Liberty And Justice For All

[Connor Harrison]

Feeling a new sense of protection and power, all from a Queen he now stood by, Connor followed, hands behind his back and walking like nobody was a threat and nothing could stand in their way.

The smell of the foods greeted him as Kay led them to the food hall, and he soon followed her lead as she spoke and seated. Connor looked over the food with a plate in hand and put a few warm vegetables on with some small slices of meat and bread. And a glass of water.

He sat to the side of the table.

"As I said, I’ve spent years enforcing the will of Jedi. Basically that means fighting Sith and taking control of planets by kicking out or killing those deemed a threat. Politics and governance aren’t my strong suit, but if you give me the nod, those who step out of line will be sorted."

First, a mouthful of water.

"I have no trouble in enforcing justice, and others will follow the examples set. It is time to shake things up. The tide is turning for those once deemed weak to now secure greatness."

The corner of his mouth curled into a smile as he took his first bite of a crunchy vegetable stick.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay wasn't surprised that [member="Connor Harrison"] took the water rather than the other drinks offered. He had done so before, more out of a lack of trust over anything else. Perhaps there was still some mistrust there. Or maybe he was just a fan of water. Either way, it was noted.

She listened to him while he spoke of his part work with the Jedi. She cut small bites of her meat and ate them, before washing it down with a sip of her Sapir tea. "Kicking out or killing those that were deemed a threat? That seems hardly a Jedi thing to do. One would think that they would behave in a better manner, or a more...lightsided one."

At his comment on weak ones becoming great, she caught his smile as he ate. Kay smiled as well while she sampled a few veggies. More than likely Connor was speaking about the both of them. His past did make her curious however. "I know that I was rescued from my own weakness by my Master, but what about you, Connor? Did you consider yourself weak? From our interactions in the past, you seemed so confident and sure of yourself...Perhaps a little too much." She couldn't help but grin. He usually got into her personal space and was a little rough with her as he tried to figure her out. It was almost a power struggle between them. But no more. She was his Queen now.

 

[Connor Harrison]

He bounced his eyebrows a little as he bit into the veggie stick and crunched it. A grin formed.

"People change. Allegiances change. You know that. I'm not here for the Jedi or the Light. I'm here for myself and the power that the Dark Side can bring. Just taking my steps slowly at the minute."

Swilling his glass, he took a sip of water and then picked at some bread on his plate.

"There is a lot of manipulation and greed in the Silver Jedi, and everything I did went without appreciation and I saw nothing good come from it. They pushed me away, and kept me shackled. It was time to break the shackles, form my new alliances and become the man I was destined to be years before they got their talons into me."

He grinned again.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Allegiances change. That was true enough. In [member="Connor Harrison"] 's statement she knew then that she'd have to be watchful. With her new position and power, anyone could try to get close so that they could take it all away from her. That was something that she would have to prevent at all costs. There is bound to be many members of her staff that will come and go. The only constant would be herself. That was something that she'll have to get used to.

Kay picked up a small piece of meat and chewed it, savouring the gamey taste of it. "And what is it that you deem yourself to be? Powerful? A great leader? Someone to be feared? What is your goal?" She was curious. His answer could better help her decide on his tasks. Or rather how long she'll be able to keep him on staff. Her trust in him was still no greater than before.

 

[Connor Harrison]

"Hmm."

He ate the bread without rushing, mulling over the question and looking at the Queen. She was obviously sizing him up now for something, probably his position in her operation and what his intentions were.

"Well, I'd say I can lead when I get the chance, and yes I've been in a fair few battles in my time. Liberations. Expeditions. Dominions. Invasions. The usual."

Brushing his hand down, he took up the knife and fork and started to cut his meat to eat with the veg.

"The Dark Side will soon by totally under my control as my ally, and I will use it to law down law and justice like the Jedi fail to do. Yes, to be feared. Respected. Remembered. All the things great leaders and warriors are." He popped some meat in his mouth. "A legend, my Queen. A legend that will live on forever."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay sipped her tea while she listened to [member="Connor Harrison"] 's answer. He was playing it smart. She recognized that. One doesn't live a life of politics without being able to figure that out. One learns how to play the game. And he seems to be playing it well. Good.

Connor's answers were good ones. Those high in power and perhaps all Force Users in general, hated the idea of going down in history with nary a sentence about their existence. If we are to live and die without our lives meaning something, without going down in history as either one of the greatest or one of the worst, then what is the point of doing anything with our lives at all?

"Well I hope that you gain some of what you seek in your service here. Though Commenor isn't the most powerful world in the Galaxy, it certainly has it's place. Our list of allies wouldn't continue to grow otherwise."

She sampled another small bite of her meat, chewing and swallowing it down before she spoke. "I'm planning an expedition soon for myself. If successful, the Commenori, those that have wavering faith in me, will see how rightful that I am to have this crown. I'll need someone to watch over things while I am gone." Her eyes went straight to his then. Would he suggest himself fit for the job, or would he wait for her to say it? Either way, it was a test.

 

[Connor Harrison]

The food was rather delicious. Warming and tasty. It seemed living in the Silver Jedi temple on Voss, he'd been starved of decent food and company.

"Mhm, true."

He lingered, taking another sip of water to wash the food down.

"But you're a Queen now, influenced by the Dark Side and probably making a few new enemies. So you'll need someone to watch over YOU too."

And then, he continued to eat, glancing up at her as he popped in some crunchy veg, the faintest teasing smile on his lips as he ate.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay smirked at his answer. It wasn't as though he wasn't telling the truth. She probably did have a bunch of new enemies right now, some of them living on Commenor right now. But she had hardly left the Palace since her return and she was just itching for the fresh air, the break from protocol.

She took another sip of her tea. "I don't need an army to come with me, nor even a squadron of guards. I'm only going to go to the canyon to...pick flowers.. I think that I'd be more afraid of someone stealing my throne."

Of course [member="Connor Harrison"] would have no idea what she was talking about, nor that she was telling the truth. He wasn't from Commenor, so he didn't know about the legendary Red Lotus. More than likely he wanted to join her, but she wasn't going to ask for it. Being out in the wild wasn't everyone's cup of tea.

 

[Connor Harrison]

With an overly questionable look, Connor shook his head and had another drink.

"Picking flowers. Sure." He forked more meat into his mouth. "Okay."

He didn't have a clue what she was after out there, for he didn't know anything of Commenor at all except the area around him now. Swallowing the meat, he took another mouthful of water, and picked at the bread again.

"If you want me on caretaker duty to make sure nobody takes the throne, that's fine. I'll walk around and shoo people away, not a problem. But the only way they can take your throne is taking your life, so I hope those canyons aren't dangerous. Nor the flowers."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

As she figured, [member="Connor Harrison"] didn't believe her. No doubt she wouldn't believe him either if their roles were reversed.

To his point on her life being taken, that was true. Who would rule Commenor then? What would happen to it? More than likely it'd be taken over by some foreign forces. For now she was keeping them all at bay through the illusion of peace.

"The flowers are fine. As to where in the canyons they may be, that's the mystery. And the dangers? There could be plenty, though I doubt that they would be of the two-legged variety. I want to ensure that Commenor is in good hands while I am out there."

Maybe she shouldn't go afterall. Or maybe she should just sneak away. Wouldn't be the first time that she snuck out on her speederbike.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor wiped his hands down, leaving just a few ends of root veg on the otherwise clean plate. He rolled his tongue around his mouth.

"My Queen, it is not my place to say what you can or can not do, or should or shouldn’t do. I am here to serve and offer my advice as I see fit. I’ll be the eyes of the Jedi you otherwise don’t have, and I’ll make sure you’re protected as best I can."

He sat back in his chair.

"If you go, then go, and I will be here when you need me. If you want me to accompany you, then say, and I will be there. Either way, we’re in this together now."

With a smile, he reached out and raised his glass of water in a small toast.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded a little while [member="Connor Harrison"] tried to assure her that her choices were her choices. There was another that did that as well, but for the life of her she couldn't remember who. Maybe some day she'll get her memories back.

She raised a brow with some of what he said. He would go where she told him. They were in this together. Was that true? Or was she just being selfish in thinking that she'll always be by herself during her rule?

Kay lifted her tea cup for his toast. "Yes, we're in this together.." She sipped her tea and set her cup down before taking some more bites of her food. "Give me a head start. I haven't had much time by myself lately. Then we'll see how good of a tracker you are." She smirked a little and wondered if she could make a bit of a game of it while she was out there. Queens were allowed to have fun, weren't they?

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor tilted his head, raising his water a little to her.

"Now there’s a challenge."

He took a sip.

"I’ll do my best, and it’ll be good for me to get into a new way of using my ability rather than just for diplomacy. That is so boring. Tell me, where do you see Commenor in the grand scheme of things, as a power? As I said, I know others are behind you in this game, so I wonder is there expansion on the horizon or is this simply all there is for you?"

Still, he couldn't help prod a little.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay didn't figure [member="Connor Harrison"] to be the type to sit around behind a desk all day. He was a man of action, while she was a woman of words. Some action, but not nearly as much. However she did take up the opportunity when she could.

She leaned back in her chair and pondered his question. What was her overall goal? Did she want her power to expand and encompass other worlds? In a way that was happening already. Just not in the usual manner that involves invasions and dominations.

"Despite my time away while in captivity, my influence is still strong. More governments and businesses have given me their support and shared economic growth. We aren't on the radar of the other Sith yet. But I don't that will last long. We will probably have to fight to maintain our sovereignty."

 

[Connor Harrison]

Pushing his partially empty plate to the side, Connor folded his arms and leaned on the table, sitting forward.

"Who is behind this," he asked calmly.

He knew there was a bigger picture, and there was something – or someone – behind it all.

"I told you, our objectives are on a similar track, but this…it’s not all you. I knew you, remember. I want to know who’s behind your kidnap. Who’s broken you? Please. Tell me."

Before she spoke he opened his hand to reassure and silence her.

"Remember, we’re on the same side. I’m not a Jedi anymore."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay frowned while she slammed her fist on the table, causing the dishes to clatter. No doubt it caught [member="Connor Harrison"] by surprise.

"I was NOT broken!! I am NOT some fragile piece of glass that was shattered!! Is that how you all see me?! A fragile and weak woman that needs to be coddled?!"

She got to her feet quickly and leaned in over the table, palms down on the surface, her fingers gripping the table cloth. Anger and painful memories caused the yellow speckles in her eyes to glow, and tears to brim, though she did not allow them to fall. Her voice was quiet when she spoke, it was all that she could do to try to remain calm and not strike her new Minister.

"You have no idea what I went through, nor how many times I was killed. No-one else would have lasted as long, no-one else would have survived."

She clenched her jaw and walked over to the large fireplace, arms folded across her chest while she stared at the flames with narrowed eyes, watching as it destroyed the wood it was burning, darkening it and turning it to ash. She wasn't like the wooden logs. No. She was much stronger than that. Kay was the iron base that held the wood, able to be molded by the heat, but not destroyed or weakened by it.

 

[Connor Harrison]

As the Queen lashed out, Connor simply pushed back, hands up, not out to fight back. He turned his head slightly, letting the rage simmer in her and quietly bathed in her explosion of anger. It was nice to see.

She moved away with a fierce stride, and only when she stopped before the fire did he slowly get up, noting the over-turned plates and food. It had been going so well.

"My Queen," he said slowly and softly, taking gentle steps, "you are by no means weak in my eyes. If anything you're far stronger than ever. Why do you think I am here?"

He came a little closer behind her - but not yet TOO close.

"I don't doubt that many others would have collapsed and given up under the circumstances. But you? You survived. You're here, and look at you. You're an inspiration to others. If I gave you the impression I was judging you, then I am sorry. I simply want you to let me in. Let me see what happened to you. Tell me the details, the pain you felt to come out as strong as you are now. As empowering as you are now, my Queen."

Not sure how she'd react, he was glad of the distance.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

While [member="Connor Harrison"] spoke, Kay reached out with her hand and placed it on the mantle, having it give her support in case she faltered. She spoke quietly to herself when he finished. "The Commenori survive. It's what we do....Alright." She slid her hand off of the mantle and turned to face him, almost copying the same movements that she did when she finally gave in to her Master and swore her loyalty to him.

Noting Connor's distance, she bridged the gap and stepped closer, her eyes narrowing slightly as she gave him a warning. "If you use this information against me, then mark my words, you will not survive. Do I make myself clear?" Of course she didn't want him to decide to use such methods against others either, but it wasn't as though she could prevent that.

Knowing that his curiosity was quite strong, she turned and stepped back over to the fireplace. She didn't want Connor to see if any tears fell. Kay hadn't spoken in detail about what had happened to anyone, so she wasn't sure how it go.

" I remember it all....I was ambushed while on a speederbike ride. My guards were killed. My ability to access the Force was taken from me during my capture and throughout most of my captivity. I was knocked out during the travel, having no sense of time or distance. I woke up in a cell containing nothing but walls and a door. My clothing was taken and replaced with a thin jumpsuit that did nothing to protect me from the cold temperatures. And I had a collar that I couldn't remove.

Moments after I woke up for that first time, the door opened and I was beaten by guards before a veil was put over my head and I was dragged to one of the labs and thrown onto a slab. Doctors inserted IV's in me to prevent me from going unconcious, they then removed the jumpsuit, shackled me down and then he came in. Prazutis. He picked up a sword with a poisoned blade and proceeded to use me as his personal canvas. Just a mere touch of the blade caused excruciating pain and I couldn't escape it. It went on for a long time and when it was over, I was knocked out to be healed. I woke up in the cell. The lights went out and the noises came. It was steady at first and I fell back asleep, but that was the only time. After that they were too random for me to get any measure of sleep for months on end."

Kay reached out and placed her hand on the mantle again, pausing for a moment as she composed herself, hid inside herself, and spoke in a monotone as she continued. "Cutting wasn't the only torture that I endured. Every bone in my body had been broken or fractured, horrid memories of my past were replayed over and over while memories of those close to me were ripped out. The skin was peeled from my body, fire burned almost all if my skin, I was whipped and lashed. My hair was shaved off, I was starved, dehydrated, deprived of all my senses and of sleep. It only stopped when I was seconds from death, only for them to heal me, feed me through tubes just enough to keep me alive, but unable to fight back. I was nothing but skin and bones when things changed.

I was brought to a bigger cell where Prazutis stood. He told me to kill him. Of course I couldn't, so he beat me and sent me back to a cell so small that I couldn't move. He would repeat this over and over. Then one day there was a welp with him. He told me to kill him. But I couldn't. I hesitated. So I was beaten as before. Finally, I did kill the welp. I broke his nose in such a way that it made him die instantly. And I envied that welp, able to die while I wasn't even granted that.

My action wasn't good enough, for I killed the welp too quickly. As you can guess, I was beaten again and another day, allowed to use a knife. But again I killed too quickly. It was a neverending cycle. He got me to torture and kill more, punishing me severely when I didn't do it right, and rewarding me with a bath and warmer clothing when I succeeded.

Finally he made me his apprentice. The collar was removed and my new cell was changed to one that resembled a bedroom. I was even allowed real food and better clothing. Yet I was constantly reminded that he will take it all away if he feels that I have failed him. Whether or not that is still true, I don't know. But I wait for it...I expect it."

Her eyes closed as she lowered her guard enough to allow herself to feel again. "Are you satisfied? What are you going to do with this knowledge?"

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor didn't make a quip or a face when she talked to him, he just nodded once, a sharp nod to show he understood. This was important for her to be truthful, and important for him to listen and digest it.

So he did.

The talks of the beatings, the torture, the barbaric way she had been treated like a piece of meat. An object.

This man. This...Prazutis. Straight away Connor knew he was one of those who broke people down mentally and physically before re-shaping them to suit his own vision, not that of the greater cause. There were some likes Connor wouldn't cross, and it seemed Prazutis was fine at crossing them all when it came to claiming somebody.

It was a bond forged out of fear and no respect. Kay didn't deserve that.

It was hard for Connor not to say anything, and the worst past was just hearing how she had been subjected to so much.

"I won't do anything," he said.

Prazutis. He would remember that name.

"I am sorry you went through that. I'd like to think had I found you I wouldn't have treated you like an animal, that's for sure, not existing in fear because of the wants of some man."

He pursed his lips in frustration. But, what was done was done. He couldn't change it.

"What does he want from you now, my Queen, this Prazutis? Are you in danger?"

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

When [member="Connor Harrison"] said that he wouldn't do anything with the information that she gave him, it brought her a temporary relief. "Thank you..."

As he continued to speak, she walked back to the table and poured herself more tea, cradling the cup in her hands as she took a long sip. Sapir tea was her only comfort, the one constant that she never had to worry about.

How would she be if Connor had found her first? They had a few encounters before, but he was a Jedi then. Yet still, the hint of Darkness and it's strength was there within him, waiting for the right moment to rise. Perhaps she'd of felt more supported and less abandoned, but those were selfish thoughts, weak thoughts. She had to be strong enough on her own so that she wouldn't be held in captivity again.

To his question on what Prazutis wanted from her, Kay merely shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. He said that I was destined to be Queen and helped set things in motion so that I would be. Then he left. His father wants an alliance, including military aid should their worlds get attacked. But we haven't the fleets nor the manpower for that yet. Whatever future that they sought me to be a part of, they haven't told me about it."