Work It Out

[Jairdain]

Things had greatly improved for Jairdain in the recent months. There was also a great change in her and she knew there were a couple of people she could go talk to about it. Alexandra and Vulpesen. Knowing Alex was quite busy being the grandmaster and all, she decided once again to reach out to Vulps.

Sending him a message, she was now on a ship heading to his world of Veradune. Surrounded by other Zorrens she didn't feel different for once and did not hide what she had become.

Unlike Alex, Jairdain had adjusted to the physical changes easily and used them to her advantage. The only thing that hadn't changed for her was her sight. She was still blind. On her shoulder in a special pocket made for him rested a small wolf. Sage peeked out and allowed her to see through his eyes when she wanted to. Right now she did not and waited until the ship landed.

Once they were on the familiar ground of Veradune, she walked off and waited for Vulps to meet her.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen smiled broadly at the trasport which touched down on the landing pad before him, its ramp opening to reveal the figure of [member="Jairdain"], who he greeted with open arms. While it was true that Veradune was something of a hermit planet, selective in who could know its location, the Valde was always open to host those that knew of its existance, and paid no mind to the costs of personally arranging their transport. Friends of course, also deserved to have their host greet them at the landing bay. "Jairdain, good to see yo-" His words cought in his throat as he sensed something different ab out her. Something minute, a subtle difference he could only tell because he spent his life within it. And beyond his visions through the force, his material eyes saw another difference in her. Golden eyes which shonedullerthan most but familiar all the same. And behind her, the unmistakable sight of a tail. "Mother of stars..."

 

[Jairdain]

Returning his smile, she could tell he was just as surprised by her change as she was when it happened.

"As you can see, there was a change..."

Her glowing gaze was still unfocused, but not through the Force. That remained the same. The focus would be felt by him and Jairdain did not try to hide it from him. Another thing he might see was a small wolf curled up on her shoulder. He was in a pocket that made just for him. It allowed him to look out at the world and she could see through his eyes when she wanted and he allowed it.

"I need a little bit of help adjusting."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Running his eyes up and down the woman, he started to walk forward, a small smile touching his lips. "No kiddin'." His eyes moved tot he wolf poking out of ehr pocket, and he felt Ace stir in his own before popping his own head out. Dully, he could hear them conversing in his mind, greeting eachother. "I see you've made another friend as well. Hello, Sage." Beckoning Jair to follow him, he started back towards the main temple, his tail wagging behind him. "Lets talk more inside and I'll be happy to answer any questions you've got."

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

As if she was model on display, Jairdain turned around so Vulps could get a good look at her new form. Prior to this meeting, she had never seen him other than through the Force. Now with the help of Sage, she saw him through his eyes.

"Is it because I am blind that eyes don't shine as bright as yours?"

She asked this once they started walking to the temple, castle and his home. It wasn't missed by her that their colouring was quite similar.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen's brow rose as she swirled around for him, her tail matching his on with its midnight color. He'd met a few zorrens with black tails, but most of those were after the wulren line, which was to say, without the white tip. To see a true daughter of Varos was odd indeed, something his own family, house Torrevaso was well known for. Still, he mentioned none of this as he walked towards the main temple, focused mainly on the fact that he had ofund another of his kind, something that quite frankly, made him ecstatic. "If I had to guess, I'd say yes. Sorry, I don't think I've met another blind zorren. At least, not close enough to notice the shine of their eyes."

Reaching for his comlink, the Valde tapped into the frequency of his household, ensuring tht the place would be welll set to recieve a visitor who had found further improtance to him. [member="Jairdain"], once a freind had now soared into something else. She was Zorren. She was one of lost members of his race that needed no resurrection. And while she may not have grown up in their culture, he would see to it that she acclimated as smoothly as possible. Afterall, to a zorren, culture and instinct were near indescernible.

 

[Jairdain]

In a way, it was a relief to Jairdain to know there were other blind Zorrens and that she wasn't some sort of freak. Being blind might be something uncommon, but it at least wasn't unheard of. Vulps may not have met any personally, but he knew of them.

"Is there a written language?"

Jairdain had been attempting to learn how to read and if the answer was yes, it was just one more she needed to learn. Walking side by side, she wore a large grin on her face as they approached his home. Seeing it through the eyes of Sage was wonderful and she didn't think that would ever change.

"It's beautiful, Vulps."

If he listened closely, there was a hint of an accent to her voice. Not quite the same as his, but still not the same as most people. She had always thought it unique.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

With his private docks near the main temple, it wasn't long until the pair were gliding up the steps towoardss the main hall. All the while, he listened to her questions with an attentive tilt of his pointed ear. "Of course. Though learning it will prove interesting. The zorren language has three main-" he paused as he mulled over his words, trying to find the right fit-"I hesitate to say dialect as they're all used at once. But certin words will be spelt a certain way and indeed the same word takes on a different meaning depending on how its said."

His eyes turned to watch the wonder on her face as [member="Jairdain"] beheld his home, the delight on her expression causing his tail to swish behind him. When he had arrived on Veradune, the temple had been desacrated and filth ridden. The streets were cobbles and crime was the law. But after years of hard work, he had done it. His home thrived, the great towers were beautiful once again, and the trees that wove in and around buldings were natural works of art once again. For thousands of years to come, he knew that this would be one of his greatest sources of pride. "Thank you. It has taken a bit of work." His hand exended, using the force to slide open the door before them so that their pair would be allowed entrance.

 

[Jairdain]

"You know if a day goes by where something isn't learned, then it's a wasted day. Just my opinion..."

Falling silent, Jairdain looked through Sage's eyes and one of her ears tilted to indicate she was listening to Vulps.

"So it is sort of like my own language. One that I haven't spoken in over ten years. At least not on a regular basis. A word here or there, under my breath usually since they are curse words...Maybe you would like to know some of the colourful words of my language?"

Chuckling slightly, she shook her head a little. It was interesting seeing through the eyes of Sage and still through the Force as well.

"Much like on Commenor. The Sith attack...well brought us to our knees. Only now are we almost fully recovered. I've been appointed Regent until my son is old enough to rule. Almost royalty. Not that I'm about being one or anything."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"A wonderful philosophy. One I might have adopted back when I became the Valde." Hearing her muse about her other tongue, Vulpesen lfited a brow as he opened the doors to his home and walked into the great hall, his tail flicking behind him. "I hope you haven't forgotten them. And I've found that less reputable words are always the first to be learned, no matter the language."

Her situation on Commenor gave Vulpesen a bit of pause as he thought about it. Recently, the planet had seemed to be at the forefront of galactic events, at least as far as he could see. He simply hoped that its hard times were behind it. "Believe me, royalty while filled with perks, is certainly not an easy life. At least, not if you're good at it. You might be better off as a member the common people, or even the lower courts. Relax and enjoy it."

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

"No, I haven't forgotten them! It's the language I grew up speaking. Just haven't met anybody else that knows it. So I have not been able to speak it. Here..."

And with that, Jairdain gave him a few examples of curse words in her language. Not even blushing when she was done, her tail wagged behind her at the fun of telling somebody that was interested in learning it. What she didn't know was he already knew the language. Hers was just a slightly different dialect.

Holding her hands up in front of her like she was trying to stop something, she shook her head at what Vulps said.

"No no, I certainly don't want to be a queen or leader like yourself or Kay. At least not yet. As it is, I'm sort of nobility. Granted Regent of Juniper on Commenor until my son becomes old enough to be Lord. After that, I have no idea what I'll be."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

A brow raised in response to Jair's impolite words, as well as the actual language that they came from. It was a bit odd, its accent warped, and the words having a basic nature, but such were things that were easily explained. Being away from Veradune and a Zorren society, it was a wonder she held the language at all. And having only recently become a full zorren, she wouldn't have learned to speak the true language quite yet. "[Well, it seems I don't have a lot to teach you.]" The words, spoken in Zorren came out with a sort of growling cadence, many of the sounds coming from his throat rather than his mouth, an effect caused by his matured vocal chords. "Though a few language coaches would likely be a good idea."

Making his way past the pain hall, Vulpesen guided Jairdain to a smaller room, fashioned much like a library, though the many soft chairs scattered around in groups, as well as a few large holoscreens noted it as a place more for guest relaxation. Striding towards one group of seats, Vulpesen lowered himself into the comfortable cushions, motioning for Jairdain to join him. "Now, I'm certain you've no small ammount of questions."

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

There was a look of surprise on her face when Vulps spoke to her. Though their inflections were different, it was clear they both knew her language.

"How is it you know my language, Vulps?"

It hadn't completely gone through her mind, but the lightbulb came on suddenly. They were the same race...in a small voice, she then asked a different question.

"Why is it none of my people had tails and such?"

She followed her friend into the room he took them to with a sort of dazed expression. It was an understatement when he mentioned she had some questions. Sage nuzzled up against her neck in an attempt to make her more comfortable with something familiar.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen stayed silent in the face of her question, his arms simply crossing as he waited for her to come upon the realization on her own his lips turning into a grin as he settled into his chair. "Theres a few possible reasons. Possibly they were untrialed, so they never grew their tails. Quite a few Zorren did this to hide as humans. Its also possible they were an adoptive family. Many zorrens were raised by different families during the dark times as their parents were lost in the purge." He leaned back into his chair aand reached out a hand as one of his house servants came forward, a decanter of liquor in his hands as well as a glass. A moment later and Vulpesen was letting out a satisfied sigh as he sipped at the burning liquid. Well paid and well trained, the men that served under house Torrevaso had learned their employer's habits quite well.

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

What he suggested about her parents being adoptive ones, it didn't feel right. Her entire people knew the language and she had grown up speaking it. Her home was gone now, her people dead and gone. No...she had new people now and that was why she was here.

"I don't think adoptive family is quite right. You see everybody spoke this language. So I think my planet was full of Zorrens. Maybe some sort of lost community beyond the Outer Rim?"

A drink was also offered to her and Jairdain accepted it blindly. Coughing as she took a drink, the shock of the strength brought her back to into focus. Knocking her fist against her chest to help clear her throat, she set the glass down and decided not to touch it again.

"There is a written language to read? I think need to learn that as well."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen throught for a moment onher words, reclining in his seat while his tail flicked around a bit upon his lap. "Its certainly possible. We're a tightly nit culture. I wouldn't be surprised if a fair ammount of us decided to get off world together to hide as a pack." Watching Jair struggle with the alcohol brought a short laugh from the Valde,who then took another sip from his own, downing the sip of liquid almost as if it were water. "Sorry, we can get you something else if you prefer. As for a written language, we do of course have one. I'm certain I can set you up with a tutor if you want."

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

"My people there are all dead, Vulps. Something happened when I was a teenager and everybody on the planet died. A theory was proposed that it had something to do with the Netherworld but I have no idea."

Shrugging her shoulders slightly, she made herself comfortable. When he offered her something else to drink, she shook her head.

"That one sip was enough. To imagine I was once drinking this like water. It worked well in taking my pain away for a short time."

Listening to what he said about a written language, she nodded.

"Yes, that would be nice."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Nodding slightly, Vulpesen took another sip form his drink. Idly, he wondered if they were among the people that followed him from the netherworld. However, the effort of finding them would be need to be herculean. Afterall, many zorrens left Veradune for the lives they had made away from home. "Stills works I think. But that could just be me." Hearing her desire for a tutor, he made a mental note to arrange that. Given his position, it would be a trivial thing for him to provide.

Content with a moment of silence, Vulpesen simply leaned back, waiting for any further questions from @Jairdain. However, his rlaxation was soon shattered by an approaching presence, something that he didn't doubt that Jair could feel for herself. A dark void that prowled down the halls towards them. The Valde let out a small sigh, and offered a sypathetic look to his guest. "Steel yourself. We're about to have company."

 

[Jairdain]

At the moment, some of her questions had been answered. Any others would have to wait and the reason why was coming closer. Maybe she would be finishing that drink after this.

"Who is it?"

Such a simple question but one that needed answering and hopefully before the person arrived. Something about Jairdain to be noted. She was confident and held no fear.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Taking a deep breath, Vulpesen lifted his glass once more to his lips draining the contents with several long fiery gulps.With a small clack, the glass found itself on a small side table while a small lopsided albeit exhasperated smile found its way to his lips. "My mother." No sooner than had the Valde finsihed speaking did a crimson haire'd head peek out from the doorframe. Streaked with occasional bits of black and a shade darker than veinous blood, one would be forgiven for thinking that Carliah washed her hair with the macabre substance.

"I thought I sensed a guest! Vulpesen, why didn't you come to introduce us?" Accusatory with her purring voice, Carliah slipped into the room, walking along the wall as her eyes searched for the newcomer. Behind her, a ruby red tail flicked through the air, its fur bristling somewhat until her eyes finally rested on Jair. In a moment, shining golden eyes darkened and narrowed, focusing on the woman in the seat.

[member="Jairdain"]