Much Needed Vacation

[Kyyrk]

Voph stood on the landing pad, head bowed over the cane he was using to support his weight. He was flanked by a medical officer, and one of his aides. He'd do without the medical personnel. But much like the incessant flies that they were, they would not leave him in peace. He sighed quietly, looking up at the shuttle descending towards them. His meeting today was with the young Lady [member="Silfe Sosuri"] of Acuin. This, perhaps, was Voph's most anticipated meeting, as he had little dealings with the people of Acuin. And frankly he wasn't even sure what their primary forms of trade were.

He was quite the sight, he was sure. His venture to Dohmus Prime was less than successful. Of course, he unfortunately knew from experience that crashing in a ship from low orbit was never a good time. His left arm was heavily bandaged to protect the grafts repairing the burnt and charred skin. His right pant leg concealed (Albeit poorly) a brace, hence the cane. The rest of his body seemed unharmed, but only because the wounds sustained were covered by his tunic. Well, except for the scar across his face. Silfe might notice that was new. His sleek black hair was pulled back into a short ponytail. He'd decided he somewhat missed his old style, so he was growing it back out.

His dress was simple, black pants, his black armorweave boots, and a black tunic with a gold underweave that shimmered in the light as it moved. Upon his face, A simple cloth to cover his eye sockets. After all, the bone crest had been lost on Dohmus. He looked up as the shuttle touched down, and he began to walk forward, with only a slight limp. In truth he only used the cane to keep his doctors happy. He paused a few feet from the bottom of the ramp, and offered a bow as Silfe descended. "Lady Silfe. Welcome to Brelor."

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

Silfe had been pleasantly surprised at the invitation [member="Voph"] had given though she was so wrapped up in the business during that meeting, she had not had a chance to express it. Since then, she had sent him word she would like to take him up on the offer of vacationing on Brelor. Honestly, she didn't know the first thing about vacationing, having never done it before, but she was looking forward to the new experience. She had packed far too much, but most of it was of a light and airy fabric that folded into smaller spaces so she only had one attendant, two guards and two small suitcases all of which walked up behind the Lady of Alcuin. In the ship, there were two more guards and the pilot.

Lady Silfe was clad in a rather bright dress, having assumed bright colors were more vacation feeling than dark colors. It made her a little self conscious that Voph was in all black in comparison. At least her heels were black and her hair was up off her face in a knot with a black ribbon. She smiled and walked forward despite her worry, offering a quick and polite curtsey. "Lord Voph. Thank you for this welcome. I am excited to see Brelor. Really, I am excited to have a vacation. I have heard good things about your home."

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph smiled gently as the girl stepped down onto the landing pad. He gestured to his aide, who stepped forward to take the suitcases from Silfe's attendant. "I have arranged a room for you in the west part of the city. Over the waterfall. Window and balcony out overlooking the ocean, wonderful view of the sun." He turned to walk, well hobble really, along side her. "My aide will take your things straight there. Yours might can do with some time off as well."

He led the way out into the plaza outside the spaceport And into the warm afternoon sun. Voph was secretly pleased that she'd not said anything about his wounds. "There are a variety of pastimes available to you during your stay, and more in the private resorts beyond the city. And, should you find your room not to your liking, I can arrange for you to have any lodging within the city. Though I am told your kind find the view on the Western shore breathtaking." He smiled softly again. "I tend to agree, but for vastly different reasons."

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

Had [member="Voph"] wanted to have his current state remarked upon, he would have said something. He did look worse for the wear, but she had no idea how he had come by what seemed to be rather extensive injuries and felt that silence on subject was probably best until he brought it up... if he ever brought it up. Or at least she would try. Silfe was worried as he hobbled beside her. Her staff handed over her things though they did not leave them. They would follow on ahead with the servants that had been provided and set up the room for her arrival. Then they would vacation unless they were needed. Her security fell in line behind her and Voph, silent but watchful ghosts.

"That sounds really wonderful. I bet it really is a spectacular view. I really cant wait to experience it."

She wondered what he meant by 'your kind'and then remembered he was Miralucan. With a bit of a blush she smiled and laughed a bit. "Yes I expect so. Is it the warmth or something else you find so breathtaking?"

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph continued down the way towards the entertainment district, smiling as Silfe asked him what he enjoyed so much about the western shore. "No, it's...everything. The wind...the sound of the water...It's...calming. Very calming." Voph lapsed into silence for a moment. "Where I come from...we had no such luxuries. Well...we did. Before the war. After that...it was nothing but survival of the fittest. Everyone and everything competing for resources in little more than a godless wasteland." His gaze turned to Silfe. "To be able to witness the beauty of a world untouched by war...Raw...pure...man and nature side by side...that is what I find breathtaking."

The air began to hum with chatter and music, as the streets grew packed with tourists and vacationers. A set of security officers fell in line with Voph and Silfe to clear the crowds so that they might have easier passage. "You, however, speak as though leisure is an oddity. Clearly a sentiment I am familiar with, but I find it...odd, from a being like you. From times such as these. Are you so dedicated to your work that you would refuse yourself time to enjoy the finer things in life?"

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

She smiled as [member="Voph"] talked sounding utterly fascinated with life and a happy world. Silfe knew nothing of war until war came to Commenor. Sure, she had dealt with it at an administrative level when she was Minister of Foreign Affairs, but she herself had never been in a war or lived in a war torn home after war had come and gone. She had never struggled to survive each day in that way.

Again she was struck by his odd wording, 'a being like you' and wondered what he meant. Answering his question was easy enough though. "On Cyrillia where I was born and spent most of my life, I was in a wealthy home... to be honest, my father owns most of the planet, but that didn't mean I got vacations. He did not believe in such things for me. I spent most of my time preparing in a multitude of ways to be useful to him and then eventually whatever husband he chose for me." She shrugged, hating to think on it. "Then he sent me to Commenor when Lady Kay asked for Senators from the surrounding worlds to join her there. He could not go and trusted he could use me to influence things in his favor."

She laughed a bit. "It did not work out as intended for him I am afraid. Lady Kay was good to me. Everyone on Commenor was accepting and welcoming. I was able to become my own person so that when the Queen dissolved the Senate and asked me to stay on as Minister of Foreign Affairs, I graciously accepted. I have worked hard ever since and not had time to enjoy a vacation. Is that what you meant?"

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph mused on this for a moment. "More or less." He thought back...way back...To the last vacation he'd had. "You are clearly a woman of some influence, and from the sound of things, have been in such a position your whole life. So I find it strange that you have not lived like this for your whole life... But then again, where I came from, things were far different." Voph paused for a moment, shifting his weight to his left foot, and discreetly placing a hand on his side. He took as deep a breath as he could risk, as the tissue around his lung was still rather raw. He passed it off as simply pausing to decide on their next course of action. He gestured forward. "There is a small cafe at the waters edge, we can sit and talk there." Now that he mentioned it, there was a faint roar coming in to focus. And to Voph, it was the most calming sound in the universe.

He was quiet until they reached the cafe, and had laid claim to a table next to the railing overlooking the waterfall below. It spanned nearly the entire length of the city, falling into a bay that stretched out for a few kilometers, before opening into the crystal blue ocean beyond. Voph was willing to bet Silfe might be at the railing for a moment. Most visitors were. He leaned against the railing, resting his cane against it. "Reminds me of Rishi out here," he commented quietly. He mused quietly for a moment, then said, "Perhaps the only place I have ever stolen away to in order to just...forget the galaxy..." He smiled for a moment. "That...was some time ago. Before the wars..."

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

"Just because I lived my life in wealth, doesn't mean I had the freedom to do anything with it. My father was very limiting. I rarely left my rooms in our home unless it was to help him with business or diplomacy." She said with some sadness and not a little anger. When [member="Voph"] paused though, she could see his movements and wondered again just how injured he was. At the suggestion that they take a seat, she couldn't help but agree. The sound of the nearby waterfall was growing more noticeable and she too enjoyed the peace of that sound. It helped sooth her ruffled feathers. She no longer protected her father, but she didn't like telling everyone in the world she had basically been a captive and a punching bag for her father all her life. It was amazing she wasn't supremely damaged in the mind after all those years of torturous abuse, but Kay was likely a major reason.

Silfe sat down and looked over the edge, taking in the spectacular view. He was right in that she spent a bit of time taking it all in. The rush of the water beneath her was pleasant to her ears. There was a unique smell of churning water in the fine breeze that tickled at the ribbon holding her hair up and the small hairs at the front of her face that came lose easily from the tidy updo. She didn't mind, enjoying every second of her time. Truly Brelor was beautiful. She would have thought being this close to such a massive waterfall would be far too loud or conversation but there must have been some kind of dampeners to quiet the rush to a tolerable level. Idly she wondered how it was done as she tore her eyes from the view to look at the small cafe menu.

"I have never stolen away to forget the galaxy before. I have to say I am finding it quite breathtaking and I have only been here for what... less than an hour?" She asked. It was rhetorical and she didn't expect an answer. She simply smiled, alternating her eyes between her host and the view and the menu. Thankfully that task did not take long and she could return to the two main sources of her attention, her host and the view. "I would imagine that you will be able to enjoy some vacation time here too?"

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph chuckled as he settled into his seat. "I do not have the time for vacations now. Not of this nature, at any rate. Too much to be done." He smiled softly. "Perhaps there would have been a day in which I desired such a life...but I'm afraid that whatever was left of that person I might have been was killed in the invasion." Voph's gaze turned out over the water. "But...perhaps I could come to appreciate such a life...in time." He was quiet for some time, only stirring when a waiter approached them. "Just a Caf, please." He sighed quietly, waiting until Silfe had ordered whatever she was going to order.

"I have dealt with your father's kind. Time and time again. People who live with the delusion that the galaxy is at their beck and call." He shook his head, gaze turning out towards the ocean again. "I used to feel the same way. But as I grew older...I began to realize how futile it all was. I stole away from everything I had...all the burdens I had been tasked to carry. Tried to find an escape." Voph fell quiet for a moment before he glanced back at Silfe. "Did me no good, but it was nice to get away from it all...for what little it was worth." His brow furrowed as he watched Sifle for a moment before turning away, back to the view.

"I was married on Rishi. Under a waterfall not unlike this one. The time I spent on those beaches was perhaps the happiest I'd ever been...Before the wars...before the hardships..." Voph sighed quietly. "Hate your father all you will, but he gave you a home. He gave you shelter. Your future...however nebulous...was never uncertain. You never woke up wondering if you would survive the day." He folded his arms over his chest. "Just be careful that hate does not consume you. I have seen what it does first hand. What it is capable of..."

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

She ordered a fruity drink cocktail from the menu and the waiter left them. Her jaw tightened, teeth clenched in a flash of anger as he spoke of her father and how he had been good to give her shelter. Like she had to be grateful he had given her a roof over her head with no idea of the price she had to pay. And that was it, the thing that made her take a deep breath and forcibly relax herself. [member="Voph"] had no way of knowing how many broken bones she had had, or the countless bruises and sprains Alecard Sosuri had given his daughter from before she could remember until Kay had thrown him out of Commenor. She had some scars still that even the finest medical staff could not get rid of.

There had been plenty of times in her life where she had no idea if she was going to live til the next day. She strongly suspected her father killed her mother when she was 13. She had been beaten so badly that she had been in the hospital for 6 weeks recovering. Lord Voph had no idea and thus she tried hard not to feel anger for his assumption she should be grateful because she wasn't an urchin on the street, a whore, a drug addict or dead. It was a different kind of torture but how was he to know? She sighed and decided to drop the subject.

"You were married? Were, as in, no longer?"

 

[Kyyrk]

"Aye. We were hardly together for a year. She died in childbirth." Voph seemed...distant. He was remembering things from long ago. "The child was healthy, and grew up under the shared care of myself, and a family friend when I was....away." Voph mused for a moment, then said, "He was a remarkable being. I would have liked to known him better."

He fell silent for a moment, letting the implication hang. Of course, he didn't tell her how his son had died. That, she didn't need to know. Not yet, anyway. Her reaction to his previous statement did not go unnoticed, however. She did not convey it with words, but her meaning was clear enough. "I am sorry, I did not mean to anger you so. I suppose things were different before...well, when I last lived among civil people."

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

The caf and fruit drink were then delivered, giving Silfe time to understand the implications of [member="Voph"]'s words. It was a tragedy that his wife died, even more so that the child she brought into the world died later. It would have been a grievous time and she couldn't imagine the pain of both losses. All she really had to go on was the loss of her own mother which was its own challenge given that Silfe believed her father had murdered her. "I am sorry for your losses. I can't imagine."

She sighed and shook her head, giving him a sad smile. He couldn't see it maybe, but it lightened her tone. "I know you don't mean to. It's my own baggage to carry. You couldn't possibly know what I went through in my life and had I been with some other normal family, you might not be far from the truth in your assumptions. So I do not blame you for making them."

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph was silent for a moment, then sighed, shaking his head. "Even though I was not present for his upbringing...or...most of his upbringing, I was very impressed with the man he became. Victory after victory, battle after battle...his reputation rivaled mine. Or so I heard. He died a hero, defending Alpheredies from a Sith attack."

He took a sip of his car, having let it sit for long enough. Given he did not look much older than Silfe, he realized he'd probably best explain. "I am much older than I appear. I forget that your kind cannot perceive that as well as I can." He smiled softly. "Eighty-Four, to be exact. Well...I think I am Eighty-Four..." He smiled. "Time often escapes me, I'm afraid."

He settled back in his chair, wincing slightly as the wound in his side flaired up. He picked up the mug of caf and sat holding it in his lap. "I have, however, been granted a second chance. At many things. With any luck, I shall also have a second chance to raise a proper family."

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

Silfe listened as she picked up her glass of fruit juice and brought it to her lips to drink. It was mildly sweet and thankfully not so tangy as to be tart. As he mentioned his age however, her shock caused her to choke on the juice. She swiftly put the glass on the table and brought her napkin up to her mouth so that she could cough as needed without spitting it all over her companion. It had been so unexpected. Knowing so little about the abilities of those with Force Talent, she just never expects when outrageous rumors are true, such as the rumor that some Force Users can live for a long time or switch bodies.

"I'm sure," She coughed again. "That you will. Pardon me." Silfe was trying to be polite and finally just let herself cough it out completely. Thank heavens he could not see her face which had tear streaks from the tears caused by coughing so hard. Finally she finished wiping her face with her napkin and looked back at him. "84 years old? You really should warn people before saying something like that Lord Voph."

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph had a rather bemused look on his face. He was sympathetic to the poor girl's plight, offering her a Napkin and mopping up what little had escaped her own napkin. "My apologies, had I realized the news would come as such a shock to you I would have." He smiled rather mischievously. He could not lie, her response was quite amusing to him. He waited until the girl had placed her drink on the table and had recovered from her sputtering. "That being said...I find that my age is likely one of the...shall we say...less interesting facts of my life."

Voph took a sip of his own caf. "You...make a strange assumption, though. Normal. In all my travels I have found that the only sense of normalcy is what you certainly seem to think is abnormal." Voph turned his head towards Silfe. "Like a Miralukan living for nearly two decades past the life expectancy of his people, and yet bearing the appearance of one hardly out of adolescence." He smiled again. He didn't think less of her for such a thought. Not in the slightest. His own view of the galaxy was...tainted. Things were far more mundane to him then they were to others. He glanced at her drink, making sure it wasn't in her hands before he continued. "To tell you the truth, I might be considered far older than that. I was born..." Voph paused to think, scratching his chin with his good hand. He hated this new timetable. "Thirty.....seven thirteen?" He took another sip of his caf. "Or something like that. Sixty years before the Treaty of Coruscant."

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

Silfe had to admit he was right about her perspective, but then she had reason to have it. Her whole world had been incredibly sheltered from the Galaxy and most of the people in it until she came to Commenor and began serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Then she got the Galaxy all in mighty chunks of state dinners, treaty discussions, tours of allied planets and the like. But to know the soul of people, to interact with them and get to know them in a real sense? She had only just begun that particular part of growing up really. Only when she came to Commenor did she start making genuine friends. Only then did she start dating. Only then did she start finding out who she was around other people.

She was glad that her glass wasn't in her hand, but having been shocked before, she was somehow less shocked now. Maybe the surprising facts being told basically back to back had something to do with the diminishing of shock. Either way it was still impressive and fascinating. She leaned forward and rested her elbow on the table and placed her head to rest on her hand. "Really? Have you lived... or experienced that much of time? Or were there down time years?" Silfe had no idea if he would understand what she meant, but she thought he would. He seemed astute.

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph grew quiet. "Yes. While...I remember...bits and pieces of what happened...I was killed shortly after the conclusion of the Zakuul War." He smiled again, almost to reassure the girl that his sudden change in demeanor was nothing to worry over. "I was not brought back until mere months ago." He was quiet for a moment longer, contemplating things. "Much has changed since then. It is...a sobering thought to realize that you are well and truly alone in the galaxy. No family. No friends. No home." He smiled grimly. "I believe you may have some understanding of what I speak."

He leaned back in his chair again, and took another sip of his caf. "It is, however, not without its merits. I was given a new body. A fresh template. For all the good it's done me." He chuckled quietly at his observance of his wounds. "Though the last one was not in terrible condition. Save for the missing arm." He fell silent for another moment. "Ah, but you did not come to Brelor to hear an old man prattle on about the past. Tell me, what sort of ventures have you found yourself on?"

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

"I suppose I can relate to some degree, having a missing three years from memory. I have no idea what happened during that time, only that I somehow started getting lucid moments and eventually was able to escape. I wish I remembered though the idea sort of terrifies me. What if I was wholly different and what if I like that person I was? Its a slim chance, but it is a chance. Anyway, I was not alone when I came home to Commenor. I do feel sometimes as though I wasn't as close as I thought I was to people, but I am sure that will go away in time. Cautious optimism I guess?"

She shrugged and listened to @Voph. "While I am here? I plan to enjoy myself, swim, get massages, play with my feet in the sand, hike, flirt shamelessly with whatever handsome cabana boy I can find. Does that sound like something I could do here? Or do you have anything in mind?"

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph chuckled quietly and gestured for the Medical person that had been accompanying them, and held his bandaged arm out. He began to remove the bandages covering the arm, revealing a well healed, if still somewhat scarred appendage. It seemed to have suffered severe burns of some kind. "All that and more. You just have to know what resort to visit." He flexed the fingers on his left hand, gently rolling his wrist as he began to acclimate to using it. "And I am afraid I would be of no help to planning your vacation. I am confident in saying that you and I hold vastly different interests. I would be content to lock myself away in a room and do nothing but meditate, and study the Force."

He was quiet for a moment. "But then, I have done too much of that already. Truth be told, I do not know how to spend time by myself. In a manner that is not work. The only leisure time I spent was with others. Social gatherings. Dinner parties, balls, the like. I understand some of the nobility around her host such things from time to time, but..." Voph shrugged. "There is work to be done. Orders to fill, contracts to negotiate, recruits to train, a nation to run..." Voph sighed quietly. "Makes me miss the old days. When there was nought to worry about but the thrill of the hunt..."

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

She watched in mild curiosity as [member="Voph"] gestured the medical person to come assist him in something. Silfe had been good at not acknowledging his injuries in polite deference since he had not acknowledged them, but she found herself unable to do so now when he was having one of them unwrapped in front of her. She tried to keep with the conversation but her attention was drifting to her imaginings of what could have possibly happened to him in a few short weeks since their last meeting at the House of Lords. She shook her head, wanting to snap out of it.

"No, I suppose not the same interests as far as meditation and the Force are concerned. However, I do understand the workaholic thing which is why I forced myself to accept your invitation. Why don't you join me in some of my activities and down time? Being with someone might make you get out of your head and out of the office in your mind. And..." She looked to his arm. "It looks like you might need it. Or am I supposed to ignore all of that," She gestured to his injuries, "and pretend I don't see it or that it concerns me for the rest of my visit. I can of course, but I would rather not. Are you alright?"