Simple Gifts

[Riamah]

She had always thought of herself as separate from the Sith, even though she had followed their code. Even then, she had picked how to follow it and not how others felt it should have been. One of the reasons she had broken away from the empire before she had ever met Josh. While she had fallen under the grand umbrella at the time, when they had sacked Alderaan, Balmorra and Kuat, that was when she cut all ties with them.

He had been right that they would betray her in the end, she just hadn't listened to him. She did now though.

"I never once harmed any child nor did I witness anybody do it. If it had, I don't think I would be sitting here with you as my guest in my home. Most likely I would have also at least tried to kill that other sith and keep the child safe. They are our future and need to be kept alive."

​What he pointed out was something that should have been obvious, but like before Ra had been blind. Now she wasn't. Ra was far more herself than she had been for many years. Having broken free from the Sith, that code and the fall of her government had brought a change within her. Each had held sway over her to an extent and kept her from being who she was. What her future held now was in her hands and choices she made would effect that.

"They did have rules I needed to follow. As a merchant involved with the Metal Lords and then the Coalition, they were as much anti-sith as I am anti-sith empire. The calling of a person still doesn't matter to me much, but I can't support...Oh I don't know."

Falling silent, Ra allowed his additional words to sink in. What he did was by his choice, because he wanted to. Not one to follow orders because somebody commanded him to, but of his own choice was something she should do. He did what he felt was right and everything else be damned. If something wasn't right to him, he wouldn't do it. It made total sense and in a way it was how she always had been. Even as a sith, she had a personal code that was beyond the sith and that was what she followed.

"There are many reasons I am no longer with that empire. One of them was being one of a number, a cog in the machine as you put it. There I wasn't important and nobody cared if I lived or died. At least with the other two, I was a person, but there I had to keep my alignment hidden and so I was held back even then. Now things have changed on all fronts."

Chuckling slightly when he replied to her question with his own, she paid attention and kept quiet. ​The solid life she wanted for that little girl was likely never going to happen. As he pointed out his own life wasn't, but he made sure it worked out for his son. Relationships came and went in his life and they didn't seem to care for Jason. Treated him not as a child, but a toy. That wasn't something Ra could do.

"How is that possible? He is a part of you and I can't imagine you being separate from him for long. As for a room, again, I wouldn't attempt to keep the two of you apart. Now, me not having too much knowledge of raising children, does he sleep in his own little bed or do you share?"

It was a totally serious​ question, but a change from the potentially fully serious conversation they were having.

"Does he eat normal food?"

Giving him a half a smile, she would go back to the previous statement of his.

"Surprises can be both be great or horrible. Not many of the first have happened to me thus far though."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

She said it, yet he had to wonder. Considering this was the kind of thing that the Sith did on the regular, would she have actually? Had the Jedi did that sort of thing on the regular, he would have left. That was the lesson he was trying to teach... To be free, is to be able to free one's self regardless of the organization involved. Especially if they're doing things you would not consider humane. He had to wonder just how free she was until the point that the Sith went and made the choice for her.

"If the day comes that I realize I am just a cog in the machine and not valued at all... I'll leave. It's as simple as that" He spoke, regarding the Silvers. "I'll take my kid, take my talents, and go liberate some slaves and fight Sith by myself. I don't care. Being on the Silver Assembly won't change that. We hardly meet up enough for my voice to mean much anyway. If the Silvers start to forget who fights with them, just as the Republic did, then I'll take my leave. If they start killing kids and destroying families, I'll take my leave. That is the meaning of freedom. That is the meaning of being a person. An individual. Follow because you want to... And cease to because you want to."

He shrugged his shoulders then. "Besides, while I keep my force presence hidden when I'm dealing with Sith or an area infested with them... Having to keep your alignment hidden at basically all times, was that really a life you wanted to live?" He asked. "Having to hide who you are constantly, makes it seem like you were ashamed of who you were. So there's your lesson for next time... If you're ashamed of what you are... Then don't be that. If you become ashamed of what your next venture is, if you wish to hide it from all... Consider if it's worth it. Consider if not just others might think it's sickening... But you as well."

The conversation moved to his personal life, and Jason and he smiled sadly. "That's the thing. People don't see you for who, not usually. They just see what you are, not who you are. They generally don't take the time to get to know every part of you. So to them... Jason is just like a puppy dog that I keep at my hip. They go in thinking that's just it. But that's not it at all. Don't come in just because you like how I look, or the way I talk... Come in because you want to be part of this life of mine. Because you want to be part of his life. I don't have time for someone to waste otherwise. If you want to be in this life with me... You understand that Jason is a part of it. And a part of it that I refuse to be away from for long."

He smirked lightly. "Most people come in for the looks, and realize that they don't want to be part of Jason's life. So off they go. I won't hold any resentment... Not everyone's gonna want to be a part of a child's life. Many just want to come and go. Or have no strings attached."

He shrugged his shoulders at that. "As for Jason... Yes, he sleeps in his own bed, he eats normal food, he's just starting on those now. I try to be careful of the portions he has, as I'm still working on how much he eats. He can be a glutton if you don't moderate it, and he doesn't indicate if he's having too much until it's too late. Poor kid's gotten sick a few times."

 

[Riamah]

He was right to call her out for her past actions. For keeping secret what she had been. However, she smiled at them. Not with any humor, but with something that might indicate she liked hearing them. A verbal slap in the face they might be, but a needed one.

"There was a benefit of working with so many droids. I didn't have to keep hidden from them since they couldn't sense what I was. Only when it came to dealing with organics. Man I was so nervous visiting Kashyyyk. Not sure if you picked up on that one or not. I'm glad I did though."

As he continued on, Josh indicated what some had seen or wanted from him in the past. He was done with that kind of person though. Having been raised the way she had been living her life alone for so long, Ra had never had a relationship. A few men had attempted to woo her and then when their advances had failed, had moved on. It was as if they felt she wasn't worth the effort. Maybe she had kept them at arm's length and not allowed them in close.

Here he was offering a potential. Ra might be oblivious to many things, but this was painted as bright as yellow on one of her walls. This is where she froze, the fear of being hurt reared its head. Wanting to have that opportunity yet being scared at the same time. Jason was not an issue in her thoughts as he was a part of Josh. Nothing something Ra would ever think about doing was separate the two of them. It was something the others had not considered with Josh and his son was not something she would make the same mistake they had with.

"I've always wanted to be a mother. Never found a man that was willing to put up with me or work at breaking down the barriers I place around myself."

Looking at him as she spoke, not hiding anything or twisting her words, that little bit of fear might show.

"Vincent had a family before I met him, I'm pretty sure he can fix up something Jason can eat that won't over stuff him. I'll have to learn, if you stay. That choice is yours though."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Well, being in a murder league probably didn't help" The Jedi would sass her playfully then, a smirk spreading across his lips as his end of the conversation took a lighter, perhaps lewder turn. "I mean, I know there's people who find Sith girls hot and everything. I guess you just haven't, before you left the Sith, found a guy who was into genocide cults" He joked with a shrug, a mischievous glint in his eyes that seemed to indicate where this conversation was headed. He wasn't reminding her of her mistakes as a Sith or anything, nor was he shaming her. He was just poking fun at her a bit.

"I mean, all you missed I suppose were folks who would go in expecting genocide, whips... Chains... Fuzzy handcuffs... Fun-geons... You know, the fun stuff like that. Maybe that's why they didn't come at you... You're pretty and all, but you don't come off as the fiesty lady Sith dominatrix or anything" The Jedi would continue to crack, laughing a bit in turn as he turned his attention to the matter of Jason.

"I'd appreciate if Vincent could, thank you."

 

[Riamah]

Pretty much all sense of seriousness left the conversation when Josh spoke again. Lightly poking fun at her and how she had been with the sith hadn't helped matters might have been true. However, some of those attempts to romance her had been from before she was with them. At a time in her life when she was a neutral apprentice and didn't know of her past.

"Oh I have a fun-geon somewhere around here."

It was a lie, but Ra went with the joke. This castle had belonged to Vader, but as time had passed things had changed from what had been here then. Instead of a retreat to hide in (though that is what Ra did) it had been made into a home.

"I might agree with that, but I don't think that's the case."

​Shaking her head at the further remarks he made, she wasn't entirely sure just how seriously she should take the comments. Not taking any offense though, she was well enough acquainted with humor and having it poked at her.

"No problem at all."

Her eyes still twinkled and she spoke with a smile. Looking at the sleeping child and back to Josh, she stood up.
​
"Would you like me to show you a room?"

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Oh really? You'll have to show me sometime... I could think of a few uses for it" He teased as the mischief in his eyes only seemed to become more prevalent. He was shameless when he wanted to be, and when he was more comfortable to just be himself. So this was probably a good sign. He didn't mean any offense or any harm, of course, if that last line didn't indicate it enough. Jokes were jokes, though he did sometimes include some truth in it... It was hard to tell whether he was or not though. Sometimes he made it more obvious than other times.

He would stand up then, as he nodded his head. "Aye, I'd appreciate that" He spoke. He hadn't intended to spend the night here, he'd figured he'd be going back to the ship. But if Ra was offering, the place seemed nice enough so he wouldn't object to Jason having a nice, warm, well taken care of bed to sleep in. He started to walk toward her, stuffing Jason's cup in his pouch as he made his way past.

"Will we be sharing?" He teased, shooting her a playful smirk. He was joking, of course. But he couldn't resist the tease.

 

[Riamah]

"Something can be arranged if I'm missing something you like."

Taking the lead, she headed to the door Vincent had closed earlier when he left.

She gave herself a mental shake of her head after she spoke and tried to distract herself slightly with the tour she was giving Josh. Not exactly a tour, but showing him to a room that had been prepared in case he decided to stay.

When he asked if they would be sharing rooms, Ra's face very likely turned as red as her hair and she was speechless for a few moments. Then she started giggling. She just couldn't help it, for the first time in a long time, Ra was free to do what she wanted, be what she was and Josh was obviously the same. Once she regained some form of control over those giggles, she kept smiling.

"I wasn't planning on making that move just yet. It can be arranged though."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Oh, she shouldn't have done that. A sly smirk crossed his lips as he would follow behind her, as he would look around while she gave him the tour of the castle. The place was nice. Far better than the place he had on Naboo. But his was a nice, rustic sort of place, away from civilization. It was simple, easy to navigate and quick to move around to get to Jason if he needed him. It was good for what he needed a home for, but he couldn't help but envy the size and quality of the place. Even just a little.

Her remarks though, earned him leaning over and sensually whispering something [PM for info] into her ear, something that he knew would likely continue to darken the shade on her face. If she wanted to play that game, he could definitely play it. And he could outplay her, at that.

"Keep that up and you just might get spanked, young lady" He spoke bluntly when she talked of shared beds being arranged. It seemed he was getting more comfortable, at the least, thus the playful banter starting a bit.

 

[Riamah]

Her previous homes had been nothing like this. An apartment at the most. Her ship had been a regular place she stayed before she could afford those apartments. Once she had expanded her business, she could afford that former apartment. After her past had been revealed, she gained in position and was granted a pay raise. Along with that raise, this castle had been passed onto her.

After that government had fallen, she was hired by the Metal Lords. Being on their payroll had continued to give her the ability to maintain her home on Vjun. People wondered why she lived here at times. Vjun was an almost lifeless world, abused by acid rain and had no plant life. They would perhaps better understand why if they had walked her steps. That not being possible, when she was questioned, she would answer as best she could. He didn't ask though.

Josh leaned over and whispered into her ear and that did keep that red hue on her face, but it didn't change the color. Not stopping herself, Ra looked at him for a moment before speaking. That twinkle remained in her eyes, but she was having fun.

"Never know, I might like that. Shower first though. Your room is here."
​
Opening one of the doors, she knew it would be the first one Vincent set up for guests. As she expected, an extra bed had been brought in for Jason.

"The refresher is just down the hall and my room is on the other side."

Maybe it was a clear ​invitation, but it was to inform Josh of where she would be sleeping.

"Would you like any dinner?"

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

She had to be careful with that mouth of hers, he might just get worse. A chuckle escaped him at her remarks once again. Of course she would say that. Regardless, Josh wasn't too fussed about the home he had. It was functional, nice, and it was away from where anyone was going to find him. And most of all, it was a secret. Nobody that wasn't family had visited the homestead, and Josh was likely going to keep it that way. When he wanted to be alone with his family, it was where he went.

He grinned wickedly at her response though. Though he was almost disappointed that her face didn't get even more red. But to be fair... He didn't think it could get any redder.

"Mmm, shower's a pretty good substitute location too" He teased casually in turn as she would open the door, and he noted the extra bed for Jason with a nod of his head. Though he had to keep from choking when she would note where her bedroom was.

"Noted" He responded as he would clear his throat to keep his composure. After she would ask her last question though, he knew revenge was at hand. He would turn his heel to face her, leaning over so that their noses nearby touched, and he looked her dead in the eyes.

"I think you know full well what I'd like for dinner."

Of course he was referring to his whispered comments earlier, though he didn't go into vulgar detail on that unless she prompted it...

"Kidding~ Of course, I'd appreciate it, if it's not too much of an inconvenience for you."

 

[Riamah]

All fun and games aside, the information was passed as to where the refresher was located and Ra had her own room. If he did decide to pay visit to her, she would be greatly surprised. The way he reacted with a need to clear his throat, Ra felt like she had gotten a little pay back for making her blush in the first place.

Josh turned on his heal and bent over slightly to peer at her as he replied back to her. Not holding her tongue at all and saying what popped up first, this might get her into trouble later.

"That's dessert."

Of course then ​he said he was teasing and dinner would be great.

"Vincent takes care of me and you were expected. Dinner is no issue at all. Now do you think Jason will be hungry when he wakes up? Dinner can be delivered to the room or we can eat in the kitchen. Even the library if you want."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Oh, she'd done it now. He didn't even seem surprised anymore at what Ra had responded with. But the more forward she got, the more forward that he became in return. What he did next was her first warning that he wasn't one that she wanted to fire up unless she was expecting to take the brunt of said fire full force. The blonde would lean in just a bit further, his nose touching hers.

"As you wish."

The mischievous look in his eye was accompanied by the face he would then playfully tap his tongue to her lip before backing up again and returning to business.

"Jason's a glutton and is usually fairly hungry when he wakes up, so aye" Josh would respond to her question regarding Jason. "Perhaps it would be good to wait until he's woken up before we eat, unless you were wanting to eat soon."

 

[Riamah]

If he thought what he did was a warning, she was blind to it. It wasn't unexpected entirely considering how close they had their faces. In fact when she felt the tap, she did not pull away or reject the action. Nor did she make any further advance to do more. At the moment, she was at more of a loss as to how to react. Part of her wanted to follow through, give in and allow things to progress. Another part of her, the one Ra usually listened to wanted to run. That was the one that was scared of being hurt.

There was only a moment or two that she hesitated, but she made a decision in that time.

"I do."

He could take it however he wanted and her fear be damned. It had held sway over her life too long and she was tired of fighting.

"We can wait to eat. How long does he normally nap for?"

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

She didn't do anything back, but she didn't say no either. Her response with no real action, wrought with hesitations, and the words that followed, left him confused. He wasn't sure how to react, what to do. He'd shot across the bow and she'd reacted in a way that he couldn't follow up on. Shrugging it off and just letting it go, and hoping perhaps she'd give a bit more context in time, he would move onto Jason.

"Around this time of day? A few hours. He sleeps long at night though, thank the Force."

 

[Riamah]

"Dinner will be ready when he wakes up then. That leads to the question of what to do in the meantime."

Having come to ​that decision moments ago, Ra looked down at Jason for a moment before returning her gaze to Josh.

He had not stepped back and their noses still almost touched. So instead of being entirely like a dear caught in the glare of the head lamps of a speeder, she would push aside that bit of fear.

"I have an idea of what I would like to do."

With a sense of hesitation that Josh had not shown, her own tongue would slip out to do the same thing to him.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He closed his eyes then, as he considered on what to do next. He knew the first thing he wanted to do was get Jason in bed and let him sleep, obviously, but they were going to have some time to kill, and he didn't know what they were going to do with it. His mind started to wander on an idea...

And then she licked him.

He was surprised at first, as he stared at her long and hard as he tried to process what had just happened. Well, she had responded faster than expected. Shrugging his shoulders then, he would respond.

"Shall we have a sparring match?" He inquired. Of course, it was probably going to end up getting rather intimate, but being a warrior, it was a clear thing for him to suggest. With that, he would head into the bedroom set aside for them, promptly tucking in Jason comfortably, ensuring that he was settled perfectly, tucked in perfectly with an attention to detail, and ensuring he was warm and snug before hesitantly stepping out of the room. Of course, he'd mentioned he didn't want to go far from him. He wanted to be there if he heard him having a panic attack again.

"Need to have a way to hear him" Josh would admit to Ra. "He has issues if he wakes up in an unfamiliar place."

 

[Riamah]

"A spar of words or something more physical?"

It was said lightly, quietly, but certainly with as close as they were standing Josh would hear it clearly. Watching as he tucked Jason into bed, Ra waited for his reply. Not opposed to either one, Ra had the feeling even in her own home he out classed in both areas.

Time would tell though and a nice healthy spar of either kind was welcomed.

"I understand. If that's the case, let's hope we don't break anything in the hall. The sparring room isn't close enough to hear him wake up. Maybe some sort of surveillance can be arranged for the future."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Perhaps a bit of both" He teased in turn as he would look around the hall, just gauging the environment and being sure that hopefully they wouldn't break anything if they sparred out here. He felt bad for his stipulation that he not be too far from Jason, but Jason had some issues and he couldn't be away from him if they were going to potentially turn up. Jason had already shown aptitude for the Force, and had nearly hurt himself a few times when upset, so Josh wanted to be sure that he was able to keep him safe.

"I'd appreciate it" He spoke when it came to the idea of surveillance. "Alright, so, what's the plan?"

 

[Riamah]

She could almost hear the growling Vincent would give her after this. They had been partners in Bast for so long, they were almost more like family than employer and employee. Ra was pretty oblivious to this, but their relationship had changed over the years. When the day came that Vincent died, it was going to be one very sad one for her.

"Something can be figured out. At least until both of you are more comfortable here."

It implied he could spend more time here and she was not opposed to the thought.

"Well, to be honest, I hadn't thought that far ahead yet. Last fight I had, it involved my sabers. So maybe a change from that."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He was going to feel horrible if he ended up breaking anything as a guest. He considered their options, and how they could make some sort of accomodations to ensure he could still see Jason and know that he was okay but still be able to spar without disturbing him.

“Hmmm...” He spoke as he would take his datapad and the spare he kept just in case, and set them down near Jason. He would set them to do a call, and once satisfied, he would turn the volume off on the one he was leaving with Jason and turn the mic off on the one he was taking so that they wouldn’t disturb his sleep.

“Lead the way” He spoke to Ra as he would take the mic muted datapad with him. “As for how to spar... Suppose hand to hand?”