Royal Pains [Nimue]

[Josh Dragovalor]

Oh, she seemed to be stirring. The blonde haired Jedi Master would look over at Nimie when she started mumbling, smirking as he moved a hand over and played with her hair a bit. He still wasn't sure how all of this had happened, to be quite honest. But... Perhaps they'd get a chance to talk this all over in time. Granted, this was.. Eerily similar to something he'd dealt with before, albeit less.. Quick. Still, this would be sorted out in time, he was sure.

He chuckled a bit when he heard her half-sleepy voice and nodded. "Yeah. It's morning" He said. "You slept well, I assume?" He would ask.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

She gave a delighted hum and smiled "Better than well." she finally opened her eyes to see him, saying "You were amazing." After that she reached over and kissed him before flopping her head back onto her pillow. Another little tired groan escaped her lips before saying "I think I'd rather sleep in today. I think an empire could do without a leader for just this once." ​

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[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The young man chuckled a bit and nodded. "Good. I don't think I've slept that well in quite some time" He would admit. It was actually a decently peaceful sleep. Granted, he was probably exhausted so that might have played a factor in that. He smirked when she remarked about his... Performance and nodded. "You weren't bad yourself" He would tease playfully as he lied back on the pillow, taking a breath. He couldn't help but laugh when she mentioned wanting to just stay in bed instead of doing her duties. "Even strong leaders?" He would tease over at her with a playful smile.

As far as he knew, he didn't have anything to handle today. He'd be fine to stick around long as she wanted him to.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

"Especially the strong ones." she remarked back, playing into his quip. She only hummed again as she fixed herself to where she was laying on her back as [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] was. She sighed before adding "Joshua.... what does your Jedi code say about people like me? Empress' or just people who're in charge of a planet? Who deal with ruling the way I do?" ​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He smirked and nodded at that. "Especially the strong ones" He would tease. To her question, he would look back at her. "Our code?" He would ask. "I don't think our Jedi Code says anything about royalty. They're certainly fine with their members being royalty or nobility. I mean... I had a close friend back when I was with the Republic who was the heir to the Hapan throne" He'd answer. Of course, he'd reunited with Tallia recently, and things had certainly... Well... Changed, for sure, in her. She was no longer a Jedi, but not because of her royalty ties. "I myself am nobility in Velmor. My family had links to the royal family, but I'm not sure wherein, and I haven't bothered really looking into it since I'm so busy as a Jedi, so I'm usually just referred to as nobility in Velmor since they can't find the link properly. As far as they can tell, I'm a noble. Its why I was invited to your first party, actually. Feelers were sent out to nobility first" He'd add.

"But I've been a noble, and the Jedi Order took care of me from when I was 5 years old, until I was 21. Never once questioned my birthright or anything like that. To them, I was a Jedi. And that's all I was happy being" He spoke with a small smile. "Part of me wants to go back, but... Looking at the arrogant bastard who you met earlier from there... It looks like they haven't changed since I left" He admitted, biting his lip sadly. It was obvious the man wanted to go back "home", to the Republic and the Jedi Order, but couldn't because it was no longer what he truly believed in. He believed in the Jedi, yes... But not what the Republic and its Jedi Order now represented.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

With his answer Nimue sat up, not sure how to feel that she didn't know if the Jedi had any specific way of looking at someone like her. At least she knew they were accepting of ranks of all types; especially when she always belived they just came from common backgrounds. It didn't truly matter though as she listned to [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] tell his story before showing his nostalgia for going back to his royal roots. It was as clear on his face as in his voice. Nimue did feel a little sorry for him, but given his powerful Jedi status it wasn't as if he lost much in the transition. ​

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"It tends to be a tough deisicon. Between crown and blade. But thankfully some of us know how to hold both in our hands." She said before standing from the bed, with only a sheet to cover her naked body. Walking over to the door she poked her head out and called "You!" to the nerest servant. "Have breakfast brought immeditaly." After that she closed the door and turned back to Joshua saying "There. Something for the trip." ​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"I don't pay attention much to my royal roots" He would admit with a shrug. "I've always been a Jedi. Always have been, always will be. That's what I like to be called, because... Well... That's me. Whether I'm in the Republic's Jedi, my old home... The Silver Jedi... Or anywhere else" He would add, letting out a sigh. "I'd look into it, but if you want to join the Jedi... I'd suggest the Silver Jedi. Not because they don't have a government to worship, but because they're more... Well, forgiving. They're not so quick to judge and call you devil, like that Ryan kid you saw earlier who saw us... Yeah" He would admit, scratching his head. "That's who I'm allied with right now. They accepted me and I'm very grateful for that. In time, I hope I can repay that kindness" He said. "Royal ties... Well, I never really paid attention to them until recently. And even then, they're just what gets me into these parties and lets me meet people and make friends in this galaxy. With how things have run for me in the last year... Friends are exactly what I need" He'd add. The home he had talked of was the Jedi Order, of the Republic, of course. He never had a "royal home" to speak of. He grew up with his parents on the run from bounty hunters, from the Sith, until that speeder destruction had left the child Joshua in a coma, to be rescued by Jedi, healed and drafted into their ranks.

He smirked a bit when she ordered breakfast. "Well, I'm sure the both of us are starving after the exercise before" He would tease.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Her first response was to her breakfast, which she said "You may be suprised which of us is more hungry. We Effktians can eat and drink and hold a lot ore than most." After that she leaned against the side of her bed, hearing his talk of joining the SIlver jedi. She smirked before saying "Thank you, but no thank you. I doubt I'd fit in. And, in turth, I don't think it's for me. I have enough allies as it is, and powerful ones at that. But the Jedi are, of course, welcome on my planet when they so wish." ​

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[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He chuckled a bit. "When I was fighting all the time, I ate like a champion. I still do eat quite a bit when I can, but usually I conserve and ration since I'm not exactly a rich man" He would remark with a chuckle. "I ate the pants off the Jedi Order catering when I could. Can't do that anymore, since I'm never at the Silvers temple enough as I'm generally doing my own thing. I don't even know if they serve catering, I haven't checked" He would admit, laughing a bit.

He would nod when she politely refused the offer. "No problem. Its not for everyone" He said. "I think I'll take that offer when I can though" He remarked, smirking.

"Still... I gotta ask. How the hell did we get here?" He would ask, laughing a bit. "I mean, seriously... I'd assume you got drunk on Zeltros, and I had grown rusty in my training to deal with pheromones as I'd been out of the game for nearly a year, and all of a sudden within the week we're here. And then after that falling out, we're here again on... Well, I'm not sure what our relationship is" He admitted, shrugging. "I've been curious about what in the world we are. Or what we could be" He'd admit.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Nimue huffed a smile and turned her nose up at his challenge. If he was willing to prove it then she'd shown him herself at some point. But before she spoke about it she went quite when he asked what it was between them. Even she didn't know for sure. Yes there'd been that awkward incedent on Zeltros, and the few times they met after, but things had seemed odd between them. Nimue wasn't even sure what it was. She'd been with so many others in the past, even after the death of her late husband, but none had ever inquired about the relation itself. Often they were just content as to what was done and that, if possible, they would do it again. But here was [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] questioning it, as if it needed deeper meaning. For Nimue she wasn't as sure as she'd thought she be. Even to where she grew silent as she tried to actually surmise an answer.​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He smirked a bit. The look on her face told that he'd be expecting some sort of eating challenge soon enough. She could see a challenge, and he would certainly be up for it. But... Things went quiet the moment he asked what they were. He watched her, read her facial expressions, tried to gauge her thought process in the Force. While he couldn't read her thoughts, he could sense the emotions behind them. Her silence, as well as those emotions told him what he needed to know.

".... Oh" He said quietly, frowning as he nodded in response. It was obvious she hadn't thought of it beyond the fling that had developed. Hell, he wouldn't be surprised, now that he thought about it, if he wasn't the only one that was regularly in this... Situation, with her. He hadn't thought of that before, but looking back now... It was very likely. He couldn't confirm it, no, and he didn't want to even ask. But this was a good indication of her thought process. Truth be told, Joshua had never been in a fling that hadn't turned into a committed relationship soon after, such as what had happened with Sao. The old him had never really been a sexual deviant, never really went into a... Physical encounter without feelings of some sort. But that time away from the world had changed him. Made him... Normal, in a way. He had no qualms with the several encounters with Nimue, but as he began to slowly slide back into his old ways, his old mindsets had begun to slowly return. Now he was thinking about it.

He would nod again, trying to shake it off. If that was what she wanted, then so be it. He pretended to be satisfied with that answer and smirked at her faintly, playing with her hair a bit. He supposed this would be alright for the time being. It wasn't like he was committed to anyone, right?

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Hearing his response and feeling his emotions Nimue could tell [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] was disappointed. She said nothing. When breakfast arrived she threw on a robe and made sure the servants left it outside the room where she'd get it. But during that whole time she said nothing to Joshua. She didn't know what to say that would help. Nothing seemed good enough. This little fling had taken a very odd, if uncomfortable twist. But what could be said? Joshua was not the first she'd gone this far with. In fact the empress had not only taken men when she wanted. But now realizing how hurt he was by it, when others would accept without a second guess, it made her feel bad and yet trying not to be guilty over it.​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The Jedi Master visibly frowned as he looked back at the window, still wrapping his head around all this for a moment before nodding it off. He'd accept what had happened eventually, he thought. He'd obviously made things uncomfortable with her though, and he looked back at her, despite the fact he had tried to salvage it and not make her feel so bad.

".... Is something the matter?" He would ask. He felt he knew, but it was better to ask and talk about it then leave it in silence.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

"Fine..." That was the only answer she gave. Breakfast had arrived and Nimue made sure it was left outside her room so no one would see [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] with her. She brought it in while wheeling it on the tray the servant left it on before setting it where both of them would be able to sit on the bed and eat. Nimue stayed quite, not challenging him as she planned to before. She didn't have the heart for it right now.​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Well, this had officially gotten awkward. While he hadn't meant to, he had obviously upset Nimue and the blonde haired Jedi Master let out a sigh afterword. Great. Just what he needed. More discomfort in an already uncomfortable and confusing situation. He would watch as she would leave and come back with the food that had been brought to them. He was pretty sure that was the first time he'd ever seen an Empress wheeling a trolley of food, that's for sure. Jokes aside, he would bit his lip as it seemed she wasn't going to go through with her plans like before. Likely due to their recent conversation.

He wasn't sure how to make things better, really. Sure, she'd made it obvious this was just a fling but... No need to hurt her over it. He would take a piece of bread that was on the tray and dashed a bit of butter on it, before gently tipping it into its mouth. Halfway in, he looked over at her, with the bread still halfway in, hanging there. He tried to shoot the most comedic grin he could toward her, obviously trying to get a laugh out of the Empress from how purposely absolutely ridiculous he looked. A grin. A smile. A laugh. Anything would work, with what he was going for, really. Afterword he'd gulp down the rest of it like it was nothing, proving his eating abilities then and there like he'd promised, shooting her a grin.

He didn't know what he could say to cheer her up. So perhaps actions would do it well? It was quite obvious that the Jedi was trying to lift Nimue's spirits, at least, even if it seemed... Unformal and commoner-like. Still, what they'd done last night wasn't too formal either. It'd been like a whirlwind in the middle of a bloody hurricane. If they were capable of making jokes about the night before, he'd have probably nicknamed Nimue "The Hurricane" to boot. For a laugh, of course. But he wasn't sure if she'd be making anymore jokes anytime soon.

Still, it couldn't hurt to lift her spirits. Even if just a bit.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

His antics weren't helping all that much. Nimue only glanced over while eating more. She was still so conflicted about everything that she really didn't know which way to go. Should she tell him to leave? Stay? So much wasn't making sense to her, but perhaps that was her real issue. She just didn't understand where to go from here. Things had never become this complicated with other people she laid in bed with, but now this Jedi was making things all the more confusing. Why? Why was he so concerned? He wasn't the one who had become drunk and wooed someone when they should've known better. They didn't have a tendency to lay with almost anyone they felt attraction for. And for Nimue the reason she did was to try and fill an empty void her husband had left. And so far nothing was truly filling it. ​

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[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Well, that hadn't helped much. As soon as he realized his antics would likely only get him thrown out, he stopped and just sat there quietly as he ate. He was starting to regret even bringing it up. She likely had nothing toward him but a bit of attraction. Even he was unsure how he felt. He had only really began to consider the concept of going further after all this. Perhaps he was just getting a bit careless. This was out of his element, for sure. But he still felt like he could have dealt with it better.

Still, how could he salvage this? There was no point in keeping things this uncomfortable and leaving on a sour note again. But how could he strike a chord with her?

Unless....

"How do you feel about slavers here on Effekt?" He would suddenly pipe up when his mouth wasn't full. He remembered how fondly she had talked of going into battle... How would she feel doing it again and doing something just at the same time? And not harming her people? An idea was cooking...

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

She looked to him when he asked and answered "Of course we're opposed to it. It's dishonorable to become someone's servant by force, and it is a greater shame to think that you can control someone as if they're an animal. My servants are here by choice, not force. I cannot say the same for others out in the galaxy who try to justify the chains they hold on their people." She was about to go further but stopped herself and asked "Why are you asking?" ​

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[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The blonde nodded, seeming pleased with that answer. "Well, I'll be blunt. I hate slavers. Course, hates a strong no no word for Jedi. So I guess murderously dislike will do" he spoke with a shrug. "They're really the only ones that I wob't give an inch of mercy to. A criminal can reform. Even a Sith can see the light. But a slaver will always have that mindset that they are superior, and should always be given ownership of inferior people. Its sickening"

He took a breath. "About a year ago, myself and another fellow Jedi were sent on a mission to Kashyykk to deal with slavers there. I was confused at first. I mean, the Wookiees are supposed to be super strong physically, right? Why would they be enslaved? As I found out, they're a more... Simple race unless taught. So they were overwhelmed by stun technology that could take down a rancor if need be. Thats where we came in to even the odds. Slavers are always trying to kidnap Wookiee slaves for their own benefit, or to fetch a price on the market. We came in, took the slavers down and freed any to-be slaves or current ones still on the planet" he explained. "Even after leaving, I make occasional trips back to continue that work, without my "partner" of sorts. I used to do it in secret but while I was in an alliance with the Republic on a faction I was in temporarily I had to tell them. Now they don't bother me. They know I'm coming down to do their jobs for then, sometimes I bring some help with me. But I always just arrive, take the slavers down, and leave"

"The reason I'm mentioning this is... I'd like you to accompany me next trip, Your Highness. It could be fun" he spoke with a smile. "Besides, then we'd get to see each other in battle. I can see what you look like for myself" he teased playfully. "If you fear being seen, you can disguise yourself, of course"

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

After [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] finished Nimue had begun to consider his offer. It was tempting to say the least. A chance to travel. Hunt down criminals. See this Jedi master's prowess in combat while showing off her own skills. Especially now that she was considered the rank of "knight" among those of her creed. Though she did question if this was not some ploy to try and better her good favor with him, seeing as it was a little low at this point. She only sat and thought on it, standing and walking towards the fireplace with a light sheet covering her naked body. Staring into the flame and then looking up at the picture of her late husband again.​

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She turned and answered "If I am discovered, it'll be you who pays for it. Understood?"​