I was in the neighborhood...

[Zandra Tal'verda]

His offer was generous. More than she could have ever expected. But Keter was her friend. A dear friend. She sunk into a chair, letting escape a sigh of relief.

"Thank you," she breathed, patting the baby on his back, "The blonde one ran away? Felicity's the blonde, right? Ya sure you're okay with that? Can be dangerous. I would know."

[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

"And yet here you are, thriving," Keter retorted. "Tea or coffee?" he asked, heading for the kitchen. "And yeah, Felicity ran off to explore the galaxy. Really made Feena worry, what with no packing or anything," he explained, though it was an understatement. Feena had been furious and ready to maim something. Keter often forgot his wife had actually been a Sith at one point. Still, no one had been hurt though a few vases had been shattered. Besides, the girl had Owain with her - Barnabus' boy. And Barnabus had taken precautions to track his nephew in all cases.

They were on Coruscant at the moment, he knew that much. Not exactly a lot of trouble for them to run into there.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Corrin started crying. Tired. He was obviously tired. She pulled him off her shoulder, set him on her knee and rewrapped the blanket round him. He seemed to calm a little, although he was still a bit fussy.

"Coffee," he answered, pulling out a bottle from her bag, "Any kind of caffeine, really. You know how it is with the new babies, eh?""

[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

"Right," the blond said, busying himself in the kitchen. "True, but then again i'm used to not sleeping much," he replied, leaning against the counter and eyeing the woman through the doorway. "And though it's tiring, you'll never trade it away, right?" he asked with a smile, reaching up to his eyes and tapping in a few commands to shift his view into HUD mode. The folders and files he needed to fill out were buried deep in the system he had installed in Dis, but best tot make care of it all now.

"The paperwork will take a bit to be cleared though, so you may want to lie low for your own peace of mind for a while," Keter advised.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Lie low. Who did he think he was talking to? She was about to argue, but little Corrin was sucking on his fist again and she forgot what she was going to say. It was easy to forget a lot of things when Corrin had her attention. She pulled his hand out of his mouth, and stuck a pacifier between his gums instead.

"How do you handle your kids?" she asked, "I guess what I'm most worried about is the fact that Cal 'n I ain't exactly well versed in raising magicians. Do they... I dunno, blow stuff up?"

[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

Keter laughed at that. "No, nothing like that. To be fair, as long as you're taking the usual precuations with children, it'll be fine - you know, no sharp edges, everything bolted down or covered," he listed off on his fingers. "I'm no expert, but I think the biggest issues with Force sensitive children is their reflexes and empathy. They'll easily pick up on your mood and react accordingly. You can't hide things from them, so get used to speaking in half-truths," the blond advised.

Luckily, he had had enough experience in such things that awkward questions from Felicity and Celeste were easily deflected without them feeling insulted or patrionised. More so thanr egular children at least. "Unless he is very powerful in which case you may see him levitating his toys an inch off the floor or something, but as long as he can't hurt himself, it'll be fine. Never heard of any Force user just making stuff blow up though," the red-eyed cyborg admitted, stroking his chin.

@[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Zandra let out a nervous laugh at his explanation. Empathy, levitating, creepy unnatural stuff, if you asked her. She really hoped this little bean wasn't powerful. Would be easier if he was weak. She could protect him. It wouldn't be hard. Calico wouldn't be so uncomfortable either.

"Well, jus' so long as I don't gatta be worryin' about the kid blowin' holes in my ship."

She felt so much better already. She knew coming to Keter about this was a good idea. He had experience. He knew what to do. And it all really did put her mind at ease.

@[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

"No chance of that, and I would know. Closest you get is an angry spouse finding up you're giving your five year old flying lessons," Keter stated with a smile and shake of his head. Feena had been...displeased when that had happened. But little Felicity had seemed to love flying, unlike her mother. He had promised to teach her once she was old enough...but she was busy now, being a princess, like her mother wanted. The blond fell silent, lost in the memories. HIs little girl was growing up so fast, she was nearly done. He...he had no idea how to deal with that.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

There was some feeling she got from him. It felt like static in the air, invisible, annoying. Like an itch she couldn't scratch. She narrowed her gray eyes, positioning Corrin so he was looking over her shoulder. This was how she felt when she knew she had a better hand than someone at the sabaac table.

"Ya gave yer five year old flying lessons, Ket?" she snorted, shaking that itch away, "I think I'd shoot Cal myself if I see 'im tryin' to do that with Corrin. So what? Your lil' girls an ace pilot now, right?"

[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

The blond shook his head as she struck the issue that was plaguing him, his red eyes focusing on her. Actually...Zandra had apparnetly been very lucky in games of chance before he had met her...perhaps...? It would explain her child. He smiled slightly. "No. SHe's a little princess. Literally. Feena's still in charge of Naboo as Queen, and has been driving our little girl hard. SHe wants her to be ready for the big bad galaxy. Still...I miss them," he admitted, looking down at the floor. "Naboo is not for me. Not the courts, nor all that finery and sophistication."

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Hm. So this was why he seemed like he was moping. Zandra felt the baby spit up on her neck again. Gross, but not surprising. Little ones always had trouble keeping meals down. For now, she didn't move to fix the problem.

"Why not just go and take her somewhere? Family vacation? A 'lil daddy daughter time. My old man used to take me places to spend time with me. Just to get mom outta my hair for a bit. Could do ya both some good."

And now the spit up was soaking into her jacket. She pulled the messy faced infant away, dabbing at the vomit with a rag again before setting him back over her shoulder. How long until Corrin wanted time away from her? That would certainly break her heart.

[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

He looked up at her in surprise. "That's...a good idea actually," he admitted reluctantly. Keter was a proud person, so even that much was a struggle for him. Still, he would give credit where it was due...sometimes. "Guess I'll look into that later," he said with a nod before moving to change the topic. "So are all your gmabling days behind you ro do you still ace a game or two?" he idly asked, grabbing the drinks and heading back to the table.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Corrin was drooling all over her shoulder now. Ugh, if it wasn't one thing it was another. Better than vomit, she supposed.

"I don' think there's a force in the Galaxy that can make me stop takin' credits from suckers," she laughed, "but I did cool it a bit. Probably joinin' up with Cal's people soon. Clan Tal'verda asked him for help, I guess. Gatta stick with 'im, or he'll get himself killed. Still... as I mentioned before, Mando's and Echani, well, they don' exactly make friends with each other, let alone marry. It'll be... interestin' to see if I can fit in at all."

'Interesting' wasn't really the right word. Stressful, seemed to fit better. Well, she married Cal, so they'd just have to deal. Now to just pretend to be human to keep them from 'accidentally' shooting her in the back of the skull.

[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

"Just don't try to rely on your luck around them," Keter advised, offering her the cup of coffee she had requested and sitting down opposite her. "Mandalorians tend to complicate any Force trickery," he idly added. Then he paused, thoughtful. "They may not like Echani true, but will they accept your son if they find out? From what I remember Mandalorians are more a...culture than a single race."

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Force trickery? What was he talking about? Her unusual good luck was just because she pleased the Goddess. It had nothing to do with space magic! She narrowed her eyes, showing her confusion on every inch of her face. Keter could be so weird some time.

"Echani are a culture too. We're jus' a little less friendly to other races so marriage doesn't usually happen between Echani and anyone outside," she explained, "Cal told me they'd accept his son. I'm glad 'bout that. I know my people wouldn't. So they'll accept Corrin. Jus' probably not me."

She shrugged. That was fine. She could live as an outcast. It's not like she didn't do it before, only this time she'd have Cal. If Cal took up leading clan Tal'verda again, they'd have to get over it and let her into the family. There really wouldn't be a choice.

[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

Times like this Keter wished he could just roll his eyes. But he couldn't, so he just stared flatly at Zandra. She didn't get it. Ah well. Maybe it was better this way. He shrugged to himself as he spoke. "Oh, really? Forgive my ignorance then. Still, it is good to hear the boy will be accepted no matter what," he said. "And these divides are so petty, wouldn't you agree? You're both combat orientated cultures no? The only problem is both are trapped by the inertia of the past," he observed, sipping his drink.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Zandra picked up the hot caf with one hand, supporting little Corrin with her other while the boy struggled against sleep.

"Maybe," she agreed, "To be honest, I ain't exactly a model Echani, so, not like I really get to say much about 'em."

She drank slowly, grimacing at the bitter taste. She'd forgotten what this tasted like.

"So, how's business? Not really causin' trouble anymore? Stayin' home a lot?"

[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

Keter laughed. "And I'm far from a model...well anything really," he admitted. "Still, things tend to work themselves out," he continued, sipping his drink. "Indeed. Guess you could say I'm retired. Not that I ever got into real trouble. But chasing artefacts is a young man's game. These days I just house sit and leech off my wife's financesm" the blond added in a theatrical whisper.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

"Sounds like the life ta me," she commented, taking another sip of her drink, "Wish I could jus' sit around."

She sighed, feeling Corrin finally nod off to sleep. Fine. The boy could rest on her shoulder for a while. Give her a little break.

"Well, Ya seem like you must be a good father, at least. And ya gatta be a decent enough husband. I mean, your wife ain't left ya yet, has she?"

[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

The blond sighed. "It's not me though. Guess I'm just missing the past. Travelling, getting into trouble...I wonder when I got so old, you know?" he said softly, sipping his drink. "Still, family...never imagined i'd get this far..."

He glanced up sharply at his guest. "No, but I rarely see her. She's too busy saving the galaxy," he countered, slumping in his chair a bit.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]