Private Learning to Relax!

[Dreidi Xeraic]

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

"Well, should be my turn to cook something really." She smirked, while cooking wasn't her strongest suit, she was still decent as a home cook. Her main enemy when it came to cooking a meal was the cleaning afterwards. It always seemed that she was doing a tonne of cleaning that others weren't dealing with when they cooked.

She rolled her eyes when Aiden suggested that Grisial could handle a big meal on occasion. "Good thing we don't live with you, big meals would a weekly occurrence with you." Dreidi poked her tongue out to him, teasing Aiden. "Interesting? Hmmmm... I am attempting to build my own enclave for people to train and grow at on Dathomir." She mentioned, it was her major priority and the focus of her attention.

"Otherwise, not much, how about yourself?"

 

[Aiden Porte]

"Well, should be my turn to cook something really."

"That's right." Aiden said with a smirk. "It is your turn to cook." Aiden teased slightly as he gave her a small nudge. It was good hanging out like this, it had been too long. He thought back to his several weeks on Tatooine, that in itself seemed like years had gone by. He found himself dwelling to much on that time, to much dwelling on Esme. He knew she was gone forever, yet time found him missing her greatly. He just knew things and life would go on, but not the same way.

***********

"Life goes on, things will get better. You will get better. Just keep things one day at a time."

"Life goes on, but not the same way. Perhaps then I'll start to forget about her?"

Kahne shook his head. "No, your never gonna forget about her. But you have to go on and make this life work."

Aiden chuckled lightly. "But I do, I get up and train and I avoid as many people as possible."

"If things were only that easy....."

**********

Aiden cleared his throat and took a deep breath. As Dreidi Xeraic started to talk about what she had going on.

"On Dathomir?" Aiden inquired curiously. "I have never been to Dathomir before, if you are starting an enclave there we should go sometime. I would love to see what you are working on. I'm sure its absolutely awesome." The Padawan stated as he winked at her as well.

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

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

"Will have to tell me things you enjoy to eat." Dreidi mentioned, not backing down from the challenge, though she did think about the fact she was not the best cook around. Memories of her father's cooking and baking, those were nice and really shaped her palette in a way that made it tough to live up to.

She saw that Aiden's mind drifted into deep thoughts and she didn't seek to pry too much on what he was thinking about, but she was concerned. She didn't want her friend to be feeling miserable or struggling silently. There was a look of concern and hoping that he was truly doing well, Dreidi could also sense that Grisial was attempting give positive vibes as he looked to Aiden.

"Sure, I am open to having you visit and will try showing you around." Dreidi mentioned as she knew there were plenty of wild animals that were dangerous for those who were unaware. "It isn't terrible but taking a while to make sure it is going well." The wink from Aiden caused her to blush slightly.

"What about you? What things have you been getting up to lately?"

 

[Aiden Porte]

"Will have to tell me things you enjoy to eat."

"Well, there isn't much that I won't eat...." Aiden spoke as his hand raise to his chin and rubbed it slightly. His brow furrowed trying to think of something that wasn't to savvy with eating. "Trial and error I would say. Just make whatever you know how. I might be able to help too!" Aiden said as he chuckled at the thought of him and Dreidi cooking together, and the thought for some reason did make him turn a small shade of red.


Aiden had read up on Dathomir years ago when he was younger, recalling his many time sheltered away in the Jedi archives on Coruscant. Reading on something was far different than actually visiting the planet.

"What about you? What things have you been getting up to lately?"

"Not too much..." Aiden began to say, which he knew partly a lie so he started over. "Well actually quite a bit....sorry..." He said a bit sheepishly as he glanced towards her. "I was recalled here to Naboo to look after the family estate for a few weeks. My father and mother are off investigating the, the attack that was initiated against us a several months ago. My father, mother, sister and myself were attacked by members of the Sith simultaneously. They might've been members of a different order, I just know they definitely wanted to kill us. Since then we've been on our guard, keeping watch."


"I'm fine." Aiden added with a small smile. He had his worst time on Tatooine a while back, thats where he was attacked. "I promise I'm fine." Aiden didn't want to say anything and risk drawing his friends into the fray. However he knew he didn't want to lie to them any longer. That's part of the reason why Aiden definitely lost a small sense of humor and innocence that he once held onto over a year ago. He almost lost his family and his life, and he knew that he would not let that happen again.

To anyone, including his friends....

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

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

She sighed, as much as she liked that Aiden was being optimistic and suggesting she could cook whatever she could for him. A part of her wanted to try making something special, something that was specifically for him. But she nodded her head, "we can figure that out together when we figure out the best time to have the meal." Dreidi mentioned, since she was not against him helping out. She was going to have him clean the dishes after her cooking anyways, a slight punishment for making her cook. Cleaning the many, many dishes and utensils that Dreidi tended to use.

When he started off with not a lot but switched to the more honest answer, Dreidi was grateful that he decided to be more open and honest. She listened to everything that he had to say and she could feel her anger resonating with Grisial as she juggled with the news that someone had tried to hurt Aiden. "It's not fine Aiden, what if something had happened to you! I care about you too much to let you risk your life and avoid asking for help!"

Something struck a chord in her, her father had tried dealing with a Sith Lord all on his own on Anzat when he was very ill with his dementia. It was the last time she saw him alive and dealing with it had been the most difficult part of her life. "I am your friend, Aiden, I am not just here to enjoy spar treatments and eating food together. I can fight and I can help you tackle problems like this."

"Please, don't try dealing with this alone." She reached forward. Putting herself more vulnerable than she had in a while but the concern in her eyes for Aiden showed how she had felt for him for a long time now.

 

[Aiden Porte]

"It's not fine Aiden, what if something had happened to you! I care about you too much to let you risk your life and avoid asking for help!"

"I am your friend, Aiden, I am not just here to enjoy spar treatments and eating food together. I can fight and I can help you tackle problems like this.

"Please, don't try dealing with this alone."

He glanced towards her, he was worried this was the response his friends would have. While he couldn't and he didn't blame them. It wasn't that he didn't trust them, he had already had one life on his conscious and he did not want to have any more. When she spoke of friends and she wasn't here to just do what they had done prior. He showed a big smile, as it spoke volumes to him. While he wanted to shoulder this responsibility alone, he would have to ask for help at some point. She leaned in and he too leaned in reaching out to pull her into a hug, a more affectionate one that he had given before.

"Thank you Dreidi....." Aiden spoke in a soft and sincere whispher. The Jedi broke the embrace slowly as he then glanced to Grisial-- "Thank you as well my friend." Aiden chuckled lightly as he petted Grisial playfully.

"It's not that I don't trust you, I've had a lot happen in the in the past year and I just didn't want anyone of my friends to get hurt or to die." Aiden said sheepishly, he knew this was a troubled world. One person couldn't hope to get on by themselves. Everyone was responsible for their own choices, it was up to them to decide.

The choice wasn't in his hand, it was in theirs.

Still, there was a tinge of guilt he would feel if he even asked. It was just the same as he expected his friends to tell him if they needed help. He would go to then ends of the galaxy for them.

"Thank you." He spoke again, as he looked at his friend with a smile on his face.

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

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

"And you think I could be killed that easily? Don't trust my skills?" She raised an eyebrow at him, "think if we sparred I would be the one kicking your butt." She smirked to demonstrate she was teasing him once again. While she did have concerns about whether he simply assumed she was not skilled enough to had anything in front of her, or have the wisdom to know when to flee from an enemy too powerful.

Dreidi had to set that aside since lingering on such issues would resolve nothing. Only way to prove suspicions like that wrong was through actions.

She leaned back, "it can be tough. I have lost people and it is a pain that does not go away and it is something you can't hide Aiden." Dreidi's gaze fixed on his expression, she could see the tell tale signs of loss easily enough. It looked the same on her when she lost her father. "I am not going to pry further on who you lost. But we all lose people we care about, especially with war going on across the galaxy. Don't carry the burden alone."

"Doing that could cause you to die and I can't lose you." Dreidi stated, her voice quiet, she wasn't sure what to say next so instead she took a big bite of her food. Hoping that would prevent the moment from being too awkward or for her to explain further what she was thinking. Dreidi was just thankful only Grisial could read her mind, she dreaded what others would say.

And Grisial knew well enough not to say anything in her silence.

 

[Aiden Porte]

"And you think I could be killed that easily? Don't trust my skills?"

"think if we sparred I would be the one kicking your butt."

This caused Aiden to giggle a little bit uncontrollably, the message being received and that caused him to smile as he nudged her.

"Of course not, I know how talented you are Dreidi. And if we sparred right now who knows, I've gotten better." He said with a smirk and he just lightly shook his head teasing her as well. She was doing a great job and making him smile, and he took big note of that. It was good to be laughing and enjoying her company. This was well needed, not just the eating and talking with a friend. But just to be able to discuss more about him and what was on his mind. He knew that Jun couldn't always be there and that there was others that he could count on as well.

"I am not going to pry further on who you lost. But we all lose people we care about, especially with war going on across the galaxy. Don't carry the burden alone."

"Doing that could cause you to die and I can't lose you."

"Thank you Dreidi." Aiden said as he wanted to mentally kick himself, he wished there was more he could say other than thank you. But he knew those words carried great volume. And he mean them completely. He looked away from her as she took a big bite and glanced over to Grisial. Aiden glanced forward for a few moments, he just smiled. "You aren't gonna lose me Dreidi, I promise."

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

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

"Maybe, but I am still a Witch, I have powers you don't know about." She poked her tongue out, teasing him about her other side, her dedication to being a witch of Dathomir.

After she had filled her mouth with food to avoid furthering embarrassing herself, Dreidi heard the thank you from Aiden and shrugged her best nonchalant shrug she could. Hoping that she avoided appearing embarrassed or disappointed that Aiden didn't say anything more. She didn't want him to feel forced or pressured into saying something just because she was merely embarrassed. Instead, she tried to seem casual and cool. Not sure why it was important to her that he didn't see how embarrassed she was.

Dealing with emotions like these, it was difficult for Dreidi and she never knew how to handle it right.

Dreidi is grateful to know that she won't lose you. You mean a lot to her and mean a lot to me because of that too. Grisial informed Aiden, speaking telepathically for the first time and Dreidi just stared daggers into him.

She never wished harm on anyone but in that moment she did for her bonded companion.

 

[Aiden Porte]

Aiden wasn't completely dense, he could sense something was amiss. And perhaps he knew what it was, but he honestly wasn't sure how to respond. He knew what he would do prior, and that was provide comfort. Aiden wasn't sure what he was feeling right now, he knew that....that feeling wasn't evident yet. He didn't want to get involved in something of that nature, not at least right now.

He knew that he for sure didn't want her to feel uncomfortable, however whenever he heard a voice enter his mind and he glanced over to Grisial. Hearing her companion's words he could help but smile.

The Padawan scooted over closer to her and put his arm around her, his hand rubbing her shoulder. He knew how to be comforting, how to provide that level as a good friend. He knew he just wasn't quite ready to take that next step. At least not yet...

After Esme, part of him wasn't sure if he ever wanted to feel that again. Perhaps he would revisit the topic at some point. He took a deep breath as he glanced over to Dreidi with a smile and then glanced to Grisial.

"Today's been a good day."

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

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

When she felt Aiden's arm around her, she felt her heart race and it caused her to chew on her bottom lip. She hadn't been nervous with people touching her in this manner in a long time. She took a deep breath after swallowing the big lump of food. Dreidi looked over to Aiden, part of her wanted to be bold and reckless but she knew that he was dealing with his own demons. Whatever they might be and she needed to respect that.

Instead she wrapped an arm around him and hugged her friend tightly. Inhaling his scent for a moment too long but she couldn't help it in that moment. Shifting back, she smiled nervously and looked over to Grisial who was just swinging his tail and she could tell he was smirking in his thoughts even though he couldn't actually smirk.

"It has been. What did you want to do next?" Dreidi asked, hopeful to keep going with their time together.

 

[Aiden Porte]

The hug was nice and very well received. It was good to know that he could find comfort in his friends. Aiden was quite the hugger when it came to showing people how he felt. Granted he hadn't hugged anyone too much here lately. Some didn't like it and just weren't accustomed to it. He had to be respectful to everyone else feelings on the subject.

Dreidi Xeraic didn't seem to mind though.

It was a few moments after the hug broke that they had finished whatever treats they had.

"It has been. What did you want to do next?"

"I could show you around the family's vineyard. You could see the family estate?" Aiden spoke with a smile, she would be able to see the wine collection and how it was made and such. His mother had gotten into the business and it was blooming quite well.

"What do you think?" Aiden inquired, while he had already mentioned the lake and perhaps the plains. It was whatever she wanted to do.

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

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

The hug was pleasant and she enjoyed the feeling of comfort and warmth that Aiden was giving her in that moment. Physical touch wasn't something she was massively in need or wanted but in this moment it was everything and deeply comforting. Dreidi let the hug last as long as Aiden wanted it to last. Sitting back once it broke and finished her food, enjoying the meal.

Hearing that Aiden's family had a vineyard, Dreidi cocked an eyebrow as she looked over to him, "how very fancy of you. I didn't think I was sitting next to someone coming from an incredibly rich and posh family." She nudged Aiden teasingly. Dreidi smiled warmly, "seeing the vineyard could be pleasant. Totally up to you."

Stretching her limbs, readying herself for them to walk to their next destination.