Something to Talk About

[Riamah]

It wasn't more than a week or two before she saw Josh again. They still needed to have a conversation about her attitude at the political gathering. She didn't know if that was going to happen now though.

This would be her second visit to Kashyyyk, but this time it wasn't for business. Instead she came here at the invitation of Josh and looked forward to the adventure in front of them. Not as much of an adventure, but a relaxing vacation on the beach the Rest had.

Instead of arriving in a large ship that needed her to be shuttled down, Ra brought her own small freighter. Having been here once, she figured she would follow the same landing procedures as before. No need to get the Silver's upset because she might break some rule they had. Bringing her ship down, she had told Josh of her arrival along with the flight control they had.

They had decided to start someplace at least a little familiar to her. Bringing her ship down and landing it, she grabbed a small bag that carried some beach supplies and walked down her ship's ramp. Seeing Josh and Jason waiting for her, she gave them both a large smile and headed in their direction.

"Am I going to need to lock her up?"

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh was happy to see Ra again in so little time from the last. They had grown closer as of late and he had grown to quite enjoy her company. Jason liked her too, which was a plus. But he remembered the looks she gave and the attitude she held at their last meeting, and he was still worried. She'd promised to speak of it next time, so... Well, here was next time. Once Ra had her clearance, Josh and Jason were waiting for the redhead at the docking bay. Josh had been busy lately with his new role as Master Of The Order, which kept him on Kashyyyk more often, so he appreciated Ra's company while he had a little break from his work.

His students had been taught for the day, the paperwork was as good as it was going to get, and he was content to spend the rest of the day with Ra and Jason so long as nobody didn't need him for anything for a little while. Josh would smile when her freighter would touch down, and he would wave her over. When she would ask if she needed to lock the ship up, he shook his head. "We can have that done for you, no worries" Josh promised as he would motion her along with one hand while holding Jason's with the other.

"How has everything been?"

 

[Riamah]

Clearly beaming and returning the smile Josh gave her, she included Jason in her look at them. Her eyes softened slightly as she looked at his son. Ra walked over to the two of them and stopped within touching distance. They really had grown close on several different levels. Today, Ra hoped the continue on this path she was on. He had opened doors she hadn't seen or known were there and she was thankful to him.

"I'll take your word on that."

Unsure exactly on to act this time since this meeting was personal and not professional, she didn't know if a hug and kiss would be welcome or not. One thing she was very happy about was just the opportunity to spend time with both of them.

There had been something on her mind about their relationship and it was something good. If there was anybody in the galaxy she felt comfortable with, it was him. Less than a handful of people had that with her. Maybe that was good and maybe it wasn't. All Josh had to say was for her to calm down and she would. Well, maybe not entirely, but would be enough to call her attention to things.

Tilting her head slightly when he asked how things had been, she shrugged her shoulders slightly as well. As she finished speaking, she resumed what she thought of as a goofy smile, but it was a normal one.

"Things have been pretty well. Just taking care of business. I'm sure you understand that. How about you? Are you finding a happy medium between your extra duties and Jason?"

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He and Ra had most definitely become very, very close in what was nearing, what, six months at least? He had lost track of the time at this point. Perhaps she knew better. He’d have to ask at some point so they could figure out just how long they had known each other. Maybe he should include friend anniversary dates on his calendar or something of the sort… Might help. He was always so busy that the Jedi tended to get dates mixed up or think it was a different day from what it actually was. Either way he had come to trust Ra and she seemingly with him. At least aside from the fact she had some very clear secrets that were a little concerning in regards to why she would be hiding these things.

Jason liked her though. That was a plus. And so he definitely wanted to trust her. Time would tell as to whether she would make him regret it or not.

“Things are… Hmm…” Josh would muse aloud as he would motion for her to walk with them. “I think it’s an adjustment, to say the least. I’m still looking for that happy medium. My personal preference is to be on missions more but where I’m needed is where I’m needed I suppose. And seeing as Jason is allowed in my office - it turns out I’ve had an office since I got on the Assembly and neither Jyoti or Valae told me - while I’m doing paperwork… I guess I’m balancing time with him well enough. He can be quite the distraction but…” He trailed off and gave a shrug. Unless the paperwork was on a deadline, it got done when it got done. He knew full well that Jyoti was the same way and had lately been popping into his office to “check up” and play with Jason. He knew full well she was procrastinating but he didn’t mind or say anything. Just so long as she got used to him doing the same thing. If that was the example she led, then he was sure she’d be fine to see others follow it.

Either way, the “family beach day” was underway as the three crossed through the Rest until they came back outside and into what was basically a private beach, complete with a place for grabbing beach supplies if one lacked them, and the means to make smoothies and other things. It wasn’t as tropical warm as other planets with all the trees around but Kashyyyk had it’s own ambiance to it. Josh would let go of Jason's hand, making a motion with his head to Ra to ensure that Jason didn't run off. With that, he would plop down the basket he had brought, and begin setting up a large beach towel.

"Did you need anything, Ra?"

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

"Missions can be dangerous. While I am sure you can take care of yourself, there's always the chance you wouldn't come back. You might not like having to push so much paperwork, but it sets my mind at ease. It is a bonus Jason is allowed to stay with you though. Who takes care of him when you are gone?"

That last part really wasn't any of her business, but Ra was curious about the people Josh did trust with his son. Having met a few people in his life, she wondered if any of them were among those he trusted.

They walked through Rest and she was actually rather relaxed. Not entirely comfortable being around so many Jedi, she did not feel unwelcome. Something she had noticed on her first visit here. One that felt like a lifetime ago, but was actually maybe only about a year. In that year since she met Josh here, her life had been destroyed, but she had kept going. Making a new life and opportunities on her own. Ra had gathered around herself people with similar views and a small movement had been born.

She was pleased Josh was one of those people, even if he didn't fully agree with everything. They were different enough, but not so much they couldn't get along. In fact that was something Ra really liked about Josh. As that thought crossed her mind, a hand would reach out to him to walk hand in hand with if he wanted to. Still unsure what to expect from him since this his home, she had hope he would be accepting of the hand. Of course, she would understand if he didn't and would not be bothered by it.

Arriving at the beach after the walk, he asked if she needed anything and she shook her head. Patting the bag at her side, she indicated everything was in there she thought she would need.

"Swimming suit, towel and a few other odds and ends. Should be good with that."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh shrugged in turn. "That may be, but Jyoti didn't hire me for the job because I have a kickass writing hand" He would respond. "She knows what I am capable of on the field. She knows that I am able to be a leader on the field, to take charge, to be the example. Both on and off it. An example doesn't sit behind a desk all the time, they go out there and they show these people why they fight. When paperwork is necessary, fine fine. When training others is necessary... Fine, fine. But as far as running the Rest goes, which is why they want me to stick around here, there are people that are more experienced in that department than I. So it clearly wasn't the reason I was picked for the job."

At the last part, he took a breath. "The temple has nannies, and sometimes Jyoti likes to take care of them herself. And Jason likes her. But he gets lonely too. Wakes up middle of the night crying, and I usually get called to sing to him through HoloCall late at night."

One would think his pride would keep him from saying that. But the whole Order knew at this point with how often he had been called before his promotion.

He was fine to let her take his hand, and gave her a gentle smile as he squeezed hers with his own. Once they arrived, and Ra showed she had been prepared, he nodded his head as he made some foom for her.

"Good" He spoke. "While I'm outlining everything here... Care to tell me what was bothering you before?" He would ask. It seemed he wanted to get down to business.

 

[Riamah]

What he pointed out along the way wasn't something Ra had thought of about his position. However, she could tell he had yet to totally find a happy medium in his life. Something else was clear, in his process of finding that balance, Josh had made room for her in his life. Not just his life, but that of Jason's too. Her eyes fell to his son's head for a moment before she turned them back to the path ahead of them.

The walk felt almost natural and it would have been if she was more comfortable around the Rest. That would come in time, she was sure, but not yet. Wanting to take things at a natural pace, Ra wasn't going to force herself into something that didn't fit her. Josh did fit a place in his balance for her and that made her feel good. More than good, but she couldn't quite place exactly what.

Not a young girl with a crush, what Ra felt went further than that. Exactly what had been hinted at before, but it hadn't gone further than that since. When he accepted her hand, smiled and gave it a small squeeze, she did the same thing back. It felt natural and she liked it.

Soon enough they were at the beach. Setting her bag down on the sand, she wondered if there was anything Josh wanted her to do to help him. He turned her thought on its ear though and asked what had bothered her at their last meeting. If he had hoped to catch her off guard, it had only worked partially. Knowing this was going to happen sooner or later, it was probably good that was done sooner.

"There were two people there I never expected to see again. One of them was Krest, who was the Sith Lord that send an assassin after me. Forced my hand and I had to pick at that time in joining the Sith or dying. The other was the former leader of the Dominion, Cedric Grayson. They were both two of the biggest mistakes I ever made as an adult."

Her answer was honest and her tone did not change much as she answered. Near the end it did, but it carried a sense of regret and nothing else.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

“You never did actually tell me how your relationship with the Dominion turned sour. You act like it was the biggest mistake of all your life but you’ve also implied your only regret is joining them around the time they ruined their rep and had to recover from that. Yet you almost equate it to the Sith that destroyed and re-shaped your life for years” Josh would point out as he would start digging for sunscreen. “Care to provide any context I might be missing?”

He figured it was better to get full context before letting Ra continue her story so as to understand her better.

“Krest” He spoke once she finished. “I knew he was there. Trying to act like he wasn’t a Darth and all that.

Krest was my friend, once” He revealed.

“He was a good friend of mine. Drinking buddy. I watched him get plastered and try to hook up with a girl at the cantina... Failed miserably. He was a Templar in the old CIS. Went undercover as a Sith for the fledgling One Sith while I was Grandmaster. He reported back to me. But at some point after I disappeared, he got a taste for blood. Got a taste for the dark side. And then Krest was gone. And no matter how many times he says he’s Krest again... He will always return to Ferus. It’s happened before. It will happen again.”

The lesson was... Anyone could become evil. Anyone.

He pulled out the sunscreen then.

“Need a hand?”

 

[Riamah]

Listening to what Josh was asking and keeping quiet while he spoke, this gave Ra a good opportunity to think on how to answer him. Not at all wanting to keep anything secret or hidden from him, she was preparing as full of an answer to provide. Also keeping it simple enough to not rouse up any irritation within herself.

"Joining the Dominion wasn't actually my mistake. My mistake happened with Cedric."

Letting out a small chuckle and holding up a hand as if to stop Josh from thinking anything had happened between them, she continued on.

"Nothing romantic happened between him and I, but I gave him a vow. That vow was my mistake. It bound me to staying with a government until they died. You know how important my word is, Josh. Once given, I would die before breaking it. Now just before the Dominion was betrayed and destroyed by the Sith, Darth Lykos was sent to assassinate me. Sent by Krest. I never left the Dominion even when I knew they were failing. I stayed until they died, like I vowed to."

She had only ever known Krest as Krest and nothing else. He had actually been dead when she cut ties with the Sith. How he was back now she didn't know and didn't care to.

"According to Vulpesen, Krest has changed though. I don't believe that."

Giving him an odd look at his question, it took her a moment to come back to where they were.

"I don't think so. What about you?"

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"I would have left when I realized they weren't what you thought they were. Traitors and turncoats. Odds were that if not for the Sith sending someone to assassinate you, the Dominion would have eventually the moment you either sidestepped or if one of them just found a reason to want you gone" Josh would respond calmly. "Doesn't take much for them to find reason to, those types of people. Once a turncoat, always a turncoat. Which presents a bit of irony to the situation, I suppose. Turncoats turning on turncoats. You're better off."

The Dominion had betrayed the Silver Jedi and thus, were not a happy topic at the Rest. And no member of the Silver Jedi would forget, nor forgive. As they shouldn't. A lack of caution and remembering the mistakes of the past wouldn't allow them to survive for very long. Either way, Josh smiled lightly.

"If not for your own reservations, I'd have bothered you to join the Silver Jedi a long time ago. I think you'd fit better than you think" Josh would admit. "Your heart is always in the right place when you're on mission... I've seen that. You have a desire to protect others who cannot protect themselves. And you seem to seek a belonging, a family, a place, a purpose... At least by what I've gleamed from our talks. But I understand too that you prefer to do things a bit more your way. I get that. I have a lot more leeway to do things my own way than I did with the Republic, but... At the end of the day, the Jedi Way is the Jedi Way. And if the Jedi Way isn't for you, then, well..." He trailed off with a shrug. "At the least, I'd like to hope we can help you in helping yourself, to help you guide yourself to be who you want to be. Not as a member, but as a friend" He spoke, referring to his offer some time ago when Ra had her outburst. "I'd happily refer you to Jyoti Nooran on that matter, but I'm not sure if she'd be all that happy having that talk with an ex-Dominion member. I'll have to talk to her on that" He mused aloud. "She's not a woman that will react well if you cross her, as she shouldn't be considering her position. But she's not heartless either. She's a woman of understanding, usually."

He took a deep breath as he would get up, once the blanket was set up.

"Let's get to the dressing areas" He spoke, wanting to get that out of the way while they talked. As they were on their way, he would continue.

"Jyoti has been an adviser for me, so I know full well that she's someone that you want to have to listen to if needed" Josh would reveal. "Recently, we talked about the fact that perhaps it's time I moved on from... Well... Yeah. And focused more on the future. I said maybe it was time to get back into the dating game. For my own happiness, but also most importantly... For Jason's. Jason deserves a mother that loves him. Jason doesn't deserve to go through life without that. He's never done anything to deserve anything less."

He took a deep breath.

"Jyoti told me that Jason would forget her eventually, and that he has the entire SJO to rely on... And if I'm to do this... To focus on what will make me happy. And who will make me happy. She said to do this for myself, and completely for myself."

He gave a bittersweet smile.

"Dunno if I'm capable of it, though" Josh would admit. "I haven't thought much of what would make me happy in a long time. Well, aside from one image. One constantly replaying memory, but... That aside, it has always been what has been best for Jason. I'm not sure where to take that advice. Because I don't know how to serve myself anymore."

Josh had opened up a little bit more, it seemed. With that, he would hand Jason to Ra. Which was rare, indeed.

"Watch him a moment while I change, will you? I'll take him back to get him changed while you're doing yours, once I do that."

Josh would never have the chance to change himself into swim shorts with Jason there, he knew. He'd run off with something.

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

She had been a simple merchant when discovered by the Dominion. Same as when that vow had been made to Cedric. Her word as a merchant and person meant everything. Chewing on her lip slightly, what Josh said was true. Her honor held her there though and he might not comprehend how much that meant to her. About to lift a finger to dispute what he said, she changed her mind. It would be something she would address, but she allowed him the time to finish what he was saying. No need to derail his train of thought. When he did finish, she felt far more comfortable being on Kashyyyk.

"At the time the Dominion did become turncoats, I was just a woman trying to make a living. After Cedric disappeared was when something larger was offered to me. I had no hand or role what they did to you or the Silver Jedi."

Shrugging her shoulders slightly and closing her lips tightly before speaking on, she didn't know how to make it more clear to him. Whatever she said, Ra had the feeling would make its way back to Jyoti's ears. Picking her words carefully, she wanted to tell Josh everything of her past, but did not want it all becoming public knowledge. She let out a sigh and decided to be as open he was about his feelings.

"There was a time when I was the head of intelligence for the Dominion. Soon before they were destroyed, word had reached the Sith of me and that assassin was sent. I never did become a turncoat, though it could have happened."

Giving his hand a gentle but secure squeeze when he talked about being advised on moving beyond his marriage. That Jason didn't deserve not having a mother and that he would forget her eventually. It wasn't entirely lost on her that the suggestion was given to start the dating game. Not that they had agreed to be exclusive, but Ra had started to view Josh in that manner. It wasn't like she got out that much, but over time, a few men had tried courting her and failed. Josh had been patient, there for her and hadn't left. He had a form of control on her that nobody else did and she allowed this.

"Not having been in your position before, I can offer some advice...maybe. Take things at your pace, whatever that is, Josh. I do and for the most part, I'm happy. Don't force yourself to do something that isn't you. One thing I've learned is patience."

Taking Jason when Josh handed him over, resting him on her hip just like a parent would. Nodding to Josh to go do what he needed to do, she would start talking to Jason. Pointing out some of the various beach things she saw that caught her eye and might his attention while his father was changing.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh was certainly not blind to the way that their relationship had turned out. He had certainly noticed the increases in affection between the two. He noticed the way that he looked at her and the way she looked at him. He noticed the way she treated Jason, and how Jason reacted toward her. The idea of a relationship had already entered his mind. Of course, he also knew that it was best to take things slow considering their own baggages. Not to mention the fact she was ex Dominion... And relationships already came with enough baggage. There was no need to deal in extra if they could help it. Hopefully in time she would be able to wash off that stigma, though he didn't doubt she would be able to. Perhaps once she had... Maybe he'd bring it up. When the timing was good. But for now, he was just happy to enjoy her company, regardless of titles.

When Ra would elaborate on her oath, he nodded his head a bit. "I understand completely" He responded. "I swore a similar one to the Republic, but... Here's the thing about the Republic and their Jedi Order. When they turned out to not be what I signed up for, when they changed from what I swore to... They broke the oath. The oath was null and void from that moment on" Josh would add. "So when the Dominion became turncoats... They no longer were the Dominion that you swore to. Which means your oath is no longer a factor. And hasn't been for some time."

It meant nothing now, but at the least it might give her some closure. As well as, hopefully, give her something to think about if she landed in a similar position in the future. As for the whole assassin deal... He just nodded his head. He knew that odds were, the Dominion would have been the ones to turn on her eventually had they continued. It was just the nature of turncoats. It was very likely the Sith would have made a deal with them to hand her over, or kill her, and then she probably wouldn't be here if the turn was coming from people she trusted.

The topic had turned to his relationships and Ra would advise him to be patient and take things at his own pace. He nodded his head again. "Thank you" He spoke softly. Though the way she held Jason once he handed him to her did not go unnoticed. It was very familiar to him, he had seen that posture before.

Josh was in and out quickly, and then would take Jason to the changing rooms to let Ra change as well. Once they were out, he would lead them back to the beach and pull out the sunscreen. Sitting Jason down and beginning to apply the sunscreen, he would motion toward it to Ra if she needed it.

"I've been meaning to ask. What do you tend to do on your spare time, when we're not together? I feel like I know a fair bit about you, and yet at the same time I feel as though I do not."

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

As they walked, she was quiet for a few moments as she thought about his words on the vow she had made then. An encounter in what might have been a dream, a test or something else entirely had cleared her of that vow. But it had come too late to have changed anything. By then the Dominion was dead and she had thought Cedric was too.

It wasn't until that reception that Ra even knew the man was still alive. Him along with Krest had really disturbed her which Josh had picked up on and what they were talking about now.

"I wasn't in any position of power with them when they did the turncoat thing, Josh. A simple merchant trying to make a living only. If I had been aware of what was going on, I would have broken away, but I didn't. It wasn't until Cedric went away and things got stable again under new leadership did I gain anything from them. The rest I think you already know."

With her words, she also hoped it would reinforce the fact she had no hand in the betrayal he spoke of. They might also indicate her unwillingness to betray her word. She hoped this message would reach the ears of Jyoti and anybody else that spoke poorly of her.

Keeping Jason occupied while Josh changed wasn't that difficult and she was thankful for that. Distracting him from even noticing his father wasn't at his side was great and the few minutes he was gone were fun. Giving him back to Josh when he came out, they both went into separate rooms to change. Not knowing how long it would take for him to get Jason ready, Ra was out at about the same time.

Having to get new clothes due to a tail now, she came out in a two piece and a towel draped around her hips. The tip of her tail sticking out. She gave them both a smile and walked with them to the beach itself. Accepting the sun block, she held it in her hands for a moment before putting it on in the areas she could reach and offered to do it for Josh in the areas he couldn't. His question surprised her a little and she had to give it some thought.

"Well, I have my movement I'm working on. You know a little about that and the people in my life dealing with it. There are also books I like to read. Not so much into the holonet shows though. As a merchant, I get to shop around all I want. Otherwise, I take walks when I can and have been travelling a lot with Faith Organa recently too."

Maybe there was more, but that was pretty much all Ra could think of at the moment. It would come as though as they talked more, she was sure.

"I'd ask the same of you, but I have the feeling, it revolves around Jason quite a bit."

A smile came with those words, but she still wanted to know.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh had hoped she would notice that he hadn't once implied she had been a turncoat herself, only asked about her ties. But he didn't know if she knew that or not. Either way, he would just nod his head to her explanations, before heading into the changing rooms. Once the lot were out and back on the beach, Josh would casually check her out, just teasing her all the while as he always did and firing her a playful little wink in the process.

Ra would talk a bit on what she did on her spare time, and he was curious for a moment. "What kind of books?" He would inquire. He'd keep what she said about Holo Movies in mind... He tended to just mindlessly watch them with Jason on the ship, on the way to and fro. He couldn't remember them for the most part, but they were a good distraction if he was too tired to train.

Ra would ask next about his own, and she seemed to know right away how this was going to turn out.

“Well, I like to take Jason to see the different animals on whatever planet we wind up on. Usually it’s on Kashyyyk but if I can afford a few hours out, I like to take him to neighboring systems and show him the wildlife there. I’ve been planning to take him to the petting zoo again soon too, I like to take him every so often. Despite the presence of Porgb-“

As if on cue once again, the porg would poke it’s head out of the basket. It looks like it had stowed away, likely while looking for food.

“I should check to make sure Stowbert over here didn’t get into the food” He remarked as he would pull Porgbert out of the basket and let the giggling Jason watch over him as he would go through it. He cleared his throat.

“Ahem… Despite the presence of Porgbert, Jason seems to enjoy petting porgs at the petting zoos more than anything else. He just seems to really have wonder in his eyes seeing a bunch of them flocking around together. So yeah, on my next bit of spare time, I'll probably take him to that petting zoo again. We'll see the porgs, and those big kitties he likes too, and maybe we'll find a dog-like creature. He seems to like those. He likes fluffy things and furry things. I've had to keep him from plucking Porgbert a few times" He would admit with a laugh. It seemed that indeed, he had a lot to say regarding Jason.

"When we're not interacting with animals, I like to try and take him home once in awhile. Have little picnics on the lake. Or take him out for food and ice cream. He loves both things, I just wish I could take him out for those longer. It's a little harder to get out of the Rest to do that though. And as nice as the Rest is... I've never been one to stay in one place too long. Still, I hope to continue to show Jason new things on my spare time. He only gets to be a child once... I want him to see all around him with the sort of wonder that he deserves to see it as. I never got that myself... So more than ever, I just want to see Jason have what he should. And see what he should."

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

"History mostly I guess. I grew up knowing almost nothing about anything. So as an adult I've set out to learn as much as I can. I focus on what interests me, learn a little bit here and there and move onto something else."

Pointing at her head for just a moment before continuing, "I know how to fix small issues with star ships, fight and lead people. Along with a few different skills within the Force and practice them when I can. That doesn't happen very often though."

As he then answered back, his free time did revolve around Jason and she had fully expected that. Josh wouldn't be who he was without his son. Ra had the feeling he would be somebody different if he didn't have him and had no idea if they would even be having this day if that was the case.

"Do you think he could grow up to be some sort of beast master?"

The desire of Josh to have what one could think of as a normal life was clear in his words. Fate had other plans for him though and had brought them together.

"You and I both had years where we couldn't do something like this. Thank you for giving me the chance to do this."

Chuckling when Porgbert appeared she nodded Josh went on and made her comment. She watched Jason as he played with his pet and gave some thought on what her dream vacation would be. Not coming up with anything at the moment she looked back at Josh realising she would want to take it with him and his son.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

History, huh? Interesting. "I look up some history from time to time. Used to more often when I had more "me" time, but I don't mind. I think I've had my time to learn a fair bit and enough to attribute it to my work. But I don't mind looking into things from time to time on my spare time" He admitted with a shrug, but didn't stop her further for a bit. The topic turned to Jason, and Ra would present a question of interest that gave him pause. Thinking about it a moment, he nodded his head. "I could see it, if he continues to have his love for animals as he grows up" Josh would admit. "He's still a child, his interests could certainly change. But I don't want him to lose that love and passion for this either... It's something special, I feel like."

She thanked him, and he wasn't sure why. She could go to the beach whenever she wanted, couldn't she? There were plenty of beaches around the galaxy, and he stared at her a bit. He supposed without an explanation, he didn't understand the meaning of her words.

A dream vacation would be nice, he'd probably mention if she brought it up. He'd certainly love to go somewhere with Jason and someone they cared about... Odds are, Ra would be who he had in mind.

Once he had his own sunscreen on, he would work on helping Jason apply it while he was busy with Porgbert. He made a motion to Ra noting he could help get her back if she needed it, of course.

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

"When I'm travelling for work, which has been lacking a bit lately, but I had time to spare while in route. Mostly I learned about the history of the places I was going. If there were Jedi or Sith artifacts to be found. That part of my life I had to keep hidden, not so much now. Then again, I'm no Sith any longer. So whatever it is I have become...is more acceptable. At least it seems that way."

Though Ra still kept it secret, it wasn't so much because of her alignment, but because it didn't really matter. She didn't need the Force to be a businesswoman or conduct it. It was just a small asset to her life and not something she relied on as much as others did.

"When I was little, my dream was rule after my master died. Now in a way, I've accomplished my goal, just not in a way I ever expected. I will help Jason in reaching his dreams and goals once he gets them figured out, if you allow me to."

Setting her bag down, Ra took a seat on the blanket next to the two of them. Nodding when Josh offered to put sunblock on her, she turned to allow him access to her back.

"Do you want to me to lend a hand to you as well? I saw your confused look a moment ago. You see, I would never have thought to do this myself. So I thank you for the idea, offering it to me and allowing me to join you."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Learning about the history of the planet huh..." He mused. "I sometimes learn some things from the locals if I can, but I usually put my time toward training and preparing physically and mentally for the mission. But preparing for the environment, culture and history... Hmm... That's not a bad idea" Josh would decide, shooting her a grin. "Thanks for that."

She said she was a Sith no longer, but a lot of Sith was still there. Josh had seen this. She was having trouble getting away from that. He hoped he could help if possible.

He smiled at her offer, though did want to point something out. "Have you?" He asked as he would begin to apply sunscreen to Ra's back. "There's something you haven't mastered. And that's yourself. I'd make that a goal" He would suggest. "Figuring out who you want to be and having full control over yourself and what you do. That is true mastery, isn't it?" Josh would add. "But as for Jason... Aye, I'd certainly appreciate it. I'm sure he will too, someday."

To her question on if she could help him as well, he would nod his head as he would finish applying.

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

"Your job and mine differed in that aspect. Rarely was a sent there for a mission and was there for business. In that aspect of my life, I kept my Force ability secret. It's not something that is needed to be in business."

He had gone in to preparing himself through something more combat oriented where Ra went into their people and history. Giving him a light elbow at his thanks, there was a smile included.

Starting to nod when Josh asked if she had accomplished her dream, but stopped as he continued on. Instead of stuttering over anything she was going to say, she just kept quiet and only reacted when he said he would appreciate the help with Jason.

Not quite gently taking the tube of sunscreen from Josh, she grabbed it from his hand when he handed it to her. Not quite angry, but certainly in a bit of a touchy mood, what he had said was accurate. Not wanting to admit it though, her tail wagged with the irritation she felt. However her touch on Josh's back was soft and she quickly covered it with the lotion which she rubbed in.

"Jason, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Something silly to ask such a small child, but it might just be something they could work on exploring and supporting. As he interests changed, so would their focus on helping him.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

They were both there on business. His business was just stabbing people.

Her rough grab made it very obvious he had touched a nerve, and his head jerked toward her in turn. His expression was immediately that of apology as he would bite his lip. He had genuinely been trying to help. Sure, he was a bit blunt but he had spoken with only what he thought would help at heart. Feeling awful that he had only served to hurt her when he had brought her here in hopes of a pleasant afternoon for the lot of them, he didn't know what else to say for the moment. He dropped his head after a few seconds of trying to find something to say, letting out a sigh. He decided to just drop the subject.

When Ra would ask Jason what he wanted to be when he was grown, the child stared at her for a minute, as if processing the question. He then pointed toward Porgbert.

"A porg!" Jason would respond giddily, as he would begin giggling. Josh would let out a snort which broke him out of his prior mood.

[member="Riamah"]