Finding Common Ground

[Niamh Jones]

Niamh frowned at [member="Darlyn Excron"] in motherly disapproval. "It's not in our nature to spar with our romantic partners, skilled or otherwise. Though, on the topic of those capable... I believe your sister comes quite close to Auburn's level of skill. The two are, at this point, almost adoptive sisters. When I returned to Domhanda with her in tow, she and Auburn took to each other quite quickly." Niamh let out a laugh at such fond, old, memories.

"Thanks to me being Auburn's nanny, she and Aoife took all their lessons together since they were the same age... Do you... remember your sister at all?"

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"Not in the slightest." It was a painful but honest answer. HE had no recollection of his sibling, older evidently. "Besides the point I wanna talk about that 'no sparing romantic partners' thing. Why's that? What's wrong with wanting to know how one's partner fights? I'd rather not get in her way if it ever comes down to it you know."

[member="Niamh Jones"]

 

[Niamh Jones]

Niamh frowned, clearly saddened that [member="Darlyn Excron"] didn't remember his sister. "The Anam are, culturally, a non-violent race. Any harm upon another sentient being is usually frowned upon, excluding self-defense. The only Anam who actively spar with one another, are those within the military, which is more of a formality than anything truly useful. Honestly, I doubt you'll ever see Auburn in a fight."

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"You say that, but I also doubted the same of Lady Kay. I've been surprised before is all I'm saying. Self defense in this galaxy is a common occurrence after all." Hopefully his point was getting across. That and that he really wouldn't ever be able to one hundred percent be the person she clearly wanted him to be. Hopefully that wasn't going to be a problem... "Well, if she finds time then perhaps I'll have to spar my sister then. I'm far too curious what Anam limits are."

[member="Niamh Jones"]

 

[Niamh Jones]

[member="Darlyn Excron"] was correct, as much as Niamh wished he was wrong. With the powers that be always itching for war, galactic peace never lasted long. A sigh escaped her lips as a frown twisted her lips. "You'll need to wait until she comes in contact with me again. She's been on a hunt in the Outer Rim for months now, and hasn't sent any word since she left. Never does unless she's finished, and always gives me a scare when it's been this long. Though, I suppose the fact she doesn't kill her bounties makes it harder for herself."

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"Well, she's probably fine if she's even a fifth of what I am. I've actually been considering scheduling time off to go hunt a criminal or two myself, though I get far less time than I used to. Everyone wants something from the President, I almost regret taking the job." He laughed a bit to make sure it was clearly a joke. He loved being where he was, it meant he could do something worthwhile. Besides, being here meant he got the chance to meet Auburn, and [member="Niamh Jones"].

 

[Niamh Jones]

Niamh rested her head in her hand, cheek on her palm, and smiled. "Oh, I'm sure she could give you a run for your money. Don't tell Auburn this, but if the two of them fought? Aiofe would win without a doubt. In terms of raw power, they're about equal, however Aiofe's experience as a bounty hunter has given her real life combat experience that Auburn just doesn't have."

While the thought of Aoife and [member="Darlyn Excron"] fighting each other bothered her, Niamh knew it would likely happen eventually.

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"I may not have gotten much training, but I've learned to fight since I was eight. I'm sure she's strong, but I doubt she's got all that much on me. I'd reckon I've got more experience, since I've had to fight well trained Sith rather than just, well whatever she's been up against." Admittedly it was fun to brag about probably being better at fighting than his sister. [member="Niamh Jones"] hadn't seen him in action, so she probably didn't have much to compare him to, but if his cocky attitude was much to go by he seemed to have an inflated opinion of what he was able to manage. Then again, he did manage to survive his own stupid stunts this long.

 

[Niamh Jones]

Niamh smiled bemusedly at her son. "As long as you two don't hurt each other too badly, I suppose I can't say no. Just don't make any bets with her, she has a nasty little habit of making others owe her food, of all things." A laugh escaped Niamh's lips as she adjusted herself to sit more comfortably in her seat, before a realization came to her. [member="Darlyn Excron"] wasn't using his birth name.

"My little darlin', what made you not use your birth name?"

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"Oh don't you tempt me, I could definitely stand to win a few dozen more bottles of whiskey. More fun than just going to the liquor store." [member="Niamh Jones"] had successfully managed to disarm him in terms of social awkwardness and was now getting to speak with a rather genuinely pleased version of her son. Relaxed and at ease, it showed in how quick and casually he answered a rather significant question. "Oh that's simple, I don't remember it. So I just went with the last thing I remembered being called. Works well enough and looks good on my nametag."

 

[Niamh Jones]

The smile upon her face fell quickly into a frown, and Niamh felt her heart shatter in her chest. Her chest tightened, and her stomach churned in knots as the realization hit her at just how traumatized she and Maryl had made [member="Darlyn Excron"] all those years ago. After catching her breath for a moment, Niamh held shaking hands together in her lap.

"Aaron Jones. It's... Aaron Jones. After your grandfather, on my side of the family... He was a royal gardener."

 

[Darlyn Excron]

It was obvious she took it hard, but Darlyn didn't stop trying to be relaxed with her. If he was at ease she would be too, right? HE even tried to smile despite how boring his grandfather sounded, gardener. He expected an accountant to be honest. "Ah well, you can call me that if you want Mum. But for now I'd rather not go through the paperwork to get everything changed, I really hate doing paperwork. I swear I get a half dozen papercuts no matter how few things I have to do." How to calm her down, get her calm. Relaxed...

"Hey Mum, what kind of stuff do you like to do?"

 

[Niamh Jones]

[member="Darlyn Excron"]'s efforts to calm her did not go unnoticed. Niamh's frown faded, and threaded her fingers together in her lap. A look of thoughtfulness washed over her face, as she pondered. It had been so long since she had allowed herself such pleasantries as a hobby, even when Auburn told her it would be okay if she took time off. Memories of a fire crackling, warming an old home on a cold world. Children laughing and dancing. Little blue eyes watching in awe as fire danced in their mother's hands.

"I don't do much but read anymore but... When we were together on Arkania, I used to love watching you and your sister play in front of the fireplace. Whenever I showed you both my pyromancy, your eyes would sparkle in wonder. It was... Home. I... Always felt as if you two belonged on Domhanda, with the trees and the sun and actual teachers... Alas, it was not meant to be, I suppose..."

 

[Darlyn Excron]

Darlyn nodded a bit, trying to calmly run a hand through his hair. Admittedly, the person she was describing seemed foreign to him. He couldn't imagine himself, at any age, having a sense of wonder. Perhaps that was just the bit of him that remembered his old master, it was hard to keep that sort of thing when your life was on the line. In fact all of that, the fireplace, the playing, these things didn't sound at all like they belonged to him now or ever. It stung, the life he'd ended up being denied sounded quite nice. Him now, as he sat, was definitely not that person in any regard...

Thoughts were interrupted as the door to his office flung open. The dove that was still seated on [member="Niamh Jones"] took off and flew around a bit wildly a moment, as in stepped a practically dressed young woman, her left hand stump bound in bandages and in the right a cigarette, half finished. Simple, practical clothes of the modern day, it was a bit of a lazy day as well, meant that she was rather under-dressed to be any sort of dignitary as she strode over to where Darlyn and Nia sat, taking a hit of the cigarette as she did so. When she arrived, [member="Shoden Moz"] sat down, crossed her legs, and leaned back in the third seat of the room, smiling lightly. "I simply couldn't resist when I heard you found, well, her."

Darlyn shook his head a bit, small smile on his face, as he introduced her properly. "Mum, this is Shoden. My daughter."

 

[Niamh Jones]

A quiet hum came from Niamh, before she jumped in her seat as the door to the office opened. The wild flapping of the dove's wings as it took off filled her ears, and she looked to see [member="Shoden Moz"] walking in. The young girl's words sounded teasing to her father, [member="Darlyn Excron"]. The cigarette in her hand displease Niamh, and truthfully she wanted to smack it out of the girl's hand. A Dissapointed Mom Stare was given to the cigarette, before Niamh smiled.

"It's nice to meet you, Shoden. I imagine you haven't been told much about me, have you?"

 

[Darlyn Excron]

The dove eventually settled down, back on [member="Niamh Jones"], though this time on her shoulder. The bird didn't seem at all concerned about Shoden's choice vice, and instead chose to pick at itself while settling back down. DArlyn meanwhile couldn't help but continue smiling at his daughter, similarly having a distaste for her choice but not at all showing it. The matter had long since passed out of conversation for them after all. Shoden though, she caught the look, and shot right back with one that very clearly made it obvious the topic was not something she felt Niamh had the ability to talk about. When she spoke though, she gave a similarly genuine smile, and sat back in the seat.

"About as much as you've probably heard about me. That I exist. So no not really, did Dad tell you much more than that?" She rested her head on the bandaged stump, clearly unconcerned what Nia thought of it. And given how Darlyn wasn't reacting to it either it was so normalized for them it passed beyond being a thing to think about.