When Caution Isn't Common

[Kay-Larr]

With the birth of the twins, extra protection was needed. But to new parents, it could never be enough. Even with the baby-proofing of the Estate and Kay's offices, it just didn't seem to be enough. Most especially with the risk of war coming to their borders. There was no word of it coming near CSA space just yet, but it would only be a matter of time.

Yet with all of the new hires coming in, there wasn't very much in the way of Force Users. Surely they'd need some of them, given that the twins were gifted in that regard too. They could be targeted for multiple reasons and by various individuals with a variety of skills. That was partly why Kay and [member="Veiere Arenais"] decided upon keeping them out of the public eye as much as they could. Veiere himself had retired from the Order and spent most of his days with their family at the Estate. She valued his help greatly.

With the Praxeum on Commenor, the Temples and Enclaves on Deneba and Yutan, there were plenty of Jedi to be found. Maybe even a Knight that was looking to earn more experience. Afterall, the Jedi of old were the keepers of the peace and in some ways, that's how she ran things. Compromise through understanding, rather than arguing and war. It had done well for them so far. Maybe the Order will do well with it too.

Kay sat in her office at the Palace. She had put a call out earlier for a certain Knight of the Order named @Ar'ekk . He wasn't like other Jedi, wasn't born into it at all, from what she had heard. Instead he had earned his way in. She was very interested in at least speaking with the man before deciding on whether or not she wanted to hire him for a time.

With Sapir tea steeping in the kettle on her coffee table, she read a mystery holo-novel while she waited for him to arrive.

 

[Arekk]

CSA SPACE​

Aboard the Ebon Hawk​

​

The smell of war was a scent the half masked warrior could never forget and he sensed the danger approaching, although very far away from space that the Commenor Systems Alliance claimed ownership of. Deneba had ceased to be The Jedi Order's home and their members had departed to search for a new place to settle down, Ar'ekk staying in the Ebon Hawk for the time being on his own to plan the next course of action.

Should he join the rest of the Jedi later or attend the call of the Commenori Queen? In the background, the holomessage played loudl enough as he paced around listening closely. A request to meet at the earliest convenience at the Palace they lived in, they as in Veiere (the former grandmaster of The Jedi Order) and Lady Kay. Even though Ar'ekk never crossed paths with the former grandmaster he was eager to meet the two of them as the stories unveiled by others were certainly positive. They needed his help somehow and he wouldn't deny such invitation.

Preparing the Ebon Hawk's engines and placing the coordinates to reach CSA's capital, the young Jedi Knight began his journey to meet with the Queen. Hopefully, someone would be there to greet him at the starport.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Indeed, someone was there to greet him. Olivia, Kay's secretary. The only uniformed guards on hand were ones that guarded the spaceport. Once Ar'ekk stepped out of his ship, she eyed him with a slight suspicion, as she did with everyone. She was a line of defence in a political way for Kay. All guests went through her. Although the Jedi wasn't there for political matters, in some small way he was.

A dip of her head was made as they made eye contact. "Afternoon. I am Olivia Herra, the Lady Kay's secritary. If you'll follow me please, I'll take you to her." It wasn't so much a request as a command. Olivia carried with her an air of authority and aloofness that came as a part of her job.

She turned on her heel, her keys that always hung from her belt jingled while she walked. It wasn't until they got to the landspeeder that she'd speak again, only doing so after she had taken her seat. "You are a Jedi, are you? I hope that you're one of the good ones. But if My Lady asked for you, you must be. However she is the type to attract trouble...." A stern look was given to him, almost as if she was asking if he was going to be trouble.

 

[Arekk]

As expected, someone was already there to greet him. This particular lady whose presence was of authority and law introduced herself to the young man. Her glares were quizzical and he could feel the judgement coming from those big eyes, something he tried to play along with by carrying himself with obvious respect and relying on returning a brief smile.

"Greetings, ma'am. I am Ar'ekk Daesharacor. Thank you."

Allowing Olivia to take point, the half masked Jedi followed her suit as they walked out of the starport at a steady pace. She carried herself in a hurried manner so he had to catch up on her steps.

"Yes, I am. You'll certainly have no quarrels with me, it is the minimum expected from a Jedi Knight."

Being polite in every aspect was key to develop a good first impression for the people of Commenor, his intention hoping that the woman questioning him would see he was a civilized person.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Olivia nodded in approval. Ar'ekk's manners were far better than his appearance indicated. He wore half a mask and it made her wonder what else he was hiding besides his face. Of course it wasn't her business to pry at the moment. He didn't seem suspicious at all.

The ride to the Royal Palace was a quiet one and not very long. Her driver knew the quickest routes and they had priority. Once they passed through the gates, a few guards stood in waiting. Olivia stood up and got out of the landspeeder, straightening her dress, the keys jingling as she moved. "Now if you'll follow me please, I'll take you to her office where she'll be waiting."

No weapons check was done on him. He was a Jedi Knight, afterall. She turned on her heel once more, indicating that he should follow as they began towards the front doors. The guards followed suit, but not too closely. Olivia didn't like feeling smothered.

The Palace was as one might expect. The ceilings were tall, the wood dark and the stonework was carved in the Commenori styles. Tapestries, bits of artwork all hung from the walls or were displayed on stands. The whole place smelled of a gteat history. Only access panels and the ocassional screen gave any hint of the modern age.

Kay's office was styled in the similar way. The double doors opened to a room made up of dark wood panelling, bookshelves, a spiral staircase, her workdesk, big stone fireplace, and of course some comfy chairs to lounge in. That was where Kay was when the two entered, a cup of tea cradled in her hand.

"The Jedi Knight, Ar'ekk Daesharacor here as requested, My Lady."

"Thank you, Olivia." Kay smiled and got to her feet as Olivia turned and left the two alone. "Welcome to Commenor. I trust that your trip here was a good one?"

 

[Arekk]

The landspeeder took the two of them through many of the landscapes of Commenor, his eyes wandering around every single piece of architecture built by the people living in this planet. Magnificent structures built by incredibly talented individuals to shape a metropolis as successful as this one. The young Jedi was privileged to be a witness and settle foot in this city, which certainly didn't compare to the others he had visited during his lifetime.

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."

He nodded to Olivia in respect. Being polite and corteous in every single way was important to develop good first impressions and build a trustable reputation within the Commenori people. He was certainly not arrogant or disrespectful unlike the rest of the people that had visited, as hinted by the secretary of Lady Kay.

The guards gave stern looks to Ar'ekk, probably because of the way he dressed and the menacing mask that made the man look nothing like a Jedi Knight. The double doors opened finally and he was in awe as the interior was a masterpiece of ancient art. Its walls and design were something out of this world although not strange to himself since he had been in Hutt palaces for longer periods than someone could ever want. However, this place felt different. It was truly beautiful.

Kay's office was comfortable and cozy, the bookshelves filled with books demonstrated that the queen was an intelligent person. Of course she was, not for anything she was the Queen of Commenor.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady. It was indeed, your people have been very kind to me."

Bowing in a sign of respect, Ar'ekk introduced himself for the first time.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay smiled and bowed her head. Whereas Olivia and others might be slightly disturbed by the mask that Ar'ekk wore, she was not. There were plenty that she knew that hid behind masks. Yet always they took them down. Not exactly on the first day, but later when they were comfortable and wanting to gain more of her trust.

She walked around her desk and approached him, holding her hand out for him to shake, even though a bow was the usual greeting for a Jedi. A handshake was more customary for her, as a lot could be determined about another from it.

"Glad to hear it. We don't cause any quarrels so easily. It's part of why we've been at peace for so long, whereas others have been in nearly constant conflict."

Kay gestured to the chairs. "Have a seat, please. Do you know my husband, Veiere at all?" She wasn't sure of how many people knew him among the Jedi.

 

[Arekk]

He held Kay's hand with a tight grip, shaking it properly. Although a common Jedi would resort to more "old" ways of greeting people, Ar'ekk wasn't a conventional Jedi by any means necessary. Just a quick glance over him and you'd think he was something else, his eyes telling a thousand stories yet to be revealed.

The mask was necessary to keep him breathing and heal the painful injuries obtained years ago, the signature hissing being the loudest feature of all. Despite all of that, he felt it was unnecessary to have it on during this meeting and out of respect he removed it. Beneath the mask were revealed the major scarring the war left impressed on him permanently, a less soothing thing to witness.

"I didn't have the pleasure of meeting your husband yet I've heard of him."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

A firm handshake. That spoke volumes, revealing strength in body and of character. His eyes held much more. It made her wonder what kind of life that he led and what brought him onto this path. Everyone had different tales, different reasons for being where they are. Paths in life are always twisted, never straight.

A brow raised slightly as Ar'ekk removed his mask. She hadn't expected it so quickly. But now that he did, she merely smiled. "Would you care for some tea?" Given that his mask was now removed, it'd be quite easy for him to divulge in her favourite...addiction.

"I'm sure that you'll come across him at some point, that is if you are able to stay here for a while. I'm not sure of what your immediate plans are, but we could certainly use someoe like you here."

 

[Arekk]

The mask rested on his lap as they sat down to engage in a friendly conversation, his eyes wandering around the luxurious and beautiful design of Kay's office which was promptly decorated with an exquisite taste. He didn't know much about these type of things but appreciated being in a cozy enviroment such as this one.

"Sure, thank you."

Caressing his jawline, Ar'ekk's eyes laid upon the Commenori Queen once more in a quizzically manner. The scent of tea coming from the teapot was strong enough and had a very delightful smell. Out of respect, he wouldn't deny such offer and specially not from the Queen of Commenor herself.

"You requested a Jedi's presence here and felt obliged to answer such call. If there's any way I can help, feel free to ask."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded and walked over to the side table, pouring both of them a cup. The temperature was hot, yet not enough to burn the tongue, unless someone was over sensitive to temperature. She made her way to him and handed @Ar'ekk the cup. "Please have a seat." She gestured to the chairs with a free hand before taking a seat on one of them herself.

"Yes, I do need a Jedi, yet not so much to fight in any war for us, but to keep eyes and ears out for the protection of our twins. Veiere and I were both recently blessed with younglings of our own, and although we will try to keep them out of the spotlight, there is no guarantee that they wouldn't be targeted." She sipped her tea before she continued. "I'm sure that your path has taken you to many different places. Should you hear of anything regarding us, I would hope that you'd pass it along."

There was another favour that she had to ask, yet she wasn't sure of how much trust she could put in him just yet.

 

[Arekk]

The Jedi received the cup of tea with a warm smile, nodding to Kay as she leaned over. Its scent was delightful for his senses and once he gave it a little sip, it'd feel like being on cloud nine. He could tell right away that this addiction for different types of tea was something valuable, to say the least although he wouldn't go as far as doing something similar like collecting such thing.

Sitting after Kay did as a respectful gesture, Ar'ekk turned to speak with the Queen herself and enjoying a hot steaming cup of tea.

"Congratulations. The mind of a child is very bright and you should feel blessed of having your younglings. If I heard anything about Commenor and their royal family, you'd be the first to know."

His path was different to one of an ordinary Jedi and could recognize the scum from the righteous in the blink of an eye.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay smiled and bowed her head as she cradled the cup in her hand. "Thank you very much, Ar'ekk" She tilted her head to the side a bit, not quite certain of how best to go about the topic that was on the top of her mind. It was difficult, and there was a lot riding on it.

Might as well start with something simple. "So tell me a little bit about yourself. What brought you onto this path?" Yes, that was a good way to start. Seeing what talents and skills that he had was a great way to see which part he'd have to play in her plan.

She sipped her tea while she awaited his answer.