Lady of Worlds

[Jairdain]

Not long ago a meeting had happened with the leaders of different countries of Commenor gathered. Jairdain and Voph were two of the people present. They had each extended an open invitation for the others to visit their respective countries. She had excepted his offer and now travelled to the moon he was the leader of.

He was the Lord of Brelor and she was regent of her own country. Until her son came of age and then she would be forced to step down. That would be many years from now though and she would rule as best she could to give him a strong and prosperous country.

Taking a simple shuttle between Commenor and Brelor, she arrived and was greeted by Voph himself.

As she walked off the shuttle, she gave him a friendly smile and a slight nod.

"Thank you for the invitation. I look forward to seeing your world."

That was one way of saying it. On her shoulder sat a small wolf that was her eyes, but she still preferred to use her own sense of vision through the Force.

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph was walking towards the spaceport with his typical entourage in tow. Requisition orders, another bill that needed his signature to be paid, a foreman asking about some vital error that had occurred with repairs, the list never ended. He was, however, aware that [member="Jairdain"] was on her way to pay them a visit. And he wanted this out of the way before she arrived. In spite of his best efforts, the shuttle was coming to a rest before him while he was still conversing with his underlings. He signed the final form, then waved them away. "I've business to see to. If it is urgent, take it up with my secretary, if not, it will wait until tomorrow."

He turned towards the boarding ramp as it began to descend, revealing the young form of Jair waiting at the top. Voph bowed as she stepped onto the firm ground of Brelor. "Lady Jairdain. Welcome to Brelor. Home of the Octarchy Covenant, or what's left of her." He straightened his back, turning his blank stare towards her. His usual crest of bone rested atop his nose, which stood in a stark contrast to the dark metallic black of his armor. He had not worn his helmet, instead opting to leave it at his home. He smiled softly at her, and offered her his arm as he turned to lead her towards the tram waiting to take them to Calyiu'r. "There is transportation waiting to carry us to Calyiu'r. Where we might have a moment of silence to speak uninterrupted. Unless, of course, you would rather visit the entertainment district of the city proper?"

 

[Jairdain]

"Please just call me Jairdain, Master Voph. At least when it is just us and there is no need to be formal."

There were a time and place for everything, she just didn't feel a private meeting such as this was one of them.

"Commenor took many hits recently and now we have to recover. It pleases me greatly you are willing to help with that. Lady Kay is a wonderful person and welcoming of pretty much anybody. Sadly her faith was wrongly placed and the snake turned around and bit her."

Not just Kay, but all of Commenor, including Jairdain. The fall of Commenor had been one of the contributing factors that had helped spiral her into a deep depression. One that had been great enough to make her go into hiding for a time. The choices she had made during that time she regretted most of them. He didn't need to know about those days of hers and she kept them buried within her memory.

Accepting the help he offered and placed her hand on his arm.

"You are host here, you can decide."

Speaking with a smile, Voph should be able to tell she was an easy going person and would accept whatever choice he made.

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

"As you wish. If you do not wish to see the wonderful sights I am told our capital city has to offer, then let us retire to Calyiu'r. It offers a certain...level of privacy, should our discussions require it."

Voph led the way to the tram that connected his home with the spaceport. Shy of flying a ship directly there, this was the only access route. As they settled in and the tram slowly slid out of the station, Voph commented on her earlier statement. "So I have been told. I was...indisposed at the time of the occupation, else I would have been here at a moments notice to keep my promise. I have come to the defense of Commenor before, but...some time prior. Before Kay was Queen."

His head turned, looking off towards the front of the tram. "Brelor, fortunately, suffered few ill effects to her infrastructure, so rebuilding has been...somewhat painless. Frankly establishing the Octarchy again has been consuming most of my attention, and I believe you will agree that it is warranted. After all, what good is rebuilding if there is no one alive to reap the benefits?"

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

Something about what he said and how he said it told Jairdain something. Even though she was blind, she still turned her head. Common customs, body language and all.

"Have you not seen it yourself?"

Voph went to say how he had been indisposed during the sith attack. It was something she understood all too well. When it happened, she had been on a fast downward spiral into depression and the attack had just deepened that. Those days and nights were barely anything more than a blur to her, but some things were quite clear.

Letting out a sigh, she nodded and looked forward again.

"I was able to assist with the rescue of some refugees, but then I too sort of just faded away for a while. Only recently did I make a return and was granted my position as Regent for Juniper until Marcus comes of age."

She didn't have much to say on the last part of what he told her, but one thought came to mind. Something they both agreed on.

"Planning for the future is always something to strive for."

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph's brow furrowed slightly, head tilting in disbelief. "I...have. In a way. Forgive me, I forget that not all humans recognize that my people moved beyond physical appearances centuries ago." Well...It would be millennia now. But who was counting, right? He smiled at Jair softly. "Through time and meditation, I have...made myself more...aware of the things not inherently of the force."

Voph watched Jair quietly for a moment, then said, "I was...well...dead. Until... a month ago." Voph turned his head to stare blankly at the landscape flashing past, and the familiar hills that signaled the approach of his home. "For what purpose I have been brought back, I do not know. So I shall endeavor to do what I can. Until such a time as I am called to my final rest. And I pray to the maker that I am allowed it."

Voph stood as the tram began to slow, and offered Jair his hand to help her to her feet. "Welcome to Calyiu'r, Lady Jairdain."

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

"You are not human either?"

So far her illusion around her appeared to be working, but if he saw beyond the surface, then Voph already knew she wasn't human.

"Master Voph, I am blind as well and though my sight might not be as great through the Force as some, I don't see the world as somebody would with vision."

She had brought a person back from the dead to finish what had been started so long ago with her. When Voph said he had been dead as well, Jairdain just accepted it and did not question it. As for his purpose, time would tell and maybe she could help him figure out that reason.

Once again he included Lady with her name and she chuckled at that just slightly. Deciding to just not worry about what he called her, she accepted his hand when he held it out to help her to her feet. Speaking with a smile in her tone and showing on her face. It didn't matter that neither of them could really see the expression. The feeling through the Force would be known.

"Thank you for the warm welcome."

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph arched a brow. "Hmph.. Now that you mention it, no, it does not seem that either..." Voph trailed off, and paused on the small platform that served as Calyiu'r's arrival platform. "You...are the one bound to that Zabraak." He mused on this for a second, before continuing to lead her into the small audience hall that served as the entrance to Calyiu'r. "Hmph. An unusual technique you have used. I'm not entirely sure I wish to ask what necessitated such actions, but..."

He shrugged. "We've the office...Small outdoor patio...or, perhaps I could have the servants bring some chairs down to the dock, and sit by the water. Have you a preference?" He had moved on past the previous inquiry about Krest as they stepped into the elevator down to the walkway around the natural basin that Calyiu'r sat in. Voph smiled slightly at the irony of the beautiful site before them that neither occupant could truly enjoy.

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

Whatever he was going to say, Voph did not finish his thought and continued onto something different. Mentioning her connection to a Zabrak, Jairdain wondered for a moment which one he was talking about. Most likely it was Krest because Lykos was dead. As she thought about it, it would have to be Krest. Mainly because the one with Lykos had been more of a scar than connection. However, a piece of him had been trapped within her soul and a part of her had gone with him.

"More he is bound to me. What do you know of Krest?"

Focusing on him through the Force as he led her into a small hall, she let out a small sigh of laughter when he mentioned the technique she used. A small, bitter smile crossed her face, but she decided to explain a bit further.

"I used that one to make sure he wouldn't be able to harm me again."

Listening to what he could offer, Jairdain considered each option.

"Either the small patio or down by the water. I am very much in touch with nature so someplace outside would be fine."

She saw the world through emotions. Everything had them to a degree.

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph pulled his wrist up, speaking softly into the communicator. The elevator doors opened, and the pair were greeted with a pleasant afternoon breeze. "Calyiu'r is quite a lovely home. One of the best I've ever resided in, in fact. The vast majority of it is outdoors, save for the hall we just passed through, and my office. The bedrooms offer shelter from the elements, but open enough windows and it feels like outside all the same."

He led her around the walkways to the dock, effectively on the far end of the compound, where two chairs had been set near the water. "But, to answer your question, I know little of Krest. His existence was revealed to me in a vision, when I sought answers by communing with a Force Nexus on Vjun. He attacked me mere moments after making my presence known, but..." Voph smiled. "Suffice it to say I was able to talk him down."

He helped [member="Jairdain"] settle down into a chair, before sitting in his own. Voph turned to the servant standing nearby and said, "Bring me a glass of Corellian Whiskey, and whatever our esteemed guest might want. If anything." He turned his attention back towards Jair. "You are new to our art, though? Seeing through the Force, that is? Most practitioners are able to tell the species of others by their unique signature in the Force. And frankly, it is a rather..." Voph paused. "Well, should I say, it is simple for my kind. I do not know what level of skill a non-miraluka would have to apply to achieve such a result."

 

[Jairdain]

The soft breeze caressed their skin like silk and Jairdain took a deep breath of it. Keeping her hand on his arm as he led around to the dock, she listened to what he had to say.

"Juniper is great in nature as well. I recently had a home built there for Marcus and me. You will have to visit sometime, Master Voph."

Smiling as he described what opening the windows would be like, she nodded in understanding. It wouldn't be the same as being out in nature, but close. When he went on to answer her question about Krest, her hand tightened on his arm just slightly. In saying he had been able to talk him down, she chuckled slightly.

"He has certainly changed since he and I met. The connection forged between us also helped with that change. It keeps him from being as dark as he was and might have even tipped him more neutral. I don't think that man will ever be a Jedi again and that is fine."

She was a member of the Silver Jedi in pretty much name only. Barely active with them and her main focus was on Commenor. When he requested his drink, she only asked for juice and would rather not indulge. Having once been down the path of turning to drink to solve her problems, Jairdain did not want to tempt fate again.

He then asked for a clarification on what or how she saw through the Force. Taking the seat offered gave her a few moments to think on an answer.

"I see through the emotions of others. What I can't see is writing or holograms. Fine details are very lost on me and a person always appears as a collide scope of colour to me. With no detail on what race they are, so I think everybody is human until I learn they are not."

Not sure if that was an answer he was looking for, it was the best she could do on the spot.

"As for being new or not, this is how I have seen all my life."

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph was quiet for a long moment. "All these years...It's been the only comfort I've had." Voph's brow furrowed as he looked out across the water. He glanced back at [member="Jairdain"] after a moment. "I was once Sith myself. Not..by choice, mind you. Not that saying such would change anything. Practicing my gift was the only solace I had. You are the only other one I have ever met that shares that gift."

He smiled weakly at Jair, only looking away to thank the servant that brought down the requested drink. He took a sip, then said, "It started with little things. Droids. Clothing. Finer details. But I wanted more. I delved deeper...Soon I could see those that could mask themselves in the Force. I could...see someone, exactly where they were after only mere moments together...Anywhere in the galaxy they might be. It wasn't much power. But it was mine."

He fell silent again for a moment, before posing the question, "You say Krest may never be a Jedi again? Are they still so wary of the Dark Side that they think redemption impossible?"

 

[Jairdain]

In various points in her life, the Force had been taken from her. Jairdain had needed to learn how to live without its aid but did not like that at all. Even though her other senses were heightened because of it, she would rather see through the Force. Nodding when Voph said it was one of the few solaces he'd had in his life, this was something she could understand totally.

She also thanked the servant for the juice and took a sip as Voph explained how he had started seeing better. Nodding in understanding, somebody had suggested she acquire a droid, so maybe that would be a good place to start.

"I wonder if I would ever be able to accomplish such great vision..."

This was said more to herself, but it was spoken aloud if he wanted to he wanted to comment on it. Taking another sip when he asked about Krest and the Jedi, she shook her head for a moment before setting the glass down.

"Oh no, the Jedi feel redemption is possible. I just don't feel Krest could personally be one. They took me in and I'm not exactly entirely pure."

In his gaze, he should be able to tell what her life was like now and the touches of darkness within her. Jairdain walked a neutral path but leaned to the light. Not one to shy away from the dark any longer though, she could use it just as well as the light.

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph mused at that for a moment. "So redemption is possible. But still only reserved for their precious little sheep that have wandered astray. Hmph." Voph sighed quietly waving a dismissive hand. "To each their own, I suppose. Glad to see some things still have not changed."

He reached up and rubbed his forehead. "At the very least, the things that have changed are for the better. Holodisplays for Miraluka are far easier to read... old ones gave me a headache..." Voph stood, and began peeling away the armor plates, discarding them to a small bench set against the rock wall that served as the foundation for the master bedroom, and the back wall of the dock. "Forgive me, but I refuse to sit here with the water taunting me so." Within moments, he was down to the simple armorweave suit under the plating, and he rolled up the pants to expose his calves. As he walked back towards the edge of the dock, he scooped up his drink and took another sip. He sat down on the edge of the dock, letting his legs dangle in the water, and turned so that he was still facing [member="Jairdain"] as best he could from this position. "So, what think you of Kay's venture? Putting..." He gestured around vaguely, "All this together. This new structure of government?"

 

[Jairdain]

"It is possible, but I will never be Jedi again. My path might be parallel to them, but it is not the same. Their code is not my code."

Listening to what Voph was saying, Jairdain nodded to some of it. Following his movement through the Force, she saw him sit down to allow his legs in the water. The last time she had been in a situation with water, she had stripped down and gone for a swim. She didn't feel that would be the right thing to do now and did her best to resist the temptation.

Crossing her legs, leaning back in her chair, she sightlessly gazed out across the water a moment before focusing again on Voph.

"I can't read."

Now she stood up and decided to make it easier for them to talk and moved to sit next to him on the dock. Not taking off more than her shoes though, she sat cross-legged and faced him. Letting out a sigh, she shrugged one of her shoulders slightly and shook her head.

"Before I got my job with Commenor, she tried something like a senate that did not go over very well. This one is smaller so maybe it'll work out better. One can always hope."

In those days, she had been a Sith and had actually participated in an attack against one of the planets they once held. That was something even Kay might not be aware of.

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph turned to look at Jair. "Had poor teachers, I take it." He smiled softly. "It's not that hard. Particularly now they make displays tuned to people like us. Might have to work on fine-tuning your sight to be able to actually read it..." He took a gulp of his drink. "Assuming you've the time to undertake a venture like that." He fell into a thoughtful silence for a moment. "I was not a part of the Empire led by this...Carnifex."

He turned to look at [member="Jairdain"] with a sorrowful smile on his face. "I was killed shortly after the conclusion of the Zakuul War. Nearly five thousand years ago. Much has changed in the time since those days. Though to see the Empire in such a state...I worry for the rest of the galaxy. The only thing keeping them from obliterating us is their amusement with our...antics."

He set his glass beside him, and folded his arms over his chest. "Unless something is done to curb this...Commenor will face subjugation again. And the Sith will not look kindly on a world that has risen up once before. And...there's something else." Voph's mood grew dark. "Something's out there...waiting. And I fear it will turn on Commenor sooner or later."

 

[Jairdain]

"Something like that. I was the only blind person in my family and well with my Force sight, I was given a small device that would read to me. There was never a need to learn how. The same goes for colours and such. I have no idea what they look like."

His tone had softened as turned to look and speak with her. She could hear the smile in his voice and gave him a small one of her own. When Voph said it might take her time to learn, she nodded. With that smile on her lips, Jairdain gave him a bit of a deeper focus with the Force. As if she was trying to make eye contact with him.

"My duties don't take me away too often so the time can be found pretty easily. Are you offering to help?"

Listening to his brief story of himself, she displayed very little shock or surprise at it. Just a simple acceptance that what he said was the truth. There was no reason for him to lie about anything and she trusted him. So far he had done nothing to indicate he couldn't be. Tilting her head to the side slightly as Voph spoke of 'something' else out there. Reaching out to feel the life the galaxy for a few moments, she returned to the here and now quickly.

"What is coming?"

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

Sovryn. That name again. Why did Voph know that name? And why was it the first thing he though of when asked what was coming? He sighed quietly as he hung his head. "I don't know." He took another drink, looking up at the sky above. "But something brought me back. And while I am here, I cannot help but feel that I am putting Commenor in danger." He sighed again, looking to [member="Jairdain"] after a moment. "Why would I be brought back? What makes me special enough to deserve a second chance at life when....trillions of lives have come and gone in the years since my death?"

He fell quiet again. Deep down he knew the answer. But he didn't want to admit it. Sovryn. That damned name. He didn't know who she was, but he knew she was responsible. Somehow. "Hmph. Perhaps one day I will find the answer. And with any luck, it will be before something terrible happens..." In an effort to change the subject to a lighter topic, he glanced at Jair and smiled softly. ​"I do believe I could be of some assistance, though. Learning how to read, that is. Or read basic, at the least. I'm...rusty beyond that."

 

[Jairdain]

"There are others that have been brought back for various reasons. You, Krest and who knows how many more...all for purposes we can't know until something happens. If you were brought back, then we can either find out why or allow it to be revealed when its time. That choice is yours in the end, Master Voph."

Falling silent, she would lightly touch him with the Force if he allowed it. Just a caress on his being, but it would give her an idea of what might have brought him back.

"You are special because you have lived so far in the past. You can share what you know and learned from your life. Maybe pass on something for us to use now. Something is coming, so maybe only you or a handful of people like you can help prevent whatever it is from causing harm."

Nodding that he agreed he hoped to learn something before anything might happen, Jairdain went with the change of topic as it moved back to her learning how to read. Letting out a small chuckle when he said was rusty in other types reading.

"Well, you are farther along in that regard than I am."

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph laughed quietly. Special. Him. Sure. "I doubt I am the only one in a position to stop it. The Force does not deem me a worthy conduit for such feats as that." His gaze turned to look out over the water. "I am but one man. Doomed to obscurity, whose name will fade from the minds of the galaxy." Voph was quiet for a moment longer. His words were not born of self-pity. A unique perspective that someone who'd lived and died thousands of years prior.

He sighed quietly, and stood, draining the rest of his drink. "I am nothing special, nor will I ever be."

He walked back over to his chair, and set his empty glass on the armrest. He turned back to [member="Jairdain"] and offered her a sad smile. ​"But, It's not all bad. Anonymity and unimportant bring certain benefits..."