A Confession Worth Four Men

[Nimue Stormson]

It was winter on Effekt. If there wasn't any snow during the day it would come at night. And if none came at night then the day would be filled of nothing but cold air that nipped at every part of your skin. This was only the first month, three more to go. It would only get colder from here. But one place that had provided the proper heat was the grand palace of the capital city of the planet, where the seat of the Stormborn Empire was kept by Empress Nimue Stormson. The palace was kept warm with the many fires lite and the windows kept bared as much as possible. And given the matter that today had brought Nimue wanted everything perfect for the arrival of her "guests".​

​

Important messages had been sent to the Jedi Masters [member="Jericho"] and [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] and the King of Kesh [member="Solan Charr"] . An important and somewhat dire and secretive matter was to be discussed. The messages made that quite clear. But there was someone else who needed to be there for it. Instead of telling him, Nimue had called upon her lover and protector [member="Asterion"] , the former Sith Knight turned proud warrior to the Empress, to greet and contain the men once they arrived. He was to see them into the palace and make sure they not kill each other or worse until she arrived.​

​

In the meantime Nimue herself was preparing. She knew the news to break to the would be shocking, but they needed to hear it. She needed the to know to see what they would say or do. The time was coming when everything would have to come together, but Nimue needed to know where her friends stood and where others didn't.​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Oh for the love of the Force, not again.

It wasn't too long ago that Josh had been pulled aside by Grandmaster Raaf, oddly enough, of the Republic's Jedi Order of all things, where he'd been told a few... Interesting things that he was quite surprised to hear. Still, after Nimue had stopped contacting him on a regular basis, he had assumed that was the end of it, and that she had merely gotten tired of their little fling. That was fine with him, of course. He was a grown man, and he understood the premise of flings and the like.

To his surprise, he would be called to Effekt once again after quite some time for... Something important, apparently. The Final Dragon would touch down on Effekt at the appointed time. This time, after all he'd been told, the Jedi Master was all business and had his guard up. He was prepared for a fight if need be. This time, he wasn't in anything formal. His brown jedi robes would suffice, with the Magnus Armor hidden underneath in case things got ugly. His expression was stone cold, he was in full blown "Jedi Mode" you could call it.

The Jedi Master would exit the ship, looking back at the droid on the ramp. "If anyone even looks at you funny, I give you permission to open fire with the ships cannons. Contact me immediately, and we'll leave. I have a bad feeling about this, R4" Josh would speak firmly toward the astromech droid, who let out a few beeps in affirmative as the ships doors would close and the Jedi Master would make his way toward the palace.

His robes weren't that great for the cold, but it didn't matter. The cold never bothered him anyway.

 

[Aithne Charr]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

Solan leaned back and looked at the sky as the shuttle came in slowly though the frigid air. He almost forgot what the cold felt like, it being summer on Kesh this time of year in its rotational period. Always a curious thing when he went from planet to planet, some in the dead of winter, some at the start of spring. He always loved traveling for that reason. But today was something very different as he fixated the glasses on his face and red the message once more. For some reason Nimue had called him to her home which confused him but also made him extremely curious. The last time they had met something almost happened that he still wasn't sure about but now she called on him once more? He had assumed after the way she reacted he would have to find her first.

With him was only one item and that was a direct commlink to his daughter Evania, incase something happened and so that he could solve any problems that would arise while he was gone. It would be an interesting meeting though as the shuttle started to settle down and he stood. His hands tightened the Viola coat that was resting over his shoulders. The cold air was certainly something new, hitting him in the face for the moment before he blinked and stared out into the cold as he started walking. It wouldn't take him long now to get to where everyone was.

 

[Stephanie Swail]

"Leave it to me, sweetheart."

The last words Asterion had said to Nimue before leaving her in her private quarters in the palace. Dressed in his black tunic, sleeves rolled up and not wanting to act anything other than casual with the weight of the Empress behind him, he made his way to the front of the grounds to wait for the three men she had requested. For what purpose? He didn't know or really want to know.

Jealousy? Please.

She was an Empress, and a warrior with the Primeval; fingers in many pies and business with Jedi, Sith, and everything in between wasn't unusual. However, he would act on her behalf and stand beside her to protect her from the shadows and be the rock to support her. Not to smother her, but simply be there as soon as she gave him the look.

The chill in the air was bitter, but he was getting used to it and with the years on Teth making him tougher both physically and emotionally, this was nothing out of the ordinary. Two royal guards stood on hand to greet them and escort them to the designated room of Nimue's asking. Asterion would welcome them, ensure they were aware of what NOT to do, and follow them to wait, observe and do nothing until he was asked. He wasn't a slave to the Empress; he was simply a protector.

[member="Nimue Stormson"] | [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] | [member="Solan Charr"] | [member="Jericho"]

 

[Jericho]

Their meeting was unintentional, it was the because he was the nearest member to speak with and to also study the ways of cold warriors and that of their empress [member="Nimue Stormson"]. He learned much of their way of life from the last time he was here but he had his doubt that he would be called back unless there was something she needed. A cold breath was released as he took his first steps on to snow covered planet, he rolled up his sleeves then outstretched his arms, the snow rose from the ground and formed around his fists and forearms hardening into ice. He raise a hand and moved his fingers then clenched it into a fist before lowering his arms and walking towards the palace. It was not long before the guard met with him unlike their "blunder" being unable to greet him before.

The warrior wore his heavy armor hidden under a custom white jedi robe made specifically for the cold. He adjusted his new fitted black masked covering only half his face while the white hood placed over head. And his trusted sabers rested at his side clipped on his belt swaying lightly as he moved. He spoke casually with two of the guards he met with the last time he was here. Reaching the palace he noticed the queen as well as three other men. None of which, he did not know, but for a slight moment the presence of one stood out from the other three; the man was course with the dark side. A sith within their presence?! She knew of him and his dislike for the sith; with his hand under, he lightly gripped his blade readying his himself for a fight.

He took a deep cold breath, his presence remained calm and he stayed his hand for now. He was here to meet with the Empress not here to hunt sith. He nodded to the guard thanking them for the escort before moving into the palace one is own. Now that all these men were gathered, he wondered what the woman had planned.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Instead of Nimue, royal guards were there to greet him, as well as... Another guy? Alright, now this was getting strange. DragonsFlame looked right at [member="Solan Charr"] with a raised eyebrow. Considering they were both stopped and being directed to the same place, it was obvious that they were in for the same meeting. This was just getting stranger and stranger. It was also obvious that Solan was a Force user, by his aura. A dark sider as well... And then Jericho came over, and he seemed to also be a force user. His aura was... Neutral, it seemed. Not completely light but not truly dark either. He didn't recognize either man, but [member="Jericho"] seemed to be more trustworthy then Solan. It wasn't long before the three of them were escorted and then greeted by @Asterion.

Now, this man, Josh could sense the dark side more then he could with Solan. While he couldn't be sure, it was likely one was a Dark Jedi, another was a full blown Sith. But the aura of the dark side was evident, and it made him shiver more then the cold did. He shot [member="Jericho"] a look, noting that he looked just as wary as he did. His hand drifted to the lightsaber on his belt, and his grip tightened immediately.

But if this Sith was with the royal guard, with Nimue... Then that likely meant...

Crap, Corvus was right.

He didn't say a word, just allowed himself to be led with the others... Ready for battle if necessary. He didn't know what Nimue planned, but it didn't seem to be good.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Aithne Charr]

[member="Nimue Stormson"] [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] [member="Jericho"] [member="Asterion"]

"Oh calm down blonde, how about we get a move on. All that worry is going to make me start to worry, and im never worried... well usually." He smiled at the other two, lightside esque people... the one of them he knew full well who it was. Former Grandmaster Dragonsflame. He sure did miss the times when he fought beside Jedi... and used the darkside right infront of them. Oh the confusion, it was so much fun to have the protection against a lynching so long as he served the republic. Good thing he still does on a part time basis. "Sooo." He turned his head to Asterion.

Solan bowed to the man, full well knowing this man was a Sith and looking at the man through eyes that seemed a bit more clouded than before. He sighed and reached down to fish out his glasses once more before placing them over his eyes as he blinked. The world would grow a bit clearer as he smiled and spoke finally to Asterion. "Shall we go see the Empress, its wrong to keep a lady waiting."

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Greeting each man on arrival with a simple nod of the head, a welcoming word and quick evaluation of their Force aura -interesting all were gifted with the Force - Asterion had them all where Nimue had requested. The ground floor room was something between a conference room and a lavish dining room. A large table at the far end with various bowls of fruit, breads and cheeses and some non-alcoholic juices and fresh water. Three large oblong windows let in the frosty daylight outside into the warm room and created an amicable atmosphere.

"You drop those hands to your weapons again then you're out, ok? I know my aura is that of the Dark Side but right now the last thing on my mind is starting a mini cull of Jedi and whatnot, that's not why I'm here so just relax."

He walked to the window and looked over as much of the planet as he could see. Each man seemed tough, resourceful, strong and clever in their own right. Brains and brawn between them.

"Safe to say I've no idea why you have been called here so don't bother asking me."

[member="Solan Charr"] | [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] | [member="Jericho"] | [member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

"You all here because I asked you to come." the voice of Nimue said as she entered the room. Coming in through one of the side entrances near the throne she added "And I'd take their advice if I were you, Joshua. There's no need for using your saber. This isn't a trap or anything." She walked up to him and planted a kiss on his cheek before saying "Good to see you again."​

​

Nimue sounded her more hospitable self as she spoke to [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] but there was obviously something odd with her. Her clothing was still on the royal sort, green robes and leggins and the sort, only no crown or cape of jewelry of any kind. It was also apparent in how she spoke, trying to be civil if it meant keeping her guests as happy as possible. Especially given what she knew she would tell them that would make the less than so. But after speaking with Joshua she moved on to the others. With each she gave small kisses on their cheeks before merely acknowledging them. ​

​

"Solan.... [member="Jericho"] ." she began. "You all looking rather well. And I see you've met [member="Asterion"] . My...personal friend." she's hesitated on what to officially call him when compared to the others. "I trust the trip wasn't too harrowing?"​

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[member="Solan Charr"]​

 

[Jericho]

Jericho was the kind of man that was always going to be on his toes especially when a Sith asks him to relax. The things the warrior had to endure with the sith conditioned him to do so. He continued to hide his body language under the thick white robes he was wearing. Completely ignoring the empress' protector he moved to take a seat at the grand table; if the protector in truth did not know what was going on and why all they were summoned here; there was no reasons for the two to even part words only blades, if it needed to come down to that tonight but for now he will be civil. When lady [member="Nimue Stormson"] made her appearance; Jericho bowed his head being in the position that he was and to show her the respect that he had given her last time. "You as well, Milady." He said maintaining his seat at the table and like last time he would be the one to cut to the chase. "Not to be rude, Milady. But why have you summon us here?"

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Like Jericho, Josh, as he was a Jedi, and after all that the Sith had done to him and his family, he wasn't going to just relax with a Sith present. His words didn't calm him at all, and the first thing the Jedi Master did was look the Sith Knight dead in the eyes.

"My lightsaber will remain on my belt for as long as I have no reason to use it" The former Grandmaster spoke calmly, yet firmly, toward him, not flinching, not phased whatsoever by his threat to toss him out.

He honestly hoped he wouldn't have to. A fight wasn't something he wanted, but he was justifiably cautious about this whole thing. Especially after the meeting he'd just had not too long ago. He wasn't going to relax around a Sith, no way in hell. Though he was curious as to why the Sith was here, when he had no clue either. He was with the royal party, greeting them, so he obviously wasn't here for the same reason as they were. Most likely, anyway.

He looked over as Nimue would enter the room. While he remained respectful, he was still serious as could be as he simply listened to her, nodding faintly when she spoke. The kiss on the cheek brought a tilt of the head, as it wasn't normally her behavior when around others, if it wasn't just him and her. "Good to see you again" He responded calmly. When she did the same for the others, though... He started to piece things together. Had she been with all of these men, perhaps? Considering the nature of their last conversation, he hadn't doubted it before. But he wasn't sure if that was why she had called them here.

She mentioned that the Sith was her... Personal friend. Josh was quick to catch on, though he couldn't confirm it. A small smirk crossed his lips, but he would allow Jericho to ask her just why she had called them here. He was curious himself, of course.

[member="Jericho"]
[member="Nimue Stormson"]
[member="Asterion"]
[member="Solan Charr"]

 

[Aithne Charr]

[member="Nimue Stormson"] [member="Jericho"] [member="Asterion"] [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Solan smiled as she appeared and he simply bowed to her as she kissed his cheek quick before speaking after Jericho. "Oh, you really should do something about those salted nuts they sold on the flight here. Such a bland taste." He had no problem with any of those here and drawing a weapon would be suicide so he preferred to keep his head on his shoulders. "So Nimue, grow anything beautiful or did you simply work on your own looks, or perhaps both. There is a certain... divine touch to the air and im pretty sure it has something to do with you." He couldn't help himself. The Jedi could be the stiffs, he was here to relax with a friend, ignorant of how important what was about to be said would become... and how funny it would be to him considering the past. His form even lowered itself slowly into the seat before leaning back with his hands crossed infront of him, watching the others for now. "Hey, by the way protector, im Solan. Just making sure you don't me up with the Jedi there. Pleasure to meet someone of similar 'stench' in the force."

 

[Stephanie Swail]

The trio were similar, but different. All who Nimue knew at one point or another. No business of his, not now.

Standing at the back, Asterion simply get his arms folded and kept his eye on [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] - having a Jedi in the room involved in business that wasn't going to be anything other than controversial wasn't something he was comfortable with. The last time he had encountered a Jedi - Grandmaster Raaf - it hadn't ended in his favour and he wasn't going to forget that humiliation.

[member="Jericho"] seemed on the level, as did [member="Solan Charr"] - both with him he acknowledged quietly. The fact Nimue wasn't -

- ah, and as if on cue, the [member="Nimue Stormson"] enters quietly and taking them by surprise.

Watching her greet the others, Asterion didn't move and didn't know what to feel. While the Force was spiking with numerous emotion and feelings from all parties, it was a whirlwind. He simply used his senses to watch and feel. As she referred to him as a 'personal friend', his eyes moved to look at her for a second. It seemed she wasn't comfortable elevating above the others; but why? He had done what was asked, regardless.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

After greeting each of them Nimue took a moment to hear [member="Solan Charr"] before chuckling in her throat. "You always did know how to make me laugh." Only for the moment to be a little soured by [member="Jericho"] insisting to know why they were hear. She sighed as she needed a moment to rpeare herself. "There's something important that all of you need to know." She turned and said "Including you, [member="Asterion"] . I'm sorry...I didn't know how else to tell you." She then turned back to the others and said "We've all had a history together. Each of us. Great or small each of you have touched me in different ways. Although, I am sorry to tell you, I've finally decided on the one whom I want by my side." She then looked back to Asterion to put himself at ease while comforting this to the others. She looked back to the others and said "I will never forget the times we've shared, but I have decided to follow my heart."​

​

She gave them a moment to let it sink in, saying what they had to, before adding "But there is something else. A mistake I've made before I official came to this conclusion." Instead of telling it though she instead followed with "Something I'd never told any of you...something that would have effected my seat on the throne of Effekt. My heritage is not royal. I married my way into the throne and now rule Effekt as an illegitimate wife of the former emperor. My only other stake in the throne is the fact that I could produce and heir. However my husband is gone...but before he died I was once carrying his own child...until I was poisoned. I survived....but the child did not. And the procedure it took to cure me had made me...barren." ​

​

[member="Solan Charr"] [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]​

 

[Aithne Charr]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

He smiled back at her as she smiled and laughed. "I try..." His hands ran behind his head now but paused the moment she got serious, forcing him to turn his hands back to his lap. She started apologizing like she did something wrong, so much so that she was in the wrong for what ever it was that she did. But then she was also saying how they each effected herin small ways or large ones, it was hard to understand where this was going at first as he listened... infact he still wasn't sure when she said she had to follow her heard.

Then came the story of her becoming an empress, smiling again as he didn't care how she became one, only that she was a decent one and she was. Why was he being told this, all of them being told this. He could understand if she had told him this before. Hell his own empire was created in much the same way, but by force rather than by marriage. Then the part about her child came and how she was barren... why did that matter with what she was saying... what in the world was going on. The longer she spoke the more and more confused he got, why did it matter if she was barren. His hands came to his chin as he leaned forward, waiting to hear what comes next.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Soooooo... She brought them all here just to announce that she'd decided on a boyfriend? The Jedi Master didn't seem bothered whatsoever. It had been made quite clear after their... Last late night, that their relationship wouldn't go beyond simple late nights at a whim and need. Granted, now that she had a proper relationship, that fling between them was officially over. Even if Nimue had wished for it to continue, Joshua would have adamantly refused. He was very respectful of the sanctity of a relationship or marriage, and wouldn't violate it even if he wanted to. The situation, of course, was obvious. His destiny lied somewhere else, with someone else. It just wasn't clear who and where yet. That, he could accept.

So all the Jedi Master did was just casually shrug. It didn't bother him, that was her choice and he wasn't expecting anything. It would have been awkward if they had tried anyway. For some reason, Corvus Raaf, the aforementioned Jedi Order's Current Grandmaster, had already gotten on his ass about it. While he had zero fealty to Grandmaster Raaf, he'd have respected what had been said regardless. Still, this entire situation was amusing to him, and the former Grandmaster crossed his arms as he waited to see what else she might say. This didn't seem like something that she couldn't have just said over a holocall. By what she had said about each of them touching her in some ways, just before she mentioned who her heart belong to, it seemed that his suspicions were correct. At some point, Nimue had dealt in... Affairs, with [member="Solan Charr"], [member="Jericho"], and himself, Joshua DragonsFlame. And possibly more. He was sure if there were others, they would have probably killed her or something like that so she didn't invite them. He had to keep from laughing when he thought about it. This whole situation was so bizarre. Why did she bring all of these men here just for... That? Such a personal thing shouldn't be said while bringing all of the men you've been with there at the same time. It was... Lazy, thoughtless, sort of selfish. But perhaps there was another reason.

The Jedi Master would sit down when prompted and listen. He blinked when she brought up the story of being infertile. Hadn't he heard this before? He wasn't entirely sure. He remembered something about her husband, but he wasn't 100% sure what it was...

Though probably good their... Relationship didn't escalate. He'd mentioned his dreams. Of being a family man. He supposed it wouldn't have worked out.

This seemed ridiculous. But there needed to be more to this. So he waited patiently.

 

[Stephanie Swail]

As Nimue came in and spoke, Asterion watched her with a sense of pride. Whatever was going on must have been playing on her mind, but she looked wonderful – in control and confident. Leaning on the back wall, eyes moving to the planet through the window, he was attracted to the Jedi @ Joshua DragonsFlame - there was something burning in his eyes, and he was clearly the one of the group who would speak and act first and then question later, and if Nimue was going to be the brunt of his agitation...

Shifting slightly, head leaning back slightly as he watched him with dark eyes, Asterion knew that the beast inside him at one point would have made his way over with a sharp mouth to imply him to watch his wandering thoughts, and if there was fight, all the better. Much of the room would suffer, and hopefully the Jedi would have been impaled on broken shards of the window, or simply taken a freefall down the side of the palace to the canyons below.

Now he had to respect Nimue and her capability to control the situation, and also he wasn’t the same as he once was. Part of him was pleased of that, the remainder of him yearned for it to return along with his self-belief.

His attention soon returned to the here and now and the lurch in his stomach as he was suddenly involved in something deceptive and secretive – he knew she was after something. He knew it. Inside, he was getting angry, fists curling under his arms and eyes burning into her. The others weren’t important – if this was something involving him and he was her choice, the others shouldn’t even be here.

Pushing down on his teeth with his tongue, Asterion listened but couldn’t find through her aura what she was getting at. It seemed he was part of something that reached into the heart of the Stormson family. This better be something good.

[member="Solan Charr"] | [member=Jericho] | [member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

This was it. No holding back anything anymore. Nimue had to tell the or risk keeping this secret long enough where it could come back to haunt her for the rest of her days. Looking around to all of them, [member="Asterion"] , [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] , [member="Solan Charr"] , and [member="Jericho"] she gave a grand sigh as she emptied out everything to them.​

​

"I had looked into....recreating the means of having a child. The process was doable but the question remained on who I would want to be the father. In the end....I could not decide. Not back then. Not when everything for me was so....conflicting. So instead I chose to reach a more neutral standing point. Pieces of DNA from each of my lovers was artificially given to a single fetus which grew inside me. The process had made a fast paced birth, and the child's growth was a little faster than most but the effect has officially warn off by now."​

​

Finally reaching into her pocket she pulled out a small holo-imagry device. She threw it to the ground in-between all of them. From it a large light appeared before display a number of pictures., and one or two live videos. They depicted a girl from as young as child birth all the way to her teen years. It was clear someone was photoing and recording this but none of the imagery showed it was on Effekt, meaning it wasn't NImue. The girl herself had brown hair and in many depictions had jedi robes. However towards her teen years up to now she had taken a more radical approach to her appearance. The most recent picture had her looking like a rebellious punk-rock Gothic girl with hair cut short and dyed black and red while wearing a crimson jacket.​

​

"Everyone....this is your daughter. Morgana."​

 

[Aithne Charr]

[member="Nimue Stormson"] [member="Asterion"] [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Solan couldn't stop himself, the moment he saw the picture and then heard the name he looked at Nimue and... laughed. He was smiling, glad, laughing as he at first though that this was a joke. "Ok Nimue, funny. Who told you i met the kid and shes the niece of Taeli Rae, so i love the whole joke and i am sorry for what happened to you but you really need to get it over with everyone before you try to joke like this." He continued to laugh for a few moments before realizing she wasn't laughing, none of them were. Taking another moment his eyes returned to the picture and then to Morgana before blinking. Then he place his hand on his forehead and sat back. "No wonder that flower felt familiar to her and she felt familiar to me..."

He was still glad, and he had no reason not to be. The girl was a bright one and while this was a bit much to take in all together he did smile and laugh to himself about it. "Obviously not enough of my genes though Nimue, barely even tried to hit on someone. Tsk tsk." He was glad for that fact as well... he already worried about what his full biological daughter would do, much less what a mixture of those in this room would do. She wasn't a stiff though like the Jedi so that was a plus. So he sat there, smiling and watching the others as it registered for them. Meanwhile he would have to recount the visit of Morgana to Kesh to Nimue later, tell her that her daughter shared her strength... maybe not as much skill yet.

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Asterion watched Nimue talk, and then she gradually placed each puzzle piece down before them and it made up the pictures projected by the recording. Youth; laughter; family. His arms dropping to his side, Asterion looked at Nimue with great confusion and then back to the girl in the images. She was nothing but what he’d expect from a young girl growing up - not that he knew what that would be, because it seemed her upbringing greatly opposed his.

As she confirmed the now obvious, the Knight couldn’t say anything as he was drowning in the thousand other questions and thoughts and feelings in his head. He felt betrayed, hurt and angry. His training on Effekt years before with Nimue had given her the chance to secrete nothing more than what she had gleamed from him during combat sessions. Her deception was greater than he imagined, and all the more now she had sugar-coated his feelings to drop this bomb shell.

What did he know about fatherhood? About bringing up a child? He never had a family to do that for him, and now she played God to decide his DNA would be used for another? The images looped before them all, and through steely eyes he noted each of the other “donors” – just who were they? Sexual partners each having a turn at one point with the Empress to bolster their own place in society, or rejects from dunk social gatherings where she had failed to keep her legs closed.

Asterion wanted them gone – he had serious questions to ask, or he’d take them apart in the process. The Force was bubbling inside him and he refused to release the Force Rage that would do nothing but show him volatile. There would be a time and place for that release. Fingers clenched into fists and he simply started at Morgana’s imagery, and then covertly at Mummy.

[member="Solan Charr"] | [member="Nimue Stormson"] | [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] | [member="Jericho"]