To Those I Trust Most

[Josh Dragovalor]

Naboo​

The Moon Of Naboo was a restaurant that Josh enjoyed. It had everything from good fries to burgers and steaks. And their steaks were quite possibly the best on Naboo. Josh had been good friends with the owner and tender, Validar Nigel Tine, for a long time. Ever since he'd tried to prank him during a date here once with a wedding ring. Of course he was already married to said date at the time, so it didn't quite work out, but it was good enough for a laugh. For awhile now, this place had been a source of grief for Josh, as it held so many memories. But as he tried to move on, he knew that he needed to move on from this part of them too. And he knew that it was time... To make new memories. Something he had told Scherezade a long time ago to do herself.

Ordinarily, the idea of going to dinner with people outside of those within the Silvers while bringing Jason along was unheard of. But for these two... They had earned his trust. He knew he could relax around them. And he knew that Jason would be well protected with them around if anyone tried to hurt him. Either way, after the events at the party, and the last talk between Josh and Ra, Josh wanted to invite the two of them to join him and Jason for dinner at his favorite place... Just to talk and catch up and try to get to know one another a little better.

Josh would arrive first, reserving a table for four as he would bring Jason to the assigned table. Once they were seated, Josh would distract Jason by reading the menu to him aloud while he waited for [member="Scherezade deWinter"] and [member="Riamah"] who he hoped would arrive shortly.

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Naboo again. She was really going to have to tell Josh that he needed to extend his repertoire with restaurants. It seemed like every time they decided to get a bite, it was always on this planet. And Madalena did not particularly like Naboo, even though it had forests and lakes, and even though she had found her brother here not too long ago.

Still, she would not pass up the opportunity to eat with her best friend when she could, and especially so when he brought his so along. She had chosen a simple pair of short denims for the occasion, paired with what otherwise could easily be mistaken for a head bandana. It was casual enough in appearance as not to draw the bad pew pew sort of attention, but there were still knives hidden in her boots. She never went anywhere without them.

Madalena was not one for shy entrances. She announced her presence through the Force like a friggin' peacock, and marched into the restaurant like she'd been there a gazillion times before and was on best buds terms with the owner. It didn't matter that she wasn't; spreading her smile around was more than enough to make others think she was anyway. It was an infectious sort of smile; walk into a room, smile, and almost everyone loved you.

And that was the smile she had plastered on her face as she walked right up behind Jason and then bent down to kiss the top of his head before taking her own seat, grinning at Josh.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"] [member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

Not one to normally be later to arrive at anything, there had been some issues Ra had to deal with this time. Pirates had been doing some raiding on Vjun and had been needed dealing with. Not coming directly from the excursion, Ra had at least taken the time to clean up, change clothes and made her way to Naboo. Deciding to not make a big deal of her arrival, she came on her own small freighter.

Luckily her arrival went smoothly and she had some extra time on the way to finish cleaning herself. Bringing up being the last to show up, she walked in and was taken to where the others were waiting. Taking her seat after giving Jason a kiss on the head and then Josh, she smiled at Madalena and picked up a menu.

"How are you all doing? I'm looking forward to this. Nothing to worry about or not much at least."

Hopefully it didn't sound as lame as she thought it did after it came out. Her time was friendly though and there was truth to her words.

[member="Scherezade deWinter"] [member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

While he had taken Scherezade here before, he'd never taken Madalena here, so if she had voiced her views Josh would have given her a look. On top of that, despite this being his favorite place, he hadn't brought Ra here yet. So even if he had taken Madalena once... Well, Ra hadn't been here yet. So there. And Jason liked it here, one of his favorite meals was here. And some of his favorite desserts.

Either way, Madalena would arrive first, give Jason a bit of affection and then take her seat. Ra arrived soon after, giving Jason the same treatment and then surprising him with one for him as well. A small blush emitted along his cheeks as Josh scratched his head a bit, but he would give a nod in hello warmly regardless.

"It's good to see you both" He spoke, with a smile. "Things have been... Busy, to say the least I suppose. It's just nice to get off-planet here and there. And it's nice to be home, for once. Kashyyyk is a nice home away from home, but... Nothing beats home."

It was the first time he'd admitted that Naboo was his home, properly.

@Riamah @Scherezade deWinter

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Madalena totally caught the blush on Josh's face. She raised an eyebrow, her gaze moving to Ra, and then back to Josh. Well, well, well… she thought, the tiniest of wicked little grins forming on her mouth. She had kissed and been physically affectionate with Josh before, in a very friendly and platonic manner. This… Was it a hint that it was not?

If Ra was to be a paramour of Josh, it lay on Maddy's shoulders to make sure the woman was up to par. It would not do to have Josh with someone lame. While the two had met on two instances before, Madalena knew that she knew very little of the woman. And that she would be utterly graceful and charming while she made sure that her best friend wasn't setting himself up for a major heart break.

"Of course you'd pick a home on a planet that smells like fish," she laughed, wrinkling her nose, "that is so like you." Glowing emerald eyes moved to Jason. "Hey kiddo. Did you leave Porgbert at home today?"

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"] [member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

Home, Josh had said a key word there. This is where he lived. He knew where Ra called home and now she knew where his was. Even though Madalena was present and heard him say the same thing, it meant far more to her, she thought. Not that Ra would do anything negative with this knowledge, she did file it away to talk to him about it later.

There wasn't much for Ra to say to Josh at the moment, but she did nod in understanding. She couldn't now picture herself away from Bast Castle and calling another place home. As that thought crossed her mind, another did as well. Maybe it was time to not live on the dark and acid planet of Vjun, but have it as base of power instead. Pushing it away for now, it was just another thing Ra needed to think on.

Looking at Madalena as she spoke, a small chuckle came out of her at her words. Having been to Naboo once many years ago, she didn't think it smelled of fish. Catching the joke though, she shook her head only slightly and totally missed the glances that were done by the other woman. Maybe it was her attention on Josh that brought about this blindness, but Ra didn't think of it at all.

Turning to look at Jason and waiting on his answer, she glanced through the menu and set it back down.

"What is this place's best dish?"

[member="Scherezade deWinter"] [member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Madalena had forgotten that Josh blushed all the same during the times she had done so. Of course, considering the way he looked at Ra when she did so; her observations weren’t entirely unfounded...

Josh would just stare at Madalena when she would jokingly complain about Naboo smelling like fish. “Last I checked, your favorite planet to frequent appears to be Zeltros... So I don’t know if you have room to talk on what planets I enjoy” He teased right back without skipping a beat. Oh no, she wasn’t dissing his homeworld today. He would fight her if he had to. And win. Preferably in a tickle fight.

“Next dinner, we’ll go to Zeltros if that’s what you prefer” He joked. “Naboo is just more child friendly. Less... Fishy.”

The pun was intentional.

Madalena would ask Jason, who Josh had brought out a colouring book for just now if he got bored, just so he didn’t wreak havoc in that instance... If he had left Porgbert. As if on cue, a feathered head would pop out from Josh’s pack, indicating that the bird had just been sleeping. “GRRR-REEEEE!” Porgbert let out as he flapped his wings in what might as well have been greeting. Something that brought out a fit of giggles from Jason. “There he is!” Jason would proclaim between his giggle fits. “Silly Porgbert!” He added as the porg would move it’s head about, tilting it to and fro as if wondering why it was called and if food was involved.

“Suppose there’s your answer” Josh remarked, chuckling in turn. Jason didn’t talk much when company was around and he could count the combined times he had spoken around Ra and Madalena combined, and he wasn’t sure if the both of them had actually heard Jason speak actual words for very long in the past. Though he was pretty sure this was the first time that Jason had said more than one word at a time to Madalena too. Ra had gotten a bit at the amusement park... But not much.

"The steak" Josh would answer toward Ra then. "Definitely the steak."

@Riamah @Scherezade deWinter

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

"Zeltros?" Madalena asked, blinking. She didn't remember doing anything there, but then there were so many missions she was on, doing one after the other, she couldn't even try to pretend to remember them all. Eventually, she just shrugged, "I prefer planets with forests and rivers and lakes. But without the underlying smell of fish that Naboo has. Also preferably with less government-supported racism towards one of the native sentient species."

Next time they could go… Almost anywhere. The list of planets Madalena refused to go to was relatively short. In fact, Coruscant was pretty much the only planet on it. Even though Brayden was back, she still wasn't ready to go… Home? Was Coruscant still her home? It didn't feel like it inside her heart, but she didn't know where home actually was. There was a reason she lived on her ship; anything permanent planet-side seemed too stressful, too… committing.

Porgbert made his grand entrance and Madalena let a rolling laughter out, deciding for now not to do her calling Porgbert trick. There would be plenty of time to be silly with the kiddo. But she really wanted to eat first.

"I want the biggest pile of bantha wings they got," she grinned, and then turned to Ra, "so hey. This is the third time we meet and other than your name I know almost nothing about you. How do you know Josh?"

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"] [member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

She had also been to Zeltros once when Stardust was made queen there. Not really a place she wanted to frequent, but would go there with company. As the banter continued between Josh and Madalena she looked back up from her menu when Josh answered her question.

Giving him a nod their attention was drawn to the bag with Jason's stuff. As ifon cue, Porgbert appeared.

"Hum...hopefully he won't be disruptive."

Looking at Jason she gave him a small smile with a slightly raised eyebrow.

"Did you pack him in there?"

A server came by to get the order and Ra took the steak as Josh suggested. If Jason provided an answer, she would listen and then turn her attention to Madalena when she spoke to her.

It was totally accurate she knew little more than her name, but the same could be said about it the other way around. The answer was quite simple though.

"Work, I met him through work. What about you?"

[member="Scherezade deWinter"] [member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh stuck his tongue out at Madalena in turn. "Mhm" He responded. They'd never gone to Zeltros with her as Madalena, but who knows how Scherezade had arranged in her memories for how they met. She hadn't told him so... To him, Zeltros it was. "You can complain about the smell, but it's home for me" He spoke, an amused smile crossing his face. "You can deal."

Madalena made her order, and Josh would order himself the usual steak. For Jason, he got a plate of fries and a bit of meat, though he knew that Jason would have room for his ice cream dessert. Ra would ask if he had packed Porgbert, and he shook his head. "He stowed away again" He admitted. "He likes to nap in there and sometimes I forget to check. I found him there on the ship earlier and just let him sleep. Figured he'd wake up when the smell of food hit him."

From there, he would entertain Jason while the two of them talked amongst themselves. He seemed more relaxed than usual. This truly was home to him.

[member="Riamah"] - [member="Scherezade deWinter"]

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

"Nah, he's a good Porg," Madalena said with a toothy grin. There was no way he was going to misbehave while Porgianna was around. As Queen of Porgs, it was within her rights to ensure as such.

Taking a sip from her drink, she gave Riamah a nod as she answered in as few words as possible. Obviously, Madalena was going to have to work a wee bit to make her a little warmer towards her. It'd happen though. She could get almost anyone to like her as long as she wasn't skinning them alive or something.

"Josh was my brother's best friend when we were all kids," she answered with another smile, "but over the years I sorta stole him so he'd be my best friend instead. He's as close to me as one can be without being blood related. Wouldn't trade him for the 'verse. So you better treat him well too or you'll have to deal with me on your hiney," the gleam in her eye left no place for confusion. It simply screamed I am on to the two of you and you can't deny it! Maybe she was going to have to work harder than initially thought in order to get Ra to warm up to her.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"] [member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

She had actually asked Jason, but the answer was given to her by Josh. That was fine, but Ra was trying to include to Jason into the mix of the adult meeting in a way. This planet and restaurant might be more child friendly than some places, but at a table with only adults, his son was out of place.

"I think maybe a note should be attached to remind you to check."

A showing of a sense of humor, but only a small one. The smell of food had certainly woken him up, but it seemed Madalena was willing to take over for the care of Progbert while they were there. Taking her word on it that the porg was a good one, she listened to the story woven by Madalena on how she and Josh had met.

Madalena was right in thinking it was going to take a bit of work to get her to open. She was a businesswoman first and kept what she thought or felt to herself...as much as she could. What was said and in the tone with the look actually brought a touch of a blush to her. A shadow of a smile as well. No point in denying things and Ra didn't want to, but she wasn't going to just admit to them either.

However, there was a tiny nod from Ra in the direction Madalena though. One that even she wasn't aware of, but the unspoken messages sent were clear to her.

"I have a friend like that. Her name is Stardust."

[member="Scherezade deWinter"] [member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh knew that Jason would give his own version of the answer in a moment. Josh just wanted to give her a detailed equivalent. As if on cue, Jason would suddenly call out "He was sleeping in the basket!" As he pointed at Porgbert before bursting into a fit of giggles. "Silly Porgbert!"

Josh chuckled in turn. "Silly Porgbert, indeed."

Josh smirked when Ra would point out that maybe he should attach a note from now on. "At this point, I might just need to."

Madalena would give the memory fabricated version of how they had met. Josh recalled how they met quite differently, but this was "Madalena", not Scherezade. And Josh didn't feel inclined to explain to Ra the discrepancies. It wasn't Scherezade anymore, there was no point. And the less people that knew about Scherezade and Madalena as a set, the better.

Madalena said some things that went over his head, and Josh just continued to show Jason the best scratchy spots for Porgbert while they spoke. When Ra would bring up Stardust, he smirked a bit.

"Strange lady, that. But I know her myself."

They'd spoken in the past, but... He got the feeling that Stardust was nowhere near as trustworthy as Ra was thinking. Not even just because she was the Queen of Zeltros, she just had an aura of treachery to her that gave Josh pause. He wouldn't trust her with a bag of space twinkies, that was for sure. She seemed like she'd bomb their worlds in secret the first moment it became convenient. Not that he'd tell Ra this unless it came up.

[member="Riamah"] - [member="Scherezade deWinter"]

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Madalena burst into another one of her rolling laughers as Jason said Silly Porgbert. It ws esy to see how much love she had for the lil' kid, as she held nothing bad. He got it easy because he was her best friend's son, but she saw him as special all on his own.

A nod was given to Ra as she mentioned her friend, and then Madalena rolled her eyes when Josh replied. It was normal for most people's thoughts to remain mostly in their heads and not come into speech, but at that point she was starting to feel like Josh and Ra were doing their best o give as few words as possible at all. Did they remember this was a social setting?

"Are you feeling all right?" she asked, squinting at Josh, "you're usually chattier than this." Turning to Ra, she grinned. "Are you making him nervous?" And then finally, she winked at Jason and clicked her tongue and Porgbert flew from where he'd been to nestle on the top of her head.


[member="Josh DragonsFlame"] [member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

It wasn't so much that Ra was trying to be rude or use less words, but she was one that would rather sit and observe. While the three of them had done a mission together and had another encounter at a political meeting. When they were there, Ra had far more closed than she was now. That had been business, today was meant to be relaxing. Without truly knowing the other woman though, she was reluctant to be more open. Very few people had gained her trust, Josh was one of them, Madalena was still on the outside.

Her greatest fear was to die alone, unwanted and unloved. Her past though, everybody that had gotten close to her had been taken from her. Time was going to be needed before Ra would be more open with the other woman and she wondered slightly if either of them were patient enough to accomplish it. Josh had been and the two of them were friends. Just a bonus in favor of Ra giving her the chance.

Chuckling a little when Josh agreed he may need to put a note on the bag, she shook her head and smiled a bit more when Porgbert jumped out and landed on Madalena's head. Since she didn't seem to dislike the additional attention, Ra did nothing to remove the bird.

"She is strange, but she's a friend of mine. Some of whom you already know to be questionable..."

A simple lift of an eyebrow was the only additional outward showing of anything. Looking at Madalena when she asked if she was making Josh nervous, she shook her head again and shrugged slightly.

"Certainly not on purpose."

[member="Scherezade deWinter"] [member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Madalena would ask if he was alright, and he nodded his head in response. "I was just letting you guys have your conversation. I already know the both of you quite well, and someone's gotta watch Jason" Josh spoke, giving the two a cheeky grin in turn. "Don't worry about me. Just making sure the silly little guy here and his porg aren't, y'know, gonna run around the restaurant and cause trouble. I'll speak up if I feel like there's something I can say on the matter.

But mainly I'm just curious about what you two have been up to."

Ra would reaffirm that Stardust was a friend of hers, but Josh always got bad vibes from the Queen of Zeltros and that wouldn't change. He'd known her for years, and as said, she always had this aura of unreliability to her and Josh caught on. He always had the feeling that she could stab him in the back at any moment. Which made him worry for Ra. He knew by how much she cherished her that it would destroy her if Stardust were to turn on her the second it was convenient for her. But he didn't want to voice it much. He just... Didn't think it was worth hurting her for. But he would push the subject of Stardust away for the time being before they could really get into it at all as he would hand the waiter their orders once they were finished, and the menus.

"I've been taking Jason to see some of the animals at the Rest lately."

@Riamah @Scherezade deWinter

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

As there was nothing happening that was worthy of attention too much, Madalena raised her hands, poking Porgbert to make him let some of his silly sounds out, drawing the laughter from Jason. No one had to look specifically after the kid. It was obvious to anyone around that all three were watching him intently. She wondered if Jason had a clue just how protected he was.

It was only when Josh mentioned the animals at the rest that she looked up at him. "What sort of animals?" she asked with a grin, "can he ride a dragon yet?"

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"] [member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

If there was one thing about Ra it was that she was not one to open up easily. So while Madalena was trying to get her to open...she was reluctant. Josh had earned her trust and she was open with him. Perhaps that trust could be extended to one he called his friend. Something held her back though...she was unable to pin point what though and instead answered with the minimal of words.

Luckily Josh spoke up and the topic turned away from her. Now it was on Jason and Ra let out a mental sigh of relief. However before she could ask what animals, Madalena already gave voice to it.

Looking at Josh, her interest was shown in her eyes and she gave his son a small smile.

[member="Scherezade deWinter"] [member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Well, I've been showing him the stable animals at the Rest, like the AKK mounts. He's comfortable enough with animals now that I've started to get him acquainted with Jongori too" Josh would admit, a bright smile spreading across his face when he spoke of Jason. It always happened when the topic of his son came up, after all. "Ra and I took him to an amusement park awhile back, where he got to see a few other animals. Ra, do you remember what they were?" He would inquire toward Ra.

"But he loves birds most of all. I always show him the different birds and get him to memorize them wherever we go. He really likes the ones on Kashyyyk, which makes sense as we've been there most often. He's starting to memorize the names now, but he's still getting the hang of pronouncing them."

Their food would arrive. There were the big, juice steaks that Josh and Ra had ordered, and whatever Madalena had as well. Jason got meat as well, though obviously a smaller one that came with mashed potatoes that were easier for a child to eat.

"I think it was Ra that suggested he might make strides toward becoming a Beastmaster when he's older."

[member="Riamah"] - [member="Scherezade deWinter"]

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

"A beastmaster?" Madalena asked, eyes wide. She looked at Jason. That little three year old sitting there, enjoying himself. Could he? In truth, she had no idea what the prerequisites were when one was only three year old. AN affinity to animals, sure. But was it enough?

Madalena's face broke into the biggest of smiles. "Jason, did you know that there are birds big enough so you can ride on their back while they fly?" she asked him, "I know of many such stories."

Turning to Josh and Ra, she smiled again, "my mother was a Beastmaster," she gave them a little touch of her past, "Don't know how such you remember of her, Josh. But she was amazing at it too. It was how she earned her spot at the Coruscant Zoo despite not having the required formal education."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"] [member="Riamah"]