Common Cloud On A Clear Day

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Draxan Vazda"]


After returning from a little field trip for the Sith Emperor's Ball, Kay knew that she'd pay for her antics there. Not only did she find some sympathizers to her plight, but she also got to spend some much needed time with her niece [member="Yasha Mantis"] and further put plans in place to stop the Sith Emperor's plans. As futile as they may be.

Kay was a stubborn sort. And for all of [member="Darth Carnifex"] 's warnings and bits of council, she refused to give up the hope that she'd be able to make things right again. Commenor would be free again and so would she. Her estranged husband [member="Veiere Arenais"] and their teenaged twins [member="Caedyn Arenais"] and [member="Loreena Arenais"] would be able to return home without the worry of capture or execution.

It'll happen. Such a thought helped her sleep at night.

Politics was a dangerous game, most especially during an occupation. She was but a bird in a guilded cage, so they said. But this bird had a very extensive reach. She had friends in many different corners of the Galaxy. She just needed to reach them.

Kay sipped her Sapir tea as she sat outside on a bench in the Palace gardens, an old book on her lap. Four crimson guards stood sentry, not really for her protection but moreso to keep her from trouble. The sun was warm and inviting. Both that and the tea gave her comfort in an otherwise dark situation. Hopefully the darkness won't last long.

 

[Draxan Vazda]

[member="Lady Kay"]

Beautiful. Yes, that was the word he'd use. Beautiful is the most correct term to put it as. Draxan stood staring at a holo of a woman and in his hands he held a data pad containing all of the information the empire had gathered on her. She seemed like an ordinary noble until he laid eyes on her and then there was the fact about her estranged husband. A Jedi. The thought made his blood boil. The fact that the high and mighty would break their vow of non marital vows. He sneered as the grip on the data pad strengthened to the point that the pads screen cracked up. He sighed and steadied his raged tossing the pad onto the terminal in front of him. He didn't understand why of all people they chose him a general to come and run a planet in the stead of Darth Carnifex. He walked over to his closet and changed into some light armor and a black cape with maroon lining. He held out his hand and from across the room his lightsaber flew into his palm the familiarity of the curved embroiled hilt bringing him a sense of nostalgia for the field of battle. He shook away all the thoughts of war for now he was to focus on his politics. He exited his room and headed for the ships exit were there was ten men waiting for him fully geared to protect him. This brought a small smirk to his face. The thought of him needing any sort of defense made him laugh. He smoothed out his shirt and waited two seconds and the doors would open to reveal the docking bay of the commoner's castle hanger. He straightened up and marched out followed by ten men.

The small party was met by another party who bowed and saluted him. He just nodded and looked around not seeing the main person he was there for,"Where is the Queen? I was told that she would be here or has something changed without my knowing of it Captain.",he asked his stern gaze falling on a short stocky man who seemed to be in his forties and had many badges pinned to his shirt. He almost visibly trembled under Draxan's gaze.

"N....Not.....not at all General Vazda I was just told that the queen requested that she be taken to the gardens to drink her morning tea an....and read he...her book ss....sir.",the man looked like he might explode and it wasn't a good look on him.

Draxan narrowed his gaze and nodded,"Alright, I will be brought to her immediately.",he said turning his cape blowing behind him as he was lead away from the hangers and to the palace gardens which took them about ten minutes.

They arrived through an arc that lead int the center of a magnificent garden and at the center were four guards and the queen sitting there. He almost faltered in his step. She was so much more beautiful than expected. He shook himself out of the small trance and marched up to the guards who quickly saluted,"General!",and instantly stood back into position. Draxan now stood before the queen awaiting for her reaction. Something inside him stirred but he quickly diminished it reminding himself that he was Sith as well.

 

[Kay-Larr]

It was the movement out of the corner of her eye that caught her attention first and pulled her away from the mystery novel on her lap. She loved a good mystery, rather than some bland romance novel that most people would expect a woman to read. Mystery novels held puzzles to be solved, and she was certainly in a puzzle right now.

Kay looked at first the her guards as they saluted the General that had entered the garden. She squinted her eyes for a moment, studying his attire, his posture, not to mention his cape. Did she know of everyone that the Sith brought to her world? No. There were countless individuals taking up residence, most of them military and navy.

So what was [member="Draxan Vazda"] here for? Was she to learn of some means of punishment by the Sith Emperor? Or were some of her people that resisted the occupation caught? Or worse still, was her family caught?

Kay didn't rise, didn't salute. It wasn't her place to do so anyways. Although her powers were limited to just being a figurehead, she was still the Queen. And this was her home. So she merely closed her book and looked up to the General. "Have you something to report, General? Or did you come all this way to the gardens to have some tea? Smell the flowers perhaps?" Yes, she was being a bit snooty. But it was just a front to protect herself from what probably was going to be some bad news.

 

[Draxan Vazda]

If there was to be anything said then and there was that the general was defenseless at that very moment. [member="Lady Kay"] Just calmly set her book down and without faltering proceeded to ask why he was there as nonchalant as he'd ever seen anyone speak to him. He was angry and a bit embarrassed. He clenched his gloved fist tightly and bowed a bit in acknowledgement to her position of power. Still she was right about one thing. Why the hell was he there in the first place. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose before turning and waving the guards away. He was in the middle of a Sith controlled fortress, he'd be fine. As the guards walked off he sat down next to the woman and looked at her features for a bit before finally speaking to her.

"Look let me tell you the truth. I was sent here to takeover management of the planet for Darth Carnifex as some sort of test if not sick game by the council. Now I'm a general. I can lead an army or two but, there is no way in hell I can manage this whole damn place without your help. So here is my proposal. You help me and I promise you peace on my end until the latest possible date. I'm no politician and certainly no damn King. Now your Highness what say you to my proposal. Will you help your enemy run the world you so love or will you trust the man who only knows war and chaos to run the place, the choice is yours."

He sat there looking at her as he awaited an answer. He slowly analyzed every detail of her features from her beautiful hair to those eyes that made him think of the star clusters he'd seen in the outer rim not too long ago. He didn't know what it was but the general was slowly and surely finding reasons to make sure she wouldn't leave his sight. He chuckled a bit mentally before returning back to himself and waited for the woman to answer.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay just sat there and watched [member="Draxan Vazda"] while he just stood there for a moment. His silence almost made her wonder if he had forgotten his reason for being there at all. And that was certainly puzzling.

She sipped her tea as the guards were sent away, curious as to what was about to be said. Surely he remembered? Or was it to be something so dark and heartbreaking that he didn't want others to see her reaction?

Finally the General spoke. And what he had said caught her by surprise. Another overseer was sent. Another military officer sent to maintain order on Commenor. But there wasn't a need in her mind.

Curious still was the fact that there were no threats in his statement, no warnings, no means of hanging what had happened to her planet over her head. Instead he asked for her help.

Kay set the cup down on the other side of her and then folded her hands on her lap as she peered at him. "If I am to help you, then I have some conditions that must be met. First, that those on my Palace staff that are still being held in prison are freed. And also that I get some time to myself each day without any cameras or bugs catching everything that I say or do. I have a tracer in me. I'm not about to go running off." She sat back in her chair. "I miss going into the city and eating or shopping at the local businesses.
My husband and I used to do that all the time and people could approach us with their concerns. But now they all seem too scared. Many lost their families as I have been torn from mine. Being forced to work for those that caused such pain brings only resentment. Helping them, getting out of this cage would at least give me some purpose. And isn't that what we all want, General?"

 

[Draxan Vazda]

He sat up listening to her demands as he took in her features. It came to the point were he almost didn't hear anything she was saying. He snapped out of it and straightened up. He needed to go over his options for a second. She was a politician alright, the way she demanded things and knew she had the upper hand in this situation. She was empowered and this made him like her more. He nodded slowly coming to terms with a decent counter offer. He looked at her placing his hands together tightly.

"Here is my counter offer. First off I can grant you the release of all staff except any militant personnel. Secondly, I'll grant you time alone for three hours. I will advise that you do not betray my trust because I can show you another side of me you wouldn't want to cross. Now about going down through the town I will accompany you by myself and if I must I'll keep my distance, but I myself would like to know about the people's problems. I'm a Sith but I'm no damn monster off the back. So If the people have things to say I personally want to know how to maintain some sort of stability while I'm in charge. So that is all I can do for you without risking too much. Other than those things anything else you'd need I'll see if I can manage to get you it."

He sat back taking in [member="Lady Kay"] awaiting her response. He knew it would only be some time before the council contacted him and expected the report on his new status. He blew that thought our of his mind for now and re focused on the task at hand. He fixed his gaze on the queen awaiting further response.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay watched [member="Draxan Vazda"] while she spoke. At times his eyes seemed to glaze over as he fell into his thoughts. Was he even listening?

It wasn't until he spoke up that she came to realize that he was listening. His counter offer was...reasonable. It was a good start at the very least. Something that they could probably adjust over time. That is if she didn't get on his bad side too much.

"Would my security staff be considered military personnel? And my time alone...is that three hours every day?" It was surely enough time. She could get on her speederbike and head to the Twin Canyons like she used to. Even ride along Rock Point Bay and perhaps find more sympathizers, ones that could help her relay messages. "I don't expect that people will approach me right away.
Some...might even be angry with me for surrendering. So perhaps having another with me would be wise."

Kay unfolded her hands and picked up her cup, taking another sip of her tea as she contemplated something. The General was so far polite and kind, so she'd do him the same courtesy. Maybe in time she could win him over and gain his loyalty. It was never a bad thing to have another ally.

"So what do I call you? General? Or something else?"

 

[Draxan Vazda]

He watched her mannerisms as she spoke taking in the way she fidget or move a strand of hair out of the way constantly but nothing was off. She just sat there perfectly still to the point that he'd probably be able to balance a needle on her head. He sighed his frustration at the word visible and got up and paced as she spoke. He nodded and paced a bit after she finished speaking his step lightly faltering at her last question. This made him narrow his eyes in questioning. What was she trying to do here. He waved the thought aside. He was going to give her one last option and that was it.

"Alright love here is the deal. I'll make it three hours a day you get to yourself and ill even let you get half a day alone on Sundays. Secondly If I do allow your security detail out they will not be allowed to guard you or anyone alone without at least five Imperials. Now we will take Wednesday mornings to take a walk around the town together just you and me to see what the people need and want within reason and Imperial standards of course. Now I believe that's all you have asked for and this is my final offer. I can always take what I want by force but as I see it we both got screwed over and now it's best we try and co-operate on this. Now as in what you can call me. Draxan, General, or Sir Vazda will do for now."

He looked at her now and clasped his hands behind his back as the queen contemplated his reply. He was hoping she'd take him up on it because if it came to it, he didn't want to hurt her for some reason and it made him angry. He shook the thought and feeling of something that was beyond the reach of a man no a monster like him. He sighed and looked back at [member="Lady Kay"] patiently awaiting her verdict.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay raised a brow as he stood and started pacing. It was a bit of a powerplay going on between them. They were testing eachother's boundaries, determined to show eachother who was the boss. Which one was more stubborn, however? That remained to be seen.

Finally [member="Draxan Vazda"] stopped and responded to her questions. The manner in which he spoke took her slightly aback. Kay cradled her book in her hand, her other still holding her cup as she got to her feet and stepped towards him, stopping so that she was within half an arm's reach. One would expect it as a challenge, but her expression was softer than that. "I wasn't wanting their release so that they could continue working here. Having been my security is no reason for them to be incarcerated. Let them go back to their families. They could find other work. It'd be far better than being punished for being in my staff. And as for the rest of your deal...thank you. I accept your generosity, Draxon."

She didn't make a move to step away. Instead, she tucked her book under her arm and then held out her free hand for him to shake. If it was a deal that they were making, then it needed to be treated as one.

 

[Draxan Vazda]

He watched as [member="Lady Kay"] got up and walked towards him keeping an arms length away. She wasn't short but still only reach his shoulders at her height. He noticed she had a look that no one had ever looked at him with. Was it pity? No, it was understanding. It almost looked like she knew exactly how he was feeling at the moment. He stepped a bit closer when she told him her plans for the guard and he almost felt something in him melt. She was bargaining for them to go home to their families and here she was without hers. She was selfless and kind yet cunning and strong. A perfect queen and woman. He took off his glove and lightly set his hand in hers and shook it nodding lightly thinking of the way his name sounded when she said it. It almost made him enjoy the dammed thing. He held her hand for a second longer as he stared into her eyes, the two galaxies she had for eyes. He almost commented on it before slowly taking his hand back and putting his glove back on.

"Well Lady Kay we have come to a very good agreement please don't mess it up or it will be the last mistake that the Commenor system can handle. Now that we are done in the negotiation portion let's get straight to it. I'll have you escort me to the dungeons to free those you've asked to be freed and then a proper tour around the grounds would be nice. As of today I will also require to sleep in the side chamber that is linked to yours. I wan't to keep you in sight at all times outside of the agreed portion of freedom. This is still war miss and in war anything is expected. Now if you will we have much to do."

He looked at her softly letting her know that for now he was no threat to her. He looked over his shoulder and waved over the escorts and told them to give them some space. Without hesitation all the guards cleared the area and they where left alone. He sighed and smiled holding out his arm for the lady to wrap her arm in. If they were going to do this he might as well enjoy it.

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Draxan Vazda"] held her gaze after he shook her hand. She tried to read his face to discover why he lingered there, but with everything going on inside of her head, given her current situation, it made it hard for her to focus on such a small detail.

What made it worse still was his further warnings and demands. It was almost as though a switch was flicked and he went from a man of understanding, to a man that was trying to enforce his will upon her, reminding her of the guilded cage that she was kept in. Kay didn't like that. Especially as it seemed that some progress was being made.

But now wasn't the time to protest. There were staff that needed to be freed first. Let them be safely off before she could say or do anything that would jeopardize it. Kay politely hooked her arm in his, taking hold of her book again while her other held her tea cup. "Sleep in the chamber linked to mine? My chambers are above my office and the passages leading out that are not the main door have been sealed. I...suppose that the office next to mine could be converted into a chamber for you, if you insist..." Weren't camera footages enough? If she was going to be in his sight at all times, then she was really glad to have negotiated some free time that could be spent alone.

 

[Draxan Vazda]

Draxan smiled as they linked hands and began walking around walking in towards the quite grand palace that they had there. He thought as she lead him through the place taking in the details. He didn't like the thought of intruding so personally in her life but like he said they couldn't afford her pulling any sort of stunt that would land her hurt or worst him killed. He stopped halfway to through an empty hall and looked both ways noticing that this was the point he wanted to stop. He stopped her pulling her gently into a room that was empty and was just what he needed. He waved his hands and the windows opened and light came in. He turned and faced her a look of relief.

" I know you don't trust me or my motives but I have to keep a face in front of my men. You see this hallway is the only one the sith and empire didn't bug or put cameras in. So here we are free to speak and do as we please without fear of anyone watching us or overhearing anything. Now that we are here this room will be my office and base of operations. You can sit on the throne and do all the frontal running of the place and ill make sure the empire is off our backs until this damn thing is over and I can get back to the army. Now if you have anything to say speak freely please."

He sat down a bit exasperated loosening his muscles a bit and looking up in a cry for help and then at the woman who stood before him. He could've really used a damn drink and a woman right then. He'll probably have all his things imported to the planet and settled into his chambers and his office when they set that up. He took his black gloves off his scars on his hands showing for the years of battling with a blade and lightsaber. He ran a hand through his blonde hair and looked up [member="Lady Kay"].

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay didn't share the same smile that [member="Draxan Vazda"] held as she gave him a bit of a tour. She kept her emotions in check, for here she was, showing her new babysitter for lack of a better term, all around her home.

Yet when he stopped and pulled her into a room and started speaking, Kay raised a brow at what he had to say. Her eyes glanced arpund, looking for signs that the room was monitored, for it didn't make sense that there was a spot without it. "I don't trust you.
I don't know you. Front or no front, I've been betrayed by those that I've trusted which led to all of this. So you'll have to excuse me if I don't open up. And as far as running the place goes, they stripped my powers from ruler to that of a figurehead. I'm there to smile, to wave, to oversee ceremonies and public engagements whether they be good or bad or terrifying. You may not want to be here, but I have to be. If I leave....even if those loyal to me rescued me...Carnifex would surely destroy another city, kill millions of more people to force me back.
So I have to always be mindful. I anger him enough as it is with my meddling."

And that was the truth of it. As much as she would say, anyways.

 

[Draxan Vazda]

Draxan stood up frustrated to the point that the table and chairs moved a bit with the force. He slammed the gloves that he was holding onto the table his anger getting to him. He walked over to the window and looked out of it at the sky. He held his hands so tightly together that his knuckles where white. This wasn't a damn game he was sent to play and if he was going to pass this trial the dark council put him on with his head intact then she was going to have to be on board. He looked down a flash back of the first mission he was sent on crossing his mind. There he stood in a battlefield blaster bolts shooting across from both sides and men dying on both sides as they pushed in advance taking the town of rebels out. He'd prevail that day slaying over fifty rebels and a Jedi himself and claiming the town. That was still easier than this and he hated it. He turned to her and walked over getting on his knees he reached down slowly and unhooked his lightsaber handing it to her.

" You want trust. You want to know that I don't plan on any bullshit or to destroy this planet then go on and cut my head off. If you don't the damn council will and then they'll send someone else in my stead someone that will not sit there and try to save a planet for a woman that they just met. So as you are [member="Lady Kay"] kill me and get this whole damn show over with. It's that or we save this damn planet together even if it breaks us both."

He stood there as the emotions emanated from him almost visually. He was tired of the bullshit. He was a warrior and a warrior spoke with his blade. So if a warrior places hid blade in your hands then you now have his fate upon your will. Draxan stared her down awaiting to either be beheaded or for her to finally believe him.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay furrowed her brows at his reaction. Clearly what she had said wasn't to his liking. He nearly had a temper tantrum, his lack of control over his strong emotions showcasing his youth. She wasn't quite sure of what to make of [member="Draxan Vazda"] yet. He was a puzzle to be sure.

He turned and approached, his emotions still burning from him. His kneeling caught her by surprise, as did the fact that he held his lightsaber out to her. She clenched her jaw as she listened to his speech, her hand reaching up to take the hilt in her hand. Without speaking, she wrapped her fingers around it and lifted it from his hand. Her eyes never left his as she studied him. "..Okay..." She turned the hilt in her hand and held it out for him to take. "You have...some of my trust. The rest will have to be earned. So take your lightsaber and stand up, please." Kay wasn't a hundered percent convinced yet. But that could come in time.

Maybe.

 

[Draxan Vazda]

He felt her take the hilt and for a moment he thought she might actually do it. The thought was gone in an instant as soon as she spoke turning the hilt back towards him for him to grab. He smiled and stood grabbing his lightsaber and clipped it back onto his belt. He took a step forward as they stood inches apart. He stared at her trying to see if there was any treason or evil thoughts coming from her using the force to assist him. He felt nothing but almost some sort of curiosity. He nodded slowly speaking in a low tone almost a whisper.

" I promise you wont regret this."

He took a few steps back and walked back to the window his heart almost breaking through his chest with how fast it was beating. That moment there in the force he'd felt something that shook the very core of his being. He leaned against the window looking out. He could just run away. He had many contacts loyal as ever to him. He turned and glanced back at [member="Lady Kay"] and sighed. He already gave her his word so it was till death came for them both or they actually managed to get the place back running at full capacity.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded a little as [member="Draxan Vazda"] tried to assure her that she wasn't making a mistake. But that remained to be seen.

She watched as he moved to the window and stared out of it, a habit that she was used to doing. Perhaps he had a habit of drinking tea as well, she wasn't so sure. There were plenty of Sith that did. Many a times, she held conversations and gained allies among them instead of fighting them. For the most part it worked to her benefit. But now?...

Kay finished her tea and set the cup down. "We should free the rest of my staff, shouldn't we?
I have a message to give to my old Head of Security for the family." Just who's family, she didn't say. But it was certainly a test of whether or not Draxan was trustworthy.

"Shall we?"

 

[Draxan Vazda]

He nodded slowly looking out at the sky one last time. He then grabbed his gloves and slipped them on. He sighed as he opened the door and walked out straightening his shirt. He turned and held out his hand for her to take. He wasn't in a mood for speaking and she knew where to guide him. He looked around one last time and then back at her with his most genuine smile. He didn't know why he felt the way he did but he would keep all thoughts about it to himself. He didn't want to risk in any way the future of Commoner.

"Come [member="Lady Kay"], we have much to do and it's not even midday."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay headed to the door, but didn't take his hand. Instead she just hooked her arm around his. Afterall, it'd be a scandal otherwise, with the two of them disappearing into a room that somehow wasn't being monitored. To come out hand in hand might suggest that something other than talking had happened in there. Although she was technically seperated from her husband, it was purely political. He was known as the Devil of Deneba for turning against the Jedi Enclave there that he built and killing most of those inside. Their people would have lost faith in her if she had let that go. So they had to seperate. But she still loved him.

She led [member="Draxan Vazda"] down the hall, leading him to the centre of the Palace and then down a few flights of stairs. They needed to get down to the catacombs. There used to be a quicker route, but those accesses were sealed off while she was imprisoned on the Sith Emperor's ship.

"I do hope that you have a set of keys for them. My Head of the House used to, but she's not trusted with them in case she sets the prisoners free. It's been a very long time since anyone had been held in those cells." Which was true. She hoped that [member="Einon"] and the rest were okay and not beaten too badly. The screams of some of her Ministers that were being tortured on the Emperor's ship echoed in her mind. None of them survived...

 

[Draxan Vazda]

Draxan laughed outwardly when she hooked her arm around his. He knew what she must've thought and it made him smile for some reason. He walked with her taking in most of the scenery and making sure he noted all the security and staff in the area as well as the strategic points in the castle's foundations should the need for troops to fight inside or from the windows and if all else fails the whole damn place would come down if it had to come to it. He looked over at [member="Lady Kay"] and hoped it would never come to that. He knew it was best to not even mention such a thing to the woman out of fear of her reaction and the fact that she finally had an ounce of trust in the new head of security. He turned his attention to her as they started their decent into the catacombs. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a skeleton key for the whole place. He'd had been given it by the council as to not carry a key to every damn door in the large place.

"I have the key that opens any lock in the whole palace. It was a gift from the council. Some sort of sick joke in their eyes I guess. Now don't worry too much I will make good on my plan of making sure your wishes are granted to a certain extant even if the overseer doesn't want it to happen. I don't trust politicians, no offense of course Lady Kay. I just don't plan on just letting him have free reign over things like your life. Not after........",He paused being careful not to let out anything she wouldn't like to hear at that moment.

"The point is you'll have to be careful around him but our alliance is still a thing and now that I control the army I'll be able to actually help this planet out. I can stop all rebellion for their own good and if any insurgence were to occur it wouldn't be traced back to you or me because you'd have my back in the point that you'd encourage the people not to rebel and to cooperate willingly with the empire or they'd be killed. Then and only then when the others believe that nothing could have been done by us can we try and shift the blame onto this overseer of theirs."He spoke as he nodded to they came to the guards who saluted him and opened the main door to the catacombs. He walked in and looked at Kay,"go on show me who they are."