Asset Consolidation (Asha Hex)

[WolfMortum]

It had been a considerable few years since Veiere and [member="Asha Hex"] had last met. The young woman whom had agreed to take on his Son [member="Caedyn Arenais"] as her apprentice, had not seen the boys Father since the beginning of their training together. Veiere had been though much, loved, taken and lost an extraordinary amount of emotion and grief over the years and no doubt some of his exploits would have reached Asha through the words of his Son. Never the less, the former King had, out of the blue, contacted her from afar and organized a meeting that he might thank her for looking after Caedyn.

Today, the Providence drifted in deep space dwarfing the The CSA Resolute for which Veiere and his Children had come to call their temporary home following the Sith Empires blockade of the Systems Alliance territories and the Siege of Commenor itself. The large of the two vessels was a Goliath Academic Facility that had been long meant for the Jedi Order that Veiere's financed ambitions had failed to maintain. Today it remained void of that old dream save for the Crew that lived aboard and kept her in working running order.

While the two great ships drifted amidst deep space, Veiere wandered the old halls of his former life losing himself in the better memories of forgotten times. Living among and training Jedi, able to roam wherever they wished. It had been an adventurous life though his heart remained with Commenor and eventually fate and the will of the Force would see him return. Now with no one else in need of such a ship, Asha Hex had been the first that Veiere had considered for the gifting of such an asset, completely free of expenses for all that she had done and given for his Sons life, the lad whom had truly come into himself since Asha's mentorship had taken hold over him.

 

[Lief]

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Deep Space, Unknown Territory // Aboard The Prophet​

Docking Within Providence // With [member="Veiere Arenais"]​

♫ // Watch The Stars Collide As You're Lifted From Your Burden​

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As The Prophet shot through the unknown reaches of space, the one piloting it could not help but think back on all that had led to this point.

From the Temple on Svivren, to Commenor, bringing Caedyn back with her to the Je'daii, and the journey which had been their continued Apprenticeship, Asha's view of the man she was going to see had been a rollercoaster to say the least.

Yet she had not spoken to him directly since leaving their home with his son.

Asha had done her best not to let the news skew her perception of the man she had come to know so intimately back on Svivren, whose mind she had glimpsed into through the shattered tendrils of his past. She had gone through the various stages of grief, though never before her Apprentice, as she fought to deal with it all. Above all else had been the grim feeling of guilt, as though somehow she was to blame for the words she'd uttered in his presence. For the doubts she'd set within his mind.

She had refused to look, to see if what had happened was true, even though she was very much capable of doing so. Yet now, as her ship lurched from hyperspace and stalled before two behemoths part of her wished she had. That she knew for certain what sort of man she was truly dealing with.

The Prophet slipped forward toward the largest of the two vessels, drifting in to one of its hangar bays which were for the most part occupied by starfighters and the occasional shuttle, after sending out the access codes she'd been provided with. There was no reluctance from the crew who no doubt had been expecting her.

And when the landing gear had lowered, and the ships engines shut off, she made her way back through her beloved ship and activated the boarding ramp, entirely uncertain of why it was she'd been summoned, and what to expect of the fallen Jedi Master she still, deep down, regarded as a friend. Even with all of his monumental faults.

 

[WolfMortum]

With [member="Asha Hex"] having been given clearance without hesitation, the designated Hangar that she would be relayed to was a bustle with life of the Providence' Crewmen and Engineers. There alongside where she would be instructed to park her vessel, there sat a Command Shuttle of Veiere's own, that which had carried him from the Resolute over to the Academy Class giant. There standing in silent watch was the former King's Sovereign-Guard all whom faced one another in two lines flanking the landing ramp from which a couple Officers came striding down and moving to meet with the Prophet, absent of the armed escort.

"Lady Hex, we have been asked to escort you to Lord Arenais. If you would be so kind as to follow us, Ma'am" the Officer in the black uniform smiled as he spoke, gesturing with his right arm across his midsection that she might accompany them deeper into the massive vessel. No doubt these formalities and appearances would lead the young Master of the Force to further question Veiere's stance and status these days, though she might be surprised to find that since their last meeting, Veiere wasn't quite as defiant as the media and yes, his past mistakes had portrayed.

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When they would come into his view, Veiere would be found standing within the great Aboretum, overshadowed by the branches of the Force-Sensitive Tree he and his former associates of the Jedi Order of Deneba had planted there. The seemingly endless room had been filled with life, gardens and a stream that ran through it, cycled by the Providence's hydroponic banks lining the floor beneath a frame of durasteel and dirt taken from the world of Yavin IV. Today the gardens were in full flourish and the wondrous room had been cared for by those whom called the Providence their home.

"Thank you, gentlemen" Veiere spoke first to the officers, though his gaze would find the younger woman's own, a faint smile offered in fond welcome though not without the mind and likely consequences of the past to come to light in their discussion, he was sure; "You may return to the Shuttle" he soon dismissed them. He wasn't armed, nor did he stand in any attire fit for battle or any sort of confrontation of the like. Today he wore a simple variety of garments fit for someone whom had come from the royal house of Commenor, with the Seal of House Arenais imprinted upon the right shoulder.

"It's been quite a long time, Asha. It's good to see you again my young friend" He bowed his head in more a formal acknowledgement before adding in apology, "I do hope you'll forgive the sudden and strange circumstance for which I've asked you to meet with me. I'm afraid there are many out there who're seeking those aboard the Resolute. My family, myself...".

 

[Lief]

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Deep Space, Unknown Territory // Aboard Providence​

Meeting With An Old Friend // With [member="Veiere Arenais"]​

♫ // Watch The Stars Collide As You're Lifted From Your Burden​

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Naturally, Asha scanned the hangar as she stepped down and met with the Sovereign-Guard.

Truth be told the young woman had not expected to be greeted in such a fashion, in fact so caught off guard was she that for a solid moment she stood and stared. Lady Hex, Ma'am, just what the kriff was going on? Why all of the formalities?

Asha inhaled a slow breath to calm her mind, and pulled back her hood ever so slightly. While it exposed her to the painfully fluorescent lights which seemed deadset on blinding her all over again, it also permitted the men to get a good look at her. To ensure she was who they had been expecting to see.

She inclined her head into a low bow, a greeting borne of respect, before turning to address the Officer.

"Please, Asha will do."

Falling into step alongside the man, she found herself led through the bowels of the gargantuan vessel. She could feel the Force at work here, so deeply ingrained that it surprised her. Was there a nexus to be found onboard?

Her mental questions were answered when they entered the luscious room, with the tree at its center. The girl halted after seeing it, eyes wide and jaw slack in amazement. The uneti tree was a wonder to behold, yet Asha had only ever read about it. It was from its great boughs, and the roots which no doubt seeped deep, deep down into the soil below, that the Force seemed most concentrated. It instilled within her a sense of ease and calm, her trust in it unwavering even after all the girl had experienced.

Coming here had not been a mistake.

She understood that now.

Waiting until the Guard was dismissed, Asha continued to linger back. Yet when the man's gaze fell upon her she could bear it no longer. Moving closer, with a certain haste to her step, she closed the gap caused by her unexpected halt at the door, and did not stop until there was just a foot or two between them.

"You look... Surprisingly well," she informed him, not quite the greeting she would usually choose to make. After a few moments of regarding him in silence, she finally dipped into a bow. One which involved her whole upper body this time, instead of simply her head. "It has been too long, Master Arenais. I can only hope that the reason for my summoning is positive?"

Had something happened to her Apprentice? For a moment that question crossed her mind and was obvious upon her expression. Yet even as she thought it she knew the answer, she would have felt if anything had happened to the boy.

Still, what had finally drawn him from his silence?

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere's head lifted momentarily as [member="Asha Hex"] commented on his state of being, his brows raising momentarily before he realized why there was a noticeable pause in her few words of greeting. "Looking good for someone whom has been labeled the 'Devil of Deneba'?...Or do you mean considering the war that the Sith Empire has brought down upon the Systems Alliance and over-taken my home-world?" Veiere questioned her both curiously, though a little reluctantly too for what knowledge she might have held on his past afflictions. Considering her approach, he doubted that she was aware of the events surrounding Commenor; especially given the lack of question as to his Son's survival.

"I realize there's a lot that we have to catch up on considering what you will have no doubt heard about me over the years, however I asked you here because I have need to redistribute certain assets of mine. To pass them on to others...-You might say" he explained himself, his intentions and desires rather than being a legal matter of course. Veiere Arenais was about to throw everything into a War that had long since been fought before the siege of Commenor, yet for all that fell under the name of his House, consequences would surely follow and thus Assets such as the Providence were better put to good use in someone the likes of Asha's care.

"I'm not honestly certain how your Je'daii Order is doing these days, you'll forgive me for losing sight of your recent progress surrounding Svivren and the likes of Caedyn's adventures. He doesn't tell me a great deal though he's certainly come into himself thanks to your teaching and example. A Role Model in his life that was in dire need given my absence until recently...-In my heart felt gratitude, as well as wanting to see the Providence put to good use, I've chosen to hand this vessel over to you...".

 

[Lief]

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Deep Space, Unknown Territory // Aboard Providence​

Meeting With An Old Friend // With [member="Veiere Arenais"]​

♫ // Watch The Stars Collide As You're Lifted From Your Burden​

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"War? On Commenor?"

Asha's expression seemed to crumple in that moment, and though she still knew deep down that her Apprentice was safe - the product of a very strong relationship - that did not mean the same was necessarily to be said of the others. "Your family? Are they well? And your people... What of your people?"

She was completely able to brush over the other comments he had made, paying it no mind for now, one day they could have a genuine discussion about all that had been done, and though today might be that day she was also not going to sour their reunion with mention of it right away.

"I had no idea, I can't pretend to keep up to date with Galactic affairs. Caedyn never mentioned anything when last we spoke."

After gaining confirmation that the rest of the Arenais clan were safe, and exhaling her relief at that fact, Asha was informed of the reason she had been summoned. And for a moment after he was done she could only stare at him.

Had she heard rightly?

Her eyes scanned the room they were stood within, such a wonderful space it was, and then tried to comprehend the mere scale of the vessel they were stood within. At least the size of a city.

"I... I don't think I heard you correctly. You mean to say that this ship, this Providence, is being passed on? To... Me?"

Asha was not with the main Je'daii these days, she had found that the way in which they had isolated themselves in such a quiet corner of the Galaxy, settled down in one spot, did not quite gel with her own ideals; she was the kind of person who needed to be perpetually on the move, rendering aid where possible, and while she did not resent the main Order for their ways, while they had understand her need to step away, she found that this would not necessarily make a difference.

They were dead set on remaining on Aurum, for the most part.

But her mind was already abuzz with ideas.

"I... I am honoured, Master Arenais. But are you certain? And what of its crew, its upkeep? I'm not quite so certain that is something I am able to maintain at present, yet I don't wish to see good men and women out of their jobs, nor for this fine vessel to stagnant and lifeless."

There was so much to consider, to worry over, yet she could tell that he was serious. Why else would he have brought her here? Why else would he have mentioned it?

 

[WolfMortum]

"Unless you've spoken to the boy within the last seven days, I'm not surprised he's yet to inform you Asha..." Veiere offered the words upon another quietened sigh, "He's been aboard the Resolute with his Sister and I. Their Mother however is still in custody under the watch of the Emperor and his Sith Empire". Things had certainly not been easy going for any of them back aboard the Flagship of House Arenais.

"Munto City was eradicated under the might of the Empire's Fleet. Eight Million lost within an instant" Veiere informed [member="Asha Hex"] when she asked the fate of their people, "We've lost complete control of Commenor, it belongs to the Sith now. My Children both barely managed to escape, neither of them leaving the same way...-It's a miracle they avoided capture. Caedyn was able to get free alongside a girl from the Silver Jedi Order...-Apparently he's been visiting Kashyyyk recently?" Veiere posed the question, not entirely certain as to his Son's involvement with the Silver Jedi, though not entirely concerned either given the state of all things. Friends were to few and too difficult to find in these days where trust was such a rare commodity. Asha was however, one of those few that Veiere could look upon without question.

Listening to her doubts regarding the Providence, he couldn't entirely blame her for her uncertainty around maintaining the Crew's working conditions. "Were I still King of Commenor, I would offer continued investment as Charity and support for my Son's future, however now with the Sith having forced my hand, I've need to fund a resistance against the occupation of our home-world. Should we retake her, my position might change however there are alternatives. The Providence is self-sustainable with a full hydroponics bay and plenty of agricultural bays and storage. You can grow your own crops if that's your thing. No doubt you know someone with a green thumb..." He forced a smile, brief though it was something to distract himself from the reality behind him.

"It's been kitted out with everything a Jedi Temple might need to house a large community such as the old Order. I personally oversaw the construction and facilities that were supposed to house a new legacy of generations...-Unfortunately today it stands barren and void of life that it were meant for".

 

[Lief]

Had it really been over a week since last they'd spoken?

That made Asha frown. She would have to endeavor to communicate with him more frequently, she decided, perhaps the two of them could work out an arrangement to check in each day at a certain time, unless one was busy with something important of course. With that in mind, and a very slight nod to herself, she refocused in on the topic at hand.

"I am sorry for the pain which has been caused to your people," Asha said, with sincerity, "Were it not presently occupied by the Sith, I would personally render aid. As is, I do not think there'd be any safe way down to the planet." And Asha was but one person. While she could do a decent amount in the aftermath of battle, with enemy occupation things got... complicated.

"And yes, for a while there I was AWOL - I'll explain more later if you wish - and it seems as though your boy gravitated toward the Silvers in that time. I cannot say I approve of the decision, but I'm not going to force his hand one way or the other."

The ship, it seemed, was self-sufficient in almost every way. With that in mind, she gave a slow nod and tried to come up with a further plan. Bed and board would be taken care of, but pay? And fuel? Something to figure out, to be sure.

"I appreciate it, Master Arenais, I am certain we can make good use of it, and I will be sure to take advantage of the agricultural space."

After a few moments she looked him in the eye, and tilted her head slowly to one side.

"How are you, Veiere? Outside of the war, how are you?"

[member="Veiere Arenais"]

 

[WolfMortum]

"I cannot say I approve of the decision..."

"Have you told him this?" Veiere asked with an edge of expectation, "He won't take advice from myself for good reason I suppose. My past history with the Jedi are mixed, even before what happened on Deneba" he further remarked, assuming that she knew and understood all that had happened in the recent year's passing.

As for how he was personally doing, that wasn't a question easily answered; "I see nothing outside of what's been forced upon my shoulders by Kaine Zambrano". The War had come to him and the flames of destruction had swept clean all acts of the past, purified all former guilt and his mistakes to bring into the focus, the needs and priorities of the future. "My home is in ruins, Commenor burns while my wife is captive to the Empire. My family are being hunted and those we thought were friends have turned against us out of fear of the Sith Empire's retaliation for their previous loyalties".

"On the brightside, the Sith Emperor has put me in a position where only the light could free me. I was captured while trying to aid the Rebel Alliance on Gree, a Mandalorian delivered me to the Empire before the Siege of Commenor and through my Jedi Training I managed to escape. The use of Force Light requires ones alignment to be in check, pure of sorts...".

"I cannot rightly tell you how I am feeling these days...I have business with the Emperor that's going to draw more blood before he is within the reach of my blade, but my reasons are justified by the monstrous acts they have done to my people and millions of others. I've been pulled into a battle that as you've said, has been waged for centuries. One that I never asked for but none the less, one that's taken from me..." Veiere had once considered himself a pacifist back when the Jedi had first been established upon Yutan, it could however be said that his fall, even one so brief, could have influenced his life further in this direction. Commenor however had been the catalyst, thanks to the Dark Lord of the Sith. "Do not be surprised if you find Caedyn coming to call the Providence his home one day too" he added in conclusive thought, just in case the battle against their foes were to go against them.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

"I didn't think it prudent to, at present. It did not seem fair to return to his life after months of static silence, and expect him to drop all that he had made for himself in the meantime. Not that I would ever expect him to, of course, but you know how easily a boy of his age can be influenced."

You aren't much older than he is, she reminded herself, though the way in which the two had been raised was drastically different. At his age she had been at a different level of maturity. Though even with that in mind she had noticed a distinct difference in the boy, which was both encouraging and disheartening. He shouldn't have had to toughen up, to face the hardships he had. Especially not without her guidance. Guilt lined her expression then, and though she bit the inside of her cheek to try and distract herself from it, it did not seem to let up.

"I hope that your wife is returned to you swiftly, Veiere," she said, with all sincerity, at this point having dropped all pretense of formality given the dire state of things. "If there is anything I can personally do..." She purposely did not mention the Je'daii at large. "Then you need only let me know. Perhaps I will call Caedyn back home, to the Prophet, until this Providence is back in full working order, though I will not do so until such a time as yourself and Miss Loreena are ready to let him go. After all you've faced, I'm sure you need time with one another. Having him so far away, all the way on Kashyyyk? What use am I to him with such distance between us?"

She shook her head. No, it wasn't right. She was still his Master, and it was time she made good on the promises she had made.

"And Veiere, know that you will - of course - always be welcome back aboard this vessel, whenever and if ever you need to seek refuge, or simply wish to walk among its halls. There will always be a place for you and yours here."

It went without saying, of course, but Asha wanted to make it abundantly clear all the same. In a way it was an offer for them to remain, though with the war to be fought she knew the likelihood of him taking her up on such an offer at present was slim. Perhaps, though, he would extend that offer to his daughter. Having both of the children together, safe away from the strife and dangers associated with their name, and their people, could provide stability and sanctuary if nothing else.

[member="Veiere Arenais"]