Private Honorable Purpose

[Kahne Porte]

Theed
0900

It was early morning, and activity amongst the populace was bustling. He had hoped all the caf hadn't been taken and that was the cause of the craziness this morning. People here tended to take their drinks very seriously. Kahne mused as he moved through the streets, nodding to several faces that he had recognized along the way. One didn't live here for as long as he had and not get to know some of the populace. As he was sure many other locals here had. There were many other names far greater than his that called this place home.

The Sal-Sorens for instance....

Kahne had known them only via reputation and word from his son Aiden. He hoped to have met them much earlier, however the force that other plans for them and that route. He was present when the New Way snuck in and delivered their dirty blow and he assisted in helping clean things up as much as he could. Before that his near death injury when Naboo was attacked several years ago that left this place almost wiped out. Their names still stood out amongst the carnage and wreckage, hope clinging to them just as it did to him. He sensed they had a larger part to play in the events that were unfolding.

Then their was the Queen, Kalantha. Naboo was always Kahne's first home and would always be. He would do what he could to protect and defend her beauty and grace. As well as all inhabitants on this planet. The Jedi had met the Queen on few occasions, she was trusted and admired by many. And her part in these events was just as important as the next person.

The Jedi Master donned in his normal as he made his way closer towards the café that he would meet Briana Sal-Soren

Introductions had been long overdue between the two Jedi.

The Jedi Master found a space for them and he took a seat as he awaited the arrival of his friend. He closed his eyes, to allow some time to meditate his aura was shining brightly these days. Far brighter than it had in the previous years. Was it the moves that were being made strategically over the course of last weeks. He often wondered why he survived during that Savage Naboo attack? Was it perhaps that he too had a part to play in the events happening.

Undimmed by time, unbound by death....

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Outfit: XoXo | Equipment: Lightsaber, Echo Stone | Tag: Kahne Porte
​

Theed was always a hub of activity.

It didn’t matter if it was early in the mornings, or late into the afternoons, or early evening. There was always a sense of hustle and bustle that you didn’t really get in the smaller towns perched closer to Shiraya’s Sanctuary up in the Gallo mountains.

Men, women, and others alike poured in and out of the various shops and cafe’s, some perched on ladders to hang garlands in preparation of the coming winter season, others sweeping gathered piles of leaves from their doorsteps.

Briana dodged one such person as she aimed for the front of the small cafe across the street, a wreath of treeman’s herb and queen’s heart hanging on a freshly painted door, dangling from its center.

The door: new. The display window: new.

Both had been shattered and stained with blood only a few years ago. This entire street had been.

The original owners, who had tended the café for as long as she could remember, were forced to abandon it after the Cataclysm. Since then, the building had stood silent and empty, boarded up like a tomb. Briana could remember being glad the day that she saw it being reopened, but could never bring herself to go inside. Today, it seemed...like many other days, would be a day for new experiences.

Inhaling a deep breath, she gathered up her courage and pushed her way through the front door.

The rich aroma of roasting caf immediately embraced and enveloped her senses, while bougie music played softly with the sound of hushed chatter in the background. Briana absorbed the feeling of the place, of the people, before finally removing her coat and going to look for the reason she'd come here today.

Few seemed to recognize her as she passed by, which was a blessing in itself; they were too engrossed in their own affairs to notice much else. A small mercy, she thought. Briana didn't mind being approached. As part of Naboo's nobility and a Jedi Knight in her own right, she was accustomed to it—but today, she had a specific purpose.

While she'd never met Aiden's father before, she'd heard enough stories to form an idea of what kind of man her friend's father was and had been looking forward to the chance to formally meet him. Scanning the café, it didn't take long before Briana spotted a well-dressed, composed man seated alone toward the back, radiating so brightly with the Force that he was like a blazing fire in the dark.

Pivoting on her heel, Briana wove through the café tables to where he sat. "Master Porte?" she greeted, tilting her head with a small smile. "I'm Briana Sal-Soren; it's an honor to finally meet you."

​

 

[Kahne Porte]

"Master Porte?"

"I'm Briana Sal-Soren; it's an honor to finally meet you."

A small smile showed on the face of the Jedi Master as his eyes opened and Briana Sal-Soren could be seen. Kahne stood up as returned her greeting with a small bow. He then extended his hand towards her. "No, Briana the honor is mine. And please call me Kahne. It's good to finally meet you. Please, have a seat." Kahne said politely as he pulled out the chair for her and such before returning to his own seat.

"Would you care for something to drink. I hadn't ordered one yet, I could not be rude upon my first meeting with the Leader of the Shiraya Order." The Jedi Master gave another small nod in respect to Briana. Kahne was pleased upon hearing that the Jedi had returned to Naboo in the form that they had. Naboo had seen larger conflict of attacks in the recent years, to much to be ignored as mere coincidence. Kahne knew in his heart that's why he hadn't left in the past several months. He did not want a repeat of what happened years ago, to happen again. And he knew that he alone couldn't protect Naboo. So when word had reached his ears about the Order of Shiraya and their leadership and those involved.

The Jedi Master would lend his strength to them and assist them however he could.

"I must say it's nice to finally put face to name on those that my son has talked about quite a lot. I've heard of you, Brandyn and your family. And several others via reputation and such. You should be very proud of all that you have accomplished."

Before he could say anything else, a waiter came by and introduced him and inquired about an order if necessary. "I know I will have a cup of caf, and Briana...?"

Briana Sal-Soren

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Outfit: XoXo | Equipment: Lightsaber, Echo Stone | Tag: Kahne Porte ​

Briana offered a warm smile as she accepted the seat Kahne had pulled out for her. "Thank you, Kahne," she said, emphasizing his name with a grin. "And, I think if I was offended over something as small as you ordering a drink before I arrived, we'd be in trouble."

It was still a somewhat strange and uncomfortable feeling, being the leader of a Jedi Order and being recognized as such, especially by someone who'd already distinguished themselves as a Jedi Master like Kahne had, whereas she still held the title of Knight. Did she really have what it would take to lead them? Successfully? More than someone like Kahne, or another Jedi Master? Vizion Trozky certainly had more patience for it than she did.

It was a question Briana was still wrestling with within herself.

"I must say it's nice to finally put face to name on those that my son has talked about quite a lot. I've heard of you, Brandyn and your family. And several others via reputation and such. You should be very proud of all that you have accomplished."

"I appreciate you saying so, we've been trying to do our part to the best of our abilities." Briana responded, eyes falling down towards the menu in front of her in response to the compliment. She wasn't used to hearing someone recognize her, or rather her family, and pay that reputation a compliment. Not anymore, anyway. The elder Sal-Soren's actions had left a deep mark on the psyche of the Naboo people whom his organization had affected, one that sometimes felt impossible to erase no matter how much good one tried to put out into the Galaxy.

Still, it felt good to hear and know that not everyone viewed her family in a negative light. "Aiden speaks very highly of you as well, you know." Briana glanced up momentarily, "You should know that he's been a valuable ally and friend, both to my family and to the Order."

Before he could say anything else, a waiter came by and introduced him and inquired about an order if necessary. "I know I will have a cup of caf, and Briana...?"

"Oh, uhm. I'll just have a cup of caf as well, black."

Once the waiter had gone, Briana leaned forward slightly on her elbows. "I'm not sure if you've been to Shiraya's Sanctuary yet, but... I'd be curious to know how have you found things since you've been back? I understand it that you left Naboo for a time."

​

 

[Kahne Porte]

"And, I think if I was offended over something as small as you ordering a drink before I arrived, we'd be in trouble."

"Very big trouble...." The Jedi Master nodded with a smile and even small laugh, please to see that she had this side to her. She could joke, and from what he heard she could go head to head with the best of them. And that was something that was truly admirable. He had heard several things about their family. Kahne was never the type to go off word of mouth, especially when it came to slandering ones family. Typically where there was smoke, there was fire. The Jedi Master would rather run into that fire, seek out the truth for himself. He wasn't going to judge what an elder did, while it seemed to cast shadow over their entire family.

It shouldn't have, but unfortunately it did. And it wasn't fair that the Sal-Soren siblings had to clean up the mess.

When he heard about the Briana and Brandyn, he heard it from several that he knew very well. People he trusted, friends.....

Individuals that he would follow into the depths of darkness to combat evil. That sort of word he could follow. The Jedi Master briefly thought of Romi Jade back when he followed her for a time. That was many, many years ago.....

She too was a good friend, he had to admit that he didn't fully believe in her when they started out. Something that at times gnawed at him, he wondered if he had stayed by her side. He wondered if she would still be alive....

"Aiden speaks very highly of you as well, you know."

"You should know that he's been a valuable ally and friend, both to my family and to the Order."

Kahne smiled and simply nodded his head. He was incredibly happy to see and hear that his son was following his own path. Essentially forging his own destiny, whether that was Jedi or not. He would always be proud of him.

"You are very kind to say, Briana. As a father one can't help but worry about your children. You do what you can, and they have to forge their own path. It's good to hear that he is doing well. That's all I want for him."

Kahne did and incredibly good job at hiding it, but he is a father. And he would always worry about his children.

"I'm not sure if you've been to Shiraya's Sanctuary yet, but... I'd be curious to know how have you found things since you've been back? I understand it that you left Naboo for a time."

"I haven't yet to be quite honest. I didn't want to barge in without having an introduction first. And that was prior to the cataclysm, I suffered a very serious injury during that attack that almost took my life. Luckily with some medical care and the will of the force, I survived. My wife and I own a house on the outskirts of Naboo, I've been here since then, just keeping a low profile until recently. There are forces at work that I fear seek to undermine and continue to threaten Naboo. I cannot sit by idly anymore while these events continue to happen."

Kahne glanced to his side as their beverages arrive. "Ah.." The Jedi said with a smile as he reached for the drink. "Thank you my friend."

"Naboo is home...." Kahne smiled as he raised his cup forward slowly and lightly tapped her cup with his. "We have to do all we can to protect her. Perhaps after this we could take a tour of Shiraya's Sanctuary?"

Briana Sal-Soren

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Outfit: XoXo | Equipment: Lightsaber, Echo Stone | Tag: Kahne Porte ​

The rich aroma of fresh caf wafted between them as Briana returned Kahne's toast with a gentle tap of her cup. His words about protecting Naboo resonated deeply, echoing thoughts she'd had countless times while looking out over Theed's skyline from the sanctuary's meditation chambers.

The steaming cup was lifted to her lips as Briana listened to him explain what happened during the Cataclysm, taking a careful sip. The warmth spread through her chest as she considered his words, brows furrowing gently over her eyes. "I'm sorry to hear about your injury... too many good people were lost or wounded that day." Her fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around her cup. "As for the sanctuary... I'd be honored to show you around."

She paused just as she was about to take another sip, studying the older Jedi's face. There was something in Kahne's tone when he spoke of current threats, that caught her attention. Her eyes narrowed slightly, tactical instincts engaging as she set her cup down with deliberate care. "I've sensed... some disturbances lately. Nothing concrete enough to act on, but..." She left the thought hanging, an invitation rather than a demand for information. "If you want to keep Naboo safe, the Sanctuary's doors are always open to those who want to help. Especially to someone with your experience." The last part wasn't just courtesy – having a Jedi Master of Kahne's caliber involved with the Order could make a significant difference. Still, Briana was careful to frame it as an option rather than pressure. Whatever her parents sins, she'd learned from watching both Baros and Telya that the best alliances were formed naturally, not forced.

​

 

[Kahne Porte]

"I'm sorry to hear about your injury... too many good people were lost or wounded that day."

"As for the sanctuary... I'd be honored to show you around."

"Too many...." Kahne reverberated her words taking a small sip of the caf, which warmed him up pretty nicely. He could help but smile as he noted to enjoy moments like this. Good company, and to be surrounded by the natural life that is Naboo. It was clear that he cared and loved Naboo dearly, it was home.

Everything about it was perfect to him.

"That honor would be mine, Briana. I'm quite excited to see this structure you have created."

Then things shifted slightly, as his worries were confirmed and she too had sensed something.

"I've sensed... some disturbances lately. Nothing concrete enough to act on, but..."

"If you want to keep Naboo safe, the Sanctuary's doors are always open to those who want to help. Especially to someone with your experience."

"Elusive....like a shadow moving in the darkness" Kahne knew the last time something of this sort happened, Naboo faced almost utter destruction.

"That's part of the reason why I asked to meet you today, Briana. I haven't been part of an order, officially for a long time. The last time I joined was with Romi Jade, that was years ago. An extraordinary Jedi, she was a good friend." Kahne's last few words had a sense of sadness.

"I know about you and your family. What you have accomplished, what you have all accomplished. And here you are...... The weight of the galaxy seemingly on your shoulders and you are still standing tall." Kahne smiled, taking another small sip from his beverage. This had a deeper meaning than she would understand. Perhaps discussed at a later time, but for now.

"My aide and assistance in whatever is needed to ensure Naboo's safety, is already given. Whether it be my life or death, if I can protect Naboo, Shirayu Order and you......I will. I willingly join your cause, Grandmaster."

Briana Sal-Soren

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Outfit: XoXo | Equipment: Lightsaber, Echo Stone | Tag: Kahne Porte ​

His sincerity cut through the gentle hum of café chatter. By all rights, she should have anticipated an offer like this—he was a Jedi Master, after all, and his son a friend of her family. Yet the directness of it still took her aback. For years, she'd thrown herself headlong into danger without giving it a second thought; accepting help never came as easily.

Then came the mention of Romi Jade which struck a familiar chord, the weight of her loss pressing suddenly against her ribs and an aching place in her chest. Extraordinary, he'd called her, and Briana agreed. Romi had been a beacon for so many, and her absence was a hole left in the galaxy that might never be filled.

She stared at him, her caf forgotten for a moment, before a small, wry smile tugged at her lips and a self-conscious laugh escaped her. "Grandmaster? I'm not sure that's a title I've earned." Fingertips lingered on the cup's edge, idly watching the steam float into the air and disappear. "Half the time, I'm just as baffled as anyone else on how I got here in the first place."

She angled her head. "Look, Kahne, I appreciate the formality, the respect, but... right now, I'm still just be Briana." Just a Knight.

Her tone softened, sincerity threading through every word. "You've been here longer than I have, in every sense—your wisdom, your experience… that means a lot to me. I'm still just trying to measure up. Organizing an order—one with a real chance of protecting this planet—it felt like the least I could do after everything that's happened. After the Cataclysm, after my parents—" She paused, swallowing a thorn in her throat. Talking about Baros Sal-Soren and the tangled web he left behind was never easy. "Anyway, the last thing I want is to pretend I'm on some untouchable pedestal."

Her lips quirked in a wry smile, a small glimpse of that old, brash confidence. "I guess, what I'm trying to say, in my long-winded way... I'd be grateful—truly grateful—to have you on board. Someone to help us stand watch over Naboo, doing our part. Like you said... it's about home. So...welcome to the team, Kahne Porte," Briana said softly, letting the words hold all the warmth and appreciation that she felt.

​

 

[Kahne Porte]

"Look, Kahne, I appreciate the formality, the respect, but... right now, I'm still just be Briana."

The Jedi Master showed a smile and nodded his head. "Sounds good, Briana." He tended to be more respectful with those ahead of him especially her, however he understood where she was coming from. So as to not add to her anxieties he would do as she asked.

"You've been here longer than I have, in every sense—your wisdom, your experience… that means a lot to me. I'm still just trying to measure up. Organizing an order—one with a real chance of protecting this planet—it felt like the least I could do after everything that's happened. After the Cataclysm, after my parents—"

"Anyway, the last thing I want is to pretend I'm on some untouchable pedestal."

The Jedi Master truly appreciated what she said, but there was indeed a reason he stayed out of Order affairs, however this was more personal for him. Maybe it was just Naboo, his family, and maybe it was the fact that he saw Romi when he looked at her. He didn't want to make the same mistake twice, so what he failed with Romi he would make up to with her.

"I guess, what I'm trying to say, in my long-winded way... I'd be grateful—truly grateful—to have you on board. Someone to help us stand watch over Naboo, doing our part. Like you said... it's about home. So...welcome to the team, Kahne Porte,"

"I will do my absolute best." Kahne said with a smile, taking a small drink from his cup. "Thank you for the welcome, Briana Sal-Soren."

"Shall we begin?"

It was then a friendship and bond would begin between Knight and Master. Kahne would continue to lend his aid to her and help her achieve was she set out to do.

Briana Sal-Soren