Faction Restoration Efforts (NJO)

[Caelan Valoren]

ATTIRE: Link
TAGS: Corazona von Ascania

"I had not heard of his passing," Caelan said. "My condolences on your loss."

He meant the words. Even if the leadership of the world was not, shall we say, good, it didn't make it any less hurtful to lose a member of your family. And though he looked down upon the leaders of Ukatis, he was certain the people were nothing but amazing in spite of the hardships they endured. Perhaps some day he would have the chance to visit the world and see for himself. Maybe, as a neighboring royal himself, he could put pressure on them to change their ways.

Maybe. When he was back in charge of his own Kingdom.

She expressed a lot of concern for him, given when he'd been through, and for a moment he stared at the nearest wall, unsure of how to respond. Was he alright? Was anyone ever alright? He'd lost his parents, been forced to flee his home, been chased into the underbelly of a city world, become a Jedi Padawan, faced near death on Tython, watching his love's father die, failed to protect the queen of Onderon, and generally failed to be anything more than a child pretending to be something he wasn't. But he was trying.

"It's... a lot," he said after a minute. "And it is hard to process and deal with it all on my own, but I make do because I have no other choice but to survive and find a way to help my people. It is my duty and what I desire."

He turned his attention back to her, offering a weak smile.

"We all suffer in our own way. I do what I must to survive it."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

"Thank you," she said simply. His words were a kind gesture.

Privately, she hoped that Horace was rotting in the nether.

They both fell quiet in thought. As Caelan's gaze went to the wall, Cora's eyes traced the ornate carvings etched into a pillar that was still mostly standing.

When he spoke, her heart fell. She recognized the grave resolve in his tone, the very same one she'd used years ago while struggling with the need to do right by her family and her people. The marriage had been beneficial to Ukatis, but it had cost her freedom, happiness, and peace of mind.

No other choice.

As much as she did not want Caelan to carry this burden himself, she imagined the pressure he was under as crown prince. As they said, heavy is the head that (soon) wears the crown. When one's duty was shaped by their upbringing, it was immensely difficult to change.

Cora suppressed the urge to try and sway him, opting to learn more about the Padawan's drives instead.

"What sort of help do you hope to bring to your people?"

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

ATTIRE: Link
TAGS: Corazona von Ascania

He could imagine it was difficult for her to lose, even if the loss was someone worth losing. He wished neither of them had suffered as they had, but the Force didn't always allow them to have easy lives. Suffering, and overcoming it, was a part of the Jedi way. Learning to move past it without letting it control their actions was essential.

Some days he thought about giving in. Some days he thought it might be easier. But he always remembered that easier didn't mean better. It didn't mean right. He didn't want that path, and that always kept him from going down it. It didn't matter how much something hurt. It didn't matter how much he wanted for things to be better; he would not allow himself to fall and become a part of the problem that he wished to fix. He couldn't do that. He'd rather end it all than do that.

She asked him something and his eyes focused again.

"For starters, freeing them from whoever killed my family," he said, chin lifting, eyes defiant. "With the help of the Alliance I know that can be done. Once they are dealt with, and the Empeth Crystals properly protected again, it will keep my people safe. Life on Lazerian is good to us. Joining the Alliance will make it better."

Too long they had been away from the galactic governments. Ever since they'd shirked the old Empire, they had focused solely on themselves and it was time to do something more, to increase the prosperity of his people, bring unity to their world.

"I also hope to fully unify the planet by bringing Doxeti into the kingdom. My mother and her family originated there. My father's wish was unification. I will see it through for him."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

As Caelan spoke, Cora's gaze lingered on the stone column for a few long moments before drifting toward the Padawan.

For someone so young, who'd been through something so terrible, he was remarkably resilient. Moreso than she had been at his age.

"I've never had the fortune of visiting Lazerian IV, but it certainly seems worth protecting." All words did, in that sense. Jedi shouldered the burdens they did in an effort to allow those under their protection a peaceful existence.

That was the aim, anyway.

"Your people are fortunate to have a prince so driven and committed to their wellbeing." There was genuine warmth in that statement, having been on the opposite side of the coin. She'd heard her father-in-law grumble about the highflautin Lazerians who think they're better than us, but perhaps there was a kernel of truth there.

Cora's smile was soft, her next words coming gently. "Just make sure to take care of yourself, too. Burning out helps no one."

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

ATTIRE: Link
TAGS: Corazona von Ascania

"When we free it, I would be honored if you would visit," he said, offering her a warm smile.

It was best not to dwell for too long on the hardship of things. He'd learned that after everything he'd been through. Sometimes it came back and threatened to ruin his piece of mind, but he found ways to push it back down and ignore it. Usually that involved quality time spent with others, friends that he adored and would do just about anything for.

"And I will endeavor to always take some care of myself. I promise you that."

But that did beg the question, at least in his mind, of her.

"What about you? Are you taking care of yourself, considering your loss? Do you have plans to help your people?"

He wasn't entirely sure what it meant for her to be the widowed princess. Was she even still a princess on her world? What could she do against their despotic ruler? Perhaps she could do what his ancestor had done and orchestrate a rebellion behind the scenes. If she did, he would support her in it. Helping her people was important.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

"I'd like that. If you seek the aid of the Alliance, then perhaps I will be there when your home is freed."

Lips shifted into a knowing smile. Given the breadth of Alliance space, missions took Jedi all around the galaxy. Perhaps, when it came time to liberate Lazerian IV, duty would take her there.

Cora tilted her head to the side in a shallow nod.

"I'm glad to hear that. If you ever find yourself in need of a quiet moment or an ear, I've been told that I make an excellent cup of tea."

At his question, she pursed her lips in thought. Ukatis had always stirred up complications in her heart.

"I've been well. My place among the Jedi has given me a clearer sense of purpose, and comrades I find support in. My role on Ukatis is more…subtle. The crown and I no longer get along as we once did. When I did have a measure of political power, I helped to establish Alliance-backed clinics in some of the far-flung rural areas. And after the Mandalorian Enclave attack a few years ago, I leveraged the family name to pull in resources for reconstruction."

She chuckled once, quietly. Rumors of how her husband had died still hung over her like a specter. Perhaps one day they would catch up.

"So long as I keep out of the capital, I do not think they mind."

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

ATTIRE: Link
TAGS: Corazona von Ascania

He nodded his head at what she said. That was a valid point. If he sought the aid of the Alliance, it was likely that the aid of the Jedi would come along with it. The Order wouldn't allow some monstrous organization to take control of a world on the borders of the Alliance without doing something about it, of that he was certain.

"I have been seeking aid from the Alliance," he said, clasping one arm behind his back, the other running a hand up and down it. "It's been difficult to get in to see any of the senators, though."

Not for lack of trying, but he did think that was about to change. He'd managed to get a conversation with one of them, the senator from Alderaan, recently at a ball he attended on New Cov. She had instructed him to set up a formal meeting between them in order to get the ball rolling. He wasn't overly happy with that, chiefly because it felt too bureaucratic and less timely than what his world needed. But it was better than nothing. And the people of New Cov had offered to do an independent investigation of their own.

When she mentioned tea, he smiled.

"Haven't had tea in a while."

But she went on about her position when it came to Ukatis and he listened intently. It seemed she no longer had the station that had been afforded her as the wife of the crown prince, but that was to be expected. She wasn't of the family, just a widowed former member of it. Undoubtedly Horace's father wanted nothing to do with her.

"Will you remarry?" he asked, not even considering whether that was an appropriate question or not. "I don't know what it would be like to marry and lose your spouse so early on, but I can't imagine wanting to go through life alone. I can imagine it would be helpful to have that aid when you return home."

It was hard enough for him now, and he was only fourteen. How much harder would it be when he became king?

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

"Mm, I'd imagine it can be difficult to procure an audience with a senator."

While bureaucracy did not bore her, she still found it to be tedious at times. Red tape helped to keep the senate from being inundated with requests, but it could just as easily hinder those with legitimate needs and concerns.

The gears in her mind turned, wondering if she could try and pick the mind of Alicio Organa . The senator – turned – chancellor was the master of making more room on his already overflowing plate. Perhaps, he could have some guidance for Caelan.

"Will I-"

Cora paused to keep herself from sputtering at his question. It was unexpected, but the Padawan's elaboration made his reasoning a little clearer. Still, a flush of pink dusted her cheeks. She shook her head.

"I've no intent to. At least, I do not intend to take a husband from Ukatis. Any man there would likely expect for me to leave the Order again."

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

ATTIRE: Link
TAGS: Corazona von Ascania

Difficult was an understatement. The only chance he'd had was by happenstance at a ball. They were all so busy with whatever it was that occupied their time. Probably wining and dining with random dignitaries and the like. But wouldn't that also include him, the crown prince of the Kingdom of Devit? Apparently not. Being a small world on a hyperlane didn't win you any awards with the Alliance. Nor favors, for that matter.

It seemed, however, that his question about remarrying had caught her off guard. She seemed flustered, and a reddish hue settled upon her cheeks. Still, she shook her head and that surprised him. But then she clarified what it was that she meant by no, and he understood a bit better. The last part of it confused him, though.

"What kind of man would force his wife to leave the Order?" he asked. "I know my mother left, but that was by choice. My father never asked her to, nor would he have."

His mother's lineage included a great many Jedi from the world of Lazerian IV. Even back during the times of the Empire they produced many from Doxeti, though those usually went into hiding as soon as they discovered what they were. It was either that or be forced into service of the Empire and though some of them were happy to do so, most were not. The King and Queen at that time were not of the highest caliber of the House of Valoren, not even remotely.

"What about marrying someone from another world? Another royal or noble? Perhaps they could help you smooth things over with Horace's father? Or, at the very least, help to pressure him to do better."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

"Oh, your mother was a Jedi? Of which order?"

Cora's head tilted in curiosity. She found fascination in Jedi lineages, especially given that her own had been mired in the Dark. Caelan’s question, however, was met with a gentle shrug of her shoulders.

"That is just how things are done back home. I could not continue training as a Jedi while tending to my duties at court."

The flush on her face settled to a faint shade of pink, fluster replaced by the curious lift of an eyebrow at his suggestion - marrying an aristocrat from off-world.

"Ukatis has only recently opened itself to outsiders. In theory, I suppose that could be a plausible arrangement. However,"

Cora clicked her tongue then pressed her lips into a knowing smile.

"I've had quite enough of royal marriages for my lifetime."

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

ATTIRE: Link
TAGS: Corazona von Ascania

Cora's question actually made him pause in thought.

"You know," he said, "I don't actually know the answer to that. She never said, she just said the Jedi order."

He could probably ask. If his grandparents would see him, his mothers parents, then he could find out from them what order his mother had been a part of. They were still alive, and probably safe and sound. The invaders had attacked Devit because of the crystals. They had no reason to attack Doxeti. He'd only ever seen them a handful of times. Not because they didn't like him, his sister and his father. They were just... busy. Both of them were Jedi, too.

What she said about having to focus on her duties rather than training made sense. It was something he wondered about himself, as well. Could he still function as a Jedi while ruling? His mother hadn't wanted to, but that didn't mean she couldn't have, right? What of him? Would he be able to continue his training? Would he become a Jedi Knight or would he end up a half-trained King, stuck in royal duties at court? What was to become of him if what she said was true of her?

He sighed those thoughts away and looked back at her.

"I see. Well, that is our loss, then."

He didn't elaborate as to why it was their loss, but at the least he was a royal himself, and therefore not to be considered. Not that he'd meant he wanted her to consider him since he was quite a bit younger than him.

"We should probably get back to work."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

"If she was a member of the New Jedi Order, her name will likely appear in the archives." Cora's pointer finger tapped her chin in thought. "Even if she was a member of a smaller order or enclave - she may still be in the records."

While the archives were not complete, they were expansive. Several prominent Jedi Orders had coexisted at one point, with innumerable sects scattered across the galaxy.

Her knowing smile shifted into something more gentle.

"It is for the best."

One royal marriage had been enough for Cora to develop a distaste for noblemen. That being said, she was endeared towards Caelan's compassion and drive to help his people. They were good traits to have.

She hummed in agreement as he brought their focus back to the task at hand. Their feet had carried them toward the other Jedi, familiar voices heard with more clarity the closer they drew.

"Indeed we should."

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

ATTIRE: Link
TAGS: Corazona von Ascania

"She might be. Her married name was Amara Valoren. Her maiden name was Thalorin."

He started walking onward, not looking back at her as he spoke, focusing his attention on looking for more of the runes and dark markings that needed to be removed. Their mission was to clean the place up, and they'd gotten distracted from doing that. They could still converse, but they needed to work while they did so. As for her comment on it being for the best, he declined to agree, but chose not to say so. The galaxy could do with more royals like her, and less like Horace and his father.

If she hadn't said that, he might have approached her when he was older, if she was still available. But he was nothing if not honorable and would not go against her wishes.

"How do you think the others are faring? I haven't heard anymore accidents like before."

In fact, it had gotten quite quiet around them. Maybe everyone was just busy working. They hadn't left, so it was probably just that. His eyes fell upon another darkened marking in the stone and he changed course to move over to it, placing his hand upon it, and reaching into the Force to do again what she had shown him how to do before. He was confident that he could do it on his own after doing it the first time, though he was still grateful for her being there in case he failed.