House Arenais: Humble Beginnings (Caedyn Arenais).

[WolfMortum]

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The Eldritch Estate of House Arenais,​

Commenor, Chasin City Outskirts.​

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[member="Lady Kay"] | [member="Caedyn Arenais"] | [member="Loreena Arenais"] | [member="Asha Hex"]​

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Today was to be an anxious day for them all, Veiere whom stood alongside his wife awaiting their invited guest whom would soon approach via a private shuttle taken straight from the Spaceport of Chasin City on special request by the King and Queen, would bring the young yet none the less vastly experienced and capable Asha Hex to their private landing bay secluded within the wild natural life of Commenor's Eldritch Mountain Rockies over looking the heart and capital of the Systems Alliance.

The twins were somewhere deeper inside the great mansion of a residence, neither one of them excited to be being split apart and nor for that matter was Veiere's wife for whom had shown some misgivings about Veiere's decision to ship their first born Son off into, for all she knew, the arms and care of some stranger Veiere barely knew. His wife, for all the love in the world that he held for Kay, just didn't believe in the Force to the same degree of faith that he had. She, like most, treated it as energy void of mind and will, a tool to be harnessed and one that had made her life more difficult than she had ever so desired. Regardless of Veiere's recent misgivings and doubts run rampant upon his mind and decaying values that were once so embodied within the historical teachings of the Jedi Order, no longer could he wait for a better time than to offer his Son a truly unbiased view of the Force, one in which he knew the Je'daii could offer. They whom practiced a study and path that predated both era's of the Sith and Jedi ideologies and instead encompassed the care over both Ashla and Bogan, light and dark within the one whole influence that was the Force.

Today, he required his wife's support. Whether she agreed with his decision or not, she would later come to make peace and understand why he had put this into motion for their Son Caedyn. He would grow up, disturbed not by the crisis of conscience that Veiere had fought against every day of his life within his service to the Galaxy, but to acknowledge and respect all aspects of the gifts they were blessed with, to harness responsible and reasonable practices without giving encouragement in towards the typical bias that came from Veiere's origins and those of his former apprentices, [member="Brennan Cabrol"] who had been consumed by the teachings of the Sith. Or so Veiere believed, in any case.

 

[Caedyn Arenais]

Caedyn stood before his sister, Loreena Arenais looking rather disheartened over what was to be expected of him. Dressed in the Attire that his father had fashioned for him, his Training Lightsaber hanging from the right side of his tunic's belt, he looked every bit as nervous as he rightly should have been and Lori herself didn't look any happier than he felt in all honesty.

"You could come with me too, you know..." Cae almost sounded as though he was begging his sister to tag along with him, not liking the idea of going this alone into some massive adventure away from his family and Commenor, the home he had only ever known; "If Dad thinks this is good for me, I bet it'll be great for you too! You were always smarter 'n' stuff..." The compliment seeming to be rather out of character given their typically competitive nature, though perhaps again only further to evidence the nerves that were getting the best of the young lad.

"I bet it'd make Mom a little more comfortable too...-She didn't sound very happy with Dad last night and I dunno how much they talked this morning" he dug his heel into the floor of his bedroom, sitting alongside Lori on the edge of his bed, his eyes glancing to her briefly searching for some form of reasurance though soon seemingly growing distant as his mind began to wander over all the struggles he might have fitting in with the other kids...-If there even were any out there...Wherever there was.

[member="Lady Kay"] | [member="Asha Hex"] | [member="Loreena Arenais"] | [member="Veiere Arenais"]​

 

[Lief]

The summons she'd received had been wholly unexpected.

When Veiere had reached out to her concerning his son and the Je'daii there had been just the briefest moment of doubt in the young Hex's mind as to whether he was truthful in his request or not. He had never given her any cause to doubt him in the short time they had known one another, yet she could not help but wonder if it had been a knee-jerk reaction to all she had explained and shown him back on Svivren, the establishment of the Je'daii Order, the schisms which led to the Jedi and their vicious hunt of any and all darksiders, and the Master's own humble beginnings in the Jedi Order which had changed him for better or for worse.

All had been painted before him on the canvas of time, untouched by Asha's own predispositions or biases... Revealed to them both through the Force, through the snippets of time they had been granted access to.

For a girl who had traveled for all of her short existence, Asha had never had cause to visit Commenor before now. Her first impression rendered her with awe, a serene City set against a mountainous backdrop. The two almost juxtaposed one another, and yet somehow it worked. Neither felt inherently out of place, in fact they complimented each other nicely.

Alas, she had not remained long in Chasin City before being guided toward the small shuttle which ferried her across the rocky landscape. During this quiet time, where only the soft rumble of engines could be heard, she directed herself toward a more meditative state. As a Je'daii she was taught to live her life in a constant, perpetual walking-meditation, not quite so intense as the art of Alchaka yet it solidified her position among the Force, the connection which was so personal and unique to each individual that there was no right or wrong way to approach the technique. She pondered over all she could recall of the Jedi Master, of their time on Svivren, and the brief communications they'd had since then.

She was here as a representative of the Je'daii Order, and while one of the Temple Masters, or her friend Jyn, might have been more suited to the task, she had been sent for personally, a familiar face in unfamiliar territory. The Council had, of course, approved this journey, and many had noted that it would be regarded as one of her first steps toward her Great Journey, something Asha had not yet given any thought to beginning. There had always been so many other things to take up her time, Je'daii things of course, that she had been remiss in that aspect of her duties. Something to remedy when she returned to Aurum.

It wasn't until this moment that Asha realized the shuttle was already making its descent.

From the viewing port she was able to see the estate grow into its natural size, no longer shrunken by a lofty perspective, and though she made no conscious effort to do so she was capable of sensing the Jedi Master even from this distance. Their journey through the strands of time had left a lasting impression, it seemed.

Removing her comm-device from her belt, the young Hex opened a frequency with the Academy on Aurum and spoke directly to the Council there.

"Journeyer Hex reporting in; I've arrived safely on Commenor."

Right now there wasn't much more to add than that, like her Father she wasn't really one for adding unnecessary fluff to her reports. That only muddied the water. Short, sweet, and leaving no room for misinterpretation. The device was returned to her belt, just in time for the shuttle to dock, and soon after she was stepping out into the light of day.

It was rare that Asha wore any sort of formal garment, she was an adventurous spirit and liked to ensure that she could tackle anything sent her way, whatever the obstacle, and as such typically wore training attire. Today, though, she bore more traditional robes, shot through with accents of maroon. She found the way they swished when she walked rather distracting, but she was representing her Order as a whole and refused to look unprofessional while doing so.

[member='Veiere Arenais'] [member='Lady Kay']

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay stood beside her husband wearing not her usual gowns that befitted her station. Here was their private estate and such fashion wasn't required. Receiving a guest or not, she wanted to be as comfortable as she could. So she wore cozy slacks, baggy shirt and her favourite shawl, the latter of which allowed her to hug herself in some unconscious bid to give herself comfort. And she needed that today. [member="Caedyn Arenais"] was being sent away. It was [member="Veiere Arenais"] ' decision and one that she wasn't too happy with. Years ago, when her first husband was killed and she was unconscious from her injuries sustained in the attack, their adopted children [member="Bradshaw Ku"] and [member="Rae-Anna Ku"] were taken away from her, hidden in places unknown so that they couldn't be targeted. And now something similar was happening. Caedyn was even near the same age as Brad was when he was taken.

Why was the past doomed to repeat itself? Why did she have to let him go?

Veiere had given her the reasons, repeating it in different ways so that she understood. Kay knew that he was right. Veiere was her advisor long before they were married, so she knew that he wasn't making such a rash decision. Still, it didn't mean that she had to be happy about it. Most especially as Caedyn was being shipped off with [member="Asha Hex"] ; a complete stranger; to a group of other complete strangers. Their happy little family was being split apart.

Hopefully it would be alright. And hopefully Caedyn wouldn't hop right into danger. And hopefully, he'd remain out of the spotlight and not be a target.

Kay just stood there in silence as the shuttle came into view. She was really going to need some tea after this.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori was seated on the edge of his bed, watching as her twin brother fiddled with his tunic. Normally she'd tease him, tell him how funny he looks and other snarky comments like usual. But today was a different day. They were going to be seperated. Different classes in school was one thing. This was another thing altogether. They were going to be on seperate worlds in seperate areas of space. During all of their lives they had never been apart for more than a couple of days. Now it felt like it'd be forever.

A half smile graced her features as [member="Caedyn Arenais"] tried to give her some hope. Yes, she was smarter. She knew that. But if that was needed, then she'd of been told to pack up too. But she wasn't. They didn't want her. "I don't think smarts is what they're looking for. Probably just brawn. You could do well with that, if you lift weights and stuff, grow bigger and taller. I'd just be good if the power goes out or if someone needs a nightlight."

Lori sighed a little and shook her head. She wasn't fond of her parents arguing. It didn't happen often, yet it made her nervous when it did. "I have to stay and look after Mom. And Dad. You know the stories that Uncle Brad told us, about them being split apart and how bad it all was. I gotta help them to not be sad. Maybe...maybe some other time they'll let me go too."

Right now Lori didn't know what would be worse; not seeing their parents or not seeing her twin brother. It was so very hard to choose, each with consequences. For once she wasn't thinking of herself, yet she sorta was at the same time. Is this what being a grown up was like? If it was then she understood why Uncle Brad liked to run away from the responsibility. Maybe she could become like him.

The oncoming shuttle was heard from Caedyn's open window. That only meant one thing. Time was up. She twisted her body and hugged her brother tightly. "I'm going to miss you." She held him for a moment, yet upon feeling as though she'd start to cry, she broke the embrace and cleared her throat, composing herself quickly as she shoved the emotions deep down. "Don't forget to pack some rope. In case you go climbing or something. Could save you from falling. Maybe I could convince Mom and Dad to get you a jetpack. Or I'll build one." Yeah, yeah...she'll build one. Dad has a shop. Surely he could help her with the forging. "I'll try to have it ready for you by Life Day." Burying herself in such an important task would be helpful. First thing's first though. She'd need to learn how they work.

[member="Veiere Arenais"] [member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Caedyn Arenais]

"Mom and Dad still got each other and Brad...And Uncle Terrac and Uncle Darlyn!" Caedyn frowned, slipping forward off of the bed and moving across to where his bags were packed, rummaging through them for the largest one and pulling out from underneath the others that the assortment of his belongings all fell to the floor of the room, the boy seeming not to care about whatever fragile things might have been within where the matter of his Sister was concerned. Unzipping the rather large bag, he tipped it upside down emptying all the clothes out on top of the other bags and turning to lift it up that she could see how much room was inside.

"You could fit in here, easy!" He exclaimed with wide eyes hoping that she might agree; even he knew how stupid the idea was but he didn't really seem to care at this point, if he could sneak Lori on board the shuttle with him then what did he care if he were missing the majority of his clothes. "C'mon, it'll be like sneaking into the Praxeum again to get your lightsaber!...Nothing went wrong there, right !?", though they had been chased out by a couple older kids having realized the two had stolen one of the training weapons for the jedi-like people living there, Caedyn and [member="Loreena Arenais"] had been far too fast for them to catch and against their knowledge, their father had smoothed over the matter quietly, leaving them believing they'd gotten away with it and their Mom lecturing Veiere again in the privacy of the night for how soft he was with the twins mischievous antics.

[member="Veiere Arenais"] | [member="Lady Kay"] | [member="Asha Hex"] | [member="Loreena Arenais"]​

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori's mouth dropped as [member="Caedyn Arenais"] dumped his bag all over his bed. In his eyes and through his movements she saw the desperation. And she felt it too. He didn't want to leave without her. He didn't want to be seperated.

And she didn't want it either.

"Okay!" It didn't hurt for them to try. Lori slid off the bed and climbed into the bag, curling herself up into a little ball. "Make syre that I can breathe and don't drop me down the stairs! Pad up the bag with some of your CLEAN clothes. Oh! And if they ask for me, tell them that I just wanted to be left alone in my room." As far as she was concerned, it was a fool proof plan. It was the best plan.

Of course Lori had other plans if it didn't work. There always had to be a back up. She had back up plans behind other back up plans. It was why Caedyn always figured her to be so smart. And she was!

[member="Veiere Arenais"] [member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Caedyn Arenais]

Caedyn grinned broadly as his sister, [member="Loreena Arenais"] climbed into the suitcase and requested there be enough room for her to breath. Naturally he didn't want her to suffocate either and the travel over there could be quite long for all that he knew but as he zipped the bag up with her inside of it, he made sure to keep a large enough hole in that she might survive the venture before pulling it on it's wheels at the bottom of the bag, his hand grasping tightly at the handle upon the top and straining a little to pull it with him as he began to head for the door out of his room.

"Sheesh, you're heavy!" he exclaimed though did so quietly so not to let anyone catch on to their genius plan. By now, whoever was coming to take him away must have reached the inside of their house, surely. It wasn't like he was eager to get away from home but now with Lori inside the bag, it seemed that the quicker they did leave, the less likely they were to exposed and his Sister be forced to remain behind.

A prospective life without Lori around didn't seem real to him, she had always been there to share in his games and mischievous adventures. Getting into trouble at school and at times covering for his screw ups, he getting into fights with other boys who had said something nasty to her from time to time. Loyalty between them was unquestionable, though they loved to pick on each other in obvious play, it was always only in jest and going any extended period without his best friend and counterpart by his side just sounded like it was going to suck big-time.

It didn't seem fair to be asked of him really and in truth he didn't like the idea that his Dad felt this was a good plan. Did he want to get rid of his Son so easily? Caedyn didn't understand the importance or views that his father had for his future and the Force and all that kind of stuff, his mind was on the here and now as all kids were and this plan, it was his last ditch effort to not lose his Sister. Their parents were grown ups, they had each other, what would he and Lori have if not for each other...-This plan had to work. Surely!

[member="Lady Kay"] | [member="Veiere Arenais"] | [member="Asha Hex"]​

 

[Lief]

The Estate was understandably breathtaking to look upon.

Its surroundings were perfectly manicured, enough that it still retained an appearance of being natural, as though somehow it truly had grown that way, and who was Asha to presume otherwise. She turned full circle once out of the shadow of the shuttle, and admired all that she could see. The vast mountains whose evergreens made them seem all that higher, the sun pierced sky which marked an early afternoon, serenity as far as the eye could see. Not a blimp, not one hint of the busier regions which lingered beyond the horizon.

She could see why they chose it, just as she had chosen her own quiet retreat hidden away in the jungles of Aurum.

Soon enough though she was made to forsake that view in favour of following a representative of the family up the steps toward the structure itself. The interior proved cool, but not uncomfortably so; she could imagine walking around comfortably in shorts and a t-shirt without feeling so much as a single chill, and wondered if it was like that year-round.

Once within the entryway, which was honestly larger and more grand - in a remarkably humble fashion - than anywhere Asha had stepped foot before, the young Hex brought herself to a respectful halt and waited patiently for any signs of the Arenais family. Her hands settled to her back, clasping there thoughtfully as she pondered over all that had led her to this point, and all that would come after it.

The couple had twins, she knew, yet word had only been spoken of one of them. Asha did not know what it was to have siblings, she had always been an only child, yet she could not help but wonder how difficult it must have been for the two of them to have to part ways.

A thud from one of the higher levels drew her attention... If only she knew the lengths the duo were willing to go to in order to remain at one another's side...

[member="Caedyn Arenais"] [member="Loreena Arenais"] [member="Lady Kay"] [member="Veiere Arenais"]

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Well duh. Of course she was heavier than a bag of clothes! What did [member="Caedyn Arenais"] expect? That she could somehow levitate in the suitcase and make it lighter?? Her muffled voice was heard from within. "Quiet or you'll give us away!"

Lori knew that they'd be approaching the stairs soon. This was not going to be her favourite part of the journey. She closed her eyes and tensed herself up as she waited for the brief feeling of zero gravity followed by a thud as the suitcase went down each step.

THUD!

THUD!

THUD!

THUD!

Just how many steps were there? She'd gone up and down them so many times that it was just second nature to her. She didn't need to count them and could find her way even in the dark.

Hopefully [member="Veiere Arenais"] , [member="Lady Kay"] and [member="Asha Hex"] wouldn't notice. Hopefully Caedyn could pull this off. And hopefully Mom and Dad won't get mad. What were they going to do when they found her missing? Probably be worried sick. She'd have to tell them once they arrived at...well...wherever they are taking her brother away to.

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere stood alongside his wife, [member="Lady Kay"] as [member="Asha Hex"] approached and they stood to greet her. Lowering his head in a brief yet formal bow of greeting, he smiled to Asha in familiar welcome doing his utmost to appear in good spirits despite the knowing that his beloved certainly held her doubts and insecurities in letting her Son go. Such was exactly why he had asked Asha Hex to meet with them both within their own home, a place of comfort and sanctuary for Kay, that she might come to talk with the younger woman and slowly, somehow, see why Veiere had asked such a request of her and placed so much trust within this new friend and associate within the Force of his.

"Kay, I want you to meet Asha Hex...-She's of the Je'daii Order" He looked to his wife gently, his brows lifted in ginger understanding and sympathy for how difficult this would be for her, however necessary he felt it was; "We met back on Svivren, the ruins of where I grew up and was trained as a Jedi. I've since had them restored and dedicated to Asha's Order of Force Users...". He hadn't told his wife that he had ventured back to the world during his time in retirement, frankly at the time Kay had just been pleased to see him getting out of the house given how much of a recluse he had become, yet broaching the subject around the Je'daii Order wasn't an easy one with his wife whom he suspected would fail to understand the difference between them and the Jedi for whom they sounded so much alike.

"Please, Asha...Come inside" he invited the younger women in, he and his wife moving to step deeper into the estate approaching the near by living area before their attention was turned aft at the sound of several heavy thuds, one after the other and the sight of Caedyn carrying a rather heavy looking suitcase down the stairs. It wasn't difficult to understand what was happening before their eyes, both he and Kay having become so intimately attuned to the presence of their Children that while the younger two had yet to understand the complexities and control learned within Force Practices over consistent years of effort, the life force of [member="Loreena Arenais"] was as easily felt as [member="Caedyn Arenais"]' presence was visible to them.

His mouth opened to speak though Veiere paused at something of a loss. Their timing couldn't have been worse and feeling suddenly guilty, he turned to glance first to his wife apologetically before soon glancing further across to that of Asha Hex and tilting his head in the direction of Caedyn for whom he intended for her to train.

[member="Lady Kay"] | [member="Caedyn Arenais"] | [member="Loreena Arenais"] | [member="Asha Hex"]​

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay remained close with her husband, her arms crossed over her chest to hold her shawl around herself, as well as to moderately display her defiance over what was about to take place. Letting go of her son was a difficult thing, no matter how much [member="Veiere Arenais"] justified it and tried to put her mind at ease. Truth was she was worried about what could happen. Decades earlier when she had adopted two children with her first husband, the two childen were taken away from her while she was recovering from an attack that had left her a widow. Their whereabouts were unknown to her until years later when one of the two had found her.

She looked to [member="Asha Hex"] as Veiere introduced her and bowed her head. "Nice to meet you..." Despite her disdain for the situation, she couldn't blame the young lady for it. Nor Veiere. It was just supposed to happen and she had to live with it.

A brow was raised as Veiere mentioned him not only going back to Svivren, but restoring the temple there and helping out a Jedi Order there. So that's what he was up to while he was off world? Well, there could be worse things that he was doing. Force knows that she was off world at times to set up trade deals and the like. The two didn't need to keep tabs on eachother too much. Their wedding rings did well enough of that for them.

Kay turned and headed into the estate as Veiere invited Asha inside. Her eyes were drawn to the stairs as she heard the heavy thumps. Instead of [member="Caedyn Arenais"] stoping his feet as she expected, he was just carrying his suitcase instead. Her eyes were drawn to Veiere as he too had taken notice of it. He started to speak but suddenly chose not to. Being the doting mother that tried to encourage their children not to lie (however both seemed quite good at it), Kay had to give their son the chance to speak the truth. "Cae, we have a guest. Where's Lori? She should be here too...."

 

[Lief]

Asha was quick to lower herself into the most respectful of bows once her hosts came into view.

It was times like these that she wished she was the one hosting, what she wouldn't give to be able to give the Lady Kay a hot cup of tea, the blend she had perfected over her short years, and assure her all would be well. Asha was no mother, she hadn't even ever known siblings, but her brief interaction with the orphaned children on Neelgaimon had sparked in her some small maternal instinct which she had never before been privy to. She had not, after all, had the luxury of knowing her own Mother. Not that [member='Jericho'] had not been enough.

How this woman must have been feeling was beyond her comprehension, and while she lacked a true sense of empathy she could in the very least sympathize with her.

"Master Jedi, Lady Kay, it is good to meet with you though I apologize profusely for the circumstances of it." The latter she directed, of course, to the Mother who was about to watch one of her children fly the nest so to speak.

Keeping her hands clasped at her back she proceeded to follow them further into the estate, where the clunking of heavy luggage carried by the young Arenais had drawn the attention of both parents. For her own part Asha noticed a subtle oddity in the Force, two presences in the place of one. The way in which Veiere regarded his son, and the almost skeptical tone of his wife, left her curious about the contents of the suitcase. But it was not her place to interfere, and so she looked to the boy with intrigue and awaited his answer.

[member="Lady Kay"] [member="Veiere Arenais"]

 

[Caedyn Arenais]

Standing there upon the fourth step from the ground level, Caedyn blinked a couple times in surprise having not expected to find everyone staring up at him as they were. Biting the inside of his cheek, his eyes glanced over his parents first for whom seemed to be giving him a kinda funny look and immediately setting off his guilty instinctive smile in the face of silent accusation; they didn't need to yell at him for him to recognize that look they held over him. Choosing initially to remain silent, his gaze soon drifted over the new person, a girl who didn't exactly seem to much older than him and Lori to be honest. Asha Hex of whom was in her late teens, though none of them were aware for lack of questions asked, yet him being in his earlier teens likely still made her seem young in the eyes of his parents.

"Lori's upstairs in her room..." He spoke her name softly though his words soon grew slightly clearer as he regained his concentration looking away from Asha and back to focus intently on his mother, his fathers gaze he was trying to avoid entirely. "She said she didn't wanna come out, she's upset and stuff..." it seemed believable enough, though his grip around the suitcase handle grew a little tighter as he gave the bold faced lie not wanting to give up the truth and risk being seperated from his Sister of whom they hadn't gone a single day without seeing one another and hanging out.

"Are you going to teach me how to use the Force?" he soon asked Asha Hex rather blatantly, using the subject that he knew his parents weren't comfortable with to seek to distract them from the possibility that they might already be on to him and Loreena Arenais' master plan.

[member="Veiere Arenais"] | [member="Lady Kay"] | [member="Asha Hex"] | [member="Loreena Arenais"]​

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori held her breath as [member="Caedyn Arenais"] seemed to stop. The muffled voice of their Mom was heard and for the moment she thought that their plan was ruined. Beads of sweat began to form and she couldn't quite tell if that was from her nerves, or if it was from being cramped inside the small suitcase. Despite the small opening in the zipper, it was getting pretty hot in there. And clammy.

She let out her breath slowly as Caedyn spoke up again, bringing about the subject of the Force. Oh that was a great tactic! A great distraction! Maybe he did have some smarts sometimes. Of course Lori taught him nearly everything he knew. Well, at least the things that he had done right anyways.

Now she waited for the answer. Surely it wouldn't be long until they'd know if they were caught or not. Lori wanted to move, but couldn't. She wanted to stretch out, but didn't. All eyes were on Caedyn and possibly the suitcase as well. So she had to hold on for a bit longer. Her anxiety was growing however, as well as her need for more fresh air. The air was getting too thick. Maybe if she closed her eyes and focused on the sounds, it'll be better.

Maybe.

[member="Asha Hex"]