Private Learning to Relax!

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Naboo
Outfit: Casual
Companion: Grisial
Tag: Aiden Porte

Visiting Naboo has been something that Dreidi avoided doing for several years since the destruction of the Confederacy. She had been focusing on finding her place as a Jedi and as a Witch of Dathomir, she was also helping other Jedi fighting Sith and Imperial based factions. Dreidi was attempting to also build an enclave on Dathomir as well, the work was slow going but she was feeling the importance of doing a good job as well as ensuring the safety and security of anyone who visited the enclave she would be establishing.

This was all to say, she had been keeping herself very busy and not really allowed herself to relax or attempt to wind down. She played music at the occasional dive bar on Coruscant and other city worlds. However, she was needing to take some time to relax, collect her thoughts and allow her body to take a break and recover from the hard work of building an enclave. Dreidi decided that the best place to relax would be Naboo, the world was naturally beautiful, relaxing and soul soothing. It was also the location of her closest friend, Aiden. She contacted him in the hopes that he would be able to meet up and they could spend some time together.

Arriving on Naboo, Dreidi breathed in the fresh air, it was certainly different to the atmosphere and air on Dathomir. It was fragrant and floral here, Naboo felt like a planet that was safe, warm and naturally beautiful. While she found Dathomir beautiful in its own way, she knew it was a lot more dangerous and darker. With Grisial by her side, "well, lets hope that Aiden was able to make sure he was free to join us on some fun." Dreidi commented to the Vulptex who was sniffing the air heavily. Grisial was attempting to adapt to the senses of the new world, wandering around and giving everything that was new a good sniff to identify it.

 

[Aiden Porte]

When he had heard from Dreidi Xeraic that she was coming through Naboo for some fun. He was incredibly thrilled at the idea. He hadn't seen her in a few weeks since he returned home to look after the house. His family were leaving home for some personal matters so he was inquired to keep an eye on things while they were gone.

There was plenty to do in Theed, even explore the waterfalls and just experience the floral and fauna of the planet. He knew it would be good for Dreidi and would help her loosen up some more.

Aiden dressed rather normally today, as he made his way to meet Dreidi. He could see her in the distance and a big smile showed on his face.

"Dreidi!" Aiden exclaimed as he gave a light wave of his hand. "Grisial!" He had met her animal companion several months ago upon his return to Coruscant.

He pulled her in for a hug. "It's great to see you Dreidi. I hope your trip was good." Aiden then knelt down to Grisial's level. He slowly held his hand out towards the creature. "How have you been?"

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Naboo
Outfit: Casual
Companion: Grisial
Tag: Aiden Porte

Seeing Aiden, Dreidi gave a warm smile and waved back to him. Grisial bounded towards Aiden in excitement, he knew how pleased that Dreidi was to see Aiden again and decided that if Dreidi was going to try being cool and collected that he would show the joy she felt with his behaviours. Dreidi knew what was going on and sent seething hatred to Grisial for his behaviour.

When pulled into the hug, she hugged Aiden and smiled warmly to him, "it was fine. Luckily things haven't been too crazy around here. It has been too long since I was last on Naboo." Dreidi mentioned as she looked around the city. It seemed to not have any ruins of the attack that happened years ago under the Confederacy. Grisial leaned into the pets that Aiden offered and purred against the touch, nuzzling in a mix between dog and cat like behaviours.

Dreidi internally rolled his eyes at his behaviours.

"I am doing good, just been working on my skills. How about yourself? Doing good?"

 

[Aiden Porte]

It did him much good to see her again. It had been too long since he had seen Dreidi Xeraic

Truth be told it had been too long since he had seen any of his old friends. Bri, Bran, Sol.....

The Jedi Padawan had indeed missed them. It was perhaps a nudge for him to quite disappearing as many times as he had. However when his family is threatened, there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for them. From his dealings with the Sith and dark forces during his months away, he had grown strong. He needed to grow stronger though...

He wanted to able to protect them....protect everyone.

Even though he knew that wasn't a possibility.

"I'm glad your trip was good. It's so great to see you." The Padawan reiterated with a big smile on his face. He was quite pleased she was doing well. "I am doing pretty well right now. I'm babysitting the homestead at the moment. You came at a good time. They are having a market day of sorts in the streets of Theed. It would be nice to take in the sights."

There was so much they could go and explore. Plains, Lake, the waterfalls....

It was going to be a great day.

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Naboo
Outfit: Casual
Companion: Grisial
Tag: Aiden Porte

"Well, hopefully you are able to keep up with the training. Don't want to see that you are slacking behind, especially since it would mean sparring with you would be over way too quickly!" Dreidi smirked and nudged him teasingly, "I am glad to hear that you are doing well. Missed seeing you around the temple."

A market day on Naboo was a good day to be there. "I miss attending those from when I lived here." Breathing in deeply, she was reminded of the fun and the friends that she had on Naboo. A lot had changed since then and Dreidi was curious to see what it would be like around here. "Taking in the sights is always nice on Naboo. Anything in particular that you wish to do first? Or go?"

She wanted to make sure that Aiden had a great time as well. And given that he was living here, made sense that he would know what was to do first and take her on a bit of a guide.

 

[Aiden Porte]

Don't want to see that you are slacking behind, especially since it would mean sparring with you would be over way too quickly!"

Aiden couldn't help but laugh at her comment and the nudge that follow. "Ah I wouldn't worry to much about that. There has been much improvement since our last spar." He smiled at her as he beckoned her and Grisial to follow. "Don't worry I'll be back at the temple soon enough. While my duties are not to just the Jedi, but also my friends and family."

Aiden led her into the streets of Thee as the festivities were light but would pick up later throughout the day. Fares of all times, trinkets, odds and ends. Several food stands were towards the other ends of the streets. Giving it was early, that were everyone was bound to go. They had to fill their stomachs and get the energy they needed to last the festival.

"Are you hungry by chance?" Aiden inquired as he looked to her. "Could perhaps in the next day or two give you a tour of the Royal Palace. There's also the Lake and the waterfalls to see, even go for a swim."

He didn't want to swarm her, they had some good time over the next few days.

"What do you think?"

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Naboo
Outfit: Casual
Companion: Grisial
Tag: Aiden Porte

She nodded her head, "perhaps it is time you became a Jedi Knight as well then?" It seemed like Aiden was figuring out the Jedi he wished to be and she was surprised he had not been promoted to Jedi Knight around the same time as she had been. Where as she had been more hot headed as a Padawan, he was always more wise and collected. It was always nice to see and felt like he was much further ahead as a Padawan than she had been. Yet he was still a Padawan and she was now a Jedi Knight with her own Padawan.

"I'm always up for food." She had learnt that Zorrens always had a massive appetite and she rarely worried about gaining weight since she never ate more than she needed to. Likely she ate far less than she needed to if she was being honest. It was hard to keep eating calories when there was some many other things to do in a day.

"Royal palace could be nice, don't think I have visited there since I was part of the Confederacy. Swimming is always a pleasant time as well." She then gave a teasing smirk to Aiden, "though I suspect you want to do that just to see me in a bikini." She nudged him to reassure that she was merely joking and didn't mind. "Could be fun trying to get Grisial to swim, though it would have to be at the lake, don't want to risk him drowning if we go to a river or waterfall. But those could be great for just us to swim at."

There was plenty to do it seemed and Dreidi made sure to walk in line with Aiden, avoiding them separated by the crowd. Grisial close to them as well.

"What shall we eat first?"

 

[Aiden Porte]

"A Jedi knight?!"

When you are out the loop for a while everyone gets delusions of grandeur. He chuckled lightly and shook his head. "I'm definitely not ready for that yet. Between the group of friends we have, I still have much to learn." Aiden smiled faded for a brief moment as he thought back to his time away and the darkness that invaded his life and tried to destroy his family. To his shame there was a time where he did lose hope....

Unfortunate that it happened....

"though I suspect you want to do that just to see me in a bikini."

"I didn't mention anything about taking clothes off." Aiden said with a more playful nudge back and he laughed. She then mentioned getting Grisial to swim and he glanced down to him and his hand petted him affectionately. "That would be cool, and there are several places near the lake and waterfalls that are around calf deep. He would have a good time."

Today was incredibly busy, the best part of all was the laughter and smiles on everyone's faces. He thought back to all Naboo had been through and how are she had come, that fact that she still stood tall was incredibly amazing.

"There!" Aiden pointed out to a stand at the far end. "They have some blue milk that is incredibly good." Aiden came to stop as he had scouted out more places and hearing suggestions from those that had came by the vineyard the day prior. "The stand next to the blue milk is giving out free samples of the Jogan Fruit Pie." Aiden had tasted them prior to this day. They were good, but Solenne Abraxas was still the reigning champion for her Jogan treats.

"There's a few right here in front of us." The Jedi padawan indicated to the three stands. "These have several meats and such from various planets. Just pick your poison." Aiden said with a smile as he nudged her again. "What do you think?"

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Naboo
Outfit: Casual
Companion: Grisial
Tag: Aiden Porte

She shrugged, "even as a Jedi Knight and as a Jedi Master, you are continuing to learn." Dreidi pointed out, "so don't think you aren't worthy just because you still have lessons to learn." She gave him a nudge.

"So just go swimming fully dressed? Seems awkward and a way to ruin our clothes." Dreidi mentioned when he stated that he didn't ask anything about removing clothes. "Well, we'll see how much he enjoys the water. He wasn't thrilled with our last time swimming." Though that had been a running river that was much deeper so he struggled a lot more with the swimming.

Being busy was a little intimidating, she hadn't dealt with massive crowds or lots of people since she had left Coruscant to move to Dathomir. It was scary to see this many people and feel the energy that was surging around them. Dreidi wasn't take a lot in as she tried to breathe slowly in and out, letting the sensations wash over her and not overwhelm her. It took a few short moments and Dreidi was able to return to the present and take in the conversation that Aiden was starting.

"All of it sounds great." A fortunate aspect of being Zorren was having an incredibly high metabolism that meant she needed to eat a lot and regularly so everything Aiden mentioned was something she was keen to eat.

 

[Aiden Porte]

"even as a Jedi Knight and as a Jedi Master, you are continuing to learn."

Something he had heard all to many times. Not that he was ignorant to that, the learning wasn't the issue.

If he was ready, not just for the title but for the responsibilities that came with that title.

"So just go swimming fully dressed? Seems awkward and a way to ruin our clothes."

Aiden chuckled slightly when she spoke about the clothes and he shook his head slightly as he wasn't meaning that exactly and he felt he may have just over extended the jest completely. "Well, I didn't mean fully dressed per se....." Aiden chuckled again and then just shrugged his shoulders and gave her a nudge.


Aiden led them to the stand near the blue milk and jogan treats as he beckoned for two cups as well as a bowl so he could give some to Grisial. He handed the cup to Dreidi Xeraic . "Cheers, I hope you are not disappointed." Aiden spoke with a smile as he took a small drink and then when the bowl was given to him he placed the bowl on the ground a few paces away as to not obstruct the flow of traffic. He petted Grisial affectionately and laughed. "I hope you enjoy it to!"

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Naboo
Outfit: Casual
Companion: Grisial
Tag: Aiden Porte

She tilted her head confused when he mentioned that he wasn't thinking fully dressed. If he wasn't talking about fully dressed or wearing a swimming suit, then what could he mean? She looked over to Grisial in hopes that the Vulptex could offer any insight into what Aiden was thinking. However, Grisial gave nothing as he focused on the scents and weaving through the crowds. Dreidi looked at Aiden as she still attempted to process what he was saying since it wasn't making sense in her head. At least, it wasn't making sense for several moments.

Then a lightbulb clicked in her head.

She rushed over to him as he began ordering their drinks and a bowl for Grisial. "Did....Did you mean skinny dipping?" There was a slight blush on her cheeks as she didn't feel sure that was his point but she needed to check since she was bugged by it. Taking the cup and looking into the blue milk, she was thinking on it and Grisial was just nuzzled into Aiden's hand before lapping up the milk. Dreidi lifted the cup up to her lips, and drank the milk deeply.

"It is nice." She mentioned.

 

[Aiden Porte]

"Did....Did you mean skinny dipping?"

Aiden cleared his throat as he turned to her and he turned red as well. "Well....I-I-I" The Padawan stammered as he then chuckled a bit. While that sounded like a great idea, he was starting to think his words got misconstrued completely. And then he started to think maybe he wasn't even sure what he meant to say.

Dreidi Xeraic was by all accounts incredibly beautiful. He was not blind to that fact, and she was a great friend. He just thought maybe it wasn't the right time, to risk to escalate things.

"Perhaps someday, if you are still up for it." Aiden said with a smile as he finally gathered his bearings. "Swimsuits aren't bad though, we can still have a great time."

Aiden took a drink from the cup and he glanced down to Grisial before looking back her.

"You are great Dreidi, and you are beautiful. Don't think I don't notice that." Aiden said with a big smile, to give her the reassurance that its not because of her.

"Truth be told, I lost someone, many months ago." He cleared his throat before glancing down to Grisial and petting him once more.

"It's taking me longer to recover than I thought."

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Naboo
Outfit: Casual
Companion: Grisial
Tag: Aiden Porte

Dreidi had to be careful since her transformation into Zorren about chewing on her lip since her canines were longer and sharper now. She didn't bite her bottom lip for this reason, even though she was very tempted to try. Instead, she paused and listened to everything that Aiden had to say. Noting his body language and trying to understand his point of view. She didn't want to cause further issues or get things too muddled. He was her friend and someone she really liked and respected, and someone she had known for awhile now since he had been the first friend she made when moving to Coruscant.

"I wasn't trying to force you into the situation, think I was just misunderstanding what you were saying is all." Dreidi blushed, she couldn't deny that she felt something towards Aiden, however she didn't know what that something was or whether it was something they could explore.

Relationships for Dreidi were difficult and complex. She just had to see Jairdain to know that, her mother had gone through a lot before marrying her father and afterwards, and was now married to someone else completely. It was messy from Dreidi's point of view and she didn't want messy with Aiden.

When he called her beautiful, there was a blush upon her cheeks as she enjoyed the compliments but she didn't seek more, "th-thanks. You are attractive as well Aiden. Sure you knew that." Dreidi was feeling a lot more awkward and Grisial was just leaning into the pets, purring gently at the touches. His reaction speaking to the feelings Dreidi had more than she could express. Grisial was never this affectionate for anyone beside herself really.

"I'm sorry for your loss, it is tough to lose the ones we love." Dreidi mentioned, remembering the devastation she felt when her father died, "take the time you need to recover. There is no way to rush it. It will also never truly go away, the hurt will just be something you can manage easier."

Experience speaking for her there.

 

[Aiden Porte]

"I wasn't trying to force you into the situation, think I was just misunderstanding what you were saying is all."

"No, I know you weren't doing that." Aiden said with a reassuring smile. He knew Dreidi's intentions were good. She mentioned about him being attractive and Aiden could help but blush and smile. "Thanks Dreidi." Aiden took another drink from the Blue milk as he looked down to Grisial and then back to her when she started speaking again.

"I'm sorry for your loss, it is tough to lose the ones we love."

"take the time you need to recover. There is no way to rush it. It will also never truly go away, the hurt will just be something you can manage easier."

"Thank you Dreidi." Aiden said with a smile. He knew it would take some time, and he even thought that he had come to terms with what happened already. However there was several times that he did miss her. Wished she was still here. He knew that he had to move on though, not to just for himself but to be able to grow as a person. He couldn't cling to the dead.

"You hungry?" Aiden inquired nudging her slightly.

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Naboo
Outfit: Casual
Companion: Grisial
Tag: Aiden Porte

She noted that her compliment caused Aiden to blush and she was surprised to see the reaction, she hadn't really seen him blush before. Not when he cooked for her nor even when she surprised him outside the club that a load of their friends as Padawans were visiting. It was a cute look on him and made her think about what were her feelings since she never really thought about dating or romance really.

It was just something that never felt important in comparison to her other dreams. The ideas of having a lover, or even growing a family, it seemed too foreign to her really.

Finishing her drink, she wasn't sure how she was going to figure it out and maybe she did need to speak with someone not Aiden to help her with it. Though who she could turn to for that, Dreidi had no real idea.

"Food is always a good idea for me." Dreidi chuckled, "joys of Zorren, need to be constantly eating."

 

[Aiden Porte]

"joys of Zorren, need to be constantly eating."

"So that means you have to eat a lot, or is it a metabolism thing?" Aiden inquired curiously. As he led them over to one of the food stands. The Kaadu caught his eye, they were local from Naboo, normally found roaming the plains. Aiden had them a time or two, they were pretty good. However he tried not to so much, he felt they were pretty elegant creatures.

Aiden crossed his arms as he glanced around once more, taking note of a casserole that was in the mix, seemed to be quite popular today from what the server indicated.

Aiden nudge Dreidi Xeraic as he glanced her way. "What do you think? I'm open to either of them."

The Padawan glanced down to Grisial. "What do you think my friend?" Aiden said as his hand rubbed Grisial's ears.

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Naboo
Outfit: Casual
Companion: Grisial
Tag: Aiden Porte

"Both?" Dreidi tilted her head, "a high metabolism but I also need to consume a lot of calories due to being a Zorren." She shrugged, Dreidi had gotten used to consuming a lot of food to function day to day, one benefit was that she didn't have to worry about putting on weight since she rarely over ate. It would take a lot to get Dreidi overeating on a daily basis.

When looking at the two food options, Dreidi flicked her gaze between the two and then when Aiden nudged her, she looked over to him, "both?" She then giggled a little, "we can start with the casserole and go from there." Dreidi mentioned.

Grisial purred into the affectionate touch that Aiden gave him and then stared at the pure meat of Kaadu, licking his lips. Using the Force bond with Dreidi, he telepathically communicated with Aiden. "I want the meat, please!" Dreidi shook her head as she sensed what he was saying and knew he would never be so polite with her. Especially when it came to food.

 

[Aiden Porte]

"a high metabolism but I also need to consume a lot of calories due to being a Zorren."

"Well lets get some food then." Aiden said with a smile as he glanced down to Grisial and he felt his message and he chuckled. "I'll make sure you get extra my friend." Aiden voiced nuzzled his ears a bit.

The Padawan moved towards the stand and placed an order for the the trio. It didn't take long before their food was ready and he handed the containers to Dreidi Xeraic and the open container for Grisial, which he got a bit bigger as he promised. He carried his as well as he indicated towards a table nearby and he would lead them to it.

Aiden set his container on the table and Grisial's on the ground. "Eat up my friend." He said with a smile as he glanced towards Dreidi. "I hope you enjoy it Dreidi." The Padawan chuckled lightly as he started to dig in.

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Naboo
Outfit: Casual
Companion: Grisial
Tag: Aiden Porte

She smiled to Aiden, it was sweet to see him give so much affection and friendship to Grisial. While many did enjoy petting and playing with the Vulptex, she was never sure how respectful they were towards him. While he could be seen as a pet, for Dreidi it felt more akin to an extension of herself. A part of her was in Grisial and demeaning that to just being a pet or something similar seemed wrong to her. Especially since he was only getting stronger and bigger. Becoming the size of a small wolf instead of the lithe fox his kind were meant to be.

Dreidi took a bite of the food and tucked into the meal provided. "It's not too bad. I think I prefer a home cooked meal myself, like the one you made before." She noted with a smirk before diving back into the food. Enjoying the meal and savouring the fact that she was sating some of her hunger for now.

"Got to be careful with over indulging Grisial. Gotta keep him lean and strong, not overweight and sleepy, which is what he would be if he ate as much as he desired." She giggled softly, hearing the growls of the Vulptex due to her comments.

 

[Aiden Porte]

"It's not too bad. I think I prefer a home cooked meal myself, like the one you made before."

Aiden chuckled lightly and nodded his head. He remembered that all to well. The Jedi was actually quite nervous cooking for someone like that. However he had done it several times since then so got pretty well at it.

"I should definitely do that again for you. I've only gotten better since then, I think you'd like it much more."

The food that was prepared here was pretty good, he took a few bites and the taste sat really well with him. He looked over to Grisial as growled at Dreidi's comment

"Got to be careful with over indulging Grisial. Gotta keep him lean and strong, not overweight and sleepy, which is what he would be if he ate as much as he desired."

Aiden laughed, then took another bite of food. The food went down and he looked to Dreidi. "I'm sure he can afford a big meal every now and again." The Padawan said with a giggle. "Have you been up to anything interesting lately?" Aiden inquired curiously.