Another Place and Time

[Kuxtal]

Kuxtal bowed his head, "No, Empress Arenais. Thank you for your hospitality. I remain at your convenience to repay you for this kindness."

First order of business was to get cleaned up. The facilities on the ship had run dry long ago and he had all but grown used to the layer of filth covering his body. As soon as the empress left he found the washing facilities. There was a learning curve at first but he quickly figured out how to operate the machines and soon the wash room was filled with steam as Kuxtal scoured his body. He stood in the midst of the steam and breathed the refreshing warmth into his lungs and let the heat sooth his muscles.

He stepped out and found a towel large enough to wrap around himself. He took his old rags and threw them in the incenorator. Then he busied himself with procuring more food and refreshment from the proper machines, again it took some investigation, but he was able to figure it out with little trouble. He ordered the food and then ate to his complete content when it arrived.

Next he had to rest... Not the force meditation that he had to use for his very survival on the ship. But real, true sleep. He slowly tested the bed. It was soft and so wonderfully clean. He laid down and his head touched the soft pillows. Within seconds he was asleep.

 

[Kay-Larr]

A short little old lady soon knocked at his door the following day. She wasn't even tall enough to reach his waist. But thankfully she had specially built shoes to help her compensate with that.

"Greetings, I am Choo. I am the Empress' tailor. If you give me a few moments, I will take your measurements and get some clothing made for you." She brought out a specialized measuring tape that whipped around his waist, legs, arms and chest, taking but a few seconds to give her the measurements needed. Choo's boots helped her to gain the height needed, as the lifts extended as though she was wearing a pair of stilts. "Any preferences for colour? Would you prefer silks or a cotton blend? Something that reflrcts the light, perhaps? Oh yes! That would go with your skin just peffectly."

Choo seemed to dance all around [member="Kuxtal"] as she gained measurements for nearly every inch that could be covered tastefully. But all in all it did take only a few moments as she had said it would.

"I can have some outfits ready for you this afternoon. Others this evening. Thank you for your patience and good day!" A quick bow and she was off in a quickly paced walk. The old woman loved this and lived for such challenges in fashion.

 

[Kuxtal]

Kuxtal let the tiny woman in with a tired greeting. He had nothing to wear at the moment but he didn't feel very self conscious even being back in civilization. He let the little woman work, following instructions and letting her take what measurements she needed, and agreeing with her fashion suggestions. When she left he went laid back down on the bed. He was still exhausted, he didn't know how long it would take for him to fully recover his rest, but he felt like he couldn't sleep now.

He got up and moved to the center of the spacious room. Making sure he had enough space he began a series of exercises as a sort of therapy for his physical deterioration. He used the exercises also like a type of moving meditation, focusing the force in his own mind and sensing its river flowing through him, the river so wide that he couldn't see the other side and had forgotten how to swim in like he used to.

He did this for a full hour and when he was done he sat down to eat another large meal.

 

[Kay-Larr]

As promised, outfits started to arrive for [member="Kuxtal"] . The first few were pants, a few shirts and even a robe. Most were a cotton blend. The more extravagant robes would arrive later. Shoes and socks were also provided.

Kay arrived not long after the clothing, giving Kuxtal ample time to dress. She brought in some tea in hand, a pouch of Sapir tea which was her favourite. She knocked on the door. This wasn't her apartment, so it was only polite to wait until she was allowed entry. Her guards were right along with her as always.

"It's Kay. May I come in?"

 

[Kuxtal]

When the clothes arrived Kuxtal tried them on. The fit well so he settled on a functional outfit.

He felt a better with a clean body and fresh clothes. It had been so long since he had the pleasure of cleanliness. He heard the summons at the door and granted her entry, "Please come in, Empress. You wanted to speak?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay opened the door and stepped inside, a few of her guards following in behind. They took their places along the wall and then stood like statues. She paid them no mind.

Her eyes took in the appearance of [member="Kuxtal"] . Did he grow even taller? Perhaps it was just from the addition of better clothing that gave him a more intimidating look. Regsrdless, he looked much more composed than before.

"You look better. I'm sure that you feel better as well. Have you read up on current events as of late?" Lots had happened since he was trapped floating in space.

 

[Kuxtal]

"Yes, I do feel much better. Again you have my gratitude, Empress Arenais. I have only recently awoken from the first restful sleep that I have had in over a hundred years and regret that I have yet to delve into the holonet."

He walked over to the living area that had a large enough couch for him to sit comfortably on. Looking around he saw that there was little he could offer her for a chair in her size so she could sit as well, so he opted to stand too. He turned to face her and went on.

"But perhaps you could answer the questions for me that most likely cannot be answered on the holonet. Do you know what has become of the criminal organization called The Black Sun?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

"No doubt the holonet can become quite overwhelming. Such an easy task can seem daunting when one is faced with such an endless amount of information."

She watched him for a moment as he seemed to want to sit down, yet didn't. Was it for her benefit? Was it because she needed to be the one to sit first? It was hard to tell. Kay walked over to the kitchenet with her pouch of Sapir tea leaves and began to prepare a kettle for boiling.

"The Black Sun? They pop up every now and then, most especially back when I used to work against the Hutts and free slaves. I haven't heard much of them lately. But then again I have been a bit preoccupied." With the kettle warming up, she moved to the cupboards to look for some cups. "Would you like some tea?"

 

[Kuxtal]

"So The Black Sun still exists... I suppose that should be expected. They were part of the reason I ended up on that ship."

He paced a bit across the floor thoughtfully. When she offered him tea he accepted gratefully.
Would The Black Sun remember him? or did they send him off in that ship and expect it to be the end of him, never to see him again.

He continued his pondering while she prepared the tea, "The Empire must have fragmented considerably while I was exiled. You spoke of a sith empire, and a First Order... Palpatines empire must have fallen? But then... How has the republic evolved over time?"
These were questions but he was mostly thinking out loud. His mind was more awake and he was slowly deducing the facts based on the information he was given already.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay raised a brow as [member="Kuxtal"] revealed a bit of how he had gotten into the situation that he did. No doubt that was quite the tale in and of itself.

She prepped the Sapir tea leaves, removing them from her tea pouch and crumpling them into the cups. Once the water was ready, Kay poured some over the leaves and gave it a bit of a stir with a spoon before bringing the cups over to him and giving him up. "Once the leaves are dissolved, it'll be ready to drink."

Kay then headed over to one of the large chairs and climbed onto it. Boy did it make her feel like a child again, but she had managed to do it without spilling her tea. That was quite the accomplishment.

"Palpatine's Empire had indeed fallen. As well as the Republic. Each side has fragmented, risen and then fallen again. Even in my lifetime there has been so many changes as to who's in power in the Galaxy. It's a vicious cycle that has no end in sight."

 

[Kuxtal]

Kuxtal accepted the tea and sat down as well, following her instructions and letting the tea dissolve. He was still thoughtful.
"This is indeed a time of chaos... The galaxy is fragmented... it needs order once more."
Again he spoke to himself, a slight side effect of being alone for so long. But he didn't betray anything he didn't want to reveal.

When it was ready he sipped his tea. Still pondering, his great brain working over millions of thoughts and mysteries that presented themselves. Calculating and deducing the things said. Just from this short conversation alone he was able to fill many of the blank spaces in his antiquated knowledge of history. After a moment he nodded slowly again.

"Was there a specific question you wished to ask of me? I am sure many of my other questions will be answered with some time and research. But what information would you like to know about me?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

"Yes we are in Chaos. And there have been many that try to give order to the Galaxy in their own ways. Mostly through violence, genocide and oppression. Even the Jedi have been guilty of such things. I used to look after a large sector in the Colonies, but the Sith came and defeated us. Here in Wild Space we are too far from their reach. There is much to stabilize here, but it shouldn't be too difficult. Once I defeat my enemies, I'll be able to expand that stability." Hopefully the odds will be in her favour this time.

She sipped her tea as [member="Kuxtal"] let her know that it was her turn to do the asking. And so of course she was curious. "I'm afraid that I haven't come across your species before. It could be that there aren't many around anymore. And why were the Black Sun responsible for you getting stuck on that prison ship? How did it come to be adrift for so long?"

 

[Kuxtal]

Kuxtal shook his head.
"As far as I know I am the first of my kind. My birth is somewhat unique, but my mother was Corellian and my father came from Corellia and I was raised on Corellia."

He sipped his tea, trying not to finish it in one sip.
"My history with the Black Sun begins on Corellia as well. I had gotten very involved with my community there and pulled my neighborhood out from under the thumb of the Black Sun. They didn't like that, so they waited for me to leave before blasting through my home and bringing my friends and family low once more. When I returned I led them against the Black Sun, but they had the empire in their pocket on Corellia. They had me arrested, I was placed on that ship... I imagine the war against the empire began in earnest then, because nobody came for me, the empire forgot about their own ship."

He placed his tea on a side table and leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
"I escaped my cell and took the ship, but the ship computer was connected with the captain and the systems self destructed when he died... The ship drifted along its randomized course, refueling at desolate automated stations... You know the rest."

 

[Kay-Larr]

"How was your birth unique?" That had to be a story in and of itself.

She sipped her tea as she listened to [member="Kuxtal"] answer her other questions. Her thoughts drifted to picturing his ordeal in her mind. It was hard to fathom such an ordeal. Yet she knew what it was like to have to face such odds. Though usually her worst experiences came through betrayal. Even her marriage wasn't safe from that.

"I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. At least it's over now. Unfortunately your family and friends are more than likely all gone now. But I'm sure that you could find some kinds of records as to what might have happened."

 

[Kuxtal]

"Thank you for your sympathies, Empress. But the past is in the past, I cannot change their fate by knowing. And the truth is often more brutal than ignorance."
He said this because he could already guess what happened. After killing the mercenaries and seeing him arrested his friends were probably either killed or arrested themselves, or faded into obscurity to die by other means. All his fault. If he hadn't gotten it into his head to be an example to the rest of following justice and letting the law reign supreme when the law itself was corrupt and full of holes then non of this would have happened. If he hadn't believed true justice, order, and law could exist outside of himself...

When she asked him about his birth, she was right to guess that it was a story in itself.
"Have you heard the leagends of the Wish Plant? It's a story told by the Ewoks on Endor."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded. Sometimes ignorance was bliss. But sometimes the not knowing would drive some people crazy. She knew that she'd probably go mad with not knowing what had happened to her kids and family if she was in his shoes. Or she'd probably end up just making up some good version inside her head, giving them all a wonderful life full of peace and enjoyment.

That would probably be the better option.

"The wish plant? No, I haven't heard about it at all. I haven't visited Endor either. And the only Ewok that I came across in my travels had tried to assassinate me. But I'm told that most aren't like that.|

 

[Kuxtal]

Kuxtal chuckled when she told him of her encounter with an Ewok.
"No, Ewoks are indeed cunning warriors. But they are generally peaceable towards others. The wish plant I spoke of is a legend told by the Ewoks that speaks of the plant as a gift from their goddess called the Leaf Queen. It is said that when one makes a wish in the presence of the plant, it would come true."

Kuxtal stood up and looked out the window overlooking the city. The morning light seemed to glisten on his blue skin.

"Apparently when I was born my father was able to find such a plant. He used it over and over on me, giving me the entire power held within the plant, be it the force or something else. When he did so my mind was awakened and I was aware from that moment on even in the body of an infant. My father was then forced to leave me to face his own enemies. That is why I have no family to be curious about in this day and age."

He turned back to look at the empress. His face shadowed with the rising sun at his back. But his blue eyes glowed with their own light.
"Empress Arenais. As of right now I have no purpose in this galaxy. It is full of chaos, yes, But that is not the only reason the force has willed that I return to the galaxy at this time. Let me be your servant and follow you... Until my path becomes clear."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay listened to the tale that [member="Kuxtal"] spoke of the Wish Plant. Indeed it sounded like a bedtime story. So to hear that it was true was something else! And here was the result standing in this very room. Such a powerful plant; if it still existed; could be very useful for any number of things. But if it was in the wrong hands...

Her mind returned from her thoughts as Kuxtal turned to face her. He looked God-like with the way that his skin reflected the light. Even his eyes seemed to carry a mystical power of their own.

She bowed her head as he made his request. "I'd gladly accept your request. If you could serve as one of my Advisors, I'd greatly appreciate it. Your viewpoint and your wisdom of the past would be most helpful. The past is always doomed to repeat itself. Perhaps with your help we could stop that cycle."

 

[Kuxtal]

He bowed his head as well at her words and acceptance, but he replied gravely.
"If what you have told me thus far is true... Then the cycle has already begun. And once begun it would take a Titan to reverse it."

He Looked back out the window as the sun continued its climb into the sky. He could see the towers that climbed into the clouds, such grandeur was unknown to him, as if this planet was removed from records and never existed when he walked free in the galaxy even though this planet showed signs of history far older than he was aware of. He picked up his cup and swallowed the remaining tea.

Little by little he could feel his strength returning, as if a dam had been built within his body during his exile and he was only just now breaking tiny holes in its foundation to trickle back in. He couldn't even remember the height of his power before his imprisonment. In fact now that he thought about it, throughout his whole life he had never gone out and tested his true limitations. But he felt that his time aboard the prison ship and his immersion in the force may have grown his connection even further... And for a moment he actually felt afraid of what may happen if he ever regained his full strength.

He placed his palm against the window in contemplation as he stared out at the sky.
"Only a Titan can reverse the cycle of Chaos..."

 

[Kay-Larr]

A Titan? In some ways [member="Kuxtal"] was sounding like her old friend-now betrayer-Lord [member="Mythos"] . He gained so much power that he assumed the title of a God. But Kay saw him in a different light, and that was of a playboy Sith Lord with a lust for Force power more than anything else.

Hopefully Kuxtal wasn't going to get into that same kind of headspace.

"And how would a Titan reverse it? Such a feat wouldn't be easy." It was easy for someone to get lost in such a goal. The end results are usually very different from what the person had intended.