Be Our Guest

[Prennis Keeoli]

Aes'ona had avoided the shuttle's windows like the plague from the moment that they left Atrisia's atmosphere until they entered Ruusan's, opting to go into the hold and entertain herself rather than stay in the main cabin. Her excuse had been, "I don't very much like being reminded that I'm not really on solid ground." She had played through a few solitary hands of pazaak on her datapad before changing into something a little more her style. Given, it was less of a disguise than her mechanic-inspired Empress Teta outfit, but she felt less in danger now with Jedi Master [member="Cedric Grayson"].

As soon as she felt the landing procedures begin, however, she reappeared in the cockpit.

She let out a breathless laugh. "This is your home?" she asked Cedric, leaning on the back of the copilot's chair. She squinted curiously out the spaceshield, eyes tracing the grey structure against the cliffside. A few buildings of similar grandeur on her homeworld of Dosuun provided housing, either permanent or temporary, to important officials.

She was about to turn and ask Cedric what sort of position he held to be so lucky, but she was distracted by a ball of bright green bouncing past the craft. "What was...?" she trailed off, trying to peer back in the direction it had gone.

 

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The flight from Atrisia to Ruusan had been thankfully uneventful. Cedric had been put through enough interdictions and boarding actions in the past few months to fulfill a lifetime, and he was sorely hoping he wouldn't need to undergo another one with the doctor on board. It seemed luck was on his side this time though, or he'd just managed to put every pirate in the nearby systems behind bars.

Perhaps it was a mix of both.

A smile touched Cedric's lips as Aes'ona strolled into the cockpit. He was clad in those same clothes he'd bought back on Atrisia - his armor still needed repairing before he could wear it again. A vast range of snow capped mountains stretched out before them, and great valleys of ancient trees dotted the green landscape beneath. The shuttle banked toward one of those valley, and the castle that sat in its center in particular.

"It is these days. My ancestors built it several thousand years ago - it's more of a military post and training ground these days. I live up at the top," Cedric pointed a finger out at the tallest spire in the center of the fortress, just as a green blur came speeding by. The Jedi Master felt the alien's presence keenly.

"That's a bouncer," he replied, amused, "They're the natives of Ruusan. We have a colony that lives near the Graywall. We trade with them from time to time."

The vessel banked hard as it sailed down toward the largest landing pad within the castle walls. It settled gently upon the pad with practiced precision. Once the vessel was safely secured, Cedric rose from his seat. "Welcome to Ruusan."

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

Pushing off the back of the chair, Aes'ona turned to Cedric and commented, "Contrary to the shaking of my hands, I'm happy to be here." And she was; she just couldn't help how nervous being in enemy space made her. It only stoked her nerves that Cedric made mention of the castle being a military post. And that, during their descent, she had spotted humanoid movement, patrol patterns of the 501st Legion.

She tried to force any discomfort out of her mind with moderate success. A confident smile followed.

As he and Aes'ona walked back through the ship to exit, she stopped and stooped to pick up her duffle bag. For a lingering moment before she stood again, she considered the First Order shield on the side of the bag. And then she put that, too, out of her mind. She was being ridiculous. Just a little practical, but mostly ridiculous.

With her strap across her body, she got up and followed Cedric out onto the landing pad. When she stepped out onto the boarding ramp she shielded her eyes against the sunlight. Somehow, the masonry was even more awe-inspiring from the ground. "It's very beautiful," she repeated, trying very hard not to lose herself in a daydream. This place was evidently used militaristically, but if one was to ignore the Legion, the architecture would be deceiving.

At least it was to the doctor and she was all but reciting a fairytale that Nileeta had told her in her childhood word for word.

[member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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"It's one of the few places I have left to preserve. I don't know if you saw some of the outlying towns on the way in, but those are all Essonian refugees. A lot of them have relocated here until we can find a new world to colonize," Cedric explained as he watched her take in the sights. She was about as far as what his progenitors would have wanted, he realized, but then their intentions had never had much weight to him. If they did, he certainly wouldn't be serving the Republic.

"But that's not on the agenda for today," he added with a bit of good humor. He would lead her from the landing pad down to the courtyard below. It was a mostly empty grassy field lined on all sides by walls that were several meters tall and nearly as thick. The grass was green despite the snowy that coated the spires of the castle like a thick sheet, and the air within the courtyard was mild and comfortable.

"This is where most of the students train. The temperature is regulated via the old BRT computer that runs this entire compound. It's held in place by a composite shielding just above the courtyard - we can turn it off anytime we want to enjoy the cold air." He explained as they passed on through. The courtyard had always been one of his favorite places to share with newcomers.

As they strode up to the doorway leading to Cedric's destination, the door itself slid open. A Bothan dressed in red robes came meandering out. She was a tiny, ancient creature, and regarded the two humans with kind eyes.

"Welcome home Cedric. New guest?" She looked to the doctor.

"Her name is Aes'ona. She's my personal guest, yes. She'll be here while we prepare for the ball." The Jedi explained. "This is Madam Cortine, she's something of a spiritual guide that lingers around the grounds."

Madam Cortine snorted, "You speak of me as if I am some vagrant," she shook her hooded head and pointed a clawed finger at the doctor. "Careful with this one girl. He's got more baggage than most girls can handle. Trust me, I've watched it happen more than once."

Cedric fought the urge to wince. Cortine looked rather pleased with herself, evidently content that she'd gotten back at Cedric for the perceived slight.

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

Aes'ona's face dropped at mention of the refugees. "If," she began slowly, "I have time before I leave, I'd like to go and offer my services." Part of her feared that she had just overstepped her bounds, so she quickly added, "If-if it's needed, of course."

The courtyard made her feel a little better, both safer and filled with some amount of hope. "Cold weather?" she repeated with a laugh, trying to joke herself as she eyed the snow. "It must be freezing this high up!" She was suddenly grateful for the computer, though she wasn't familiar with its particular model.

She followed after the Jedi Master up to the door. She smiled warmly when the Bothan made her appearance. "Hello," she offered after being introduced but soon after was caught off guard by her response.

"Uh..." Biting her lip, she cast a surprised glance Cedric's way. "Um," she tried again, looking back at Madam Cortine, "I-I'm sorry? I believe my reason for visiting has been misconstrued."

[member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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"Evidently," the Bothan woman mused as she appraised the imperial medic. Cortine understood that the girl hadn't been brought here to serve as Cedric's concubine - the boy had was about as out excitable as a pile of rocks - but it did her aging heart some good to tease the young.

Cedric did not share her sentiment. His thoughts turned toward the ball that awaited them, rather than the uncomfortable prodding of the elderly Bothan. "Aes'ona is a representative of a party interested in the New Republic's future," he partly lied, "Nothing more Cortine, so I'll not hear of you spreading any rumors that would make the servicemen's day interesting." Though he wore a mask, one could tell Cedric was giving the Bothan a death stare.

"Of course," Cortine snickered, "I would never. Lovely to meet you, Miss Aes'ona," before the girl might be able to reply, Cortine was hurrying off down into the courtyard below. Cedric breathed a quiet sigh.

"Sorry about that," he reached up to scratch at the back of his neck, "Cortine can be difficult."

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

Aes'ona was indeed left behind by Madam Cortine before the doctor could manage a response. Certainly, if she had been less thrown off-guard by the Bothan's teasing, she would have been able to say something, but was instead left with a furrowed brow and tilted head, her throat clogged with incoherent thoughts.

Finally, Aes'ona turned to Cedric. "N-no harm done," she began, nodding somewhat erratically. Realizing that even she did not know if she was lying, she added, "I think?"

Suddenly, Aes'ona gave an awkwardly-timed laugh. "Can she?" she asked. "You're a saint."

Then she pulled at her black necktie. "About the ball. Should I change here?"

[member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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That was something that Cedric had not thought about. He wasn't so much concerned with Aes'ona's question as much as with the reality that he would have to dress in a manner to match her. Alone, he would have simply worn his Jedi garb and let his face remain hidden beneath his mask. It didn't seem fitting to hide himself while in the company of the doctor: he'd just have to grin and bear it.

"If only everyone else agreed with you," Cedric replied with a hint of a laugh as he gestured toward a passage that led into the inner castle. "It might be a good idea, unless you wanted to change on the ship. There's a room you can use down the hall, and I'm sure one of the girls here would enjoy helping you get ready." His brow furrowed, "Or a droid. I have droids too." He replied with about as much charisma as a space dwarf barbarian in a game of Dungeons and Sith Lords.

He paused for a moment, and reached up to draw back his cowl. The mask followed, and Cedric found the cold upon his bare scalp to be quite sobering. "Are you nervous about meeting the senators?"

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

Just as Cedric began to answer her question, Aes'ona added, "I-I mean, not here, for goodness sake." She motioned at the ground, insinuating that she did not mean that she wanted to undress outside. "...Oh... Down the--yes, I'll-I'll do that." She took a moment to adjust her bag, effectively giving herself a moment to breathe and reign in her frayed nerves.

When she had, she replied with a curt nod, "Yes, quite. The..." Another light-hearted, awkward laugh, "last time I was around a group that didn't share my colors, it was...not pleasant. For me. I'm sure they might've been quite proud of themselves."

She couldn't help but wrinkle her nose at the memory of an Alliegence soldier spitting at her when she had done absolutely nothing to provoke him. Well, maybe she had. Maybe the way she carried herself gave away much more than she hoped it would and he had reacted viscerally to it.

And what if the senators did the same? Hopefully the red dress she had packed would be able to hide the stains from any wine should it be "accidentally" spilled on her.

Despite her reservations, she smiled.

[member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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Was she flustered?

Cedric allowed himself a moment's amusement as Aes'ona stumbled over her words. He'd been well aware of the woman's intent, but something in him chose to pick at her all the same.

"Are you sure? I'd heard it was normal for people to walk about in the nude within First Order space, so I figured I'd just embrace the culture," Cedric said with no lack of playful sarcasm. He affixed her with a smile, one of genuine warmth that was reserved for a rare few as of late. "People like to posture before they get to know folks. It makes them feel better. The New Republic isn't like that."

Part of that was a lie, but it was something Cedric was working with the Vice-Chancellor to change. They only needed more time to bring that change about. "I'm going to have to dress up. Do you know how long it's been since I've attended any political functions outside of my armor?" He lofted a brow, "Long enough that the last time I did so, I still had a full head of hair."

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

Rolling her eyes at his joke, but clearly not annoyed--or, at least, not fully--she reached out to swat gently at Cedric's shoulder. "Please!" she huffed playfully back. Still, a soft crimson rose to her cheeks.

Afterward, she cleared her throat and the color more-or-less muted on her skin. "I guess I'll just take your word for it," she replied. She needed to see it for herself. "My dress is red if you wanted to match?" She seemed unsure. "It...makes me feel more at home." Probably a reference to the color of her garment.

Before she disappeared into the castle to find her changing room, she added, "I'll be right back."

†††

Aes'ona had repeatedly promised one of the handmaidens that Cedric had mentioned that she did not need any assistance in getting ready for the ball. Still, she somehow accepted her, Eleni's, help anyway. The doctor got into her two-toned dress by herself, but Eleni had insisted on styling her hair. When everything was finished and Aes'ona looked at herself in the mirror, she was almost confused by who she saw. It was her in one scene, but in another it wasn't.

Once again, her nose crinkled.

Eleni noticed and asked, "Is something not to your liking, Miss?"

Immediately Aes'ona dropped her expression, not wanting to seem ungrateful. But she didn't want to forego her own comfort in an attempt to be polite. So she said, "I don't think I like my hair like this. It's not who I am." Through the mirror, she threw a sympathetic look back to the handmaiden.

"Of course, Miss," Eleni replied as she began to take out the hairdo.

[member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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There were certain things an individual knew they would remember in the many years to come, and Cedric was sure that Aes'ona's reddening face would be one of them. "I've never tried red," he fought the smile that began to form as she swatted at him, "I'll see what I have. I'll try to keep up with you - no promises though."

He'd watched her leave and found himself left to his own thoughts. The journey back to his quarters was a short one, and his m ind was filled with a thousand unfamiliar thoughts that seemed intent on plaguing his connection to the force. It was only when he stumbled into his room that he allowed himself to focus on reality, and in doing so he found a moment of clarity.

Drawing in a deep breath, Cedric sat on the cold wooden floor and reached out into the empyrean. It reached back with the warmth of an old friend. Cedric allowed himself to bask in its presence for a moment, and then he fell deeper into the meditative trance. He saw the galaxy as the force did; trillions of voices crying out into the darkness of the void. His ability to hone in on specific voices had grown exceptionally, and curiosity burned away any reservations about knowing the possible future of the stars.

He looked into the abyss, but the no image formed within its depths. Only darkness stared up at him, and it drew ever further upward, engulfing the void around it. Cedric's brow furrowed with confusion, and only just began to understand what he was looking at before he was ripped out of the depths.

Fluttering eyes and sharp breaths marked Cedric's return to his body. His gaze flickered about the room, and only settled when he caught sight of the protocol droid that had awoken him from his astral slumber.

"Is something wrong?"

"I have brought you clothing."

The droid dropped a black suit and a red tie on Cedric's lap. The Jedi Master blinked at the garments. "It's not really my style. What about the Archlord robe? We could dye it red."

The droid shook its head, "You have a date, and she's not going to be dressed in Jedi garb. It's best to match."

"She's a guest, not a date."

"It's the same thing."

Cedric stared up at the droid in combative silence for a few moments. The droid stared back.

"I'll wear the suit."

"Smart. I'll inform the Doctor you're ready."

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

By the time Aes'ona exited her room and found her way into another that seemed to be a good place to wait for Cedric, her hair still retained some waves. She sat down on one of the sofas, setting her high heels on the floor beside her. With her flat foot, there was no way that she was traveling in anything other than flats, but she'd change once they landed.

When the protocol droid entered, she stood. "Time to go, is it?" She pulled her black shawl over her shoulders in preparation to return to the ship. There was nothing else to do, was there?

[member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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Premonitions had rarely ever given Cedric pleasant news. He'd often attributed it to the force testing his faith, but truthfully he was beginning to feel this age was simply rife with chaos. Even peering into the possible future of Aes'ona had given Cedric nothing but dread; a sign that normally would have had him cut ties with the doctor immediately.

But he didn't want to do that. Aes'ona represented the possibility for something beyond the life he had resigned himself to, however fleeting such a feeling might have been, and letting go of that brief flicker of emotion seemed to Cedric that he would be denying his humanity. Other Jedi would have cautioned him on the dangers of attachment and to trust in the Force: Cedric interpreted things differently. How could he truly serve the people if he denied himself all emotion? Where would he find his compassion for others if his heart was empty?

A quiet sigh fell from the Jedi Master's lips as he pondered such dark thoughts.

I wish I could talk to someone about this.

A pang of loneliness struck Cedric as he rose from his meditation. The protocol droid watched him silently; Cedric waved the automaton away. He took the few moments of solitude to compose himself, donned the simple black suit and red tie, and walked out to meet the doctor.

His humors instantly brightened as he took in the sight that was Aes'ona. "I almost feel inadequate," Cedric snickered as he strode up alongside her. He looked rather out of his depth in the suit and tie, but it fit his broad shouldered frame well enough to look decent. His scarred visage was wholly exposed without his robes; Cedric might have been handsome once, but was had marred his youthful visage. His nose had been permanently bent down the middle from a severe break, shallow canyons had been carved in random patterns along his chin and scalp, and the experienced confidence in his eyes belied his years.

"You clean up rather well doctor. Shall we embark?"

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

Seeing Cedric appear in the doorway and approach her materialized butterflies into her stomach. With him came the reality of their next destination--and it hit her with all the face-shattering force of a reinforced durasteel star destroyer door.

Just like that, they were ready to go. What had started an eternity ago, or so it seemed, as a medical assist on Atrisia had brought her all the way to the here and now.

Ready to go to a New Republic ball. The idea still seemed a bit ridiculous at its core. But the rest of it that didn't was ruled over by the part of her that thought she could save anyone, across factions, in this war-to-come...

She swallowed the lump in her throat and put on a, not fake, but tempered smile. "I guess we should."

As they began walking, she complimented in turn, "So do you, Mister--Sir--Lord--" She stopped herself, finally realizing that she did not know the answer to her own question. "How does one address a Jedi?"

[member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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"Good question," Cedric replied, evidently equally perplexed. "Most civilians call us Master Jedi if they're feeling respectful, though I've gotten used to the myriad of insults they can come up with as well. My favorite has to be the bathrobe brigade," the Jedi Master huffed a quiet laugh. "Though I'd prefer to just be Cedric to you." There was an honesty to those words that was far more significant than Aes'ona might have understood.

He felt a wave of anxiety wash off Aes'ona within the empyrean, and he instinctively reached out to comfort her. He only stopped himself just before his mind touched her own: he doubted she would appreciate another mental intrusion, even of a positive variety.

"You're going to be great," he spoke through a wide confident smile. A calloused hand was held out to the doctor as they came to a halt at the gangplank of the shuttle that would take them to the ball. "Watch my back, and I'll watch yours."

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

"I hope so," she replied, hoping that she'd at least be able to hold herself together. Then she added, "I'll try," giving Cedric her hand.

Stepping onto the gangplank, Aes'ona reminded herself that this was an opportunity. A potential win-win. Peace or alliance, even temporarily, with the New Republic would be a win-win. Or, at least in her narrow understanding of both parties would be.

Would they both agree? Maybe. Probably not--as far as she could possibly imagine anyway. But the slim hope of saving lives not only calmed her. She was elated.

She offered the Jedi Master a truer smile.

[member="Cedric Grayson"]