Each Day's a Gift and Not a Given Right

[Coryth Elaris]

"No, I most definitely am not." A smile soon formed on her lips, "Well, it's the truth. Far too good looking, for me to just run off without some serious delay."

With a sigh, she then glanced down to her leg, still reminded of her injuries. "Should we head for dinner? Maybe have do something fun together, that doesn't involve me getting my ass handed to me?"

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"It's a very nice arse," Kaida said in a very deadpan tone as she took Coryth's hand after giving the tiny redhead a good one-over to check over her injuries. However, it seemed the woman was fine enough and able to walk again. "I suggest you change your clothes first before dinner. They are rather...damp."


And so there was dinner and then a time skip. Stuff happened in between. You do not need to know all the details, dear reader. Rest assured, we would rejoin our cute lovebirds in the exact moment when Coryth returned from Fondor and made a big announcement that would change her life forever. Among other things, she would be forced to wear shoes and fancy clothes a lot. Oh, and Akala was finally struck down and stopped opening random gifts.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth returned to Kaeshana, uncertain about all that had happened. It was so strange to think of the job she'd been given. To essentially help run a nation. Never once in her life did she ever imagine herself in such a position. Never had she ever even wanted such power, but here it had fallen right into her lap. The tiny redhead came to Kaida's door and knocked lightly. Such a strange series of events. Now here she was back at home, and home ... didn't quite feel like home. How am I even going to explain this to Kaida? Still doesn't feel like it's real.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Unlike a certain other character of this writer, Kaida was not the type to form super magical force bonds with any woman she had feelings for. She was also a good deal less mushy! However, she did not need space magic to figure out the profound sense of uncertainty that was radiating from Coryth when she opened the door.


Leave it to silly people on Fondor to make a mess of things. "Welcome back, dear," she said, gently taking Coryth's hand and leading her inside her rather spartan apartment. You see, Angelii pay was not enough to buy yourself a villa! "Sit down. Tea's ready in a moment. What happened on Fondor?" she asked, indicating a couch. It must have been a big upheavel to put the redhead into such a state.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

"Thank you, dear." Coryth managed a slight smile as Kaida pulled her inside. Heading right for the couch, the redhead flopped down appearing to be holding the weight of the galaxy on her tiny little shoulders. "I ... uh ... yeah .... I got promoted. A lot." She said flatly. It was the best she could manage for an explanation. The poor girl just didn't know what to make of what happened just yet. Even if she had a couple days on the journey back to think about it. It still had not really sunk in.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Promoted? To what? Minister of Health? Presumably the decrepit, tin pot junta that called itself the Protectorate's government had ministers. Grand Master of the Omegan Knights? No, wait, that was an awful name. It had to be something major to put Coryth in such a state. The more selfish part of Kaida wondered what this would mean for them, but she clamped down on that.


"Promoted to what exactly? Talk to me," Kaida said in what she thought was a gentle tone before walking over to the kitchen counter to fetch Coryth's tea. Wordlessly she passed the cup over to the little redhead, then placed a strangely gentle hand on her tiny shoulder.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth sighed, taking the cup of tea from Kaida she took a small sip. "Exarch." The redhead whispered. It felt far too much like really speaking the word aloud made it far too real for her. Leaning forward, she laid her head in her free hand, still quite shocked. "I ... yeah. That happened. How or why, is so beyond me. I was hardly noticed in the Protectorate until now .... and now ... I'm second in command of a nation? How the feth does that happen?" Though there was an upside. It meant Coryth could not longer be the reckless woman she used to be. She was responsible for a hell of a lot of people now. The redhead mattered a great deal more, to many more people. She could not let them down.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"Exarch," Kaida repeated the word, completely dumbfounded after Coryth had dropped that bombshell. It was no exaggeration to say that this was the last thing she had expected. For several moments she found herself lost for words, unable to come up with something intelligent to say.


The little redhead had never been a leader before, now all of a sudden she was supposed to occupy a position second to none except the Protector. Ruling a crumbling nation that was coming apart by the seams and had been decaying for a long time. A heavy burden upon Coryth's tiny shoulders, as much as beskar. Did Kaida think Coryth was qualified for the position? If she was honest with herself, no. Likewise she thought it unfair that it was thrust upon her.


However, on the flip side the redhead was not an egotistical, warmongering puffbag who dropped shipyards on his own planet in a hissy fit. "I believe I should congratulate you...but it seems like a poisoned chalice," she said with brutal honesty. Well, that probably was not the best thing to say! "Exarch of where precisely? She gently stroked Coryth's firemane and gave her a kiss. "Have you been given a specific territory, region Or are we back to the one exarch per planet nonsense?" she asked with a sarcastic edge. Of course, the Protectorate's territory had shrunken a lot recently! It was still as stagnant as ever though. "What are your exact responsibilities now?" She asked because the definition of what an Exarch did seemed to change with every Protector.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth leaned into Kaida's hand. Something was so soothing about the way she stroked her hair. "I.... am to look over, about half of the Protectorate. Anya, gets the other half." The redhead said with a sigh. "And it is a poisoned chalice as you so nicely put it. I just ... yeah, I don't know. These kinds of things aren't supposed to happen to me. I didn't seek power, and have done everything I could manage to stay the hell away from politics. Just," Another sigh before she took a sip from her tea. "Yeah...." The redhead clearly struggling to get her mind to work through the reality.

"I'm responsible for looking over the various planets in my region, assisting in anyway I can. I'm to help give orders, plan mission goals and policy for the Protectorate, review intelligence upon warring nations. We don't directly intervene on our planets unless something is amiss and help is required. They are allowed to govern themselves. I guess it's something akin to being an overseer." Another sigh, still trying to wrap her brain around all of that. "I don't know .... I only really took the job, so I could be in a better position to help others. It gives me more authority to do what needs to be done to immediately help those that truly need it."

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"I suppose I should go and congratulate Her Majesty on claiming half of OP's territory for the Greater Eldorai Matriarchy," Kaida said very dryly. Two months later she would find out that Kaeshana was doomed to be destroyed by a massive asteroid. And then her allegiance to OP would come to an end.


Privately she doubted, Potteiger would listen to anyone except himself. Or the traitorous war criminal Cater. Hence the sorry state of the Protectorate. "Do you need to set up a staff team to help you or have you been assigned people? I wouldn't choose anyone Potteiger suggests. He's a brainless idiot who makes Tatooine hilibillies look intelligent. You'll need military advisers, aides, department heads, people with insight into the systems you'll oversee. I figure you can ask Alcori or the Queen for advice on this." She did not mention Kerrigan because frankly Kaida could not stand the woman.


"Bodyguards would also be wise. It's a heavy burden on your shoulders. Many people, both within OP and without, will try to exploit your position for their own ends. And you'll have to play nice with foreign leaders even if they're reprehensible." For instance a certain Queen on Tygara.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth nodded, "Or condolences. One or the other. Or both!" She still wasn't sure she wanted the job in the least, but it was too late to turn it down now.

"Yeah, I'm working to hire my own staff. About all that I was given was a secretary on Fondor. Kinda need to make arrangements for offices there, and here. Because I think I'll be bouncing back and forth between the two planets frequently." She couldn't help but laugh at Kaida's description. "You're right. Going to need a lot of people, with knowledge in a hell of a lot of areas that I'm not that familiar with. Gods, I'm not used to this. Not used to working for anyone but me these days. Have no idea how I'm going to manage it." The Queen, and Tegaea, Kaida had a good point on both, "Will probably have to ask for some advice on all of this. It's so new, so strange." It certainly wasn't what she was looking for. That was for sure.

She nodded, "I don't want anyone to make a fuss over me. A few days ago I'd have scoffed at needing this kind of staff, of requiring bodyguards, protectors and the like." A frown formed on her face, "I know. Diplomacy and politics weren't my strongest fields of study. Not to mention I firmly believe that the galaxy would be better served if all politicians were taken to a giant arena, and a few wild and extremely dangerous animals thrown into the mix ... and let the pieces fall where they may. It would be a service to the galaxy rather than what it currently is. Damn lunatics as it is."

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"Coryth, dear. People will make a fuss over you, whether you want it or not. It's best for it to happen on your own terms. Expect the press to hound you a lot and poke around in your life," Kaida said bluntly. That said she could agree on the idea that most politicians should be tossed into an arena and be eaten by wild, extremely dangerous animals. Not like the Senate or the forty-eight Exarchs of the Protectorate had done anything useful.


It was time to try and be...encouraging. "You have no political experience, but unlike most you didn't get the job because you were power-mad or under the delusion of being a genius. And you're not an idiot. Unlike some people who drop shipyards on planets because someone took their toys away."

 

[Coryth Elaris]

"I guess you are right. Still don't like it any less. Certainly not used to this kind of deal." Then another sigh came from the small woman, "Ugh, the press. I don't even want to have to think about that. Suddenly my life is an open book to be interpreted however they please."

She nodded slowly, listening to Kaida before she spoke again. "And that's entirely true. I don't have the experience. This isn't my career path, nor what I ever dreamed I'd have." A quiet chuckle came, "And no, I'm not under that delusion of being a genius who randomly drops shipyards on planets and then claims not a soul died because of it. I'm certainly well beyond any crap like that."

Taking a large sip from her tea, she tried to push away the millions of thoughts that plagued her mind. The weight of a crumbling nation fell to her shoulders. "I'll figure it out, I'm sure." Or I'll fail completely, but at least I'd have given it a shot.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"I'm sure you will. And you'll have help. Besides, you have plenty of good examples of what not to do," Kaida said dryly. Like, as has been said, there was a certain war criminal who thought randomly dropping shipyards was a good idea! There was a pause as silence desended upon the room.


"So...I hate to sound wethennish...but what about us? Our positions are...very different. Chances are the press will also be snooping around in your private life looking for an angle to exploit. I don't want to...get in the way." Kaida tried to keep her tone composed and measured, but since her girlfriend was a master empath it probably would not escape her attention that the frost elf might be feeling a tad insecure about their relationship. There was also the fact that it probably was against Angelii rules!

 

[Coryth Elaris]

"That's true." There were far too many bad examples out there, and Coryth knew herself to be better than that. She'd not fall for those kind of mistakes. Not if she had anything to say about it. That and she wasn't stupid enough to drop a shipyard on a planet, killing untold hundreds of thousands. Nor was she the type to desire to blow up the senate, just because she was bored that day of the week.

The redhead nodded slowly, "It's not wethennish. Not at all. It's a valid concern." A heavy sigh fell from her lips as she thought about it. "Kaida, I want to be very clear ... You've made me happier than I've been in a long long time, over a decade if I'm honest. Brought great joy into my life, and so much fun and laughter. If the press want to snoop, so be it. May they just find that together we bring joy and passion to one another. I really don't give a damn what anyone else thinks. At the end of the day, what you think is all that is going to matter to me."

Reaching forward, she brought her hand up to cup at Kaida's cheek. "You are not going to get in the way, and this relationship means more to me than that job does. And I don't mean that to sound sappy or go to far, but jobs come and go in this galaxy, people not so much. I cherish the relationships I have, for they are worth more than what any job could ever give me. Don't want to lose you over a job, that I really didn't want in the first place. You do mean more to me than that." Another sigh came and went, "I just want you to know that you come first in my life. That's all."

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Kaida blinked and took a deep breath. For a good while she was incapable of formulating a coherent sentence. Truth be told, she had not expected Cory to be so deeply invested in her. Not that Kaida did not care about the little redhead because she certainly did. But she had not expected such a deep relationship to come out of it.


Because she cared very strongly about Coryth. It was also no exaggeration to say that the frost elf was frankly a bit of a loner. A rather private, reserved woman, she tended to bring her work home. Outside of [member="Tempest"] she did not count many people as her close friends. Finally she was capable of speaking coherently. "Thank you, Coryth, this...what you said means a lot to me. I expect my superiors to look crossly on this and for a number of reasons I frankly I cannot fault them if they do...but I find myself not caring. You're too important for me." Kaida had always been better at expressing herself through action instead of words, so she pulled the Jedi Exarch into a kiss.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth had been internally holding her breath as she waited for Kaida to say something, anything. The redhead had been terrified that she'd gone too far, and was showing she was far more serious about the relationship between them while it was still so early on. A relieved smile soon spread across her lips as the Eldorai spoke.

"You're welcome Kaida. I just .... I wanted you to know exactly where I stood, and where you stood with me, with all of this. Just needed to make ure you knew beyond a shadow of any doubt that you come first. I am quite relieved to hear you say that. I feared, I was being a little too serious too soon with us. I just, I care deeply about you and I sure as hell am not going to let a job come between us. Never." It was then she was pulled into the kiss with Kaida. Which, somehow was something she deeply needed. Wrapping both arms around the elf, she pulled the woman tight against her as she deepened the kiss and extended the intimacy between them.

Withdrawing, she reached out and took Kaida's hands with hers. Gently she gave them a squeeze. "Don't doubt where you stand with me. You mean far too much to me, and I just want to make sure you do feel comfortable and secure in what we have. So, if anything at all bothers you please just tell me and we'll find a way to work it all out." She said softly, before leaning in, to nuzzle her nose against the blonde's.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Kaida was, when all was said and done, not a woman of strong emotions. She liked to keep things neatly compartmentalised in separate boxes. More to the point, she made a cult out of being laconic and stoic. It hinted at a certain degree of social awkwardness, perhaps even uncertainty about herself.


Still, this did not change the fact that Coryth's words...touched her very deeply. It was not love between them. To expect to suddenly fall head over heels in love after only having known each other for a few days was terribly unrealistic. Especially when both of them were not used to dating. One might as well throw in the emotional baggage and scars that Coryth was carrying, though at this juncture Kaida only knew a small portion of the little redhead's story. However, this did not change the fact that the Jedi Exarch was claiming a place in her heart.


Not love. On either side. But it might become that. "Thank you. This means a lot to me. And...you are very important to me and I care about you. Your new career, position, whatever, it does not bother me. I'll have to adjust, but I'm quite fine with my girlfriend being a couple ranks above me," she joked, cocking her head to the side slightly. "I suppose I shall have to henceforth salute you a lot in public," she said dryly.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Love it certainly was not. It was however an understanding that one another cared deeply for the other without crossing that particular line. It was way too early for love, and well Coryth frankly had some trust issues she needed to work through if she was ever going to be able to open her heart for true love again. For the mean time though, this relationship was exactly what she needed.

While it wasn't love yet, that wasn't out of the realm of possiblity. It could happen in due time. Reaching out, she ran a slow hand through Kaida's hair, so happy that they had both talked this through. Happy that Kaida had been brave enough to bring up the very serious issue between them. She did chuckle at the Eldorai's comment about her being a couple ranks over her. "Well as long as you don't mind.... After all it's only your opinion and voice that matter to me at this point. Just you." Then Coryth actually laughed when Kaida mentioned saluting her. "I suppose that might be required, not sure how I feel about that part of things, you saluting me .... It just seems strange. Suppose I'm going to have to get used to giving orders, and people making a fuss over me. I'm just glad I have such a wonderful girlfriend at my side."

She then paused for a moment, as a thought entered into her mind. The redhead wondered how much Kaida knew of the coming disaster that she'd been seeing in her visions time and again. A part of her, desperately wanted to discuss it and let her know the real reason that she'd taken the Exarch position. At the same time, it was treading into an area that she wasn't sure she could just yet.

Though there was another issue she wanted to address as well.."So, Kaida .... I kind of want to bring a couple of things up with you. I know, you've mentioned my scars before but never pressed me for the story, which I apppreciate. But, if you don't mind and have the time I'd kind of like to share what happened with you." After all there was a point to this story telling. She needed to let Kaida know the complexities of her life, and that she had a daughter out there that she'd barely just met and really didn't know yet.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


On the positive side Coryth would perhaps get to see Kaida in formal uniform a lot. The frost elf had been told that she cut a dashing figure in it. Moreover, since she was Exarch she could 'order' Kaida to accompany her on important assignments as a 'personal guard' or demand thatshe 'debrief' her in private.


Presumably if Siobhan were here she would make a comment about Kaida copying her. What with suddenly getting bigger breasts because the Force wanted it so, learning how to fly and dating an Exarch. In any case the conversation was turning towards more serious things. Without hesitation Kaida gave her girlfriend a nod. "I'd appreciate it. If you want to talk, I'd like to hear it," she said gently, giving the redhead a reassuring kiss on the forehead.