back to a small shiny... something....

[member="Leyan Viceritas"]

 

[Slot 14]

Upon first glance, it looked like a simple brass button. However, with closer inspection, a crest would become visible on it. This crest might seem... Familiar... ​

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[member="Jak Sandrow"]​

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Jak peered closely at the seal. It... looked like the symbol on some of Leyan's stuff...

With a mental click, he shot to his feet and headed out the door, hell-bent on refueling the ship. Within the hour, he had taken off and was roaring towards Leyan's home planet: Retalik.

- - -

The trip down was much easier the second time around. This time, he knew exactly where to go, and in no time at all was at the front entrance of the largest structure in the city - the royal castle. Going right up to the front gate, he banged on it three times and waited.

[member="Leyan Viceritas"]

 

[Slot 14]

There were four guards stationed at the gate. One of them looked at the fuming Jak with a confused expression.​

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"Excuse me, sir, but why are you hitting the gate?"​

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[member="Jak Sandrow"]​

 

[Jak Sandrow]

"I'm here to see -" He hesitated. "The princess."

He was expecting raucous laugher, and he doubted he'd be disappointed.

[member="Leyan Viceritas"]

 

[Slot 14]

The guard exchanged a glance with the man standing next to him.​

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"I apologize, sir. But the Queen is not seeing visitors. She's taken ill and has retreated to her bed chambers for almost a month now."​

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The man didn't sound happy when he said this.​

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"It's a very worrying affair for the city. She was only just rescued from abduction three months ago. We're all hoping she'll get better soon..."​

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[member="Jak Sandrow"]​

 

[Jak Sandrow]

"Could... could I just see her?" He tugged off his hood, exposing his green skin and (artificially exaggerated) ears, hoping this would ease the guard's conscience. "Maybe the Queen would feel better to meet one of her faithful citizens?"

If that failed, there was Force persuasion. If all else failed, there was always just force.

[member="Leyan Viceritas"]

 

[Slot 14]

The green skin was definitely _not_ a normal thing.... The guards looked at the man in disbelief.​

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"... Um... I'm sorry, sir. I wish that I could. But King Toreyl was very adamant about keeping others away..."​

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[member="Jak Sandrow"]​

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Jak's face settled into a more neutral tone. "You will let me into the castle, unguarded."

[member="Leyan Viceritas"]

 

[Slot 14]

The guards blinked for a moment.​

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"We will let you into the castle, unguarded."​

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They unlocked the gate, letting Jak inside.​

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-Meanwhile-​

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Locked. Barred. Tied at the wrists. Attached to the wall. That was the penalty for trying to jump again. Toreyl was very unhappy to have discovered Leyan doing this. Apparently it wasn't the first time, either. Honestly, what was wrong with his new bride? Why did she thing she had any right to take her own life? The life that he willingly married? The poor child. She didn't realize how lucky she was. After all, she was a QUEEN now! She got to stay in the palace and she had a husband who loved her and showered her with affection. But the way she was acting right now made her seem more like a hopeless captive.​

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Toreyl walked across the room, gently taking Leyan's lifeless-looking face in his hands.​

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"Why so quiet, my love? And why so sad?..."​

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Her brilliant blue eyes were dull and hollow. He sighed.​

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"Will you never speak?"​

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"........"​

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"...Very well then."​

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He planted a soft kiss on her unresponsive lips and walked back to his chair, going back to reading his book.​

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[member="Jak Sandrow"]​

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Jak flexed his hands, rage quietly simmering behind his otherwise peaceful eyes. Popping off the ears, but keeping a green coloration, he scaled the wall above the main entryway, fingers finding natural handholds in an otherwise flat surface. He went in a second-story window, and making sure to keep out of sight, he snuck his way to what appeared to be a kitchen. Perfect.

Within, ladies bustled around, preparing food and drink for apparently some sort of celebration. Unless this was always how Theowei lived, Jak guessed.

One lady in particular caught his eye, carrying a tray of what appeared to be a mid-afternoon snack. By the elegance and decadence of the cutlery, Jak guessed that it was intended for the king - or the queen.

- - -

Jak had set himself to crawling on the ceiling like a mynock on a freighter. This, of course, came with its own perils, such as trying his best not to hurl all over the lady below, that he was following.

But he had finally made it to what appeared to be the bedroom? chamber of the king. He could definitely get some answers here.

Once the kitchen lady had left (a back-breaking half an hour later), Jak leapt down to land on the floor in front of the door, as quiet as a leaf in the wind.

His entrance into the antechamber was a lot louder.

"Where is Leyan?!?" he demanded.

#nochill

[member="Leyan Viceritas"]

 

[Slot 14]

Leyan stared at nothing, her head tilted toward the ground. She felt like a husk. There was nothing but a hole... And then she felt something. It was like... A pulse. A presence that was coming closer. It was familiar...​

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And then Jak burst through the locked door, knocking it off its hinges and demanding to know where she was. Toreyl jumped from his chair, dropping his book in shocked surprise. Leyan's eyes looked at the green man for a moment in disbelief. How was he...?! Life snapped back into her being. She began tugging on the bonds that kept her sitting next to the wall.​

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"Jak?! What are you--!!"​

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"How dare you barge into our quarters! GUARDS!!!"​

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[member="Jak Sandrow"]​

 

[Jak Sandrow]

"Easy," Jak stated, using the Force to amplify his voice into something dreadful. "I only want Leyan." Now that he could see her behind the king, his rage was abated... then it flared as he saw how she was being treated.

His hand was put forward, palm out, to show peace... but his other hand twitched, ready to jump for his gun in an instant.

[member="Leyan Viceritas"]

 

[Slot 14]

Toreyl was only phased for a few minutes. He glared very angrily at Jak.​

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"So.... You're the one who took her from me?"​

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He put his hand on the hilt of his sword.​

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"She is my wife and my Queen. I took great measures to ensure her safe return. You WILL NOT take her from me again!"​

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He drew his sword.​

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[member="Jak Sandrow"]​

 

[Jak Sandrow]

"Took her??" Jak started angrily, then breathed out through his teeth. "She jumped."

His hand left his gun, and drew his beskad instead. "She never wanted this. If you actually paid attention to the person you '''''love''''', maybe you'd see that..."

Despite all his peaceful talk, Jak positioned himself in his 'ready' stance, his black blade gleaming in the light.

[member="Leyan Viceritas"]

 

[Slot 14]

Leyan wrestled with the bindings on her wrists. She had to get free and stop this before Jak got hurt!​

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Toreyl took a similar stance.​

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"She is a very confused girl! And you kidnapping her hasn't helped AT ALL!! You need to learn to MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!!!"​

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Toreyl lunged for Jak.​

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[member="Jak Sandrow"]​

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Jak's blade sliced cleanly through Toreyl's, the shaft clattering to the floor. Jak took a ready stance but made no move to attack. "Funny, that's not what she said."

Glancing over to Leyan, Jak noticed that she was still restrained. With a subtle twitch of his eyes, one binding sprung open, freeing her right hand. He then turned back to Toreyl. "You sure didn't seem like Prince Charming to her."

[member="Leyan Viceritas"]

 

[Slot 14]

Toreyl was infuriated by this. He started trying to hit Jak with his bare hands.​

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"Do NOT presume that you know my wife better than I!!!"​

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Leyan began quickly undoing her other hand.​

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[member="Jak Sandrow"]​

 

[Jak Sandrow]

"Oh I presume." Jak had set down his blade and was blocking the punches effortlessly, the Force flowing through him, telling him where to deflect and how hard. He made no attacking movements, almost feeling sorry for the man in front of him. "I presume that she hasn't said a word to you? I presume that she has refused food and water, unless necessary? Am I close?"

[member="Leyan Viceritas"]