Royal Pains [Nimue]

[Josh Dragovalor]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]


Josh could still feel the slap on his cheek as he would walk toward Nimue's quarters, as the Empress had requested. He had stayed late, long after the other guests had left. She was likely there in her chambers by now.

He had a feeling what she wanted, but at the same time, he had a few questions.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

The remainder of the party felt long and arguous. When it was done the Empress felt so relieved to know she could relax now, even more so in knowing that she had a provate meeting with [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] later on. Once the guests had cleared and the servants went to work on cleaing the hall Nimue had made her way back to her quaters. There was almost a little bounce to her pace as she hurried back to her room where, once she was alone, she began to remove her things and redress herself. her crown and scepter sat on the little stands in her room as per usual. She tossed her robes and boots and the rest to the side before entering her wardrobe and changing into something more "approrpiate". After she did she waited in the hopes to suprise Joshua when he arrived.​

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When he would knock she would tell him to enter, only to be waiting for him at the foot of her bed. She sat there in a lacy green nightgown that reached all the way down to the floor. Her legs were exposed at the front and were crossed. her hair was completley let down in an elegant tangle that cascaded over her shoulders; some strands in her face as well. She had a very desvious smirk to her as she watched him come in and see his reaction. She only sat silently and waited for him to speak, wanting to play a little as she kicked her foot back and forth.​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

When he knocked on the door, he could hear someone, who he assumed to be Nimue, requesting he enter. He would walk into the room, recognizing the bedroom's decor from the last time that he was here. Oh, such great memories. Like being yelled at and hit and told to get out and never come back. Why was he here again? Oh right, because he sort of hoped she'd forgotten. Well.... She certainly hadn't forgotten. She seemed to have forgiven, but she sure seemed primed for... Well, yeah.

This was easy to notice when his eyes would rest on her. The blonde haired Jedi Master would look Nimue up and down. Either she was getting ready to go to bed, or she had something else in mind. The look on her face, her body language, and just that expression... Well, that told the story.

"Oh, hey" The blonde remarked with a small wave, biting his lip as he walked in. He wasn't sure where to go with this, to be honest... After last time, and after the confusion concerning their "relationship", he was conflicted on what to do about this situation.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Hearing his response she luahged a little before giving a "Hey." back. Given how she said it made it clear she wasn't used to using that form of greeting. "Hope you didn't mind the wait. Parties can take a eternity to end." She still sat there, letting her legs hand out and her foot continute to taunt and kick, before asking "Are you alright?" in a coy tone. "You look a little flustered. Maybe something to drink will help."​

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[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

She would offer a drink and inquire about his well being. He would shrug. "I guess a drink wouldn't be bad" He admitted, scratching his head as he made his way over and sat beside her. "I suppose I've just got a lot on my mind" He would add, looking over at her. "I mean, it's not every day that I end up in here... Just every couple of months" He would joke cheekily with a small smile.

He was still trying to formulate the words... To ask about all of this. What in the world was all of this, anyway?

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

When he agreed to a drink she stood and walked over to the table where a ptcher of wine awaited. She poured two glasses worth, both fine looking cups that were filled halfway to the brim. She came back and handed one to [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] before sitting down and taking a sip of her own. She peeked over to him at one point and smiled while her lips were still stuck on the glass. She could see how nervous he was. it was so sweet and adorable to her. Once she finished Nimue felt to tease more by smacking her lips and letting her tounge drag across them as she licked up the bits of wine that stained them.​

​

Looking to him now she said "I never said so, but I'm really sorry for that smack. If I could I would've tried something else. It was just a...spur of the moment,"​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He would graciously accept the wine with a quiet "thank you" before he would take a deep breath, giving him a moment to use the Force to test the wine for any sort of contaminations. He noted every little thing she did once he found the wine to be satisfactory and took a sip. He tried to relax a bit, trying to find a rational way to bring up the questions that he had. In trying to relax, he gulped down the entire glass like it was nothing. Luckily, his alcoholic tolerance would keep him from getting parse drunk, but he knew that he had to be careful.

"It's fine" He remarked toward her apology with a casual shrug. He didn't appreciate her doing that, but what could you do? "It does say a lot about you not wanting to be seen with me though" He would half-joke with a small smirk.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

"I know. It seemed off." she began, putting her glass down. "But I need to keep this sort of thing secret for now. Especially in front of other Jedi. The last thing I need after a war is more rumors that could lead to another rebellion." She turned fully towards him, however, and said "But at least now we're alone. Which means we won't be interrupted this time." After that she lightly pushed [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] down onto the bed before she was ontop of him, saying "Here. Let me kiss that spot for you." She leaned down and held her lips against his cheeck where she'd slapped him for what seemed like an hour. Once she finished she asked "Does that feel any better?"​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He would shrug as he looked over at her and put his glass down. "Well, it doesn't effect me any. I'm loosely affiliated with the Silver Jedi on a trial period. I left the Republic Jedi about a year ago because they were self-righteous pricks with questionable morals. I've been mostly doing my own thing without anyone calling my shots for quite some time now" He would reveal. "And even then I'm still doing more Jedi work then the Republic ones" He'd joke with a chuckle. Well, half-joke. "Still... Why would rumors lead to another civil war? You were married before. You're telling me that people will revolt if you pursue a relationship?" He would ask with a raised eyebrow.

He couldn't finish that thought before she brought him down and got on top of him. Well, that certainly made up for the slap he thought as she kissed the spot better. "Well... I guess" He'd remark with a shrug. This whole thing was still just so confusing to him. He was making strides though. Slowly.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

When asked about her having a relation with him and the civil war sparking again Niue sighed. It was hard to explain but she knew the best way to satifisy his curiosity was telling him anyway. "It's not the marrige that would cause problems. It's the fact that I'd be with an off-worlder. That was partly why my people rebeled in the first place. They were so intent on keeping the older traditions of Effekt that they thought I was leading them to destruction by opening relations with outside worlds. Even mebers of my own council conspired against me." She was quite for a moment as she had to recount the horrorible days that were spent arguing and eventually fiighting over these moral views. She finally looked back to him and said "It's not the right time to reveal this sort of thing. Not yet. The people still need time to be convinced. You see now?"​

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[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"I thought so" The blonde haired Jedi Master would admit as she explained everything. He would sit up, separating their embrace for a moment as he sat on the side of the bed and looked out the window nearby them. He thought this over carefully... Trying to formulate what to do about all of this.

"... Me being here is a danger to you, isn't it?" He would ask, taking a deep breath as he would close his eyes. "In here, with you, right now. That's why we've been meeting in secret. Because your people will revolt if you pursued relations with an off-worlder and broke tradition, am I right?" He would ask. "They revolvtedbecause of your attempts to pursue negotiations with off-worlders. They weren't in the right there, no. But.. I've been meaning to ask..." He would begin, taking a shaky breath. "... Was it right to hang them all, and let their bodies hang like flags in a monument of death just outside of here?" He would ask. "I went outside earlier to catch a breath of air. But what I saw took the air from my lungs and replaced it with the nauseating stench of death" He would whisper. "I'll admit... While I don't know much about your traditions, it reminded me a lot of the ruthless nature of the Sith. The same Sith that took my family away from me. And the same Sith that took Saoirse away from me" He'd add, taking a breath. "If there was no other choice, I guess I could understand... But I really hope you at least tried to explain that you were making these alliances to better the quality of life in Effekt. If they didn't listen, and attacked... Well, I guess its understandable" He would admit.

He wouldn't make any accusations, he didn't know how it had went down. "I... I guess I'm still a little shaken up from seeing that, y'know? You always struck me as the type who would prefer to imprison, re-educate and rehabilitate, then slaughter. But... I guess if this is what was needed to protect the people who understood what was needed for the betterment of Effekt... Well, I'm no royalty. I don't know royal politics like you do. Even if I had to grow up around the Republic and its politics all my life until now. But... If that was necessary, then I guess its understandable, again" He'd whisper.

"I... I apologize, Nimue. For all that. That sight's been bothering me all day" He would admit. She was starting to see a softer side to his personality. One that viewed death as unnecessary, no matter what the circumstances were, unless they were too extreme. He had spent his life sparing the lives of people he defeated. Even Sith... In his eyes, even the ones he defeated deserved a second chance, not death. But... Many of them went on to continue their dealings of death. Some though... Some took that opportunity and ran with it. And they became better for it. It was because of those few people that he continued to do what he did.

He took a breath as he looked back at her. "Back to the subject at hand... As I really do hate discussing politics... Are you sure me being here won't cause you trouble, Nimue?" He would ask honestly. "I'll stay if you want me to. I'm just concerned for your well being. Even if you did mention your skill in battle... As well as the allure of your... Rather torn state of undress" He would trail off with the faintest traces of a smirk crossing his lips. "Quite the exhilarating thought indeed"

He was flirting again, it seemed. A welcome change, perhaps? "I'm sure you looked quite good on the battlefield" He would crack with a chuckle.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

His sudden notion to bring up the people who'd been killed for treason certianly changed the mood. Even Nimue seemed upset by it as she sat there, listen to him pour out hos upset he was about what she'd done. As sympathetic as he seemed even she could tell the notion of her actions were something he disagreed with. She could understand why from his point of view but now she needed to show him why from her standing. She stood and walked away, towards the fireplace in her chamber. She seemed to stand in a sollum stance as she looked at the crackling embers while trying to think of an answer.​

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"I didn't want to do it..." she finally said. "They may have tried to overthrow me, but they were still my people. But those that followed me, those that were loyal, they demanded justice. For thier homes. For the loved ones they lost. And I had to remain strong. I had to show them I could be as strong a leader now as I was before everything collapsed." She turned back to him and explained "The ones who were killed belived in the old ways. So a fitting punsihment was made, Our ancestors hung the guilty out to die and then let thier remains be eaten by the crows. And that was what the people called for. My people! I agve them what they wanted. You may think it cruel, but here on Effekt things are as hard as winter is cold. That is what keeps my people strong." She was quite for a moment before answring his other question with "I wanted you here because I needed you. I needed....something. It's been too long...too long since I've felt...anything." ​

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After that she turned back to the fire, hurt by her little confession. She leaned herself against the top of the fireplace and closed her eyes, trying to clam herself. Even though [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] made his little comments about how good she might have looked on the battlefeild and so forth she was still hurt by what was said. It was true. The pain of killing her people in such a way left more of a mark than he'd realized. ​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The Jedi Master stared down at the ground once she'd made her confession. And while he disagreed with her actions... He understood.

"I... I see..." He said quietly, taking a deep breath. "I... I guess it was wrong of me to bring it up. You did it to protect your people... Even if you didn't want to do it. It's admirable of you to do things you hate doing, for the sake of protecting them... It's what a ruler's supposed to do. It's their responsibility" He spoke.

"I apologize, again. The after-effects of many battles have wore on me. I used to be this... Unstoppable warlord of a Jedi. If that's even possible. I was their blademaster, their skilled swordsman who whenever we went to battle to, what we thought anyway, was to protect... I swept the battlefield, lightsaber in tow, cutting people down one after another. I hated doing it, but I did it because I was fighting for something I believed in"

He looked over at her and took a breath. "As the battles went on... I kept going. But it was when I lost Sao that it all came crashing down on me. Some guy, in the Sith... Fighting for what he believes in, struck Saoirse down without a second thought. And it ruined me. It ruined my life. And I thought about all the people I've put to the blade for what I believe in... And all the families I very likely have destroyed. I only go to battle when necessary now. It changed me. It changed me from a proud warrior, to a man that grew an appreciation for all life. When I fight, I try to spare when I can... Not kill. And that sentiment is why I was removed as the Jedi's Grandmaster... As I was going in a different direction then what the Order wanted to go in"

He stood up and walked over to her, and pulled her into a tight hug. "I'll never be able to apologize enough times for what's been said, Nimue. I never have anything but good intentions... But the results don't always reflect that"

"Still..." He trailed off. "I guess it was hard to believe that someone as amazing as you was capable of killing like that" He would admit, with a small smile. Trying to be lighthearted about it. "Granted, I know how and why now. And... It wasn't your fault. Its just the diplomacy side of me talking" He said with a chuckle as he would play with her hair a bit. "So you're still an amazing gal. Just a ruler willing to go the distance to do the right thing. Like a good ruler does. That's all" He added, smirking faintly.

He had to wonder though, on that note... How old WAS she anyway?

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

As [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] gave his confession and explanation after hers she began to deeply understand his reasoning more and more. It was clearer now why he was as he was and why he would want to look down on actions likes hers, even if she was the one who commited them. At least, for both thier sakes, they knew it needed to be done for the better. And even when Joshua had said it the pain was a little more softened now. At least the sympathtic gesuture was enough to convince her she DID understand. When he called her a great ruler for doing what she did she turned, only to hear him follow up with the talk of diplomacy. Again, something that wasn't the same on Effekt as in was in the rest of the galacy it seemed.​

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"The only true diplomacy is through silver on Effekt." she said. "Either a silver tounge, or a silver blade. We're only blessed with one or the other." After that her eye perked and a smirk went across her face as she asked "Would you like to know which one I have?"​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Well, I'd like to say a silver tongue, judging by how it tastes, but judging by what you've told me, I'd have to go with a silver blade if you want me to guess" The Jedi Master would joke with a small laugh. It was best to lighten the mood a bit after all of this somber talk. She wasn't really all that bad after all... Sure, a little rough around the edges, but... Who wasn't? For the first time since they'd met, he was able to realistically see a union at some point. But if that came to fruition... Well, only time would tell. She didn't seem too much older then he was. A good couple of years, at least, but not much more.

"Still, do tell me the answer" He would add with an amused smile.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

As if to answer she walked back to him and this time, even harder, pushed him back onto the bed. She watsed no time and lept onto him. The next thing she did was emmbrace [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] and smother him with one pasioante kiss after the other. Her hands ran through his golden hair, gripping it as some points. Her legs straddled over his as she wanted no more interuptions or stops. She wanted this. She needed this now.​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

And so the morning came, and DragonsFlame was already awake, staring out the window. This encounter didn't feel... Impure, like the last time. It was consented, and done properly. Even if in secret.

The Jedi Master would close his eyes, relaxing for a moment... Trying to feel the Force. He was in a good mood, the events of yesterday, even the sights he had seen that drew concern over politics and such, were faint in the back of his mind. He looked back at Nimue, who hadn't seemed to have woken yet, and he let out a breath as he looked out at Effekt again.

It was certainly an... Interesting planet. Perhaps he would get to explore it sometime? Now that it was no longer fraught with war.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

The pervious night had been one of oure delight. As morning came Niue had shied away from the light, not wanting to wake. She'd turned over in er sheets, barley covering her naked body, while fidgiting and tossing. Even as [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] had awoke and stood from bed she only contiuned to sleep, a more pleased look on her face as she sprawled herself out with the extra room now. As she did her sheets were in futher danger of failing to cover herself, not that she would know or care. ​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He looked back at Nimue then, noting she seemed to be enjoying the extra room. He would casually shrug as he would look out at the expanse of Effekt before he would sit back down on the side of the bed nearby her, seeming to be in thought about all that had happened, and what could possibly happen.

Where was this going to go? He wasn't sure. This entire thing had been confusing to him. How had a simple loss of senses from pheromones on Zeltros caused such a turn of events? He wasn't sure himself. And he didn't know how Nimue thought about it either.

He took a deep breath, and just lied back down... Trying to process everything.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Nimue began to stir when she felt [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] lie back down. She mumbled a little before her hand found it's way onto his chest where it rested. Her head turned towards him eventhough her eyes were still closed, and her tone of voice seemed like she was talking in her sleep half of the time. She gave a mubled "Is it morning yet....?"​