Some serious Therapy may be required ...

[Darien Cordel]

Darien walked into the outer office of Luciens Annaj headquarters. He walked up to his father's assistant's desk. His stomach was turning, he felt like he was back at boarding school approaching the head masters office. What would he do when he got to his dad, what could they talk about. Darien felt like he was gonna throw up. He just wanted a hug.

"Can I speak to father?" He asked softly he was terrified.

"Sorry, My lord his grace is in an important meeting and can't be interrupted" the assistant replied pity evident in both her tone and her eyes

The responce was like a knife to darkens heart "Fine, I don't care ... Its not important" he spat back before rushing from the room. Once he was early away from his father's office and in a quiet corridor he curled up on a bench and rolled to face the wall as silent tears began to flow.

 

[Yasha Cadera]

Making amends, going backward to fix a shifted and broken relationship sometimes took more help than a proud man like [member="Lucien Cordel"] would admit. Getting Lucien to open up enough for me to see the fracture in his home was brilliant, a stroke of luck and repair. The fact it cost me my identity isn't lost to me, Lucien above all is just but vengeful. If I did anything wrong, well, thankfully I've got others in my corner. I got the call as I was leaving a meeting with my Naval Command and launched down the hallway toward Cordel's office in an inhuman whirr of speed. Can't miss the kid. Absolutely can't! I hit the office just as he'd left, "Where'd he go!? The young Lord Cordel, where'd he... thanks! Shirt looks good on you today. Keep it up, you're amazing!" I yell after the assistant. I feel the woman flushed with pride, a soft blush to her cheeks.

I'm in full Anders mode, cargo trousers, long sleeve t-shirt, bantha leather jacket and my face is an illusion of androgyny. I dare anyone to call one side or the other. Sorry enough to say I almost passed the kid by. "Darien? [member="Darien Cordel"]?" The boy's weeping. I want to bundle him up, take him somewhere he'd enjoy till the moment his father's free. Its a flash upon getting close enough, a longing growing in my heart I've kept buried for years - I miss my Dad.

I miss my father fiercely, one embrace from him would make the past decade pass and fade. Every kid needs their dad. "Hey, Darien? I'm alone and unarmed. My name's Anders and I'm here for you." I chuckle, keeping my voice light as I plunk down beside his bench with my back against the wall. "Need a tissue, dude?"

 

[Darien Cordel]

Darien didn't hear [member="Anders Sivas"] until he was right beside him. The voice startled him. He wasn't used to others talking to him. He wasn't bullied in school not after what Lucien had done to the first boy to try. Having a dad who would have a boy flogged for teasing his son ment he was never bullied but it wasn't great for making friends either.

Darien didn't turn. He wiped his face and snorted "no" he snapped "I'm not crying because I want my dad to be a dad ... That's stupid ... Go way ... I had something in my eye" He looked up his eyes were puffy but he had stopped crying. He couldn't cry, he was nighteen years old, a man grown and the heir to Lucien cordel emotions were not part of his vocabulary. He tried really hard not to cry again but he couldn't. Tears started again "kark me, grow up Darien" he pulled his knees up to his chest. The last time he had cried was his first night away from Lucien. It was cathartic to let go.

 

[Yasha Cadera]

"Crying? Were you? I didn't notice." I wait till he's looking at me before I add the wink and give the boy a nod. The kid's a basket with a case on the end of it. Gosh, Lucien I knew you were worried about the boy, but this is ridiculous. I do have to balk a bit - Darien isn't much younger than I am. All perspective, I suppose. I sidle closer to the bench, put an arm on the arm of it and hand over a tissue within reach of [member="Darien Cordel"]'s hand.

"Not going anywhere. Can't make me." A little challenge might bring that Cordel try to the boy it might not. Until I get a better feel on him, I'm running with the passive traces in my head. My ribcage hurts, I want my father as all children want their father but somehow I deserve mine more. I need him more. The others don't work nearly as hard. . . haven't I done enough to impress him into loving me? "S'all good. I come in peace and equipped with tissues and an unlimited budget." I laugh, "Which didn't come from your father. This one's on me. Got any room for one more on that bench?"

 

[Darien Cordel]

Darien took the tissue "thank you" he sniffled. He dabbbed his eyes and shuffled over "I suppose" he replied. Darien was shocked to hear that this man had not been sent by his farther and that he had yet to receive anything expensive. Lucien oftentried to substitute affection for expensive gifts.

Darien had never really wanted anders to go but he also wanted solitude. He was confused and it was making his head hurt. He sighed and blew his nose before sitting up straight "does my dad know I'm here ... Does he care?" Deep down Darien knew Lucien loved him, the money he had spent proved that, but he wanted affection not money. He knew he wasn't Lucien's biological son and he was terrified that Lucien would put him aside.

"How do I make him love me?" Darien mumbled to himself

[member="Anders Sivas"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

"Any time." I take the chance as it comes, sitting on the bench and putting my arm casually over the back of it. Easy steps, bits at a time. I do too much too fast and the kid'll bolt. Trust is a function slowly earned and quickly lost and I've got to keep his trust. Damn near breaks me seeing the kid in such straights. I have half a mind to walk into Lucien's meeting and slug the guy on the jaw, but being that I punch like a ten year old girl half asleep it wouldn't be much of a threat.

"You know, I work with your Dad. We're on the High Council together. Yeah, I know. A guy like me on the Council." I flash a grin that's all teeth and courage, "Thus goes the vote, I guess." Another tissue is out of my pocket and into my hand, I hand it to [member="Darien Cordel"] and lean back to glance around us. Not many are in this area right now, and I have a feeling it's Lucien's finger men keeping people distanced to give me time to talk to the boy. Seems unnatural, but it's something to go on. My voice lowers, it becomes less verve and more poetry as I glance more outward to leave the young Cordel alone with his facial expressions and his convictions. "That's not the right question. He already loves you. Told me so, and let me ensure you getting goddess darned emotion out of your father's harder than defeating a planet full of stim-caf hopped up Sith Lords on an unholy Holocron hunt."

I glance sideways at the boy and sigh. "There's a right question here. It's 'how do we get the austere Lucien Cordel to doff the work and spend more time with you'. 'Cause it's easy to see that it'd help you both out a lot. Trust me, a lot. Since Meret's left and Mikhail Shorn turned into the Galaxy's neck biting badass you're all Lucien's got. . . just don't think he knows how to say it. So. How do we get him to say it?"

 

[Darien Cordel]

Darien looked over his shoulder to see what Anders was doing.he was relived and disappointed to see that Anders had only put his arm over the back of the bench. He primarily wanted someone to hug him tight and tell him it was all OK but he had hoped this person would be his dad.

The areas silence was indeed constructed.Lucien did not employ finger men, he did however employ secret police.They looked and acted like average joes, no one invisaged this though they all thought of secret police as people in dark clothes with shadowed faces. This was not something Lucien ever denied societies false pictures helped conciel his agents. Furthermore it was members of Lucien's staff in disguise as secret police who had subtly blocked off this corridor. However they were not here by Lucien's order his assistant had summoned and prepped the admin team to complete this task.

Darien laughed despite himself as Anders joked about his farther "I would take with lords over extracting emotion from father any day" he smiled a little "he's all I've had since my biological parents died ...." He said without thinking.the colour drained from his face "I shouldn't have said that ... Don't tell father" Lucien was always quick to remind him of the dire need for secrecy in regard to Dariens real background. Darien felt he could trust this man but he decided it was best to quickly move on "how did you get my father to open up?"

 

[Yasha Cadera]

I'd told Lucien once that my professional diagnosis might be to take his boy on holiday and I can see now that my premonitory diagnosis was correct. Lucien Cordel was going to spend quality time with his son whether he liked the idea of being kidnapped by a Naboo androgyne with a droid and a ship disabled somewhere on Sakurah. Letting my mind unfurl a bit more, I pick out which of the people nearby seems the most capable of getting a message to Lucien Cordel - and who I could persuade to do it. Ah yes, a gentleman works nicely and I prompt his mind to go to the meeting with a handwritten note. Old school was the best, in my opinion. I don't know how long it'll take Lucien to get here, but maybe long enough to have a better handle on Darien. "S'all good, don't worry about it I've got your back. . . my Dad threw me out. Did it for my own good, but it still hurts, you know? Been on my own since I was twelve." A piece of the past, paid in full by Darien's slip. Last I need is Darien feeling guilty.

I grin and glance outward, scanning the horizon and then back to the boy. "I shared a deep emotional pain with him and asked for his help. He was exhausted when I saw him on Skye. Trying to keep his family together when it was falling apart. Been taking Meret's awol status like a punch to the sternum, pair that with Mikhail Shorn being . . . unsavoury, Lucien thought he'd have to put out a death warrant on his only mentor's head. The thing that bowed his head the most was you. He sees he's not been the most with-it dad and he was so sorry about he talked aloud. That's the thing with family though, can make poor decisions, or get too busy or look back and wonder how to fix it. So we fix it. Ultimately, he's stuck in his own damned etiquette. To be honest I kinda want to take him by the scruff of his starched collar and heft him into a vacation with you and just . . . . keep him there." I laugh, glancing over at Darien and nudging him with my shoulder. "Sakura sound good? Beautiful place. Atrisians are the right kind of propriety."

 

[Darien Cordel]

Darien frowned "I'm sorry to hear that, I don't think farther would ever kick me out" Darien said. His dad wasn't all that bad. He wiped his eyes one last time and sat up straight. He smiled slightly when Anders announced that Lucien really did care. He hasn't noticed his farther was so drained. Then again who would Lucien early ever strayed from his own high standards. He would normally avoid letting something trivial like emotion ruin his image.

Darien smiled a nice relaxing holiday might but just what they needed . Darien nodded "I like the sound of that but father may take some convincing I don't think he has ever considered a holiday."

 

[Lucien Cordel]

"...I will give some consideration to your proposal, I will have my assistant arrange a meeting if I feel I can take your proposal forward, good day" Lucien said in his kindest possible voice as he gently pushed his guest out of his office door. Having finally removed his rather percistant petitioner Lucien kicked of his shoes and collapsed onto his coach. He loosened his tie slightly as his assistant stepped into his office. Lucien cut in before she could speak "Olena just the lady I need please fetch me a cool damp cloth Mr. Varshak has left me with a headache, oh and see if my normal massus can do on office visit ... Thank you " . Olena smiled politely and stared daggers at Lucien "Of course your grace but perhaps you would like to know your son dropped by to see you ... You were engaged" she said with false politeness she hated it when he was like this "darn" Lucien hissed he hated not seeing his son "send him my apologies and a new gadget and arrange a lunch with him ... I trust I have calander space" he said before closing his eyes. Olena smiled sweetly "of course your grace but perhaps your grace would like to know that your son is still here High councillor Sivas is speaking with him right now ... The councillor sent a note" Lucien stood up, taking the note " That's great, cancel everything I asked for and if any one comes make excuses as to why I am cancelling on them"

Having reappropriated himself he rushed from his office and down the corridor leaving behind atrial of bewildered beurocrats. But where in the name of the force was the janitors closet.

 

[Yasha Cadera]

"He did what he thought was best. . . Dad's do that, they try and make decisions knowing each choice is going to hurt somehow but the decisions have to be made regardless. Mine . . . certainly gave me an interesting life. Yours wants better for you than that." My eyebrow twitches and I shrug, a useless and cool action meant to wave off the growing gut-rot of being over a decade without my Dad. Lucien and Darien's plight must have reminded me enough to scour up the memories. "Darien, my lad, I guarantee you by the end of this day you and your dad will be going on a vacation. A real one, just for the both of you."

And with a flicker, Lucien was moving. I could feel the man go and closed my eyes to see his heels clipping the pavement and his tie slightly ajar. An electric zap of pain strikes between my temples and I open my eyes with a jolt. That has got to get easier with time. "Chin up, I sense a rather well put together disturbance in the Force." I wink and nod to the direction I feel Lucien in. Maybe he'll be there, maybe not. "Ultimately Darien I want you to feel safe. Safe to say whatever you need to to your father without fear of reproach or misdirection. I'm here to help, it'll make things a lot easier for all of us when you and Lucien have patched up and come together better."

'Over here, Lucien.' I project outward, "There's this chateau on Sakura which serves a traditional Atrisian tea each morning in a temple built specifically for the event. It's gorgeous. Enough to get Lucien loosened up to the point he'll say, play a game or we can only hope. What would you like to do most on your vacation?"

[member="Darien Cordel"]

 

[Darien Cordel]

"Thank you for all the help your giving us" Anders was a great councillor that much was true. Darien was really looking forward to a holiday with his dad. He could see that his father wanted only the best for him, it was unfortunate that they had subtly different perspectives on what the best was.

Darien was slightly bemused by Anders next comment "I'm not scared of my farther, I feel safe around him ... Why wouldn't I?" Darien laughed a nervous laugh. His farther was a dangerous man that much was true but Darien had no reason to fear him " I don't want to hurt him"

Darien felt more comfortable when the topic returned to holiday activity's "father will enjoy the tea but I'm more interested in girls ..." Darien said with a cheeky grin "... Father thinks I've never talked to a girl he didn't know, the other boys at school had a number of girlfreinds I sort of had one once too " Darien was exadurating he once kissed a girl in a closet for a drunken dare he didn't even know her name

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien was becoming rarther cross how hard could it be to find his son. He was just about to dispatched a peon to track his son down and lead the way when he felt a light tug on his mind and anders words in his head. He quickly found the corridor and the fake secret police. Lucien scowled and strode over "you look like a clown ... Remove yourself before I remove you through the window" the staff nodded and moved away at a frantic pace. Lucien then moved over to his son " Good afternoon DarienDarien, Lord Sivas" he smiled not really sure what else to say it was notably awkward

 

[Yasha Cadera]

I give the boy's shoulder a friendly nudge, "Then tell him how you feel. And don't take 'no' for an answer when his assistants try and push you to the wayside. You're his son. Who the heck do you think he's doing all this work for?" There was more than one kind of fear, and I knew the worlds of the Fringe as all worlds were, had their share of it all. I've got to laugh as [member="Darien Cordel"] sheds what's really on his heart: What all teenaged boys (especially in their late teens) want. A companion of the feminine persuasion. "I'm sure there'll be some sweet looking tea maids along with the rest of the populace, eh?"

Right on time [member="Lucien Cordel"] rounds the corner and sparks up the Awkward Tree like a sommelier caught red handed after a bottle of blossom wine from the great season. I stand up and reach out to shake Lucien's hand, "Lord Cordel you have a fabulous son. Why don't you bring him around more often? I'm sure at his age he'd be more than interested in learning the family business from dear Dad." I wink back at Darien, tugging Lucien's hand (if I get it) toward the bench.

"Sit! Enjoy, there's not enough time for great conversation is there? How's your day been? Busy and exhausting as usual? Things're winding down on Valhalla, it seems so whose going to take over the role of interim Internal Administration Advisor while you're away on Sakura with Darien? I can hand in a few names if you don't have one or three of your own. Man, kids eh? Blink and you miss 'em. Darien was telling me about the extra curricular activities he enjoyed in Boarding School, what was your favourite one again?"

I brighten the area with (what I picture as) a dashing smile and keep myself light and secure. Nothing boosts the confidence of others more than handling things with dignity, grace and a tiny bit of fun.

'Lucien, the boy is desperate to spend time with you. He needs his Dad right now more than the Fringe needs its High Councillor for a couple of weeks. And you need him. Won't kill or maim your character to open up.'

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien shook Anders hand and allowed himself to be pulled to a seat, he slumed down and nodded "Perhaps I should he is certainly good at networking" he patted darkens shoulder again pulling his son closer "I'm sorry" whispered softly laying his head on his sons. They had not been this intimate since Darien was a little boy.

Lucien ran his hand gently then turned back to Anders "My day has been notably poor, I have had no time to stop, the Valhalla home gaurd had to put down another right outside the capital and for the past two hours I have been trying to remove a farther percistant imbecile from my office I am utterly exhausted and my head hurts" he looked quizzical when Anders mentioned Sakura. Then it clicked that anders was telling him to take a holiday "I suppose a holiday would be nice ... I had better prepare then" he turned back to his son ignoring the evidence of his sons tear it tore at Lucien to know that those were his fault "we can go on holiday in a few weeks" (I will coincide this IC holiday with my RL one) but for now I wish to hear what this activity of yours is" Lucien said squeezing his sons hand.

Darien looked a little worried "Cross school communication to establish partnerships" Darien eventually replied it was the truth all be it said in a more appropriate way. Lucien smiled "I take it these partnerships were with ladies from the girls division of the school?" He said with a smile.

 

[Yasha Cadera]

They're talking. They're talking and they're making up. An inward sigh of relief strikes the bastion of my lungs and I stop fiddling with ideas in my mind. Open the door, the Cordel men know how to step through it. How polite! If only all my clientele were so easy to work through. "Hmm. Can't have that, may I?" I hold up a hand and it begins to luminesce. Flickers of glittering and vibrantly stranding bits of Light pull of my fingers and into the air like a reverse gravitational pull. If given the chance, I'd pass my hand over Lucien's forehead and pull the fatigue, lactic acid, twitching headache and muscular tension out of him. Out, up and away. Let the stars take it, they're so much bigger than us. It wouldn't be a permanent solution, but enough to give Lucien a better hour or two before the tensions and symptoms and fatigue headaches came back. "Say the word, Lord Cordel and I'll send a discrete legion to Valhalla to help shore it up and take pressure off your men."

And the father gets it. A vacation is to be had and I fist pump with a timid 'yes!' whispered from my lips.

"Bingo. How is our dear young gentleman to become a master in polite communication if he has no access to experience? All proprieties and above board, of course. Forgive me, but has the young Lord Cordel had his Coming Out in Society, yet? Officially?" My lip muscles tug down, trying to squelch the growing smile there.

 

[Darien Cordel]

Shook his head "not officially ... We need to establish connection with eligible debutantes first " Lucien nodded in reply after all one couldn't marry his heir to any all family with a few credits and a country home, a family of influence was required. Lucien patted Darien on the shoulder "have the staff pack I must make certain arrangements for the time I am absent, councillor Sivas I need you to hold Valhalla in my absence" Lucien smiled " now if you will excuse me I need to go and inform the deputy governors they are being subbed in I will meet you on the yacht in half an hour" and with that Lucien was gone again.

Darien was pleased, he had a good feeling his relationship with his farther was about to improve "thank you councillor " he said before standing up "it looks like I ought to go and prepare the staff, see you around ... ERM I mean ... Have a pleasant afternoon"

 

[Yasha Cadera]

"I sense a ball in your future, [member="Darien Cordel"]. Eligible ladies packed in rows of haute couture and fine spritzer glasses. I wonder how old M'nilla's daughter is... I know some Atrisian Houses, but their empire's been absorbed into ours. . . hmm. I'll have to work on that. Comes with the joy of being an artist first. Classically trained Naboo artist musicians get invited to all the parties." I wink at Lucien, letting him wonder which of me was invited. Andra, or Anders.

I hop up on my feet and 'dust off' my trousers. "No worries, I've got Valhalla. Might take them by the scruffs of their necks and persuade them nicely to stop being the back end of banthas. . . okay I'll just be a smiling tyrant. You are excused. Many thanks, Lord Cordel." I sweep into a bow, waiting till Lucien walked away to jump up and turn to his son. "Told ya."

My grin reaches both ears as I wave Darien away, "You're welcome Master Cordel. Call me anytime." The grin stuck till the kid was gone, and slowly, ever slowly I lower myself onto the bench again. My hands cover the back of my neck, I focus on deep, smooth breaths. My chest still doesn't feel right.

It's odd to think a few weeks ago someone's arm had impaled this chest. It's odd to think I nearly died for a man who now is all but ephemeral. The whir-buzz of Bucket's servos catches my ears before the droid puts its hand on my back. "Master, Suma is loaded and prepped. Please come."

"Right with you, Bucket." I hold out my hand and Bucket takes it, hoisting me up as my skin turns a ghostly pale, my steps shake and within minutes I'm on the Sumatiyara curled up in a chair falling to sleep. Deep space is calling me, once I'm finished on Valhalla.