Catching up (Rianna)

[Leori Sheltrak]

Voss's Temple Gardens

It had been but a few days since Leori had arrived back on Voss after the Silver Jedi's rendez vous with her long time friend Rianna Ordo. Other than the rendez vous, it had been since their trip to Zeltros since she'd seen her friend. Today, they were meeting in the gardens to catch up. They had a lot to cover, she suspected. And, she had some news of her own to share.

Leori looked at the Solari ring on her hand and chuckled. Rianna would certainly be surprised. The Jedi Master paced a little in the garden's entrance as she waited for her friend.

[member="Rianna Ordo"]

 

[Rianna Organa]

[member="Leori Sheltrak"]

Rianna was still stressed she had hoped to be able to tell Ordo where she was but no the Jedi had requested she not say anything. She hoped he would be ok, she hoped it would be soon to see him. At least here she was among Jedi that did not judge her or her husband. And now she was meeting with an old friend Leori.

There was a tension in the air though that Rianna could feel. Emotions were running high. She spied Leori as she walked into the gardens, "Leori" Rianna said as she moved closer, "So good to see you again so soon" She half smiled still not feeling right about leaving Ordo out of her plans.

 

[Leori Sheltrak]

[member="Rianna Ordo"]

Leori smiled upon hearing her name and offered her friend a warm embrace. "Agreed. It feels like it's been forever. How are you settling in? I know it must be difficult without your husband." This particular Jedi Master didn't agree with the decision that spouses couldn't come to Voss with them. She patted her friends arm and started to lead her through the gardens.

"And how is married life treating you anyway?"

 

[Rianna Organa]

[member="Leori Sheltrak"]

"it is difficult a separation is one thing, the not being able to tell him where I am worse" Rianna walked slowly along with Leori it had been some time, "it goes well we'll probably be honeymooning the rest of our lives at the rate things are going" Rianna looked at the aura that surrounded Leori, something was different no hints of sadness well not as much.
"How do you like being here on Voss?" She asked softly.

 

[Leori Sheltrak]

[member="Rianna Ordo"]

Leori nodded. "Too much uncertainty. Especially since he can never truly know that you're safe. I understand completely." She stopped speaking to listen to Rianna's question. "It's peaceful, thus far. But isolated. I suppose it depends on how I'm feeling on a day to day basis. But, for now we are safe here."

Another inquiry, she made of her friend. "So where did you three go when you left Zeltros?" She hadn't seen them leave that she knew of. Aran included. Other companions had remained there for more than a week....but that she would get into soon enough.

 

[Rianna Organa]

[member="Leori Sheltrak"]

"Ord'ika and I went to Alderaan its the growing season in the valley and he had offered his help to those who needed it." Rianna walked slowly along. "He has taken on great responsibility there with Theo having disappeared and so far no trace of him, Ord'ika bears responsibility well" Rianna could not help but smile, she wished she could tell [member="Ordo"] everything right now but she would need patience. "There are rumors too many that the Republic will make enemies of the Mandalorians, its not safe for them to go into Republic space." Thinking on this made Rianna frown.

Rianna did not mention Aran he at times had the wandering spirit Ordo did not press his son and Rianna followed his lead in matters of the clan. But the girls she seemed to get on with quite well. "How did things go on Zeltros after we left?" Rianna knew it had to be a wild time espiecally with Jack in tow.

 

[Leori Sheltrak]

Leori smiled. "I'll bet it was nice to be home, at least for a little while. I am sorry to hear that Theo has disappeared. Force willing, he's alright."

The Jedi nodded "I didn't feel safe on Coruscant anymore. It was one of the reasons that I left the Republic, aside from the political mess that came with Joshua's ousting."

And there was her opening. Rianna asked the right question to allow Leori to tell her all about it. "Well, after you and Ordo left, the rest of us continued to explore the night life. Tallia vanished at some point, but the rest of us were still there. I don't have a great deal of memory from that trip, considering that one of the bellhops was drugging us. Jack and I woke up five days later in the penthouse. We went out to investigate what had happened and discovered a few interesting tidbits..."

Leori trailed off for a moment and showed Rianna her hand. On it, was a Solari diamond ring and a wedding band. "Apparently, we got married. And, Vulpesen got traded to some of the dancers in exchange for this ring. Joshua knew of all of this and stood by to watch it all unfold and stuck around to kick us while we were down. But, we turned the bellhop over to the authorities."

[member="Rianna Ordo"]

 

[Rianna Organa]

[member="Leori Sheltrak"]

Joshua's outing not one of the finer moments. She had barely begun to listen to the arguments when Josh resigned. So strange, "I had never seen a vote of no confidence before on a Jedi. Our order is not subject to republic law" Rianna considered the time again for a few moments, and then let it go. The past was not able to be changed.

Rianna looked over at the ring, it was quite lovely. She smiled she and Ordo had no such item to show the galaxy, they and their families knew it. For some reason for them it was enough, but knowing Jack the little that she did, it was definitely him over the top, then she laughed a little, "Well then Congratulations" considering she was still wearing the ring it had to mean she did not oppose the thought. "All those zeltron models must be heart broken." Rianna thought for a moment, "Are you ok with the marriage?"

Trading Vulps for a ring, "good grief, did you get Vulpesen back? And I surely hope you taught Josh a bit of a lesson" The force acts in mysterious ways Rianna was sure this was all for some purpose to be revealed.

 

[Leori Sheltrak]

Leori nodded. "Thank you, and I'm okay with it. When he's not in front of other people and holorecorders, he's very calm and he aims to please. When we first woke up in the penthouse I was absolutely freaking out. We went out to try and trace our steps. When the concierge told us that we'd been up in that room for five days, I nearly lost it. And it only went downhill from there. Jack was patient and understanding. So I thought why not try? It's not like I'm getting any younger." And you know, the only man that she'd loved had rejected her.

"We did find Vulpesen, running nearly naked through the streets being chased by seven dancers. Joshua found everything hilarious, while the rest of us had no memories. It was really unfair, considering that the three of us had been continuously drugged for a week. But I suppose staying with Jack is lesson enough for him. Had he been more helpful or supportive, perhaps he would not have been questioned as Grand Master. But he is still very young."

Leori offered Rianna a smile. "Have you and Ordo discussed having children?" The Jedi Master kept her head tilted to look at her friend as they walked. She'd been considering it and growing used to the idea.

[member="Rianna Ordo"]

 

[Rianna Organa]

[member="Leori Sheltrak"]

Rianna tried to picture the events that Leori spoke of, "Well then Vulpesen finally had an adventure that included his clothes being taken off." Rianna laughed. Joshua, a friend she felt she had tried to pull him from his shell but he was steadfast in his beliefs not that his beliefs were dangerous just as Leori had said young. Rianna was caught off guard by Leori's next question.

"We toy with it, but we are still in our honeymoon phase enjoying one another' getting use to the way we each do things. Perhaps in time but not at the moment" Rianna could see that little glint in Leori's eye, "Ohh you are thinking on it, a bit of baby fever?" That meant there were children, small children on Voss.

It was interesting that Leori had married in this manner, she had always thought Leori was interested in Marcello. It had always seemed so, but perhaps it was something that she had not picked up on. They walked on talking silently it was a simple pleasure, and was not one that required a great deal of stress.

 

[Leori Sheltrak]

[member="Rianna Ordo"]

Leori laughed. "He sure did. But he can't remember any of it."

Leori smiled. "It is a very nice phase, I'll admit. Not exactly baby fever, but I am constantly reminded that I'm nearly forty, and won't have the opportunity for much longer. I considered the possibility long ago when there was something between Marcello and I. Too much time passed and there was nothing left by the time the timing was finally right. Considering I have found myself married, and I believe that nothing happens without a reason, why shouldn't I consider the possibilities?"

Also, it seemed the best way to humanize herself, since she often felt that he considered her more as a goddess than a human. She also considered the possibility that others without the ability to manipulate the Force would consider it extraordinary, rather than the ordinary that it was for her.

"I've worked hard my entire life, for the good of the galaxy. Why shouldn't I enjoy life as the people in the galaxy do for a while? It's strange, how different my outlook on life is now. I can hardly believe it myself."

 

[Rianna Organa]

[member="Leori Sheltrak"]

"too bad he might get a good laugh out of it, if I ever see him I will have to ask" Rianna looked over at the blooms that dotted the gardens. The hues of pink and red tinted the petals and leaves around them. Such a the jungles, and the history that was told of this place. The fortified mountain settlement with its Tower of Prophecy some sites Rianna wished she could have seen with her own eyes. But now here they were living here, the Gormak a constant thread and the Voss who Rianna had not yet seen. It was a mystery yet to be investigated.

Ahh the confirmation that yes Leori and Marcello but again timing, too bad. The pairing might have made a formidable force together.

"One should always taken in the will of the force. Perhaps it is destiny that you and Jack are together. Only time will tell." Rianna moved slowly as if the weight of the galaxy rested upon her shoulders, "it is a different world once we allow emotions, and attachment in. You want those moments of peace even if only for a day or two. I have often wondered if as Jedi we were allowed to have such peace. Such lives. Carn I do not believe encouraged such things. He was very much of the old order and traditional."

The Grandmaster, or was he now the former Grand Master. Rianna didn't know. "Do you think in time they will allow the location of the Order to be known Leori? And will Jack be joining you here?"

 

[Leori Sheltrak]

Leori nodded. "I thought so too, so I decided to see what the Force has in store for me." She listened to her friend speak of the old order and the old ways, which evidently, some of the Jedi Council embraced currently. While she could see why attachments were not allowed in the old order, but things had changed greatly since those times. The balance of power in the Force was more balanced now than it had been then, or so she felt.

The Jedi Master didn't have a doubt that the veil of secrecy would not last forever, considering the number of people that knew of Voss and the temple was multiplying even daily. "I have no doubt that the location will be revealed, it is simply a matter of when. Someone will come uninvited, and that will trigger greater defences which will mean bringing in outsiders. I am not sure if Jack would want to live here, but I'm sure we will discuss it when the time comes."

She wasn't sure that was a good idea though. Especially if the visitors came with less than noble intentions. Time would tell. "Would Ordo move here or just visit?"

[member="Rianna Ordo"]

 

[Rianna Organa]

[member="Leori Sheltrak"]

"Just visit" She said softly, "he has patrols to do, and the Mand'alor seems to rely upon him" Rianna took a deep breath, "I will probably join him soon I hate hiding, I do not like not being able to tell him where I am it creates a divide between us that should not exist." She looked off thinking of the last time they were together when they were both on Coruscant, the night that the Czar had broke into the temple.

"And I miss [member="Ordo"] terrible" Rianna tried to focus on some tree in the distance, "Ordo fought many times for the Republic, I do not understand how they could consider him an enemy but it looks like that is exactly what they will do." Rianna shook her head her emotions twisted inside. Never had she expected to find herself in this position. "I wonder if Jack will see him that way too" Rianna looked at Leori, wondering if she knew the mind of her new husband.

 

[Leori Sheltrak]

[member="Rianna Ordo"]

Leori nodded. She suspected that Jack would not want to live there either, since he was the senator of Zeltros, it seemed logical that he would live there. Perhaps she would relocate on a more permanent basis too. That would depend greatly on how things went there on Voss. "I can't say that I blame you. I find that domestic bliss is most peaceful and I would hate to be fighting on all fronts."

She wasn't aware that the Republic considered him an enemy, but in fairness, she was never up to date on the goings on of the Republic. "I don't believe that Jack will. He has more sense than that, and has served for longer than I can recall right now. That brings comraderie with males. A politician he might be, but he's still a warrior."

At least that's what she believed of her husband. If she was wrong, well that would be a first with him. "The Republic and the Order have changed, which is why I left. I cannot be a part of a narrow minded organization or government. I do hope that I have not misjudged our friends."

 

[Rianna Organa]

[member="Leori Sheltrak"]

Picturing the flamboyant Jack Harkness as a warrior made Rianna giggle, in comparison to her husband who was the very apex of what a warrior looked like. But perhaps in his own way he was a warrior. "Do you think you can handle all of the pheremones on Zeltros, I think one can build a tolerance but I"m not sure if one becomes immune"

She had no desire to return to Zeltros it was not a place that she and [member="Ordo"] had enjoyed as a group. The freedom of sex there was a culture that Rianna tried to understand but often fell short of completely understanding, perhaps it was the emotions that made it hard. "So when will you know if you are pregnant?" Rianna did not sense life yet within her friend so for now there was no pregnancy.

 

[Leori Sheltrak]

[member="Rianna Ordo"]

Leori giggled too, knowing that it would make her laugh. Her next question was one that had an interesting answer. "I'm pretty sure that if I tried, I could. But when I'm there, it's very intoxicating to be so carefree and just enjoy being alive and being myself without all the responsibilities. That being said, I'm a very private person and the planet's life style is not for me."

"Well, considering it's been a while since I've seen Jack, I would have already known by now. So, not yet, but maybe in a couple of months, or years. Who knows." She wasn't sure how long it would take, or if it was even possible, considering that she wasn't in her twenties anymore. "I must say, that isn't something I thought I'd ever say."

 

[Rianna Organa]

[member="Leori Sheltrak"]

"Yes it is quite odd the way conversation has changed in the last couple of years, once we would have only talked of Jedi Policy, and new techniques and now we are talking of our husbands and where to live" Rianna sighed, "I am going to start a mandalorian medical corps, it is one thing I feel very strongly about." Rianna looked over at Leori. "Even though they are all very strong, and over look pain in battle it is when they are done or near dieing that they need to know there are people there to help"

The softest of breezes blew the smell of nitrogen filled the air, "its going to rain" she remarked..she looked back they were quite the distance from the temple had they walked out of the gardens without noticing or were the gardens so massive. "Are you made of sugar, will you melt?"

 

[Leori Sheltrak]

Leori chuckled a little. "I don't think that's a terrible place to evolve to. I think it just means that we've worked and decided that we want more out of life than work and service. It doesn't make us any less dedicated."

She listened as Rianna spoke of the Mandalorians. "I think that is an excellent idea. I'm happy to help if I can."

As they walked and a breeze ruffled her hair a little, she tilted her head back. "Yes, most definitely going to rain. And I'm certain that I will not melt." She offered her friend a smile and patted her hand. "Shall we keep going or start back?"

[member="Rianna Ordo"]

 

[Rianna Organa]

"I would like your help with the medical corps perhaps building bridges with the Mandalorians would help." Or would it lead to disaster she did not know espiecally considering that state of the galaxy. She just felt that if others saw what she saw there would not be so much distrust.

"Is it our evolution or have we lost something along the way." Rianna looked at Leori, Rianna knew she had no regrets marrying Ordo. But the old teachings at times whispered to her making her feel the slightest bits of guilt.

Rianna looked up, "I don't mind walking in the rain, let's continue" As the moved along Rianna's thought turned again, "Where do you think you will be in ten years, without using any look at the future" As Jedi could see possible futures.

[member="Leori Sheltrak"]