Private Cult of Personality

[Therax Milbon]

Location: Lothal


"Come on you.... work."

Therax struggled to turn on the speeder, each time he pressed the ignition the agricultural speeder would activate its anti-gravity field before sputtering and plopping itself on the floor. A surge of anger came over Therax when he tried for the third time, he needed to escort a week's worth of hay towards the small village a few miles ahead. "Bell" as Therax had call his agricultural vehicle when he first acquired it was a bit on the slow side, but she never let Therax down. Until today that is, Therax sighed getting off his seat and began to open the small door containing the twin turbojet engines. It looked like the pistons are not operating properly, of course it wasn't. Therax told himself that he needed to get these pistons looked at, but he kept forgetting. That's what he got for putting it off, now it's 5 am and he needed to make this drive so Therax and Darlynn can earn their weekly credits. The harvest is coming and the two can't afford any delays.

Quickly running towards the straw house, Therax looked around for Darlynn. "Hey Darlynn!" Therax called out. "Do you know where the Hydrospanner is?"

Darlynn Arard-Milbon

 

[Darlynn Arard-Milbon]

Darlynn Milton was busy inside their home cleaning the linens and starting to prepare for the midday meal. It was what she had done or seen done all her life. She had always lived on a farm and knew what was expected.

Part of expectations was to have her ears open for anything that the men doing the “real work” might need. Her husband was much nicer about it than her father and brothers had been. But that didn’t mean that he didn’t need a thing from time to time. Today it seemed the speeder was acting up. A damn shame it had been dependable for quite some time, and they really couldn’t afford to replace it.

“Hydrospanner?” Darlynn questioned. It certainly not in the house. Did she remember where it was in the shed? The woman nodded in her memory and went to the shed to fetch the tool. She hurried to the speeder and held out the tool. “What seems to be the problem with it?”

Therax Milbon

 

[Therax Milbon]

"Oh, you know," Therax sighed raking his forehead with his arm. "The usual things, the turbine jet engine is malfunctioning." Darlynn kept insisting on buying a new landspeeder but Therax refused to give up on his old reliable vehicle. For 10 years, it got Therax from place to place and the new landspeeder gave up size for speed. He didn't need speed, he needed space to transport his crops to the nearby town.

"I need to unload this grain by midday," Therax said walking over towards the nearby drawer and opening it up "Get enough money to prepare for the upcoming harvest. The weather is going to good this year and I want to get a head start. I know you want to take a break...."

The Farmer leaned against the drawer turning his gaze to his wife. "This is the perfect opportunity for us to make a real profit," Therax said. "To get rid of a lot these debts we got and actually have some left over. Just one more harvest Darlynn that's all I ask."

He knew that she wouldn't accept it but they've been a team working this farm. Therax needed Darlynn's love and support as well as her cooking.

Darlynn Arard-Milbon

 

[Darlynn Arard-Milbon]

Darlynn listened to the complaint about the speeder with a nod as she handed over the requested tool. She knew the tools by name as she was always asked to fetch things for whoever was doing the fixing, but she knew nothing about the actual job being done.

Darlynn had dreams. There was a wide galaxy out there and she had seen little of it. After her family’s farm she moved with Therax to a new farm. Therax had adventures in the early days of their marriage so while he understood her wants they weren’t always the first thing he thought about. Darlynn had hoped a family would be an adventure, but the Force didn’t seem fit to grant her that either.

So it was the familiar one more harvest speech from Therax. She actually thought he meant it most times and this year the weather had been favorable. If all went well they would take in a good haul from the harvest. But not enough to truly change their lives.

“We have all we need Love,” she said to her husband. “When the Force sees fit to make a change we will be ready. You just let me know how I can help you with the harvest.”

Therax Milbon

 

[Therax Milbon]

"Thanks," Therax said when Darlynn gave him the Hydrospanner. He felt the urge to roll his eyes when Darlynn talked about the Force, Therax never liked the Force. This so-called encompassing energy field in control of people's lives. If anything, the Force only served to fuel people's arrogance Therax witnessed how all Force users would use their power to dominate others. The current war saw many people's homes destroyed and billions of lives lost, Therax heard that the Chiss had their planet blown the bits as well.

"Still talking about the Force huh?" Therax chuckled twirling the Hydrospanner between his fingers. "We decide when we can change not the Force. We decide our own fate honey."

Therax cupped his large hand against Darlynn's soft cheek, a major difference between the two was that Darlynn always put her faith and trust in the Force. She would also spend her free time going to the Church of the Force with the housewives in the small community they lived in. Darlynn claimed to always pray for Therax's soul despite his protests. The Force was not a benevolent entity, it didn't care about the lives of the organisms it supposedly created. Yet Darlynn insisted on telling Therax to trust the Force.

"You do what you always do honey," Therax said kissing her forehead. "Do you wanna come to me to the city?"

Darlynn Arard-Milbon

 

[Darlynn Arard-Milbon]

Darlynn smiled as her husband affectionately caressed her cheek. She didn't understand how someone blessed by the Force would take such a negative feeling towards it. She understood not wanting to live your life expecting the Force to do all the work for you. That wasn't how her beliefs went either. She definitely thought that she had control of some aspects. Like marrying Therax and coming to Lothal to start their own farm. But somethings were just up in the air. And even though all of her dreams did not come true, it made her feel better that it was because of a bigger plan that she'd yet to start a family, not just bad luck.

"I don't know how you of all people should know that the Force is a powerful thing," Darlynn responded with a bit of a sigh when Therax kissed her on the forehead. She didn't understand it, but she didn't like arguing about it either. "I can understand not wanting to give yourself over to it completely, but imagine the good you could do in the galaxy." She ran her hand through his hair and smiled. "But you've had enough trouble with the speeder. Don't need a lecture from me about the goods of the Force. You'll see someday and I'll be proud of you when you do. Until then this conversation should wait until another time."

The thought of going into town also brought a quick end to the discussion of the Force. It had been a few weeks since Darlynn had been into town. She needed some supplies and to restock the pantry. Maybe she would see Tessjoe Bisdore as well. The young newlywed had expressed interest in joining the Church of the Force. She was spunky and made Darlynn feel young again. It had been a week or so since they had met at the young couple's new farmstead not far from the Milbon farm. Darlynn told Tess that she would show her around town. "I would love to go to town with you dear husband."

Therax Milbon

 

[Therax Milbon]

"Powerful doesn't mean helpful," Therax sighed knowing where this conversation was heading. "Besides I'm doing going good here Darlynn just living a peaceful life, providing people with good food and more importantly." Therax kissed Darlynn on the lips for a brief moment. "Taking care of you." Darlynn was part of the Church of the Force; she and her fellow housewives would go in every weekend to chat about life and worship the Force. Therax stayed away mainly because the leader of the Lothal chapter: Dextar Falking always pestered Therax encouraging him to be a Jedi. He would always resist the notion almost punching Dextar in the face because he kept insisting.

"I am helping the people of the Galaxy by providing them my crops," Therax sighed. "Why should I play hero waving a glowstick around while wearing bathrobes. I have a good life here with you Darlynn. A peaceful life one free of politics, planning, war."

He knew that the conversation wasn't going anywhere. Darlynn was too entrenched in her beliefs, the last thing Therax wanted to do was to be apart some so-called idyllic crusade to cause as much pain and misery as a Jedi. As a soldier for the former Confederacy, he'd seen too much bloodshed already. The Galaxy would be probably better off without Jedi and Sith, whenever they fight the entire galaxy suffers and Therax didn't want to be a part of that.

"All right then," Therax said heading for the land speeder and opening up the hatch to begin working on the turbines. "Saddle up my lady because it's going to one smooth ride."

Darlynn Arard-Milbon

 

[Darlynn Arard-Milbon]

Darlynn closed her eyes and accepted the kiss. Philosophically, or perhaps spiritually it was had to tell which, the couple was definitely not on the same page. It resulted in arguments, Darlynn gently trying to get Therax to use his gifts and Therax trying to be gentle (because it was his wife) in his want to take care of himself not the galaxy. Darlynn wished she understood why, but she also knew that Therax had seen much more in his lifetime than she had. In the end they usually gave each other a kiss and moved on knowing that it was going to come up again in the future.

"Our crops are a good help Love," she said wrapping her arms around Therax' neck and kissing him on the lips. She shared a smile with him. "I'm not sure about the lightstick situation, but I think you look rather good in your bathrobe," she added with a wink.

"Honestly," Darlynn sighed. "I don't want you to go away. I like you right here. But I can't help but wonder if your being out there might make a difference in things. I respect your want to live a peaceful life, but you know I can't help but think about the rest of the galaxy some times. I'm sorry for being a pain in your rear. I love you."

Therax told her to get ready. "Saddle up? A gentleman would give the lady a lift."

Therax Milbon

 

[Therax Milbon]

Therax had already been in enough battles to know that fighting would only get worse. The Jedi and Sith were no different from each other, they're just Force wielders with different philosophies and the worst part is that Therax is one of them. "I can create peace through crops," Therax said hugging Darlynn slowly stroking her hair. "And I can take care of you my loving wife."

Darlynn was a good woman: Kind, caring, a good cook all the makings of a good wife. Therax was lucky to have her, it wasn't the Force that bought them together like Darlynn kept insisting, it was themselves. "Well, I'm sure you love it more when I take off my bathrobe honey." Therax said giving Darlyn a lift onto speeder while he finished repairs on the turbines.

As soon as he was done, the engines roared to life a gentle rumble was heard. "New that the lady didn't give up the ghost." Therax said smiling. "Let's get going!"

When he climbed up next to Darlynn he kissed her cheek. "You're never a pain in my rear," he whispered. "I just wish you and your other housewives would stop trying drag me into being a damn Jedi. Every thing I do is for us Darlynn, I'm tired of fighting, I'm tired of being viewed as the Force's pawn."

Darlynn Arard-Milbon

 

[Darlynn Arard-Milbon]

Darlynn listened to Therax' usual response to his gifts. They would only lead to problems. His wife didn't really understand how he would arrive at such a conclusion. But that was where their discussions always ended when it came to the Force. An impasse, Darlynn wishing he'd do more, but not wanting to push too hard. Therax standing firm on his ideals of avoiding what he saw as entrapments of the Jedi.

"You do take very good care of me," Darlynn smiled to Therax. "My loving husband. I shouldn't ask for more than that. I'm sorry that I continue to push this. It's just something I believe is important." It was the truth. With the exception of her dreams of adventure (dreams she wasn't quite sure she was really suited for) Therax gave her everything in his power to give. She would be content in her life, if she just stayed away from the Church. But that was something she just couldn't do.

Darlynn gave a bit of a squeak as she was lifted up into speeder. She had asked for it, and knew it was coming, but his strong hands on her always filled her with excitement. "Well all the farm work does make you quite the specimen, my handsome husband, chiseled of stone. But don't tease me with such thoughts now. We've work to see to." She giggled and las Therax started the speeder. It worked thank the Force.

As he was seated next to her she leaned her head against his shoulder. "You deserve a peaceful life," said with a nod. "I will try to keep my nagging about the Force to a minimum. But I can't make any promises about the other housewives."

Therax Milbon

 

[Therax Milbon]

There were times that Therax was tempted to pull Darlynn from those Church meetings she keeps going to. It just made her even more emboldened to encourage Therax to use the Force for the greater of the Galaxy. The simple and obvious truth was that Therax never wanted to be "gifted" in the Force he wanted to stay away from any Jedi and Sith conflict. All Therax wanted to do was to be on Lothal, farming and taking care of Darlynn. Right now, her friends are trying to influence her in making Therax into a Jedi. "I'm going to talk to your friends," Therax chuckled while Darlynn leaned on his massive shoulder. "To leave me alone when it comes to the Force, I've made a choice and they ain't respecting it."

Bell did a brief shudder like she usually did before beginning to move. "The only thing I'm focusing on is getting ready for the Harvest," Therax smiled his mind already imagining the amount of money they'll make from this endeavor. "Gonna be stressful though Darlynn, you think we need hired hands for this one?"

Part of Therax didn't want that to happen, he wanted to keep the profits for himself and Darlynn for when they'll finally vacation. Darlynn never traveled in the Galaxy much, living most of her life on the farmlands. Though Therax had enough "adventuring" as Darlynn fondly told him, he wanted to make it up to his wife. "I was love it when you squeak," Therax chuckled squeezing her thigh to elicit another squeak from Darlynn. "It's how we first met when I lifted you up to help you grab some cranberries in store."

Darlynn Arard-Milbon

 

[Darlynn Arard-Milbon]

Darlynn snuggled into Therax' shoulder as they sped along towards town. "Just try to be nice about it," she asked her husband. "I know you think they are annoying, but they are my friends. I will try to get them to talk to me instead of you. I can lie for you and then torture you afterwards." She gave a wink as the speeder hiccupped.

"I think we should get through this together," Darlynn answered with a smirk. "If you keep me busy on the farm maybe I won't think to bother you about your gifts anymore. And I won't have as much time for the Church. Besides hired hands means credits taken out of our pockets. And they'll probably expect me to cook for them too once they get a smell of my Worrt Casserole. I'd rather spend time with you in the fields, than all day slaving over a stove for strangers, who will want a share of our credits too."

Darlynn hugged close to her husband as she remembered the time they met. "You caught me by surprise then. Now I just do it to get a rise out of you. Trying to get you out of your bathrobe later." She gave a little giggle. Truth was she was always surprised how strong and gentle Therax was when he lifted her easily off the ground.

Therax Milbon

 

[Therax Milbon]

"Oh you know me," Therax chuckled while kissing Darlynn's head. "I'm always nice to women especially that one lady who kept calling me a burnt Dewback because I was making too much noise mowing my lawn."

The two of them lived in a small farming community where everyone knew each other for good and bad. Darlynn was good friends with all of the housewives and they would often talk chit behind Therax back. Thankfully Darlynn dispelled those insults otherwise Therax would've done so himself. "Of course honey," Therax said seeing the city limits. "You'll be helping me in the harvest Darlynn I need you the most. Besides I want all of your Worrt Casserole. The best Casserole in all of Lothal that I can attest to."

Therax gave Darlynn a kiss while they reached the city. "So Darlynn," Therax said. "How's Tess? The girl just turned 18 and she's already married, you've been teaching her everything about being a good wife. So what's going on with her now?"

Darlynn Arard-Milbon

 

[Darlynn Arard-Milbon]

Darlynn couldn't help but smirk at Therax claiming to always be nice. He was very rarely truly mean, but with the housewives of the Church of the Force he could be quite terse and blunt and there was a certain tone to his voice. That tone a soldier gets when you know that the conversation is either over or about to go very badly for you as a mere citizen. She had to laugh at the burnt Dewback. "Oh come on. You know that Jysell has a crush on you," she continued to laugh. Jysell was one of the few single ladies in the community and in the church. She lived with her aging parents saying that she couldn't leave them alone. Truth was though that she was holding out hope that a Jedi was going to come along and sweep her off her feet. Hence the crush on Therax, not because she found him attractive or enjoyed his personality (which Darlynn did very much), but only because he could become that Jedi and take her away from the farm-life.

Darlynn smiled as her husband seemed to be on the same page as far as hired help went. Sure it was going to be hard, but they would get through anything together. "Worrt Casserole for two is a lot less trouble on my time, back and our wallets. I'm very glad that you enjoy it. But I do hope we'll be able to spurge on a nerf steak or two after all those days in the field. The way you handle the grill is so hot."

Darlynn gave a sigh and shook her head. "That girl has a dose of reality coming. Her head is still stuck in the clouds. Don't get me wrong she's a lovely young woman. And her husband must consider himself quite the lucky man, cause he's just as naive as she is. Tess needs to learn everything that a wife needs to do around a farm. Her mom is gone now. So I feel like it's kinda my duty to help. No daughter of my own, gotta make sure someone ends up as lucky a husband as you are."

Therax Milbon

 

[Therax Milbon]

Therax shook his head a smile forming on his face when Darlynn mentioned that Tess was still restless. He wasn't surprised, Tess was always asking him war stories everytime he would swing over to her parent's place. Therax was reluctant to share his experiences as a soldier, that time in his life is behind him now, especially the place he fought for no longer exists. Therax understood that life in Lothal can be boring but compared to the constant war the Galaxy keeps plunging itself into no thanks to the Jedi and the Sith, a simple life far away from any civilized systems is the best kind of life somebody can ask for.

Then again, Therax was never this adventurous like Tess was and he spent most of his life on the farm. "So Jysell," Therax gave an airy sigh a lot of women in the neighborhood found Therax attractive which was funny considering he was often compared to a Waampa when he was kid. "Has a crush on me eh? What does she look like again? She got red hair right? Around 33 years old? Jysell was always enamored by those romanticized stories just like Tess. In fact, Jysell was the one who gave Tess all those romance novels."

Therax growled. "You need to tell her that the Galaxy is a dangerous place and teach her how to be a good wife."

Darlynn Arard-Milbon

 

[Darlynn Arard-Milbon]

Darlynn looked over to her husband with a tilt to her head and a furrowed brow. "And what difference does it make what she looks like my dear husband?" she asked with a raise of her brow. She did not question Therax' faithfulness. They had been together through a lot. He had gone off to war multiple times. He always came home to Darlynn and seemed quite happy when the day came that they could be together without interruption. They had made a good life here, even though Darlynn couldn't help feel something was missing. She spent her free time at the Church, but though she was a believer, she knew that what she felt missing wasn't something that Therax becoming a Jedi would bring. Or moving to Coruscant or some other big time planet.

Darlynn gave a smile no longer able to keep up the facade of being angry. Therax asked what she looked like, but also knew enough to remember that Jysell's head was lost in fantasy and that she was the one who get filling Tess' head with fantasy as well. Darlynn really wished she could talk the girls out of that foolishness. The Jedi weren't coming to Lothal. Or not to their poor frontier side of the planet. And Tess had responsibilities that would stack up if she continued to wait for a dream to come true.

"Tess is just young," Darlynn said with a smile. "She'll come around. I let her know how things are. What she and her husband have in their future. Jysell if a lost cause. She's going to have her prayers answered by the Force, or she's going to die an old maid watching her parents' farm wither away."

Therax Milbon

 

[Therax Milbon]

There's Darlynn pretending that she's jealous that Therax was asking about other women. This happened whenever Therax mentions them no matter what the context. She knew, that Therax would never cheat on her in fact on her, but she liked to mess with him every now and then. "Come on sweetheart," Therax said as they entered the city watching the people lumbering out from their houses getting ready to start their day. "I'm just asking what she looked like, I don't remember what all your housewife friends look like."

He shrugged heading over to the warehouse where he is supposed to dump the wheat and get paid. "Tell Tess that Jysell is what happens when you have your head in the clouds since childhood. You're often stunted and not thinking of the things you have here. She'll die an old maid, the Force don't care about her desires. No Jedi isn't coming here to sweep her off her feet and live happily ever after."

It was blunt but it was the truth, the Force doesn't care about people's lives. If it did, then it would've prevented wholescale war that's been plaguing the Galaxy for years. "But Tess just tell her about how life in Lotal is wonderful compared to the other planets in the Galaxy. She doesn't know how good she has it here. Being surrounded by people who love her like you do Darlynn."

Darlynn Arard-Milbon

 

[Darlynn Arard-Milbon]

Darlynn gave a bit of a giggle and leaned against Therax' shoulder. "You remembered her red hair. Kinda more coppery than truly red. Pretty. Our age, but always looks like she's missed a few hours sleep in a week." She gave Therax' arm a hug and smiled up at him. "Well luckily for Tess she's already found her life's love. Have you seen how Lad looks at her and she at him? There's no way she's gonna give up on that for dreams of better things. And she doesn't need me to tell her that she'd rather grow to be like me than like Jysell. She tells me that all the time already."

Darlynn sighed when Therax said how much greater life was for them on Lothal than other places. She had heard his stories. She knew they were the truth, but she just couldn't help wishing there was more for them in the galaxy than hoping to get good weather for a whole season so that they could get away for a few weeks before starting all over. "She has an idea. We all do. Just hard for some people to accept that this is the good life. It's not the worst thing in the galaxy to dream. Just have to learn to temper expectations." She hugged tighter onto Therax' arm as they walked. Darlynn loved to dream, and hope of something that made this life a bit more than what it was. But the truth of the matter was that she was content to live the rest of her life as a farmer's wife on Lothal. As long as that farmer was Therax.

Therax Milbon

 

[Therax Milbon]

The two arrived at the large warehouse where two Duros walked out from the entrance. Therax shook his head. "That woman spends most of her time reading romance novels," he said to Darlynn. "Always looking up hoping one day that Jedi Knight would come here and take her away and spoil her. If she goes in the Galaxy, she'll be babe lost in the woods. A damsel always looking to get rescued. But honestly Tess should be more like you just a good wife."

He got off Bell to meet his friends making sure to take Darlynn off from the landspeeder first before allowing her to rest her head against his arm. "Hello there!" Therax chuckled. "Sal and Gan! The two brothers who are as thick as thieves and the guys who own the only spaceport in 50 miles."

"Therax!" Sal said shaking his hand. "It's been a while! You're turning in your crops early!"

"There's a big harvest coming up," Therax said. "And I want to be the first one to take advantage of the moment."

"Ah I see." Sal looked at Darlynn. "Ah you bought the Mrs, how are you Darlynn? I'm sure you're doing a good job controlling the big guy."

Darlynn Arard-Milbon

 

[Darlynn Arard-Milbon]

Darlynn agreed that Jysell should read too many novels, and that got a giggle out of her. She blushed however when Therax said that Tess should be like her. "Flattery will get you everywhere dear husband. I'm sure that Tess and Lad will find their own way to make sure that their farm works well. And maybe they will be lucky and have help sooner than later."

They arrived at the warehouse and Therax lifted Darlynn off the speeder. With his friends present Darlynn didn't squeak quite as loudly as she usually did when he squeezed her waist while being lifted up into or down out of the speeder. She gave Therax a smile and patted his chest after her feet were firmly on the ground. She gave Sal a nod of her head and a smile.

"Oh you know Therax," she said with a smile for her husband. "Stubborn as a mule. But the right touch is able to guide him along nicely." She winked to Therax. Anyone who knew them knew that they worked together, neither controlled the other. They had to be a team otherwise their farm would be in disarray in no time.

Therax Milbon