Private Unpacking the Galaxy

[Coren Starchaser]

The galaxy was always in a form of flux. The Concord, under the guidance of one or another of their politicians, had brought the Silver Concord into alliance with the Sith and Confederacy. That was, obviously, not something Coren Starcahser was going to support. He made his case known and he was now no longer the Grandmaster. Was it a political move, or a Jedi move? He had many on his side, but he knew that it caused a number of Jedi to re-evaluate, and some to strengthen their resolve for the Concord.

After leaving Kashyyyk, Coren had returned to Kattada and made his way to the family’s suite in the Temple. The world was great, and it was a place for the twins to be raised. He was doing his best to spend time with them, a Jedi should always be able to share their passion and compassion. That was why they made the Order, why they bonded with their students. He was going to be the best parent he could. He was showing the galaxy, or at least those that mattered, that he was doing it with Kyra Perl .

“Cel, hon, you home?” The Jedi Master called out as he stepped into their suite about mid level of the Temple’s primary tower. He hoped the news hadn’t reached her before he could speak, but there was a lot to unpack in the past few days.

The Jedi would be fine, they always were. He’d ensure it.

Celeste Rigel

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Celeste had just managed to get the twins down for a nap. She paused in the doorway for a moment, watching the two sleeping babies. So peaceful, their tiny breaths. With a soft smile on her lips, she slipped out the bedroom door and closed it as quietly as possible.

She stood listening, hand still on the door knob, still poised to re-enter if needed. But there was no crying... this time. A sign of relief escaped the healer, and she turned to walk down the hall. Now, with the twins, it seemed that those elementary math lessons hit home: two is more than one. Two babies, double the diapers, double the feedings, double the energy she lost by the end of the day. However, it was well worth it. And Celeste was rather fascinated by the force-bond that Valerie and Valora seemed to share – it was deeper than anything she could truly comprehend.

She felt his presence before she heard his voice call for her.

“Yes – just here,” she called back and rounded the corner to join him. The smile remained on her lips long enough to greet him, but faded as she took in his presence. Something was off. Celeste closed the gap between them and pulled her husband close as she placed a kiss on his cheek.

“Everything... alright?” She asked, and looked up... her eyes already searching his for the answer.

Coren Starchaser

 

[Coren Starchaser]

He really was trying to be a better parent, but for Coren, sometimes service and understanding he could help create a better world was the way to be a better parent. Or, well, more literally, a better galaxy. Being a Jedi Master sometimes meant problems were more than just planetary. He was doing his best to help Celeste with the girls, they were wonderful. Maybe the writer never had children so doesn’t fully understand the bond, but the Jedi Master did have the bond with his girls.

When he could, he was home, giving Celeste her private time, and giving her the chance to do what calls to her. They were a team. And he couldn’t ask for someone to better quarterback the household and their lives. She did help get them through so many points in the Unknown Regions and Outer Rim, when they were exploring. And when he felt her presence, he knew things were going to be alright.

No matter what happened.

“Just… no. The Concord has been trying to push the Jedi around. But it…” He waved his hand and pulled her into a hug and placed a kiss on her lips.

“How was your day?”

Celeste Rigel

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Celeste could not say that she was totally surprised by Coren's words, as few as there were. In times like this, their bond in the force said more than anything. She'd had her own reservations about the Concord, but she'd kept quiet in order to be supportive. Now, it seemed that things were bound to change.

She drew in a deep breath as Coren pulled her close, and she tilted her chin up slightly to meet his lips as kissed her. And she smiled at her husband as he asked about her day.

“Oh, you know, lots of diapers – but it was good.” Celeste nodded, her eyes then tracked towards the hallway. “The girls are napping.”

Her smile grew for a moment. It was one of those rare times when the two of them would be able to just chat. Sometimes, she felt a bit starved for adult conversation. It'd been much the same when she'd been at home with Atti. But, these times were precious – and they would fly by. She knew that from experience.

“Here,” she said, motioning towards the couch. “Have a seat and I'll be right back.”

Celeste stepped into the kitchen and returned a few moments later with a two mugs of tea. “Now, what happened with the Concord?” She tilted head, curiously.

Coren Starchaser

 

[Coren Starchaser]

There were few people Coren trusted, even less that he would trust to be his wife. The bond he and Celeste shared was one built of the Force itself. They had gone through a lot together, finding each other in the war time galaxy, and keeping each other alive, before they had taken the time that, at least Coren needed, to do their research, to travel the galaxy in search of the Force and what it was really all about.

What it meant to be a Jedi.

They returned and things were going well, at least in the Silver Jedi Concord, until the politicians put him in a room with the Sith. Smiling at her as she explained the girls were napping, he did what he could to stop… broadcasting? It was really the only word he had for what he did in the Force. He didn’t want his excitement, or crankiness, to disturb them. “Tomorrow will be my day. Give you at least the time off.” He smiled.

Being directed to sit, the Jedi Paragon did as his wife instructed and sat down, his face lighting up seeing her approach, mugs or not. “Just… making deals, or even just entertaining an alliance with the Sith…” She could read it on his face that he was torn about it. “For the Bryn, but… still. The Sith?”

Celeste Rigel

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Celeste gave Coren a smile when he mentioned that he'd give her a break tomorrow. It was always nice to have a bit of a refresher. She did have some work to do at the fledgling healing center she was building here on Kattada.

With the warm mug of tea cupped between her hands, she turned slightly to listen as Coren spoke about an alliance with the Sith. The healer's brows arched, and she almost asked if she'd heard him correctly. But her ears had not deceived her. Her expression turned pensive and she settled there quietly for a moment as she organized her thoughts. Yes, the Silver Jedi had maintained an alliance with the CIS in the past – a move that had been beneficial at the time, despite skepticism by many. But the Sith?

Though the CIS were dark, they were not an active enemy of the Silver Jedi.

“Well,” she started. “This doesn't sit quite right.”

Celeste brought the mug up to her lips and inhaled the calming herbal steam. Glancing sidelong at Coren, she spoke again. “What does this mean? For the Jedi – for us?”

Coren Starchaser

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Celeste was the balance Coren needed. She was always there to help him come to his conclusions and do what was right. He may be one of the leading Jedi in the galaxy, even if it makes him at odds with any of the Jedi Orders. He hoped it wouldn’t reflect poorly on Celeste, but she knew what she was going into.

Sitting down, and taking the mug, he couldn’t help but already feel at ease. Coren knew of the CIS and Silver alliance, he wasn’t a fan of it, but following the events of Coruscant? It wasn’t a bad decision. They were helpful, and not that level Sith. But that was splitting hairs. Sith were Sith, and if they could play the game that Taeli Raaf played years ago? They could do it again.

“That’s what I was saying, but apparently that is something that I can get in trouble for. Hence the…” He took a deep breath. “Mood?” Looking at her, he smiled. “We still have Kattada, and I’m in the Masters Circle, but no longer seated as the Grandmaster. And I feel that’s a problem.”

Celeste Rigel