Sword of Light (Lady Kay)

[WolfMortum]

"I am a part of something..." Veiere didn't take long in responding as he turned back to look at her, the glint in his eyes speaking loudly for his confidence in the statement, "I am not here because it's a free bed to rest upon, I've worked with far less and in my experience systems rise and fall, I've only become attached to Commoner because of your implications and it's been your lead that I've followed up until now even with my own private excursions where the Jedi Order ought to have been involved, despite my few victories and many failures, I've followed you and I will continue to do so until you ask of me otherwise, Kay".

He brought the cup to his lips, pausing to take a long sip from the cup of herbal tea that she'd made for him, his gaze shifting to the windows of the plateau and taking a moment to consider where exactly he was going with what he was saying. "I'm not in this for the finance anymore..." He openly admitted though with no reluctance, glancing back to her in truth; "On Alzoc Three, certainly, you offered me a temporary position that meant I would be enabled to continue in the path that I thought was appropriate but I'm no longer the man you met with nothing in his possession, I may still be considered as an exiled member of the Order but I have one thing that still matters greatly to me and no amount of credits will sway that...".

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Loyalty. It was a great trait to have and [member="Veiere Arenais"] seemed to have it in spades, just like Shaw did. Kay thought that she had it to, and for the most part she did, though her slipping confidence in herself caused her loyalty to drop slightly. It wasn't as though she would stab anyone in the back or cause them harm, but she didn't obey unquestioningly either. Maybe it was a lack of discipline instead of a lack of loyalty. Regardless, Kay found Veiere's loyalty to her to be an admirable trait.

"Well, I'm certainly not in this for the finance either. Nor the fancy dresses. I don't know how long that I will remain as President, nor how long that I will stay on Commenor after that. But I would be glad to have you with me, no matter what happens. Hopefully the choices that I have made are the right ones and that peace will reign in this little corner of the Galaxy."

She looked down to her cup, almost as though she was studying the liquid inside. But really she was just deep in thought for a moment. "I will have to make a short...personal trip to Bakura. It should probably be sooner, rather than later, before I get too busy."

 

[WolfMortum]

"Ever questioning our morale decisions over the sake of others, one would hope should keep us on our toes and looking out for the best interests of the people, come whatever else may..." He replied to her anxiety around making the right decisions for the people of Commoner. He was not the sort of man to claim to know the right and wrongs of leadership through politics yet had the background experience of his former apprentice and those young enough to seek his guidance long ago back on the world of Svivren. "In my experience, caring for others is as much a learning curve for ourselves as it is for them. We all take time to adapt, to come to learn what works best when we are all so different in mind and body. You may struggle but your intentions are just and I think many of the people will see this in your attempts to keep them safe and comfortable" Veiere offered her a warm smile before briefly sipping his tea and then continuing, "A bit of self-consciousness is a healthy thing, ever mediating ourselves to be in check and not getting to big for our shoes. That said, self-doubt can become a very personally destructive thing if you allow yourself to feed into these thoughts. You will succeed and times and at others, you will fail but you will also learn over time how to be strong in yourself and learn from every time you fall, rather than dwell on how far short you might have come...".

As for this trip to Bakura, that was something entirely different. "You will again be near to the territories of the First Order and the Galactic Alliance. Do you mind if I ask what this is about...-I can't help to feel this is personal more so than it is Politics" His eyes had found hers and she would know that he was trying to read whatever it was that [member="Lady Kay"] was thinking about, without actually prying with the use of telekinesis and invading her personal space. "I would come with you for this venture, if you would allow it".

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay had a habit of second-guessing herself, though it was usually over big decisions. And sometimes that came later, after the big decision was made. Dwelling on the past was another habit of hers. At least, dwelling on a certain part of her past. But she couldn't help it. There were things relevant now that reminded her of it. But it had gone for far too long.

She sipped her tea and noticed [member="Veiere Arenais"] looking at her, studying her as he mentioned her wanting to go with her to Bakura. Given the reasons that he pointed out, it was easy to see why he would want to go. But she just didn't want him to see, she couldn't let him see. What if she became a blubbering mess of tears and snot? What if she couldn't go through with it? And what will happen if she could? No. It was a part of her past. She began that journey alone, and that was how she was going to finish it. And the less people that knew where his ashes were, the better. Veiere started to show some signs of jealousy and she didn't want him to become jealous over her memories. It would be unfair to the both of them. "Thank you for the offer, but Bakura is safe. I have no quarrel with the Galactic Alliance, and the First Order have not given any hints of any intent to harm us so far. This is....a deeply personal matter and I will only need to do this once. Outside of Terrac, no one else will know, nor do I want anyone to know about it. I should only be gone for a couple of days. Hopefully I will be the better for it."

She hated denying him, telling him to stay away when she liked being in his company. Kay took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm going to my late husband's grave, to say goodbye, sever my ties and begin to finally allow myself to move on. I have shut people out for 12 years, afraid of what might happen to them if I let them get close. I need to do this so that I can be a better person, and a better leader...." Kay hoped that he understood, now that she told him. It was hard to say as she wasn't sure if he had ever been married. Maybe some day he will be, then he would learn of the strong connection shared among a husband and wife. It was a connection that was very hard to sever. Kay certainly knew that from experience.

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere's head lifted slightly as [member="Lady Kay"] explained the purpose around her trip, what he offered in response was a half nod in acknowledgement followed by a brief pause of silence and reflective thought before apologizing; "..-Forgive me, had I known, I'd not have asked". The words were softly given, a tone of sympathy and compassion, realizing the seriousness of her personal voyage; Kay had told him of her loss, her late husband's demise at the hands of a Dark Sider, she had been forced to watch as his life was taken..-Incidentally, strengthening her resolve to do right by others. He gave a slim smile as if to encourage her before his gaze soon drifted some; It was not as though she weren't capable of keeping herself out of trouble...-She did have an alarming ability to find it though she had come this far without him and Veiere knew that she would go farther still, yet despite worrying if he pushed things to much in order to accompany her, for her safety, it was all too for his comfort and ease of conscience. "I will speak to Terrac before you venture out..." He raised a hand as if expecting her to argue, quickly explaining with a slight curl to the corner of his mouth in lighthearted bemusement, "Only to ensure he remains in contact and that everything's prepared for you. If anything happens, he can relay your co-ordinates to me personally..." Veiere gave her an insistent look that almost spoke for him in a 'You have no choice' sort of way. As far as he knew, the last time she had been anywhere near Bakura was when they had been attacked and the incident had happened to begin with; if there was to be any sign of trouble, then Veiere would be heading out at a moments notice.

It was all something of an awkward subject and one he hadn't brought up since their time sharing history aboard 'The Free Lady'. Veiere had also opened up about the Enclave back on Svivren and what had happened to it and his former student. For the two of them, they'd shared rather intense and emotional times from back in their lives before meeting each other, it had closed in the gap between them and in Veiere's mind had built up the trust on both of their parts; yet her Husband was something else. While he was beginning to grow a lot fonder of being by her side, he hadn't considered that something like this might be a factor and since mentioning it just a moment ago, Veiere understood in his mind that whatever intentions he had had before, needed to be swept away for the sake of Kay's benefit.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay still felt a little bad at wanting to go alone, but she couldn't depend on others all the time, otherwise she would never be able to defend herself on her own. And it didn't feel right to her, to have [member="Veiere Arenais"] watch her say goodbye to someone that she loved so much, especially when she felt herself falling for him. That in itself was something that she was trying not to be afraid of.

As Veiere told her of his instructions to Terrac, Kay nodded and then reached across the table, placing her hand on top of his and giving it a light squeeze. She held it there while she spoke, her eyes meeting his while she tried to ease his worry for her. "I promise that I will keep The Free Lady in sight at all times. I will not venture far, nor will I allow myself to get distracted. I will hurry home. Hopefully it lifts one of the burdens off my shoulders and then maybe....I'll get to start living again."

Kay lifted her hand and cradled her cup with it. Perhaps she held his for too long. Her thoughts started to drift again to the future and what could be happening between them. She wasn't sure if it was a longing, or a need to be fulfilled. So instead she forced herself to change the subject and think about a different topic. "Do you think that I'm doing right by having all of these Embassies here? There are some that would question it, especially about having the First Order and Mandalorians here."

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere nodded to her, at-least satisfied that she would keep herself on the level and Terrac could ensure that consistent contact remained in the event of an incident harmful to either of them. She then reached for his hand and his gaze dropped a brief moment to acknowledge it with a sparing glance, his throat swallowing in the moment though not by conscious effort, he looked back to meet her own and found that she was very focused on him, wanting him to be reassured, he could feel the truth in the way her words sounded off and it seemed to last a moment after she had finished declaring her need for the venture. "What ever helps..." He responded somewhat quietly, a slight curl to the corner of his mouth in a half smile, yet his response played back in his head and he couldn't help feel like a slight fool for not having anything better to offer.

It was then that [member="Lady Kay"] seemed to go back to the subject of business, the warmth of her hand leaving the top of his and in it's place, the air cooling it as if he had lost something once the moment had come and gone. Retracting his hand, he inhaled slowly while listening to her question and sparing a slight glance to his cup of tea, near finished by this point. "I think to many people feel that the answer to hostilities is to meet it with violence" He responded, looking back across the table to Kay with a hint of compassion in his eyes; "Most always the case, it fuels the further need for War where as what you're doing is not offending those many feel are a threatening presence in the Galaxy, but instead you're inviting them in. These Embassy's...-Providing all want it, they can be a sign of change, of peace. Nations can speak and delegate between other Nations all while being on neutral ground here on Commoner. What you're doing comes with it's share of risks, but also potential rewards not just for your people but for others far outside of our reach here. Do I feel what you're doing is right?" He repeated the question, answering it quickly in confidence; "I feel what you're doing, should have been done a long time ago and avoided so many lives lost on Mimban and Deneba...And many other worlds recently marred by war".

 

[Kay-Larr]

Whatever helps? That little smile of his gave her every indication that he was second guessing what he had said. And that was alright. He seemed for the most part to be in agreement with her going on her own, and at least he seemed somewhat reassured.

But then the change in subject that she herself had brought up. It was something that she was more comfortable with, yet her mind still harkened back to the warmth of his hand underneath hers. Whether or not he liked the touch, she wasn't sure, but she liked it at any rate.

Right, back to the change in topic. It was tough to focus, but she had to try. "That's my hope, Veiere, to show the Galaxy that they can coexist peacefully. There can still be arguments, but nothing in that it would cause needless war. I wonder if, with the influx in weapons and armour companies, if they aren't helping to spur more conflict to increase their profits." Kay finished her tea and then got to her feet, her tea cup in hand and holding her other out for his. "Would you like some more tea?"

[member="Veiere Arenais"]

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere smiled and nodded once more to her offer of another drink, lifting his cup to her reach before sitting back in his seat and watching her as she sought to make a fresh cup for the both of them. "I imagine it is hard to see a potentially peaceful ending when you have such strong ties to the Mandalorian Clans at your back..." He spoke up, half in question though the other more so stating the fact. Clan Raxis was family to her and thus it mattered to Veiere too, yet he did not have the same bonds with them as Kay did and so he could easily distinguish the often proud and violent characteristics that were the significant mix of peoples that fell beneath that particular banner. "I've been hearing rumors lately that some of them support you, no doubt Gray and the few in with him. They're a handful however, and only a small portion to a much larger group that not only wages war, but enjoys it outright. I do not think that arming your people is fueling any further need for conflict when your 'family' walks the grounds of every planet they cross with a mile high attitude and zero tolerance for disobedience. If anything, I feel as though Commoner needs a much stronger military presence if we are to be playing house to a number of organizations and government embassies, all who have little like for the other".

"To be honest, I'm more comfortable with The First Order than I am the Mandalorian People. As a Jedi, I know the Force and I understand the danger and threat of the Darkside; yet this regime of theirs echoes from the old Remnants of the Empire. It is something I can see has an end-goal in their sights. Order through strength and organized rule. They may not share the same democratic standing as the Galactic Republic had yet they will seek to establish the best trade for their people, guard their territories and one would hope, their allies...", Veiere wasn't certain whether it was a life that he himself could get behind, that kind of cold authority would require a serious change in his life to push him close to that edge of moral standing and yet it was more dependable to his mind than those of the Mandalorian Empire and Clans. "Unlike the First Order, I do not have a clear assumption of the Mandalorians...-Yet I saw their efforts on both fronts on Mimban and Deneba; half of them are mercenaries willing to jump into battle at a seconds notice" He paused to glance back to [member="Lady Kay"], his tone all the while careful and quiet, not wishing to insult her any yet needing to speak on his perspectives of late. "Anyone willing to throw themselves into the fire without a moments thought, is likely to burn both themselves and all those around them...-Commoner needs protection, as a deterrent, yes. With no doubt in my mind".

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay took the cup from [member="Veiere Arenais"] and proceeded to the counter. When he began to speak about the Mandalorians and her apparent close ties to them due to the Raxis clan, her movements slowed down. She crumbled the leaves into the cups, her mind on everything that he was saying. It wasn't as though she hadn't thought of the same things. She didn't like the fact that Gray and the others were doing Ra's bidding in order to keep them all safe as they were vastly outnumbered. And she was stuck.

She poured the water into the cups and then quietly stirred them, all the while keeping her back to Veiere. It wasn't as though she was ignoring him. She was taking in every word about the Clans, the First Order and the increase in Commenor's military.

When it seemed as though he was finished, she spoke quietly while looking out the window with the view of Chasin City's lights. "Commenor is neutral. I told Gray that, I told Ra. I don't support the Clans or what they are doing. Gray is...doing what he must do that we are not slaughtered, because as you know, our numbers are so small."

Kay took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, still just looking out the window. "I tried to leave the Raxis Clan but Gray wouldn't let me. He says that I'm being selfish and just running from my problems while abandoning my adopted family. He already lost one hand and believes that he'd suffer worse as Ra would believe that I would attack them......I thought.....I thought that I was protecting us. But it seems as though I could have potentially put us into more danger." The tea was ready, but she didn't move just yet. The First Order are easier to deal with, I agree with you there. It is easier to predict what they might do and so far, we are in good standing with them. They are still a threat as one day they may want to claim Commenor as their own and if I am the only one standing in their way, well it wouldn't take much for them to remove me from my position."

She picked up the cups and took them over to the table, placing Veiere's in front of him and cradling hers in her hands while she retook her seat. "We've recently put in an order for an entire fleet. With the Republic having lost it's power, there are many ships and companies at our disposal. I might be inquiring into more fleets for us soon and gaining more potential allies. None of them will be Mandalorian. I don't want to owe them anything, nor would I want them to hang anything over my head." Kay kept her gaze to her cup while she had a sip. She felt very much ashamed and guilty for making the wrong choice. But when she made it, there was no indication that events would unfold as they did. So she just had to try to make the best of it and hope that it wouldn't bring war to Commenor. "If it came down to it and I had to step down in order to save Commenor, then I would do so."

 

[WolfMortum]

"End of the day, Commoner is not my first priority, you are.." Veiere spoke up after a moments pause though his tone was clear and his mind made up rather quickly. If either the First Order or the Mandalorian wished to come for [member="Lady Kay"] in any manner of hostilities, it would be her life that he would stand fast for above all others. "Should the day come that Commenor is ever encroached by any manner of foe, I will remain with you. Should you refuse to step down, I would support it...-Though I too know what our chances would be...", he wasn't blinded by his emotions, though they were strong Veiere knew well that it would likely mean their last stand given the resources that both the First Order and her people held, how capable they could be in dismantling a world or government as small as theirs was. Allies would need to be Kay's strength at-least until Commoner was better equipped and had a tactical advantage large enough to keep them grounded.

"This history with the Mandalorian Clans...-Raxis and the others..." He continued though this matter took some consideration as he wasn't as well versed nor knowledgeable towards them as Kay Larr was herself, "The relationships you hold with these people might be a threat to Commoner and your position in leadership?" He asked curiously, both intrigued and wanting to be prepared should her personal life become violent backlash and threaten them both, as well as the people around them. "This...-Ra. He is the head of the Clans? An old associate of some sort, perhaps?" He added, taking note of the name in case of the need in the later days; there were unfortunately too many questions. How had Kay become so caught up in the Mandalorian culture, Veiere didn't rightly know. As far as he was aware, she wasn't anything alike the Mandalorian people that the Jedi Order had educated their students about, then again, Veiere himself had never been sent out on a contract involving their type and nowadays, the Order remained in tatters, scattered to the far corners of the galaxy; thus everything he once knew seemed well and truly outdated, too much so to rely on it in any good faith.

"With all the probable indifference that these people, these organizations may hold towards you, perhaps it's best that we continue to build on your abilities, tomorrow...-I know you're needed back in the City but if it were to come down to a fight, I would prefer you to let go of your secret in order to be able to save yourself and those that might be within your reach, at the time...", it wasn't an easy suggestion, he imagined Kay wouldn't enjoy the thought but the fact was that in Veiere's mind, if she chose to do anything otherwise when there were peoples lives at risk, she would have to push away her doubts and insecurities as to how people might treat her knowing that she were a force user, no different than himself. "Rarely in this life are we ever afforded the luxury of holding on to secrets like that for long...-There's still a lot that I can help you with".

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Veiere Arenais"] was right. He was her bodyguard, not Commenor's. Kay admired his loyalty. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why she hired him in the first place. She sipped her tea and bowed her head. "Thank you for your support. I'll try not to go headlong into trouble..." Too much anyways. Trouble had it's way of finding her no matter what her intentions were. But Veiere already knew that.

"My history with the Mandalorians isn't that long. Except for those in Clan Raxis, I don't trust them. Ra is the leader of the clans, yes, but we've never really spoken. I'm not exactly a good example of a Mandalorian, so they seem to ignore me for the moment. Though Commenor isn't far from their territory. It makes me wonder....if I had to choose between them or the First Order in this region...I would choose the First Order to be the one for us to lose our sovereignty to." Another sip of her tea was given. Such a heavy and foreboding topic.

To his suggestion of training, she held his gaze for a moment while she spoke and then nodded. "Alright. The Elders made me promise not to lie should the question of my Force ability come to light. So...I will accept your training. I've learned a few skills over the years, but I'm sure that with your help, we'd be able to expand on them."

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere nodded, then falling quiet while he waited for Kay to finish. His eyes found the surface of the table, his hands both flat atop it and only now realizing, he shifted back into the seat, taking on a more casual position raising his right leg atop his left and turning to gaze outside thoughtfully. Their conversation had taken something of a serious shift, the possibility of war reaching Commoner only marred by those that she knew and was affiliated with; possibilities really with no ounce of truth for the time being, in them. "I suppose it's easy to think the worst of people, isn't it" He replied softly, his words quiet and almost as if he had resigned himself to the conclusion, "The things we're talking about haven't yet happened, we're talking theories that neither one of us are really certain that even we believe; perhaps we should focus and enjoy the company we do currently have, rather than fret about those still out of arms reach..." He turned to look to [member="Lady Kay"] with a slim smile.

Something made him smile a little curiously however, not immediately but after a moments distraction, his brows had lifted and his gaze had settled back upon her, looking somewhat amused with himself. "I'm not sure if I've mentioned this once already or not but do you remember that discussion we had on board your ship. Talking about what our lives might be like had we not followed the paths that we have..."; it had been very early days in their knowing each other and had helped to break the ice. Veiere had spoken of having a family rather than having an Order to follow dutifully; only now it seemed that he had managed to free himself from that life, whether wanting or otherwise of it. "No, yes I've definitely brought this up already, and recently too..." He quickly reminded himself with a slight shake of his head and a quiet laugh, "...-Though perhaps when your term is up and all this business is dealt with, we might look back on our time together. I do think that between the two of us, we have certainly earned some peaceful years".

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded before sipping her tea. [member="Veiere Arenais"] was right again. They should focus on the present instead of some future that might not even unfold at all. There are too many variables to get in the way and change it completely. Something so simple and small such as the direction of the wind could change the course of a predicted future. So there was no reason to fret about it, now was there? What she really thought that she was doing was preparing herself for different outcomes of her decisions. It's the way that she makes her choices and handles the consequences.

And then Veiere changed the subject slightly. She looked to him with a tilt of her head, and then to the window as she tried to remember what it was that she had said. Veiere would have a family, he said, but what of her? What was it that she told him? Would she be settled down? More than likely she would be. And there would probably be far less trouble for her that way. Kay didn't need the big salary that came with her position. She had worked with no credits before, so it was easy to revert back to a more simpler lifestyle.

"Peaceful years....I would like that. It would be like a vacation for me. I haven't had one of those for a while. Bounty hunters always got in the way...." And they did, every time. But with no bounty on her head at the moment, the prospect of enjoying a quieter life was all that much more possible.

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere grinned some more, "Could you even live that way..." He countered her, clearly finding the conversation much more enjoyable in it's lighthearted tone now, "Living a life without all the action that you seem to crave...-No one trying to threaten you, no slaves to rescue and no one depending on you other than your own needs to be catered to"; he wasn't trying to be mean but secretly felt that [member="Lady Kay"] got off on the excitement and thrill of her life, as dangerous and discouraging as it had been at times. "If it wasn't for your position and knack for taking part in politics and diplomacy, I'd go so far as to say you'd make a small profit in mercenary work, providing it was moral" he chuckled, soon reaching for his cup of tea while eyeing her and smirking against the cup as he took a long and slow sip from the drink.

Clearing his throat somewhat afterwards, he returned the cup to the tabletop and studied her in quiet wonder, his thoughts soon forming to more seriously question the prospect of a simpler life. "Could you honestly leave all of this behind?" His head tilted some, he wasn't entirely sure she could in all honesty. At-least not yet. "Push it all aside and live somewhere..." He soon glanced around the two and gestured with a passing hand, "A place like this for example, quiet and out of the way. Out of the spotlight...".

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay smirked a little as [member="Veiere Arenais"] teased her. She didn't really crave all of that action, did she? She furrowed her brows, sipping her tea while she thought about it. She has tried to relax, and did spend about 5 years away from everyone after Shaw had died. So it wasn't as though she wasn't capable. But then, she came out of hiding and went right back into the thick of things again. It was odd and wasn't entirely her fault when trouble came. Veiere was wrong though in assuming that there would be no slaves to rescue. Slavery would never end in her lifetime and she knew it. But she did help those that she came across that needed it. Of course not every slave wanted to be freed. Some enjoyed their lifestyle. But others wanted their freedom.

"A mercenary? Oh no...no, I don't think so. I don't kill in cold blood. It's a last resort. No...I'd probably be...a tea vendor." Well that was the first thing that she could come up with from the top of her head. She was addicted to the stuff anyways, so it made perfect sense.

And then he was looking at her again, watching her as he asked her of whether or not she could give up her life as it was now. She took a moment as she thought of her answer, looking down to her tea cup. Could she really? Would she be able to stop worrying about other people and focus solely on herself and her own happiness? "Perhaps...If I knew that what I was leaving behind was in good hands. There is bound to be trouble, surely, but if I'm away from it all in a quiet place like this, I might not even know." Would someone come along to pull her out of retirement as she did to Veiere? Would she be able to remain and hide while whatever world she was living on was under attack? Maybe she'll cross that bridge when she came to it.

 

[WolfMortum]

Again he nodded and it almost seemed conclusive, as if he had decided to stop following the prospect then and there. Reaching for his cup of tea, he took another quiet sip and turned to spare a glance to the chronometer pegged to the wall. Twenty two hundred hours galactic standard time, Veiere frowned to the clock as if wanting to argue the lateness in the hour yet offered little more than a brief huff and soon turned to focus once more upon [member="Lady Kay"]. "One day, you may leave someone quite the system to run in your absence. Fruitful in it's trade and firm in it's laws, a fair Commoner, good to it's people and just in it's dealing with criminals and those that would do the world's community wrong...", it all sounded very encouraging and if it didn't come to the end of her term, that she chose of her own free-will to step down and leave it in the hands of another trusted confidant then Veiere would be more than happy to ease her through that transition as best he could. "Though your time has only started as far as Commoner is concerned; the things I speak of are musings of a retired Jedi Knight. Unlike myself, you still have a great deal to offer these people and they will benefit from your works over the coming years".

"And for the record...-Not all Mercenaries deal in unjustifiable murder, Bounty hunters could well be considered mercenaries had they not the backing of any one systems government" He chuckled quietly under his breath, "I was not at all implying that you might go out there and start shooting at the first person you could set your sights on, I'm well aware that's not at all who you are, M'lady" he smirked broadly, again a teasing manner being thrown her way as Veiere found the mental image something of a good joke. "I simply mean to say that with all the situations you seem to land in, one might think it would suit you on first glance. Though I do wonder sometimes if not all senators and politicians love to delve in their share of mischief day in and day out".

"Moving on however..." He gestured a wave in the direction of the Chronometer, his eyes remaining on Kay as he spoke suggestively; "The hour is late and if we're to get some time in training together in the morning before you head back, it ought to be an early start...-Or will your people suffer the day without you tomorrow".

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay smiled a little at his words of encouragement. [member="Veiere Arenais"] was in her corner every step of the way from before she even started to run in the election. What he spoke of for Commenor was what she hoped for as well. But then he began dwelling on the fact that he was retired from the life he knew and thought himself to have little to offer others. "Veiere, you're more than just my bodyguard. You are my advisor and most trusted friend. You might not be a part of any Order, but you are not a retired Jedi yet. You are guiding me, training me and protecting me as the Jedi in the past had done for politicians in the past. Well....minus the training of them, of course. So you shouldn't throw in the towel just yet. There is still much that you can do, and that we can do together "

She smirked at the idea of being a bounty hunter. That wouldn't be in the cards for her either. She had been hunted by enough of them to have grown a distaste for that career. Kay pondered on what she would have been though....maybe special ops. Her missions at freeing slaves from the Hutt Cartel were mostly successful.

She looked up at the time. It was late, even for her. Kay was one of the types of people that tended to wake at dawn. Only sometimes did she get to sleep in. "We could call it a night. I'll send a message off to the Palace to let them know that you are giving me self defence lessons. You are my personal bodyguard, so it isn't as though they'd have many objections. Titan and the Ministers can handle things for me. If there's anything pressing, they can contact me." All that was true. And besides, she didn't want to leave his company just yet.

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere lifted a hand, a gentle yet suggestive motion that asked for her quiet when it came to trying to sympathize and encourage him against his past; it hadn't been his intention at all to focus on the things that had changed and he spoke up to make that clear in an appreciative and fond tone, a smile breaking through while he talked; her care enough to speak good of him was one of the small pleasures in his life that he cherished, a true sense of companionship, in whatever shape or form they were currently in. "I am not dwelling on my losses too much, it's quite alright Kay, really..." He smirked a little more broadly as his hand soon offered a dismissive wave; "The Jedi Order is in my past but I am free of that path now, the Force has guided me this far and I feel that at-least for the time, my place is on Commoner. My mind was made up some time ago that I would continue to stand by your side through the thick and thin of it all, you really ought not worry...".

That aside, it was good to hear that he would share in more of her company for the following day. Standing to his feet, he gestured to her to do the same before moving into the hall and walking towards the stairs leading up into the second floor. The large homestead was rather spacious, there were some rooms that held nothing at all and at the moment, Veiere was far to simple minded to want or feel the need to fill them with elaborate designs and furnishings yet it would've made a good family dwelling for someone, had he not arrived on Commoner with such a need. "My quarters are not far. I'm afraid there's just a bed...-Few boxes with my things in them but that aside, it's not exactly fit for the Lady President of Commoner" He chuckled somewhat sheepishly, actually feeling a little embarrassed now that he thought of it though he played it off in good humor and came to the entrance to his bedroom, stopping there and going no further, instead turning side on and looking to her; "I will be downstairs for the night, you'll have all the privacy you need and Cillian won't be a problem, I will sense him long before he gets close enough to disturb you at all" He lowered his head in a brief bow, a show that he was about to leave her to her own for the remaining hours before daylight would break free from the mountain-ranges on the morrow. The bow, though more of a nod if anything still felt clumsy however, embarrassing in that he questioned much of what he did in her company these days. Wondering at times how she might consider his actions and knowing now after reflecting on himself that he wished to be able to be much more forward than he was; alas with the formality of it all he turned away and began for the stairs soon to descend them.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay got to her feet when [member="Veiere Arenais"] suggested that she do so. She followed him to the stairs, smirking a little to herself as he spoke of how little he had decorated the rooms so far. "Oh don't worry. I can sleep just about anywhere. When I was a Senator, I tended to sleep in my offices, or on the different ships that I travelled in. I haven't had a house of my own in a very long time. Even where I am living now is not really mine, as you know. It's just temporary."

She made her way up the stairs and entered the room, but turned as Veiere addressed her once more. Kay nodded. She was always a light sleeper anyways. She had to be, especially while she was on the bounty board. Days never went by when she wasn't being pursued by one hunter or another. At least that's over with. For now... "Thank you. Have a good night. I'll see you in the morning."

As Veiere left, she stepped back into the room, closing the door, but leaving it open just enough so that she could watch him go down the stairs. Of course she felt bad for taking his room for the night, but he had given her the indication earlier that he was not going to change his mind on that. And so she didn't bother to argue. Once he was out of her sight, she gently closed the door. Some people might have taken that time to start snooping, but she wasn't the type to do that. So she just slipped out of some of her clothes and boots, then slid under the covers of his bed. She lay on her back and stared at the ceiling for a moment. So many people would be poking fun at her right now if they knew that she was here. She could just imagine them pushing herself and Veiere together, all the while snickering. Oh it was embarrassing to have just stood there and not have said or done anything to see if he felt anything close to what she was starting to feel. But oh well. There'll be more time for that later. Hopefully.

Kay closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift off into a light slumber.