For Queen and Country

[Garza]

The people of Commenor were seated at home. Best upon their own turf. However, when needed, they could go out to defend others of like minded people. People who needed help. People who needed leadership, or just a hand every so often. That explained so many embassies that are here. With so many people ranging from the soon to be Iron Empire, to the Sith, and even Mandalorians, I knew that everyone wanted a claim upon the planet at some point.

I felt a likeness to Kay. She wanted to help her people stay out of trouble, yet allow them to integrate within the rest of the galactic society one step at a time. I felt the same for Hora, however, I had no position to do so. Maybe by helping these people, I could learn how to better my own people.

"Respectable actions. Aid those they can, but don't extend too far out as to not draw attention. Peace seeking, but not afraid to take up arms should the need arise."

A government that allowed the armed people to defend one another, or themselves, was a government that sustained itself than resided over the people as big brother. I could respect that. And needed to do the same with my own kin-folk.

"Is there a designated group that goes out to the aid of others? Or is it just whoever is able?"

[member="Lady Kay"],

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay tilted her head to the side a little as she thought it over. There was very little instances in which they were asked for aid. The last time the Commenori had seen any action, it was during the attack of their hex. But even then, most of that action was in getting people to safety. Commenor was untouched by the invaders. Perhaps it was just too far out of reach and held no value. Both were fine with her. "We haven't been asked. I'm sure that it would depend on the situation. Most of the time it is only credits and supplies that are asked of us, nothing more."

She walked over to one of the chairs and had a seat, folding her hands on her lap to keep herself from fidgeting too much. "What about you, [member="Atheus"] ? Does your world aid others and send out teams to do so?"

So far so good. The conversation was light and didn't make her uncomfortable or defensive. There were of course some topics that she preferred to avoid.

 

[Garza]

Not much was asked of the planetary government. It perplexed me that so many were seated upon different emissaries, and embassies that they hadn't been called upon. While sure, maybe a few instances where they asked for credits or just general aid, but no real fight. What I feared because of that, was a lacking military that wouldn't be able to support the queen should she decide to grow her kingdom. However, I kept this to myself as She continued. Sitting down while asking me about my own world.

I shook my head with a sad smile.

"No. My own planet of Hora does not even accept outsiders, and treats them worse than the slaves. I doubt they would welcome another person into their homes, let alone aid a foreign government."

Moving to stand close to her, just so then there wasn't this huge space between us, I preferred to stand at this current time. I never really liked sitting. It meant you were stationary. A sitting duck if you will. And it bothered me. So I chose to stand.

"Yesterday I was speaking to someone else for a moment. She is my apprentice. Thalia is actually the next heir for one of the kingdoms upon my homeworld. I am to teach her of the force, but also how to become a mature individual. I hope that exposing her to many governments will help her in overcoming this fear of outsiders. At least enough to rally the people of Hora."

Speaking of, I had left any kind of ear pieces or items that she could hear us with, back at the ship. No need for her to hear me when it was not necessary, nor between two people who wanted to be in peace.

"I bet you have more questions about my own home, than I of you?"

[member="Lady Kay"],

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay furrowed her brows as [member="Atheus"] spoke of his people not liking outsiders to such a bad degree. That didn't quite make sense as the man standing before her seemed so kind and helpful. There had to be some reason as to why the people of Hora had such a distrust and dislike for foreigners. Something really bad must have happened in their history.

And then he changed the subject slightly. "Your apprentice?" That would explain his actions somewhat. Yet she wondered how close their bond was. If it was anything like her own and Veiere's, then there were ways that she could still find out what had happened after Atheus broke his earpiece.

"Is that why you haven't brought her here with you? Is it because she'd be afraid? What brought on this fear, if I may ask?" She had hoped that she would never have that much fear in her. It could render her unable to do her job well. Kay had enough issues to deal with as it was. But at least she had a few people willing to help her.

 

[Garza]

I smiled and bowed my head as the question of my apprentice coming up. I lightly chuckled at it. Shaking my head as I answered her.

"No actually. She is very adventurous. She wanted to explore more than just the grounds her family owns. Her father wanted me to teach her only at their kingdom but I wouldn't do that, and she didn't want it. So now, I take her with me so she can learn."

Moving closer to the seat that Kay was seated in, I brought my hand up to run through my hair. Pushing it back, but gravity pulled it back down in front of my face. Letting my hand run down to the back of my neck as I smiled lightly.

"I didn't bring her here, because she is drawn to me. I am not sure if she sees me as a father figure, a brotherly figure, or a love interest, but having both of you in the same room, could make it difficult for us to be able to speak, and she may be learning, but still acts like a child every now and again."

[member="Lady Kay"],

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded as [member="Atheus"] described his student. She couldn't imagine being stuck in one part of a planet for the rest of her life. Especially one that hated outsiders. Sure there were many members of her staff that would rather she stay put in the Palace, but she wasn't some doll for show and tell.

She watched as Atheus approached. He looked a little nervous, or at least that's what his movements portrayed. And then he spoke. Kay figured that she understood. "So you think that she'd be jealous?...Of us?...We have only just met yesterday." Yet another thought occurred to her. "Do you two share a Force bond? If you are training her, then it's possible." She highly valued her own Force bond. Only death could break it. Hopefully that wouldn't come for a very, very long time.

 

[Garza]

I chuckled slightly at force bond. Shaking my head as I did so. I went and sat down next to Lady Kay as I went on to explain more.

"I highly doubt thats possible. Force bonds are connected to the brain as far as I am aware. Both Thalia and I are Hellyni. A species that is immune to mental powers. So anything from telepathy to mind tricks cannot work on us. As far as I am aware, Force bond is not possible with us. I also state that its not possible, as I have no attraction towards Thalia. As a sister I never had? Sure. As a love interest? No."

Shaking my head, I just looked down at my boots as I sat up straight in the seat, and let my fleshy right hand slide over the surface of my left forearm and wrist. Feeling the smooth surfaces and watching as the parts moved back and forth as though they were really skin.

"I don't think she would be jealous, but more so protective. She knows just as much about my past as you do. I trust her, and we have seen battle together as expected. She tries to protect me, and because you are different, and new, you are possibly dangerous for me. However, she doesn't see the difference in some cases. She is still naive of the world and how I think of it."

I smiled a little and looked up to the woman sitting next to me. I turned around with my chest at the hips to face lady Kay, and chuckled again.

"You can meet her if you would like, but I don't think she would like it if we were to meet here. More so because she does not know this place either."

[member="Lady Kay"],

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay raised a brow slightly. Were Force bonds created only by those that were in love with eachother? Was it only in the brain? For her, she felt [member="Veiere Arenais"] from her core, right in the centre of her being. The same spot where she shrinks her Force signature down to. But maybe she was wrong?

[member="Atheus"] was getting more comfortable around her. She knew that because he chose to sit next to her again. That was a good thing. If she was to trust him and vice versa, they needed to be comfortable around one another.

His description as to why Thalia wouldn't do well to be here right now made sense. Although Kay didn't agree with all of it. "I'm more of a threat against myself than you. Especially when I have troubles coping. Sometimes I just go down to the catacombs to scream and release energy. I am trying to delegate my duties more so that I'm not as stressed. But on some days, that can't be helped. And I'd rather not accidently hurt someone or worse." She didn't need her anger to take over, she didn't want to kill anyone. But the nightmares. Waking up from those usually led to her having a bad day. Perhaps it was just because of the moods that it pur her in.

"I'll meet her at some ppint, when she's more comfortable. I don't want to press it."

 

[Garza]

Kay voiced her concerns for meeting Thalia. That being that she was a danger for herself and others. I smiled a little as the woman was clearly not as deadset as I was. Even if she was not trusting of herself, she would have to put herself into situations where she was uncomfortable, or out of her area to learn how to trust herself. From what I knew, she rarely came out into the public eye.

I shook my head at the woman.

"No. I would like you too meet her. We can arrange a time and place that would work for all of us."

I needed to this not just for Lady Kay, but also for Thalia. There would be a time when she would be forced to meet with people she would otherwise not face. She would have to learn to be out of her comfort zone just as much as Lady Kay has. Only, Thalia would be learning for the first time, and Kay would be retraining herself to do the same.

"Before you can say no, I want you to know that I am training her to become a future Queen of the Hellyni people. It would be good for a current Queen to meet a future one. As well, both of you have problems about meeting people you would otherwise not face. Both of you need to become better. And, if you really feel like I couldn't prevent you from injuring yourself or others, then you have no clue of my capabilities."

Bowing my head slightly, I let it hang in the air for the truth would set her free. Continuing only a moment later.

"We can set up a time, and it doesn't have to be today. However, it has to be soon. The only way a person can grow, or evolve, is by experiencing a challenge, or being forced to. I won't force you, but I am setting a challenge before you. Would you agree to this?"

[member="Lady Kay"],

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay raised a brow slightly as [member="Atheus"] spoke of training Thalia to be a future Queen. Would it really be that easy to get Thalia to meet her? One Queen to another? Would they have anything else in common besides that and their awkwardness in certain social situations.

She looked to the side a bit as Atheus then told her about avoiding certain people and that she needed to be better. Yes, there were people that she was avoiding, just as they were avoiding her. Yet it wasn't so much as people that she was avoiding as it was certain topics. Her torture, what happened to the Elders, all of that she kept closely guarded with herself. Not even [member="Veiere Arenais"] was privy to all of that knowledge.

Kay's eyes slowly moved back to meet Atheus once more as he paused while speaking. Yes he was capable, she knew that well enough in the short time that she's known him. It was the confidence in herself that was lacking. That was some of what she needed to work on.

And then he challenged her. To back out of it wouldn't be wise, yet still it was forcing her into a situation that might not end well. Still, it was an easier challenge than some of the other ones that he could have put forth. "Yes...I agree. And today or early tomorrow would work best. I don't want to keep you away from your duties for too long. That wouldn't be very fair of me to do." And it would be best to keep Thalia's anxiety down too. Or so Kay figured anyway.

 

[Garza]

Lady Kay seemed to accept the challenge I set before her. However, she still didn't seem convinced that I could prevent something from happening. Was it really myself who couldn't stop her, or was she doubting herself? I couldn't tell because I am not a mind reader, nor did I want to. I wanted Kay to speak to me about it, and not me take it from her forcefully. It was not right of me to do that. Instead, I just nodded my head as she spoke about doing it today or tomorrow. I opened my hands, and simply stated,

"When you two meet, will be up to you. If you wish to do so later today, then I will speak to Thalia to let her know. If it is tomorrow, then we can do so tomorrow."

Turning away from her for a moment, I thought to myself how I had put this on her. She had been inside for such a long time, I was trying to think of a way to get her out. Somewhere so she could figure out that you don't have to hide in a castle to be hidden. Like myself, I hid in plain sight. While many looked at me a little weird because of my large stature, and daunting appearance, I was still hidden from my past. Looking back to Lady Kay, I then decided to ask her, because it was only fair.

"It may seem weird to do this, but since I put a challenge in front of you, I want you to come up with something for me to do. Something for me to overcome."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

"We can do so today, maybe even have supper together. Having a meal is a good way to ease tension..." And a good distraction too. During lulls in a conversation, the topic of food was a good thing to lean on to keep an evening going. It also made such meetings more comfortable.

Kay looked up th [member="Atheus"] as he requested for her to challenge him. She raised a brow slightly as she thought on it. What could she get him to do? What would be a challenge to him? He had a lot of strength, a lot of insight, and there was no doubt that he was intelligent. "I don't know what to challenge you on. Maybe to let Thalia know how you feel about her?...But you don't have to." It was a deeply personal challenge, but something that he would have to face some day. She did so already with Veiere and vice versa, though fortunately for them, it worked out for the best. That wasn't guaranteed for everyone. But it was the only thing that she could come up with at the moment.