Private In the distance

[Jenn Kryze]

Beskar'gam
​

| Location | Uncharted world, the Unknown Regions
| Objective | A goodbye; a promise

"I asked not to be disturbed."

​

Jenn's voice was not quite glacial, but it held a promise. The weight and power of the ocean itself lie behind her every word, threatening to spill out and destroy everything. None in the Clan had ever seen her like this, embodying an elemental force of the world that was beyond human emotion... and it scared them. Great hunters and fierce warriors all, none dared to disturb her when she left the council held around the campfire, her wisdom dispensed and orders dictated. Earlier that week, the small fleet had finally arrived in orbit of the uninhabited world, bringing their dropships down for the warriors to settle down temporarily and began the task of taking inventory, reorganizing their entire supply structure... and questioning what would come next.

So it was that she brought the respected voices of the Clan to share a hearty meal around the campfire, exchanging their thoughts, concerns, and ideas... and, for the first time since she had taken the mantle of Alor, Jenn's frustration boiled over. As the civil discussion descended into open arguing, she stood up to her feet and let out a blood-curling scream a human had no business letting out, immediately restoring order. And when the Clan's warriors turned to look her way, her eyes glowed a brilliant blue, promising tidal waves that would swallow the humble encampment whole. Speaking in a voice that all but echoed as a testament to her power, she gave them all a choice: to follow her as they had ever since the start of their exile... or leave, and find their fate elsewhere.

They had that choice. But she would not suffer naysayers and doubters within the Clan.

"Your guests have arrived, Alor", answered Henryk in a tone that tried to remain calm in the face of Jenn's roiling. He could only watch as she sat cross-legged along the shore, her helm turned towards the waves.

"Varys, too."

That made her head turn to look over her shoulder.

"Tell them they have permission to approach."

The Alor'ad was quick to depart, returning to the makeshift camp to inform Jenn's honored guests of her decision, wondering all the while why she would bother to invite a Jedi and a Senator to tell her goodbyes before the Clan could depart into the unknown reaches of space. Varys' concern was understood, and for all of the wariness he felt towards the child of Clan Amun, he could hardly fault her for her concerns. And with her privileged position as the treasured child of the Alor, perhaps the siren might just listen to those three where she had chosen to ignore his concerns.

Valery Noble Alicio Organa Varys Amun ​

 

[Varys Amun]

"I would get out now if I were you. She's lost her nerve."

Varys turned to look at the man who had made the comment. He was one of the newer vod, having entered the clan mere weeks before Varys. Despite that, a great divide separated them.

"It's not like you ever belonged here anyway."

Varys bristled but did not respond. She had grown used to such barbs during her short time with the clan. Tensions were boiling over, and since the Alor's fireside council, Varys had been deemed an appropriate target to vent their frustrations.

It didn't help that Varys herself was reeling with shock and anger at Jenn's decree. She felt like she was spinning out, the last vestiges of whatever security she'd had suddenly ripped out from beneath her.

Though she had not spoken up during the council, Varys had agreed with most of the Clan's misgivings about the decision. She had sought to talk to Jenn privately following the tense meeting, but the woman had sealed herself away, leaving Varys to pace around the camp perimeter alone, casting the occasional worried glance towards the shore where the Alor sat, framed by the setting sun and crashing waves.

So it was that when Varys found herself face-to-face with Henryk, he braced herself for another verbal assault, or worse, but none came.

"The Alor is ready to speak." he said evenly. "She has summoned... Outsiders." His gaze lingered on her. "I am going to get them now."

Varys nodded slowly. She knew what that meant. Now was her chance to see Jenn and convince her this was foolish before the others arrived to sway her opinion.

She left without another word, hurrying down the beach. The strong scent of seaweed and salt hit her nose. She stopped slightly short of the Alor, and hesitated. Jenn must have known she was there, but Varys found herself afraid to sit beside her.

Varys considered turning back, but anger stirred in her gut and she held her ground, eyes fixed on the back of her adoptive mother's head.

"Osi'kyr! Are you out of your mind, Buir?" Varys had intended to stay calm, but in the moment she couldn't help but yell. "This does not make sense!" She put her head in her hands. "Please, Jenn. What has happened? I don't understand why we have to do this."

Jenn Kryze | Valery Noble | Alicio Organa ​

 

[Valery Noble]

Unknown Regions

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring
Tag: Jenn Kryze Alicio Organa Varys Amun

"What do you think about all of this?" Valery asked Alicio Organa while they waited to be summoned. Valery had heard about the recent happenings — the exchange — and the shift that happened with Jenn. The Mandalorian had always been a peculiar one, especially now in times of great turmoil between the Mandalorians and the Alliance and its Jedi. But now, there seemed to be an entirely new direction on the horizon for her.

Valery wasn't quite sure how to feel about it yet.

She never wished for any of her friends to feel as if a journey far away from everything was their only option. But, having gone on a meditative leave alone herself, Valery could also recognize the importance of such travels. Maybe this was exactly what Jenn needed, but there was only one way to know for certain.

She needed to talk to her friend.

Alicio had been invited by Jenn for this conversation as well, and Valery felt quite relieved to have a close friend with her. Though, knowing he had been captured, Valery was maybe keeping her eyes on him a little more than usual. He didn't really need her protection, but she was going to make sure her friend was safe at all times.

Not that she believed Jenn would threaten their safety.

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio was silent in thought, for a good long while.

He had been doing that more and more, recently. He'd always had a propensity for introspection, he'd even named his lightsaber after it, but the Senator had begun falling into his own mind with increasing frequency. It was obvious to tell when it was happening. The dark Alderaanian's eyes grew distant and glazed, as if he were focusing on everything, or nothing at all. His mouth made a severe frown, as if he'd tasted something foul. He became frigidly still, even as his mind still raced.

"I..." He thought a little longer. "I don't understand it."

The nobleman paused again. A common feeling, in past days. "But I'd like to. So... I want to listen."

Alicio noted Val's furtive glances. He pantomimed a smile. "Don't worry, I'm not planning to auction myself off again." With a final humored look, Alicio retreated to the shadowed recesses of his own mind.

This wasn't a battle to fight. No winning side. They just had to hear, and be heard.

- Jenn Kryze - Varys Amun - Valery Noble -

 

[Jenn Kryze]

​

| Location | Uncharted world, the Unknown Regions
| Objective | A goodbye; a promise

The Alor did not turn her helm to face her daughter as she spoke such words of consternation, her gaze seemingly locked onto the waves before her, the sea growing more and more tempestuous, as if reflecting the raging storm within the Mandalorian's heart. Hearing her daughter yelling at her like this was... almost enough to shake her out of her state of repressed anger, in truth. Jenn's child, her sweet Var'ika, was her pride and joy, and seeing her so helpless pulled at her heartstrings all too harshly. Was she truly any better than Lyka?​

​

"We have no place among the aruetiise", declared the woman simply after a long stretch of silence. "Just as we have no place among the rest of the Mando'ade. Traitors, butchers, and misguided fools - this is what remains of our people. I will not shackle Clan Kryze to a false Mand'alor, not after we freed ourselves from our bondage to a collection of brigands masquerading as warriors!"​

​

The siren only realized how her voice cracked like thunder after the fact, guilt piercing her heart as she finally turned to look at her child, the pitiless Y-visor doing little to convey how sorry she felt. ​

​

Meanwhile, Henryk let his steps guide him from the shoreline to the main encampment itself: a veritable sea of tents where the warriors of Clan Kryze (now numbering in the hundreds) had made their home for the time being. They would move on soon enough, that much they knew: and so most of them busied themselves with last-minute repairs of equipment, hushed exchanges of rumors, or bartering among themselves as they faced the prospect of a self-imposed exile deep into the uncharted reaches of space. ​

​

Unlike Jenn, he was a titan of a man, clad in heavy armor a being of lesser stature could never hope to move around in effectively - and the markings of his armor betrayed him as one of those stubborn souls still clinging to the identity of their old Clan, loyal as he was. Dark grey for a dominant color, and white for the details - and a flowered branch for a sigil. Not that he called himself Vizsla much in the wake of his peers' acceptance of the Crusade. ​

​

When he arrived within the humble half-circle around a campfire where the honored guests had been brought over to, he inhaled sharply, trying his best to mask his utter loathing for the sorcerers before him. "Jenn, Alor and Forgemistress of Clan Kryze, awaits you by the shoreline. You are to follow me."​

​

It was not a question, but a statement. Polite, but firm, and somewhat lacking when it came to the fine art of diplomacy.​

​

The pair were bound to attract odd looks as he took them through the camp: all manner of warriors had made the decision to answer Jenn's call, some among them whose families once pledged their loyalty to the Sith... and putting past enmities to rest proved as difficult for them as it did for those who had remained steadfast in their devotion to their people. The Jedi had always been enemies, since time immemorial: that this one had been invited by the Alor was the only reason why none of them challenged her outright, or threw insults at her feet. ​

​

Not that Alicio received much nicer looks. Senators were weak-willed parasites in the eyes of such a warlike gathering, and few held different views of the Galactic Alliance and its vaunted democracy. Some did recognize him from his time in B'yaim Haar Cabur, however, and addressed him with a slight nod of acknowledgement as he passed them by.​

​

Henryk, for his part, stopped abruptly as they left the camp and reached the shoreline.​

​

"This is as far as I am allowed to go. I will remain here to escort you back once your business is concluded."​

​

Valery Noble Alicio Organa Varys Amun ​

 

[Varys Amun]

"We have no place among the aruetiise. Just as we have no place among the rest of the Mando'ade. Traitors, butchers, and misguided fools - this is what remains of our people. I will not shackle Clan Kryze to a false Mand'alor, not after we freed ourselves from our bondage to a collection of brigands masquerading as warriors!"

The firebrand leader's voice echoed with anger. Varys stepped away, stumbling backwards as if physically struck. As she did, a wave slammed into the shore with violence, making Varys flinch. The water swirled about them, momentarily tugging at Varys' legs. Fear gripped her. Varys had always been intimated by Jenn, but at that moment she was truly scared.

Varys fought the urge to flee. She was stubborn, and she was angry, and as much as meeting the woman's gaze made her blood feel like ice, she did not turn her head from Jenn's visor.

"Gar alii'nar haar aliit. Your duty is to your clan, Buir. We can't just run away! I lost everything to come here, and I am not going to waste my life on some backwater, not for anyone! Not even you." Varys was pacing, her voice frantic.

The words were tumbling out now, she couldn't stop them. She didn't want to be cruel to Jenn. But, even though she knew she must be hurting her, Varys could no longer contain her anger. She couldn't tell if the waves were still raging around them, or if it was just the blood rushing in her ears.

"I mean, sure, you can go sequester yourself away, you have a life, a reputation, a clan. What do I have? Where will I go?" Varys clenched her fists, trembling.

"So maybe you should figure out what's important to you. Me, or whatever this is."

Varys pointed an accusatory finger at Jenn, and opened her mouth to continue her tirade. But, out the corner of her eye she spied a trio of figures, Henryk, and two others, making their way down the beach.

"Great, here come those aruetiise to tell you what you should do." said Varys with malice. She grunted in disgust and stepped back, waiting for the others to approach.

Jenn Kryze | Alicio Organa | Valery Noble ​

 

[Valery Noble]

Unknown Regions

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring
Tag: Jenn Kryze Alicio Organa Varys Amun

"I do, too," Valery spoke softly after having watched him turn into his own mind. Not exactly an unfamiliar thing for him, she knew as a close friend, but a lot had happened recently. Things that could draw even someone like Alicio further into the pits of his own self and leave him trapped inside. It worried her, to an extent, but she trusted in him to always find his way back. And when he struggled, she knew he'd rely on the people around him to offer their support.

She would always be one of them.

"You better not," Valery said with a chuckle and a growing smile on her lips. "I don't want Amani's anger to force me into hiding." She gently nudged him with her side and briefly let her enjoy the presence of a friend. Only until the rather imposing Mandalorian appeared to escort them away.

Valery blinked, looking him up and down, and briefly glanced at Alicio to see his reaction.

Without a word said and only a nod offered, Valery then followed the man and quietly looked around camp. She took note of the various glances and leaned in to whisper, "Feels like I'm back on Kestri," she told Alicio before coming to a stop. Glancing back up at the one escorting them, Valery dipped her head and walked towards the shoreline.

"Jenn," Valery said, choosing to use her name, rather than a formal title on purpose. To test the nature of this meeting, and to gauge her friend's stance towards them. "What is happening here?"

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio accepted the bump with a slight smile, though he didn't offer anything physical in return. He was too busy thinking.

"Jenn, Alor and Forgemistress of Clan Kryze, awaits you by the shoreline. You are to follow me."

The muscled Mandalorian's severe dislike of the pair was met by a curious look by Alicio. He simply nodded. "Understood."

Walking through the camp, Alicio made an effort not to get too sucked up in himself, gauging the responses of the clan around him. Some viewed him and Valery with contempt, but others gave him subtle nods of recognition. If not acceptance, then some small respect. Alicio nodded back to each one, his expression cool and even.

He'd made an effort to speak with as many of Clan Kryze as he could, under his captivity. He still didn't know them as much as he'd like, but he knew enough to decide they weren't bloodthirsty, like the rest of the clans in the Enclave. And they respected their Alor enough to follow her into exile. Unless she said so, they wouldn't hurt him or Valery.

Regardless, his eye was on the future now. Just in case.

As Valery mentioned Kestri, Alicio kept his eyes ahead, his own voice low and soft. "How so?," he asked. Val didn't have much time to respond before their escort stopped, and let them walk ahead. The dark-cloaked man did so, stopping as the Jedi Master aside him did.

"Jenn. What is happening here?"

Alicio waited, that very question in his own eyes.

- Jenn Kryze - Varys Amun - Valery Noble -

 

[Jenn Kryze]

​

| Location | The coastline
| Objective | Farewell

Varys' words were more than merely wounding. They pierced through beskar, skin, and flesh- and reached deep into her very soul.

Jenn loved her daughter, and dearly so - enough for her to decidedly put her before the Clan if it ever came to that. Seeing her so angry, so hurt, was enough for the Alor to recoil at first, as if she had been slapped in the face. Every time she opened her mouth to try and reassure her child, to try and promise her that everything would be alright, that she would never ask her precious Var'ika to sacrifice her future for the sake of the greater good, more words spilled out from her daughter's lips. More anger, more fear, more stabs right against Jenn's heart.

And those words kept on tumbling on, right up until the Alor's guests finally arrived. To say that she was hurt would be... a massive understatement. Failing as a lover was one thing. Failing as Alor of her Clan was another. But failing as a mother? The very thought pierced her heart as a lance might, and left her powerless.

With her child's hateful words concerning her best friend and the most principled man she had met still ringing in her ears, she turned to face the pair, silence hanging heavily over them all. There was nothing but the breeze, the tide... the gentle call of seafoam, that seemed to whisper right into her mind, promising peace if she rushed into the waves and shifted. This would not be the first time she swam away from her problems.

"Valery", greeted the Mandalorian at last, her voice kept purposefully even, and steady. Then, she turned to the Senator, and gave him a nod. "Alicio."

"This is the end. My Clan has no place among the Protectors of Manda'yaim, or the Crusaders of the Mandalorian Enclave. The Sith are gathering forces, and the Alliance... has more than enough reason to visit fire and war over us." There was pause, then. Mulling over what words to use was particularly difficult, with her mind warring with itself like this, knowing that her Var'ika had given her an ultimatum: if they left into exile, she would wake up one day to find her gone.

The very thought felt akin to having her heart ripped out of her chest.

"We have no place here. If this all goes well, today is the last day either of you will ever see me. I will take Clan Kryze into exile, reshape it within the unknown reaches of space, and perhaps one day my successor will return with my people reformed. As the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order and my friend, you deserve to know this much, Valery. As for you, Alicio... I have not forgotten your willingness to treat us with respect, your integrity, your passion for Justice. You, too, deserve to see how this ends."

Then, she turned to look at Varys, all too aware that she might storm off there and then. Inhaling deeply through her gills, she sought to calm the storm within her.

"Varys, this is Valery Noble, the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, and Alicio Organa, Duke of Alderaan - although you've already met the latter." Her Y visor turned back to look at her dearest friend, all too aware of how inhuman it could be at the best of times.

"Valery, Alicio, this is Varys Amun, my daughter."

Even now, with so much hurt behind her, there was warmth to her voice when she spoke of Varys as her daughter. An adopted child she loved more than anything else, and would fight tooth and nail to protect, and nurture.

​

Valery Noble Alicio Organa Varys Amun ​

 

[Varys Amun]

Varys was over it. Whatever her mother's intentions, she felt tossed aside. Old wounds had ripped open once again, and Varys felt as though she was bleeding out.

As the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order and my friend, you deserve to know this much, Valery. As for you, Alicio... I have not forgotten your willingness to treat us with respect, your integrity, your passion for Justice. You, too, deserve to see how this ends."

She audibly scoffed, just to let the visitors know that she was firmly in the camp of the doubters, those offended by the outsiders' very presence here. She need not have. They were Jetii, Both would sense the simmering anger, bubbling just below the surface. The impure thoughts of violence that rose in Varys' mind when she looked at them. She no longer cared about respect, no longer feared the repercussions of offending Jenn's sensibilities. Only her rage guided her now.

"Varys, this is Valery Noble, the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, and Alicio Organa, Duke of Alderaan - although you've already met the latter.

"Valery, Alicio, this is Varys Amun, my daughter."

Varys turned her nose up at the pair, refusing even to look them in the eye. She dreaded what they might say. Both were ilk of the Alliance. Both were enemies of her people. But not, it seemed, of Jenn. Varys feared they would encourage the Alor's delusional self-exile. If they did, Varys knew it would condemn the clan, those who would remain, to a life in the shadows.

She leant over to Jenn, whispering through gritted teeth.

"Jareor. I cannot believe you are entertaining this."

Worse, it seemed too late for Varys to do anything about it. Jenn had ignored Varys' pleas. The Alor wanted to hear the thoughts of these aruetti, not the counsel of her own daughter. Ugh. It was so unfair.

Varys clenched her fists. Again she fought the urge to stalk away in anger. But, of she did she knew she'd be losing any hope of reasoning with Jenn, and then it would all become real. She looked to the glittering water behind them, at the seabirds gliding over the sand, anything but the awful people beside her, who symbolised the end of her life as she knew it. Finally she let out a sigh.

"Let's just get this over with." said Varys, gesturing for Alicio and Valery to begin.

Jenn Kryze | Valery Noble | Alicio Organa ​

 

[Valery Noble]

Unknown Regions

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring
Tag: Jenn Kryze Alicio Organa Varys Amun

Valery was going to explain more about her time on the Enclave's homeworld, but the abrupt stop of their escort had her close her lips. Her fiery gaze instead shifted to someone far more familiar — a woman who had been on the opposite side of a new war, but still became her friend. She couldn't help but smile when she saw Jenn again, though it faded rather quickly too. No matter how much Jenn tried, Valery knew her well enough to understand.

Something here wasn't right.

When Jenn mentioned the end, Valery knew.

She listened in stunned silence to what Jenn explained, and only broke eye contact to focus on the other Mandalorian. She could tell the younger woman was troubled as well — perhaps she wasn't in agreement? Or the thought of leaving behind everything for a self-imposed exile was simply a decision she struggled with.

It had to be a hard call, even for Jenn.

"It's a pleasure to meet your daughter, Jenn," Valery began with a weak smile. "But... why? I understand that the Galaxy is no friendly place. Especially not now. But to turn away now isn't right either. People need you here." She glanced at Varys and dared something risky.

"Your daughter needs you here."

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio could taste the chill in the air as he and Val joined the conversation. There was rage, pain, like spiced flowers, pungent and vile. The corners of the senator's mouth became harsh, but he let nothing else show.

Some of it was directed at the newcomers, Alicio knew, but he could read into a situation as intuitively as any Alliance politician. Alicio nodded at Varys acknowledgingly, though he only received a scoff in return.

He never did get to finish his conversation with her. A shame.

The nobleman let his hands fall into his cloak, obscuring them from view as he thought. His goal here wasn't to force Jenn and her Owls to stay. He just wanted to listen. Understand. And maybe help Jenn understand, too.

"It's a pleasure to meet your daughter, Jenn. But... why? I understand that the Galaxy is no friendly place. Especially not now. But to turn away now isn't right either. People need you here. Your daughter needs you here."

Alicio sent a thoughtful look towards Valery. She was really coming out of the fence swinging. Alicio decided to head off Jenn's possible knee-jerk response. "She's doing this for her family. For you." He nodded his head towards Varys. If there was anything made clear in his meetings with the Mandalorian, it was that Jenn cared for her kin above anything else. "She loves you a lot, you know."

"The safest thing to do with the things you love is to hide them away." Of course, there was a 'but' in his tone, but he didn't voice it. Maybe Jenn would figure it out for herself.

- Jenn Kryze - Varys Amun - Valery Noble -

 

[Jenn Kryze]

​

| Location | The Coastline
| Objective | A Farewell...

Jenn's obsession with the legacy she would leave behind was practically all-consuming by now: as noble as her intentions may be, the lengths she was willing to go to in order to ensure the future of Clan Kryze were all but laid bare before her daughter - and two people she had once called her foes, yet now regarded with respect. Varys' protest at the notion of her mother welcoming aruetii when she rejected the protests of several key voices within the Clan itself was met with deafening silence, and Valery... well, the Grandmaster, caring and worried as she may be, was certainly not mincing her words.

To the many warriors of Clan Kryze, Jenn was more than a simple woman. She was a visionary, a herald to a new age, a renewal of their people! But when they put her on such a pedestal, all of the expectations were bound to change her. So much responsibility, so much power, so much weighing on her! Her first instinct was to lash out, to angrily ask the Jedi if she could even begin to comprehend her situation, the depths of her patience finally reached. But that was when Alicio, ever the wordsmith, delivered a different message altogether. With this chance given to her, she inhaled deeply through her gills, turning her gaze towards the ocean instead.

"We have no allies", she stated plainly. "Only enemies. All it will take to end everything around you now is a single raid from one of our foes. What are a hundred warriors, in the grand scheme of things? Nothing. All I have worked for, this chance to let my people be known as the warrior-heroes we are supposed to be, gone! I cannot risk my legacy like this, not any more than I can risk the life of my child."

A long sigh escaped her, her eyes sliding shut as she let her presence in the Force spill out at last. Even now, she resisted her own nature at times, trying her best to stop herself from feeling the breath of creation within all things, stubbornly trying to close herself off from this sixth sense of sorts... but now, no longer. Perhaps the ocean's touch against her mind might grant her the strength and patience she needed to see things through to the end.

To doubt herself no longer.

​

Valery Noble Alicio Organa Varys Amun ​

 

[Varys Amun]

Varys shifted from foot-to-foot watching the new arrivals take in the situation. Varys was not all that good at reading people, but even she could see they were shocked. After a stunned silence, the woman who Jenn introduced as Valery spoke. Cutting through all decorum to deliver a verdict that resonated.

"People need you here. Your daughter needs you here."

Varys felt dizzy, caught between her distrust of the Jetii and the relief of finally having someone else on her side. She looked at Valery for a long time. Unsure of what to think or feel. Finally she inclined her head the woman the barest degree. Not daring herself to speak.

Then Alicio spoke up, sending Varys spinning out again.

"The safest thing to do with the things you love is to hide them away."

"Love or not, I don't want to be hidden away!" Varys felt like screaming. Regardless of the relationship Alicio had built up with the clan in his time interned, she did not want the Senator playing devil's advocate with her future, whether it was to prove a point or whatever else.

A particularly vivid vision of shoving her dagger through Alicio's windpipe crossed Varys' mind and she almost laughed. What would Jenn do then? Maybe it would shock her into her senses. No, more likely she would never speak to Varys again, leave her with nothing.

Varys tried to hold on to her anger, but she felt like a deflating balloon. What if she was doing this all wrong? Had her anger driven Jenn further away? Maybe, and if so, Varys was failing her clan. She had to dig deeper, push her feelings aside like her mother had taught her, not Jenn, but Lyka. As much as she reviled the woman, it was probably time to take a leaf out her book.

Jenn was the next to speak.

"I cannot risk my legacy like this, not any more than I can risk the life of my child."

"If we hide from the Galaxy your legacy will die with more surety than if we were slaughtered." Varys breathed out a sigh, waiting for her heartbeat to slow before she continued. "Do not do this for me, Buir. For the good of the clan I would die tomorrow." She meant it, even though she had barely lived, she knew she would.

Unlike the last time Varys had clashed with aruetti, she spoke in Basic, not Mandoa, even though it made her words feel unwieldy and imprecise. Jenn obviously valued these people's counsel. Excluding them would do no good, no matter how much she wanted to. All Varys could do was hope they would both try to see things as she did.

Jenn Kryze | Valery Noble | Alicio Organa ​

 

[Valery Noble]

Unknown Regions

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring
Tag: Jenn Kryze Alicio Organa Varys Amun

Valery had intentionally been very direct with her words. This was no situation to take lightly, and beating around the bush with Mandalorians was rarely a good idea. She knew it forced Alicio to step in as well, and his look her way told her as much, but Valery knew it was the right thing to do. Especially once Varys spoke up to express herself, too. The woman had thrown skeptical looks at the Jedi and Count, but clearly realized that they were on her side now.

But would that be enough?

"She's your daughter, but she's not a child anymore, and she's right." Valery briefly looked at Varys and let out a soft sigh. As a Mother, she knew exactly what this situation felt like to Jenn. She was exactly the same way, too — nothing could ever threaten her children, even if they were adults.

That's what it meant to be a Mom. But mothers needed to learn to let go.

"You have more allies than you know, and friends too. Alicio and I are here for that very reason. It would hurt us to see you go, and it would hurt the future of your daughter."

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Love or not, I don't want to be hidden away!"

Alicio inclined his head towards Varys, nodding once. As if that had been his point all along. Varys may not have seen it yet, may even believe the exact opposite, but Alicio didn't want Jenn to leave, either.

Jenn's response elicited a thoughtful frown from the Duke. He felt like he finally understood her reasoning. She felt isolated, alone, seeing enemies surrounding her and her family. She felt hopeless. Who wouldn't want to escape that?

The dark-cloaked senator followed up Valery's words, following Jenn's gaze to the sea. "We wouldn't have come at all if we weren't at least allies. You have the Sword of the Jedi and an Alliance Senator in your corner. You are far from alone."

Then, Alicio fully turned to the ocean, letting the sea breezes toss his cape, revealing the folded hands behind his back. He certainly hoped he'd read the situation correctly. "Lady Amun... If Jenn left today, would you follow her? Would you be able to create a healthy, happy life for yourself?" If not...

Then her self-imposed exile would fail to do the one thing Jenn hoped it would; protect her family.

- Jenn Kryze - Varys Amun - Valery Noble -

 

[Jenn Kryze]

​

| Location | The Coastline
| Objective | Silver-Tongued Friends

Alicio and Valery were making sense - too much sense, really. Why couldn't they just listen to her and obey, as the warriors of the Clan did? Even when they found doubt in their hearts, they chose to bow before the wisdom of their Alor! Jenn had invited the Grandmaster and the Duke to say her farewells, not to to be second-guessed by outsiders before her daughter, and yet... their words certainly moved her, quiet as she was. Her melancholic contemplation of the ocean before her, however, was immediately interrupted when Varys spoke of putting the Clan before her.

"NO!" she cried out, her voice like thunder as the waves crashed against the shore with renewed strength, her helm turned towards her child as she walked over to her until they stood face to face. "The Clan will never come before you. Do you understand me, ad'ika? Never! I will not allow you to sacrifice yourself for it, nor will I ever put its future before yours!"

Jenn was frantic by now, and she surely came across as more aggressive than she wished to be - but the mere thought of the legacy she had been obsessing over for months now standing between her child and her future left her furious with herself. The Sword of the Jedi, the Duke of Alderaan - once honored foes worthy of her respect and consideration, had become those trusted few she regarded as friends. And if they could see flaws in her plan, free from the cult of personality she had been building around herself as they were, then perhaps she had been wrong after all...

Valery knew what being a mother meant. Even now, she remembered their first meeting on Wielu, and the immediate respect established between the pair as they spoke of peace and family, how the valiant Jedi had shown her just what she could have for herself, one day. A family of her very own, something she had found in Varys, even after her departure from Kestri, leaving her beloved as she cast the mantle of Alor upon her shoulders. Alicio, for his part, proved to be as talented a wordsmith as ever, merely pushing and prodding in an effort to make her draw her own conclusion by challenging her position. And he was right to do so.

If the exodus left her separated from her child, or condemning her to an unfulfilling life, then the exodus was wrong. There was nothing she would not do for Varys.

​

Valery Noble Alicio Organa Varys Amun ​

 

[Varys Amun]

Listening to Valery, Varys knew the woman understood her. If not the specifics, she had found the core of the issue and uncovered it so plainly that not even Jenn could avoid it. Varys had heard of the Grandmaster. She knew Valery was a woman of renown, and she could see why.

"She's your daughter, but she's not a child anymore, and she's right."

Varys smiled in spite of her grim situation. Oh how those words rang so sweetly in her ears. Varys was often proved right, yet rarely credited. The recognition was refreshing to say the least.

Alicio spoke then, and Varys saw what her irritation and hurt had hidden at the outset. The man had been on her side from the beginning. He merely possessed negotiation skills Varys lacked the imagination to consider. She'd always been more of an action person than an orator, so perhaps it was good the aruetti had been invited after all.

"Lady Amun... If Jenn left today, would you follow her? Would you be able to create a healthy, happy life for yourself?"

"I could not." said Varys. "I would leave." Varys' blood felt icy. It was the truth, plainly spoken, but it felt like a betrayal, a knife thrust between her adoptive mother's ribs. Varys thanked the stars that Jenn was turned away, as she knew she could not look her in the eye.

"NO!"

And then all at once Jenn turned, her words tumbling out with such force and emotion that Varys stepped back, at once fearful and heartbroken and guilty to have caused her mother such anguish. Silence followed the outburst, punctuated only by the crash of the waves on the shore and the shrieking of the gulls above.

"The Clan will never come before you. Do you understand me, ad'ika? Never!"

Jenn was facing them now, and more than that, it was clear something had shifted within her, and maybe that meant she was ready.

It was then Varys realised what she had to do.

With a sigh, Varys raised her arms, pulling off her helmet with a smooth motion. Sunlight and the sharp tang of the sea overwhelmed her for a moment and she stood blinking, vulnerable in front of the Alor's audience.

Varys looked Valery and Alicio in the eye, solemnly nodding to each in turn. She hoped they would recognise the gesture for what it was. She had precious little to give in thanks, so her humility would have to do. She turned back to face Jenn, standing tall for the first time that day.

"Alor. We have given you our counsel." said Varys. "As daughter, ally, friend, we have told you what we know to be the way."

Varys moved to take Jenn's hand in her own. She spoke with an authority not befitting her age nor her rank. But Varys was growing up fast. She was not a mere ad'ika. She was a warrior too. If not by beskar'gam, then by heart.

"It is time for you to make your decision, Buir."

She glanced back at Valery and Alicio, waiting for them to offer their encouragement, or an ultimatum of their own.

Jenn Kryze | Valery Noble | Alicio Organa

 

[Valery Noble]

Unknown Regions

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring
Tag: Jenn Kryze Alicio Organa Varys Amun

"I know it might not be easy to accept our advice, but I'd like to think it's our duty as friends to speak from the heart. Even if we're in disagreement or if we must encourage each other to take the longer, more difficult route, I'd always want you to be honest with me, too," Valery briefly met Varys' gaze and dipped her head in return. A small gesture to let her know that she didn't need to offer her thanks, but also a gesture to show her own appreciation.

She was handling this well with her own honesty.

"Jenn, you aren't alone. You are surrounded here by people who want the best for you. Both Mandalorians and, well, us two," Valery smiled in Alicio's direction and walked over to place her hand atop Jenn's shoulder.

"Please, my friend," Valery added, her voice a bit softer this time, "Don't go. People need you here, myself included, and there are plenty who will stand beside you."

"No matter what the future holds."

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio continued to peer out over the churning ocean, seeming to search for something that wasn't there. Even as Jenn yelled, as Varys shrunk back, as Valery pleaded with the Alor, the nobleman's gaze never left that bleak horizon. The Duke simply watched the waves, his eyes matching the muted greys of the water. Undoubtedly, there were unseen currents underneath the surface, perhaps the kind that could drag a person out to sea, never to be seen again.

But the lapping of the waves was calm. Soothing, despite the rising tension.

He turned his face away from the water only to watch as Varys removed her helmet. He did understand the symbol for what it was. The respect. The show of faith. The weight it gave her acknowledgement. One corner of Alicio's mouth sharpened into a tiny smile, and a nodded, too, before letting his eyes rest on Jenn, an unspoken expectation sharpening his focus.

There was nothing else he needed to say. He had heard, and had been heard. All that was left was for Lady Kryze to give her verdict.

- Jenn Kryze - Varys Amun - Valery Noble -