Cold Titles

[Riamah]

"You would not be able to keep the non-natives from wandering outside of the cities. Curious children that would killed and misguided adventurers lost in the wilds never to be seen again. Those deaths while minor would mean much more to their families. Here it is small and cold, but a home to us. A safer place than Veradune even if it is much colder."

The older woman listened to Vulps with a smile and took a drink as he spoke.

"I am gifted in ways outside of the Force. Something speaks to me, I listen. Touch me, I am not hiding any ability like the Baroness does."

Holding a hand out, it was one way for a Force user to sense the ability of another person. There were ways around thing, but Maria was telling the truth.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"Perhaps I wouldn't. Still, I do plan on opening my planet up to others. Ours isn't the only planet with hostile wilds. And our people have found ways to make nature a safe place." When Maria reached her hand, Vulpesen offered a small shake of his head. "Thank you, but that won't be necessary. If I couldn't sense you at this distance, then I don't think doing so by touch will be much of a help."

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

He was met with a simple nod when he said he planned on opening up his world.

"It will be good for trade. Which you have the right woman sitting next to you for that. You're not exactly a known face among merchants any more. As you say yours is not the only dangerous world around."

Taking her hand back when he said he did not need to touch her, she looked between the two of them again.

"She is hiding something from you, but even the Baroness doesn't know it."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"I suppose it has been a while since I sold actual wares, though I'm not completely forgotten. The VSF is growing." Hearing of Riamah's secret, Vulpesen simply grinned and tilted his glass back, draining the last of its contents. "I've found its wise to assume that everyone has some sort of secret. We're all hiding something, and the biggest liars are those that suggest otherwise. I'm sure that when she figures it out, she will tell me when shes ready."

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

The older woman tilted her head slightly as if she was listening to something nobody else could pick up on. Not even their two companions looked up from their treats when this happened. Everything was internal to her and Maria wasn't going to elaborate on how she knew what she did.

"Yes, but they are not merchants."

Smiling at his words, Maria nodded in understanding and gestured at herself.

"That is such a very true statement. Miss Ra though is different. She may not tell you because she doesn't know how."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Nodded once more to the woman's words while his hand started to swirl the drink in its glass, filling the room with the slight clinking sound of ice on glass. "Mercenaries. Not quite as differnet as some would think though. We simply deal in services more than goods." Hearing the suggestion that Riamah simply didn't know what to say, Vulpesen looked over to her, a crooked grin lighting up his features. "Perhaps you're right. Though I wonder, does she have anything to say right now?" It wasn't lost on him that they had been speaking of his companion as if she weren't in the room, and while he enjoyed the honestly about it, it didn't feel right to leave her so out of the conversation.

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

"Mercenary favors can be bought, sold and traded almost as easily as merchandise. Sometimes even their loyalty. However, your kind is loyal to a fault and unless an employer breaks your code, I don't see them being paid off in the manner. Tell me, Valde, will you sell your services to anybody that pays or do they need to follow your code of ethics?"

The older woman stood up to get him another drink if he wanted one and did not bother to even ask. Taking his glass with a natural motion, she moved to one of the cupboards along the wall and refilled it. She returned as he asked if Ra had anything to say and she looked at the Baroness with a smile.

Ra had been sitting and just listening to the conversation between the two of them. Knowing just how Maria worked, she had decided it best to remain quiet.

"No, Mother Maria is much better at this speaking thing than I am. In fact, I imagine it's about time for her to get invaded by the children here for story time. Would you like to stay for that?"

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

As [member="Riamah"] brought up the woman's schedule, Vulpesen turned his eyes to the entrance to the tent, a hand reaching out to accept the drink. "Thank you. And I'd be interested to see what stories miss Maria might be able to share." As for the question about the loyalties of his men, Vulpesen was more than happy to explain. "We follow our code. And its true that we reserve the right to refuse services to those that we don't beleive are deserving of our protection. But, so long as they aren't becoming a problem that we need to handle, for example using our enforcement to become a veritable tyrant, our services are to be used as the employer sees fit." Being described as 'loyal to a fault', was something that simply made the Zorren smile a little brighter. "Some would call our loyalty, Product assurance. You wouldn't want a speeder that 's likely to break down, nor a guard dog who'd let the thief into your house for a belly rub."

 

[Riamah]

"Do you know her master turned into that right? What if the Baroness follows in his steps?"

Tipping her head in the direction of Ra, Maria was speaking as if she wasn't there, but that was how the woman was. Honest, upfront and if a person had issues with anything she said, she would know. Bereft of the Force, she had a way about her that indicated she might be connected somehow. It was not something she would ever answer though and nobody had yet figured out her trick. So far Maria had yet to find another to pass her knowledge onto personally so she told stories to the people here and now it was time for another session.

Right on time, there was noise outside her tent as the children took places and waited for the older woman to appear. Putting her almost full glass down, she motioned to Vulps and Ra to proceed from the tent and followed after them. The sound of some ohhs and ahhs came from the children as they came out. Not ever having seen people with glowing eyes, they were clearly interested in them.

"Take a seat and allow me to explain a few things, Valde."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"Thats why I'm here. To prevent that," Vulpesen spoke with a smile, though there was steely conviction in his voice. It was a thought he had already entertained and meditated upon. He knew at least the basics of Riamah's past. He also knew that for most, the past was often inescapable thus for him, it was a duty to help her cut the strings of her past life. As soon as the words left his mouth the sound of children outside drew his attention. Draining the last of his glass, he allowed Mariah to shoo him outside where he was met by the amazed children.

He grinned for a moment, acceptng the attention before moving to sit down where he was directed. Lest his companion draw too much unwanted attention, he quickly wagged his tail, catching the notice of the children while the Ashlan darted up to race into his pocket. "By all means, miss Mariah." Vulpesens tail stopped and laid still, only flicking occasionally as a few of the bolder children took it upon themselves to run their hands along the fur.

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

In response to what Vulps said, Maria could only return his words with a knowing smile. She waved them to a location in the mix of the children and they made room for them. Ra took a seat on what appeared to be a metal bench for just this purpose. Lya sat on her shoulder and waited for the story to begin. Some of the children asked if they could pet her and she allowed it. None of the attempted to pull her tail, fur or be mean to her on purpose. Lya felt her job was to protect Ra and until these little urchins did anything to put her in danger, she would allow them to pet her.

Maria pointed to the two guests, introduced them and moved to draw the attention of the group back to her.

"Once many years ago there was a world torn by civil war. The name of this place isn't important, but the location is. Right in the heart of the galaxy. This planet was very small in the grand scheme of things, but played a very important role in the life of the Baroness."

Looking at Ra, she smiled.

"This is her story. The history she doesn't know about herself. Maybe it will clear up some confusion for her and it might cause more. A baby girl was dropped on the farmland of a childless couple. Who her biological parents were unknown and they play no part of her life. So the Baroness was taken in by this couple and they started to raise her like she was their child, never telling her of her origin. Alas, these parents were killed in the civil war and the orphaned children were rounded up. There was something special about her though and the killer knew this.

"He took her as his apprentice at the young age of three. Taking on the responsibility of raising her, the man did not know how to love and never gave her any. Instead he forged her into his weapon, taught her how to be a politician and they grew in power together. This man ended up breaking her, but he never once abused her.

"What he wanted to accomplish was a take over of this world. He almost succeeded too, but that civil war was something constant and unending. Not like the war you hear of between light and dark, but something else entirely. As the Baroness grew up, she changed. She really and truly was his apprentice. A pawn used by the master to accomplish many things. However something within her rebelled. She found herself unable to accomplish some things and excelled at others.

"One day she was caught with a boy. He was killed in front of her by her master and she was told that some things were not meant to happen or were not real and the girl trusted him. So enamored by the man that showed her no love, he told her love was a myth and not meant for them. His words caused her to shut down emotionally, but she believed him. Why would this man lie to her?

"Now a few years later, things changed again and they were so close to being in control of this world. Warfare though came hunting them and her master was killed in front of her. The young woman was taken captive and put on trial for the crimes she had done in her Master's name. Instead of putting her death though, these people wiped her mind through unknown even to me methods and banished her."

Ra would know the rest of the story or should at least and Maria fell silent. Walking over to her tent, she opened up the door and reached inside to take a drink before returning to her spot in the middle of the crowd.

"Would you care to tell your children here, Baroness of your life after this day? Valde, you may also speak if you wish for clarification on anything."

She looked to Vulps and back to Ra, waiting on an answer.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Sitting quietly, Vulpesen listened to the story, his eyes occasionally watching the children around him to see how much they were paying attenion. After several moments, Ace left his pocket to crawl into his lap, allowing him to absentmindedly pet the wolf while he watched what was happening. It wasn't lost on him that in some ways, her story mimicked his own. Left in the care of another. Trained by an uncaring master. It was as if she had been raised with all the worse parts of his early life, with the deviations being less than pleasant on their own.

"I've little to add except for this," He looked over the children around him. Young, and esily molded. It was moments like these that could shape who they would be later on in their lives. "Never forget where you come from. You are forged by your past, created by your experiences, and a a product of the lfie you've lived. But never let it hold you back. As you grow, you will make a great many mistakes. Learn from them. Become better from them."

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

As Mother Maria began her story, Ra was soon the color of her hair and that never went away. If there was a way for her to hide, she would have done just that. Oddly, she had learned much of the story she was told. Not everything though, she had thought it was her master that wiped her mind and never remembered the trial she had been on.

Standing up after the story was told, she shook head before sitting back down and muttering something. Only those close enough to her would hear.

"I have nothing to add. You already know my story, Maria and I am sure these children do as well."

Taking a small gulp, Lya curled up around the back of her neck and if any touch was offered to Ra, she would chitter and defend her companion.

"Vulps, I think we should go find my quarters..."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen's ears flicked unconciously as he sensed a shift in Riamah, and he passed a glance towards her. When she asked to go, the Valde nodded and rose to his feet while Ace left his lap to find a perch on some bright eyed child. Offering his hand to the woman to help her up, he'd look around. "Lead the way." Seeing her crimson cheeks, he offered a reassuring smile.

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

There were a few children that remember Ra from before and wanted to hear from. They only gave voice to that slightly, but allowed her to leave. Accepting his help up, Lys stayed on her shoulder.

Taking the lead, once they were out of the common's area there, she let out a sigh and shook her head slightly. Looking at Vulps, she shrugged her shoulders and continued on.

"What do you think of Mother Maria?"

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Joining Riamah in the room, his brow lifted as he watched her compose herself then give a shrug. Hearing her question, the Zorren fixed her with golden eyes for a moment, silently assessing her to ensure that she was alright. Though her story was something he expected she would know, such things weren't always pleasant to confront. "Honestly... shes unnerving, eery, and bordering on creepy with those gifts of hers. I see why you like her. Shes certainly interesting, and worth keeping company. I like her." His lips forme da smile as he confessed his views of the woman.To speak as she did without the force to guide her was beyond what he knew. But thats what he enjoyed. It was what drove him to the jedi, and eventually away from them, A thirst to learn the unknown.

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

The room was very simple. It might have been because Ra was rarely there or maybe because this facility was old imperial and bare minimum for comfort. Her room were large and and had various uses which would be very clear what they were. Kitchen, front room, refresher and bedroom.

"Make yourself comfortable, Vulps."

Listening to his answer, she nodded in understanding. Taking off her coat, shaking it out and hanging it up, she knew this was a safe haven and place to be. Unhooking her saber and other various weapons, including her hair tie, she was making herself at home in this cold location.

"She can be unnerving at times, scarily accurate and always one step ahead of whoever she is talking to."

Thinking back on the conversation, her mind had yet to compute everything that had been said.

"I wonder what secret she knows that I do not?"

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen unbottoned his coat and let it fall from his shoulders to hook onto his hand rather than fall into a pile on the ground. Following her lead, he then reached out and draped it over the hanging spot, his eyes only momentarily looking over the phrik dusted exterior. Of course, he felt safe around his current company. But old habits died hard. Forsaking that which protected him from even a lightsaber, even if it was still in sight, was always a bit strange. "I wonder what her story is that might have gotten her to that point." His hands went to his belt, laden with daggers, his saber, and his pistol before taking it all off and hanging it beside his coat.

"As for your secret, I can think of one thing that's eluded you, but wether or not thats the secret shes talking about, I wouldn't dare to presume." His lips curled once more into his familiar lopsided grin as he walked over to wrap his arm around her waist. "But I've no doubt in my mind you'll figure it out." His words of assurance were accompanied by a quick peck on the cheek. She had, afterall, told him to get comfortable. Was there anything more comforting than being close to the person you cared for?

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

With a broad motion of her arms, she indicated the facility around them.

"When this place was secured and people were needed to man it, I really didn't look too much into their pasts. Maria was one of the first here and I think she'll be one of the last."

Pulling away from his embrace Ra went into the kitchen to see what food was around for them. Lya was off exploring the rooms and making sure there wasn't any danger hiding in them.

"You hungry?"

Poking her head around the corner she was already munching on something. Holding it out to Vulps if he wanted any she was silent in thought. Looking at him the question was on her face before it was given voice.

"What don't you want to presume?"

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Letting her stride off to the kitched, Vulpesen simply looked around, takingin the simple surroundings. It was a far cry from the noble luxuries he enjoyed him, but he liked it. It reminded him of simpler days, back when he was a jedi and the Galaxy was an easy thing to understand. Back before everything went to hell in a hand basket, light and dark becoming so blurred that he simply gave up on separating them.

His head perked up, jolting him out of his reverie as food was mentioned and looking up, he smiled broadly as he reached out to take the morsel, his tail beating at the air behind him. "Always." As he munched on the treat, he smiled at her and moved over to lean against a wall. For a moment, he stood in silence, simply eating what he was offered. It was almost as if he was ignoring her, though the attentive look that never wandered from her face suggested otherwise. He loved secrets. He particularly loved uncovering them. But still, he wondered if some things were best left unanswered. Of course, the answer was no. Never. "That perhaps somewhere deep down you've finally figured out that you've figured out what love is. You simply don't want to admit it." It was the only secret he could think of. As much as he knew of Ra, he didn't figure her to be one to keep illusions about herself. She knew who she was. The only exceptions that he had ever seen, were in matters of the heart.

[member="Riamah"]