Let Me Go (Lady Kay)

[WolfMortum]

So here he was again, back home on Commenor being held in an anti-force prison Cell secured discretely beneath the royal palace whose people once would've kissed his ass had he but the gall to ask. A crude thought though in his position Veiere wasn't without his need to keep himself occupied least his declining mood get the better of him. The Bounty Hunter, [member="Koda Fett"] had brought him in, though Veiere had resigned himself to the capture in the end; call it a crisis of conscious or perhaps the waning strength to continue to fight for things he didn't believe in any longer. Regardless, here he was once more in his wife's company for better or for worse.

In the isolation there was certainly no lack of opportunity to delve into his thoughts. Over the span of his life he had come to meet many people, some more significant than others and certainly some who stood on opposing sides of the battle of wills that life as a Force User had given him; still they were memorable all the same. Curiously however his first thoughts didn't go out to family but his former apprentice and the only ever Jedi Student who had succeeded in surpassing him. [member="Romi Jade"], though he knew not what had become of her, was certainly out there in the galaxy somewhere. Veiere enjoying the thought that she might not have changed as he had, that she remained vigilant in her dedication to the light and her fighting "the good fight". The Girl had been part of Veiere's life when everything had made so much more sense and his path seemed so clearly defined in what he had believed was the Will of the Force. A half smile took form upon the corner of his lips as his gaze dropped to the floor momentarily, the concept little more today than a time of broken dreams held high upon his ignorance at the time.

Becoming a Father had certainly changed his perspective of the Galaxy, [member="Caedyn Arenais"] and [member="Loreena Arenais"] were well into their teenage years now though back in the earlier days the transition from living for the Order to changing his direction in life with the arrival of his and [member="Lady Kay"] Arenais' children (Not to mention the wealth of emotion and attachment they brought), had forced Veiere to re-evaluate much of himself. As much as he disliked the political scene, the governance of the Systems Alliance had become the more reliable avenue for ensuring their children grow up in a safe and reliable environment rather than continuing on with his active duty as Jedi in the field and risking his family losing their father and husband.

Of course, things were extremely different today. Veiere seated upon the edge of his bed surrounded by a prison of walls, one of which was transparent and did nothing to hide the sadness of his wife when she'd come to see him (she hadn't returned since he had first arrived with Koda Fett); Veiere today was a convicted traitor and a killer. Such a start contrast to his former life of service to the Galaxy and a change that inspired a fair deal of denial in himself in order to move passed it.

Looking back, perhaps he should have never left Alzoc Three with her.

 

[Kay-Larr]

It was a few days after [member="Veiere Arenais"] was brought to Commenor by [member="Koda Fett"] , that Kay had finally gone to the catacombs to visit her husband. Wearing her light armour and personal cloaking device to hide herself from detection, she had made her way down there completely unknown.

That is until she turned the cloaking device off.

In nearly an instant Kay had appeared, approaching the specialized cell that held her husband inside. "Veiere..." Boredom no doubt had already taken affect, though she was as sure as always to have a good stock of books and holovids on hand for him so that he could have some sort of entertainment. However he may have noticed that that the stock was no different than the last time that he was there.

"...I didn't expect you to be caught so soon. No one knows that you are here yet other than a few security staff. I haven't told anyone. Not even [member="Adron Malvern"] ." Her Royal Advisor liked to be informed of everything, most especially after the unexpected visit that she had in her private bedchambers by the Emperor [member="Reginald Kardal"] . "So now we have to decide on your fate..." The last thing that she had wanted was for him to live out the rest of his days in that cell.

 

[WolfMortum]

Her voice was somber and hard of hearing, not for the volume in which she spoke but the fact alone that they two stood within share sight of one another able to have a discussion such as they were. Making eye contact with someone that you admired so much in your life, that you would only wish to see them filled with pride and marveling at the mere sight of yourself, it wasn't such an easy feat with the blood that was on his hands. So to speak. Still, he owed it to them both to lift his head that he might acknowledge his wife with the respect and longing that she so deserved.

"It's been a few months, though they felt longer than I'd have liked..." Veiere responded, his lips turning to offer a slim smile, his eyebrows lifting as if to show his pleasure in seeing her in the face of the guilt that weighed over him. There were a number of things he could have said, things that would make for small talk and for the moment pretend to be as though they had been once long ago when they still lived atop the mountain overlooking Chasin City. No such delusion was given however and he instead listened, noting a particular name that had once been at his side during the early days of his former ambitions.

"I do not believe I will be sought after, this time" he responded to [member="Lady Kay"]'s notion of fate, particularly his for the last Trial that he had attended, had not gone to the best of Commenor's interests; though he had once given her advice in case of the event, a third parties want for intervention. It crossed his mind now however that he might mention his resignation to the Bounty Hunters custody, that he had handed the last of his weapons over due to the want not to resort to further violence and death. It had been the first time he had chosen not to pursue something that he desired over the sake of another's health since...-An age ago. Whether she'd have believed him however and more importantly, whether or not he deserved any small mercy in her favor was another story entirely.

"What would my Queen intend for me, pray tell?...".

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay gave [member="Veiere Arenais"] a small smile, though she was quite certain that he could feel the mixture of emotions that she was currently going through; the joy at having him within reach, the love that she still had for him, and the sorrow that for now, she couldn't act upon it, couldn't behave in that way. Even though they were alone and unmonitored, she still felt in some ways as though they were being watched, and that she herself was being judged.

She clasped her hands in front of her, trying to look the part of the authority figure here, instead of as the wife that she very much wanted to be. "Your idea worked. Exiling you, placing the bounty on your head, it had accomplished what we had hoped. Our people, and even those outside of our territory have expressed their condolences for the entire situation. So finally you have the type of situation that you wanted, one where your actions can no longer reflect badly on us, and especially on our family."

Kay took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, meeeting his gaze with her own. So often she could get lost in his gaze, but not today. "You need to redeem yourself. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow or the next, but some day. And I'm not talking about being a Jedi again, you don't have to go that far. But as you told me before, you would come to our aid when we needed you. Does that still hold true?"

 

[WolfMortum]

"The Jedi would not take me even were I to want such a thing" Veiere replied quickly, an attempt for humor though it was the truth all the same. I doubted that their standards would allow them to take in a murderer of their own people, one to such a degree as what was done to Deneba. None the less, he was glad to hear that [member="Lady Kay"] and their Children had survived the fallout of his actions with little recompense against their name. It was hard to know whether or not he still felt such a belonging to the masses though those few that he had loved were still dear to heart beneath the image that he had become.

Her question as to his ability to stand at their defense however caused Veiere to slowly stand from the side of his bed and move further into the center of the room where he would gain a better height and look of his Wife, if she still were to be considered that. "You're in trouble?" he asked, his mind first going to her safety. Redemption was not something that Veiere had considered, it didn't seem likely though Kay's question also likely suggested taking up the fight again. Something that following his run in with [member="Koda Fett"], he had considered moving away from. Violence and Hostility had done nothing for him.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded, somewhat in agreement with his comment on the Jedi. However she was certain that there were some of their members that were very forgiving. Afterall, they had taken in some reformed Sith. It wpuldn't be too strange for them to take [member="Veiere Arenais"] too. Yet she was more wanting of their people to take him back.

Now he stood up and moved closer to her. Still she kept her hands clasped in front of her as she wanted to be certain that he was wanting to help, before she'd make any other movement.

"Not directly at this moment, but trouble is brewing yes. Not internally mind you, but externally. There is turmoil within the Galactic Empire; a civil war. I didn't think that I'd have any part of it, but there's a small connection there... [member="Adron Malvern"] had left them to work for us and the CIS. He said that it wouldn't be easy. Not long after his papers were sent to the Empire, their Emperor appeared in my bedchambers for a...discussion. He knows my secret Veiere, somehow he knows. But I also know of his, thanks to Adron. Still...if word starts to spread and the Emperor [member="Reginald Kardal"] suspects my involvement, I could be targeted. He threatened to destroy Adron as well, which I cannot allow as he's my Royal Advisor." She paused for a moment, taking a breath. "And there's more. With the fall of the Galactic Alliance, there is nothing to protect the Core. A few governments are trying to unite to put up a front and protect innocent people and nations from the Sith, but I fear that with Cedric Grayson and a few others, they would stoke the flames of war for the 'good' of the Galaxy and put all others at risk. And because I see war as a last resort, I'm being called a Sith Sympathiser, something that could bring the Silver Jedi to our doorstep. The notion of us coming under attack is increasing. I can feel it. And it's coming from all sides..."

 

[WolfMortum]

"I would not be so quick to doubt [member="Adron Malvern"], Kay..." Veiere responded, offering a lift of his head in would-be encouragement though his expression remained thoughtful and his mind upon the things she were telling him; "After all, there was a time where he was to stand by my side with the Dark Jedi. I believe he saw the direction it was going and did what was best for his interests...-The man is not incapable of keeping himself guarded".

"The Silver Jedi wouldn't so openly attack the Systems Alliance unless they had good reason to and given that you've taken steps to ensure that my actions haven't been put to the blame of our family nor Commenori affairs, you would need to look like a threat to them or the innocent. Unless things have changed drastically over these passed few months...-I highly doubt there's enough evidence to suggest any such aggression come your way from those that call themselves keepers of the peace", Veiere had not seen or heard from the Silver Jedi Order in a very long time and given his reputation today, that was likely a good thing as it'd no doubt mean a confrontation he didn't want. There was however still the desire to believe that as Jedi, they would not go out of their way to instigate a war upon people whom only wished for peace.

"As for the Core Worlds, if the Galactic Alliance has truly fallen then it will be a race to take claim over Coruscant and her neighbors. The Galaxy see's the Core as the heart of all society and people often believe that the one who controls Coruscant, takes the lead in the political front of all worlds. I'm not sure I believe this or not as we have never needed the Core Worlds to be successful in the past. It does however mean increased activity and the likelihood of conflict on our borders, I agree..." Veiere found himself opening up to speak his mind as he once would have done as her Advisor and Husband so long ago. Once upon a time, Veiere had been there to offer his thoughts and encourage her in many of the affairs of the Systems Alliance, yet today so much had changed that it surprised him somewhat to find himself speaking as he did. He did not want to lose sight of what had come to pass and the weight of his actions and the consequences they had brought.

"Still...-I'm not sure what this means for myself, Kay. Were I in the position to do so, I would still fight for my family, yes of course but I'm a Criminal and the Systems Alliance will never see my actions go unpunished" He sought to remind her, "Nor should they". He was a traitor to his own people and had invaded and laid siege to one of their own very worlds, a location of peace and learning.

[member="Lady Kay"]​

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded in agreement. She didn't doubt [member="Adron Malvern"] at all. She'd seen him in action and was trusted enough to see his old home and treasures. And she trusted him with her secret of her Force Sensitivity; something that was brought up during a dangerous situation.

As for [member="Veiere Arenais"] 's comments on the Silver Jedi, she wasn't so sure. They hinted at an attack for the mere excuse that they thought Veiere was a threat by turning to the Dark. Bit thankfully nothing had happened. And given that they were both on Umbara to try to gain the sector, it was easy to believe that tension was rising. And now the movement of the Silvers were taking them nothward right along CSA's borders. It made her believe that they were headed to the Core.

Kay lowered her head a little, staring at one of the bookshelves that adorned his specialized cell. It almost sounded as though Veiere didn't want to be released at all. But this was no place for him, and she didn't want him to spend the rest of his days in the cell. Though if that was his choice, then she couldn't refuse him.

"I'll give you a choice. You can either return to exile so that you can be free. Or you can remain in this cell for the rest of your days. Or.... She pulled out a datapad, swiped the screen and turned it around so that he could see a set of armour. "...You could wear this and be my personal bodyguard, masked and unknown be everyone but me." She looked up at him then, meeting her eyes with his. "Which will you choose?"

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere took one look at the image of armor that [member="Lady Kay"] had on display via her Datapad and already knew his answer within the initial seconds of seeing the attire. Shaking his head in decline he soon elaborated upon his choice, "I will not hide like a coward, I would rather return to Exile and be called upon at a time in which you have need of me. At-least in isolation I can still have my freedom to travel between worlds and to further explore the Force outside of this cage...-But to wear that Armor would be to make myself your slave and as much as I love you Kay, you should know that's not for me".

"Truth be told, resigning myself to Fett was the best decision I've made of late" He continued, wanting Kay to understand why Exile sounded best fit for himself after all that had happened; "You're right that I do need to atone for the things that I have done and I will do my best to commit myself to that cause. That Armor however will hide me away and I will never be able to show people that I can change" he looked over his wife apologetically, knowing that her offer had been a truly generous one and would mean that they could still be together always; though he didn't know where their relationship stood or if it could still be salvaged. Perhaps one day he would find the time that he might return to her safely without risking the lives of their children or those of the Systems Alliance and their home-world.

"I am tired of fighting, tired of the chaos that conflict brings and the aggression that has risen up through me...-The Dark Side of the Force is still there, still tainting my view upon the Galaxy, making my emotions erratic and easily provoked. I need time and peace to settle myself first before seeking to make amends...-Yet I told you that I would always be there to protect you and our Children and that promise has not changed at all".

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay set aside the datapad. She knew that [member="Veiere Arenais"] would refuse that option. Of course she would never ever treat him like a slave, but she had to offer it anyways. It made her wonder though, did he feel like a slave when he was her bodyguard before? That thought in turn made her question how she treated the rest of her staff.

"I know that you can change, Veiere. Just as you helped me to find myself again; I'll help you too." She chewed the inside of her cheek. Veiere had made a holocron and left it in her possession. However Abyss had taken that knowledge from him. Would returning that memory help? Or make things worse? Perhaps that was a question for a later time.

"You are welcome to stay here so that you can find that peace. At least for a while. Then...you can be exiled again. Kei Raxis has died and his ship now belongs to me. It's Mandalorian in design however. Did you want to use it?" She wasn't sure if he had taken the Kingsguard or not. [member="Caedyn Arenais"] had already inherited Veiere's X-Wing.

Now for an update on family affairs. "Brad is getting married. To Jairdain. It'll be a small and private ceremony being held...I don't know where. And Cae...he seems to have a girlfriend, if what Lori says is true." Their children were growing up and like most parents, she felt left behind.

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere frowned at the mention of [member=Kei Raxis]' death, if memory served correctly Kei had been present on Deneba during the attack. The corruption of the Dark Side of the Force had warped Veiere's mind some and not all things were so clear nor easy to recall yet he was certain Kei had been on the opposing side and Veiere had sought to bring him over to the Dark Jedi. The news of his Death however far gone Veiere had been at the time still struck a chord in him for their history and interactions together over the years.

When Kay told him that he could stay there for a time, Veiere wondered if she meant the Cell or Commenor in general. "You would let me stay at our home in the hills?", the possibility that he might be allowed back there seemed too good to be true. The Eldritch mountains gave plenty of Isolation worthy for one in Exile. Veiere had once had an older residence there that had originally been vacant and given to him through Kay's authority as President. He had lived there in a couple years Exile between leaving the Republic and Commenor's ascension to become the Systems Alliance that it was today.

It was difficult to believe that [member="Bradshaw Ku"] was getting married as the last time Veiere had seen him, he'd still been a boy, or at-least still acted like one. This wasn't to say that Veiere hadn't been fond of him, he had struggled to make a connection with the lad that was fit for a father's presence in his life. He knew that he'd never replace the loss of Shaw Ku but Veiere had always hoped that Bradshaw would look up to him. Those days were long gone now as his actions had made certain that no one would be looking up to him in pride today.

"Sounds like they're doing well" Veiere replied with a wary smile, still feeling from the news of Kei though pleased all the same to hear that their children were seemingly happy; "How's Loreena doing? I saw her briefly during the Trial. She should've never been there...".

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded. "Yes, you can stay at our home. No one goes there, really, so you won't be noticed. This cell here uses a lot of power, so having it on for too long will draw attention..." She reached up to the touchpad lock, placed her palm onto it and within seconds after it was scanned, the barrier between the two of them disappeared. There was no reason to keep it going for it wasn't as though [member="Veiere Arenais"] was at risk of attacking her.

She stepped back to give him space, as he had said that he needed it. Being seperated from him had seemed to have driven a wedge between them, or at least that was what it felt like. And she wasn't certain of their future.

Kay nodded a little as he told her of Lori and the trial. It was a decision made by both Jaster and Lori, not herself. She was busy with the judge."She's learning to fight, to fly, and inventing things. But she's stubborn and prone to anger. Right now her and Jaster are having...a bit of a tiff. It'll blow over at some point, I'm sure."

 

[WolfMortum]

As soon as the energy field dispersed between them, their Force Bond came rushing back to him and the close proximity between them even though Kay sought to give him space, was ever so obvious as he could feel her presence so intimately; [member="Lady Kay"] too being able to connect with Veiere in much the same regard, would have no trouble ascertaining the truth in that he wasn't a threat in any sense to she herself. Quite the contrary, there still remained a deep attachment there though Veiere wouldn't speak of it for fear of making things more difficult than they were already.

"Thank you, Kay..." Veiere stepped out of the enclosure of his Cell and into the corridor that would eventually lead to his freedom. For now however, he was in no rush to take his leave from his Wife; for she had just given him a favor that words could not express the level of generosity and trust she must have had to confide in him so; "I promise that you will not regret this" He met her eyes with his and offered a slight nod, a forced smile to show his appreciation for which he was most thankful.

"Perhaps in time you could send the Children up to the Estate once I've settled back in..." He added hopefully, "I have missed them dearly and I have much to make up for...-For Lori to see me the way she did, I can never take that memory away from her but the least I can do is prove to her that she still has her father in her life...".

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay closed her eyes the moment that she felt [member="Veiere Arenais"] reconnect with her. That piece that was missing from her had now returned. At least for a little while.

She opened them again, seeing that he was already on his way out of the catacombs, yet not quite leaving as of yet. Her eyes met his and she so much wanted to reach out and hold him. He felt that way too, Kay could feel that, yet they both knew that they had to keep such feelings at bay. For now.....Stupid politics.

"I know that I won't regret it. And you'll have to take the tunnels, lest anyone sees you. It's night, so you'll have the darkness for cover."

She offered up a small smile as Veiere expressed his desire to see his children. "I will do that. Cae might be hesitant as he's quite heartbroken over the whole ordeal...and Lori...well I'm sure that she'd be here as soon as she could to show off for you." Lori loved to show off and Kay wasn't sure if it was due to an ego or of a need to make others proud of her. It was difficult to grow up in the shadow of their parents, afterall.

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere nodded in acknowledgement, a genuine smile escaping him at [member="Lady Kay"]'s agreement over their Children seeing their father again. "You are too good to me, Kay...-You do know that, don't you?" He finished the remark with a question, one he left to be rhetorical and something she should think over in case there were others who received the same generosity yet were out of his control and therefore possibly not as reliable as he hoped to be.

Moving towards the lockers lining the far wall, Veiere sought to take back his belongings that had been removed of him during the hunt. They had been handed over to Kay's security personnel and subsequently stored there, to be returned to him should he be released. It was a little hard to believe, but he had been and Kay was giving him his freedom. "Tell me something...-You know what I'm guilty of. Why are you excusing me of my crimes and letting me fall into Exile...-Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely grateful to you. This is a favor that I may never be able to repay...-But are you certain this is what you want?" He couldn't leave without asking. Veiere didn't quite know the political situation on Commenor these days, not like he used to but he suspected that there were great risks that his wife was taking in doing this and as she had given him the benefit of doubt, he owed it to her to give her the chance to change her mind should this all be some kind of mistake.

Awaiting her reply, Veiere took up the duffel bag of his possessions and hoisted them up over his right shoulder, soon turning back to look to Kay with concern. "Please, just make sure that you're not endangering yourself by doing what you think is best for me. I want you to be certain this is what you want; I don't want to see you hurt again and for so much, I am to blame. I will carry that with me but we both know you are letting me get off lightly here...".

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay dipped her head in acknowledgement. Yes, she was too good to [member="Veiere Arenais"] and she knew that. But he was her husband. Being cruel to him would in turn be cruel to herself and she didn't want that.

She approached him as he asked her questions about why she was letting him go. Her eyes didn't meet his at all, instead she just tidied up he clothes a little, straightening the lines and taking off bits of lint as though she was making sure that he looked his best. "Being seperated and and being alone hurts. I was a widow already and I'm not sure which is worse. People are telling me to move on, but I'm not ready. I don't want to."

She chewed the inside of her cheek a little as she met his eyes. "We're both guilty of crimes that could see us locked up or executed. You haven't call me out on mine, you haven't brought mine to the authorities. So this is my repayment to you for that." At times it was difficult to remember that years ago after her captivity she had done some very bad things, all done out of fear for her own safety and position. Serving their people as she did, dedicating herself to them was her payment to them. It was her life sentence.

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere found himself frowning, not having expected [member="Lady Kay"]'s answer to relate as far back as the days where Darth Prazutis had corrupted and turned her to the Dark side of the Force. Back then, Veiere still had his purity in the light and his life as a Jedi seemed unshakable. He had fought through his frustrations to playing a very long mind game ensuring that he gained her trust again before guiding her back to the lightside of the Force. It had taken months, years even but then they had eventually got there and Kay had returned to her old self, the only difference having been the mantle of Queen and royalty.

Of course, to get there, Kay had committed several acts that as she had said, were vile atrocities that Veiere had never sought to bring to light. Had she refused to see reason and remember who she truly was then perhaps he'd have been forced to do so otherwise yet when Kay came back to reality, there was only harm that would come from bringing such things out into the open and so Veiere had kept his mouth shut and kept her secrets all the while. She herself must have realized that he had figured things out for himself, after all he wasn't stupid and Veiere had complete knowledge of the inner workings of the Commenori Government. Prazutis had played his hand carefully yet in the end, Veiere's patience had overcome the threat to Kay's life and well-being. This of course was years ago now...

"Fair enough..." Veiere concluded, reluctantly agreeing with her and knowing better than to argue, he shifted to pull his hood up over top of his head and turned to glance down the corridor in the direction the tunnels lead away from the heart of Chasin City. "I will get going then...-When you're ready, come home and we can talk..." Veiere glanced back to Kay, reaching out to stroke her cheek with his right hand gently, a small smile escaping him before the Exile turned once more and this time took his leave.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay leaned her head against his hand as he stroked her cheek. It had been months since they were together and both had thought that the last time would be the final time. But no. Things happened differently than they had both expected. And [member="Veiere Arenais"] was heading back to their home.

She watched him as he turned to go, disappearing in the darkness of the tunnels. Hopefully no one will realize that he was there. Hopefully no one will see that the bounty had been claimed. Otherwise....she'll be caught in a lie.

As she turned on her cloaking device and headed back up the steps that would take her to her office and bedchambers, Veiere's last words echoed in her mind; 'when you're ready, come home and we can talk..' Kay clenched her jaw, already imaging a bunch of different things that he'd want to talk about and none of them were very good. Did he want her to talk about her crimes? Or the future of their relationship? Or the future of their family? Whatever it was, Kay knew that it would be some time before she was ready.

She hated being forced into situations where she felt uncomfortable. And that was happening a lot lately.