Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

A Queen in Common.

Since her initial return, Veiere Arenais had not spoken to any of the remaining officials nor the former chiefs of staff that had assisted [member="Lady Kay"] in running things down on Commenor. He had pursued her, had somehow convinced her to release the captives that he might escort them safely out of the sector of space, that they might go without charge for her change of methods and with that, he had excluded himself from any continued fallout that day. Commenor however, had not seen the last of him and neither had Kay. The two had spent some time since discussing on the odd occasion her new found power and the price she had paid in being 'trained' in the Darkside of the Force. The road was paved, yet long and slow...-As if stepping on egg shells in most if not all new interactions with her, Veiere was struggling with his own affections, trying to separate his emotions from the scenario whilst doing his best to assist her without forcing or dictating what she herself wanted...

When it came to the people, to Chasin City, he was a tolerated presence in the eyes of the military. Rumor had spread among the officials that he still remained in the area though none had witnessed him take action against them or against the laws of the world. Many knew his face, his former position alongside Kay as an advisor and more officially a former bodyguard and this earned him some grace yet not enough to save him from the assumptions and distasteful whispers of the local people for his loss of position and lack of incarceration. Many had taken to Kay's announcement with cheer, they had been ecstatic to hear of her return and failed to understand the darkness behind her. For the sake of rioting, this was a gift in itself yet as Veiere had sought to deter her and saved these so called 'traitors' from persecution, many looked at him speaking whispers of treason. How he detested politics...-He had always disliked the game Kay played, despite the world having needed it for its betterment and the safety of the people, the honesty of politicians was scarce when distracted with credits and promises of greater things.

He had been called back to Chasin City, most unexpectedly and not by Kay but by another he had met briefly before. [member="Darben Skirae"], one of Kay Larr's Ministers though Veiere couldn't rightly recall which branch he had been in charge of. Was it security? Such things escaped him in these days, his concerns with such a meeting looked to the potential ambush from other personnel hoping to rid Kay of what they probably assumed was a spy. Nothing of the sort, their Queen knew well yet others...-Jedi were often looked at with fear and a lack of understanding, yet one such as he, who had delved into the government of Commenor and come out the other side an outcast; he had the marvelous fortune of being ignored at most every turn. This was exactly why he preferred to live up in the hills, the estate that Kay had given him long ago and managed to keep off of the books.

Wandering through one of the main streets of the marketing district, he rather missed that comfortable sanctuary away from such hate.
 
Darben Skirae had called for [member="Veiere Arenais"], for one reason. He was afraid. Ever since he had been locked in that 'cell', he was afraid it would happen again. He still couldn't wrap his head around the whole incident, and he had recalled that everyone who had been held prisoner were given a chance to leave the planet. Darben had not. He had a life here, and he would not give that up for the world. Mute was more and more like family. Like a niece, or a daughter, or perhaps just someone under his care. He had a store to keep open as well. It was a life long dream to open one. So he had decided to remain instead, with a steady job. It had been some time since then, and yet it still came up if he made the right decision.

And yet, he still was in fear. Darben wanted a full explanation on what exactly had happened. His understanding of the force did not help his attempts at trying to understand. Veiere had been her bodyguard, from his knowledge of things back the way they once were. Kay he barely knew, but perhaps Veiere did. Darben didn't even know she had the force, but he knew she had changed.

Darben had organised to meet in the marketing district. It was close enough to his store. The possibility of being followed never came to mind, for he never thought it was that bad of a situation. The merchant looked through the crowd, his beard having grown rather unkempt, and his hair shaggy like usual. He wore his usual attire, and had left mute at the shop. She was better off there then anywhere else.
 
Truthfully, Veiere didn't have much in the way of news on current events. Aside from the initial incident, he had lost contact with all of the others and so too been informed by Kay herself that her lightsaber was missing, presumed to be in the hands of one of her former associates. The former Jedi had to wonder if that associate might not be [member="Darben Skirae"], that would've been a foul guess but to his knowledge or lack there of, it could've been any one of them.

Veiere hadn't grown comfortable with civilian attire yet, even though he had once again stepped away from his former calling to pursue his own path. His strength and dedication had been taken from him, the weight of the galaxy burdening his mind so much so that the comfortable and quiet walls of the Academy on Voss appeared to be more show than reality compared to the real fight happening outside. He had always wanted to teach others, to train students and find that bond again; having never had children of his own, seeing a youth excel with the tools you're able to give them, to set them on the right path towards helping others, it was the closest thing most Jedi came to finding that sense of fulfillment or purpose. Still, he walked the market grounds dressed in his typical tan Jedi tunic, his brown robe draping around his boots with every step that he took within the street.

He recognized Darben rather quickly, though didn't seem to recall the presence of anxiety so blatant in the man the last time they had run into each other. "It's been some time..." Veiere spoke up as he approached the man from the back, finding him in the street, crowded and with little sign of those following or eavesdropping on their conversation, Veiere drew his hood back to expose his face to the cool air, his features seemingly worn and showing his age more and more often these days with all the stress that the new world was taking on them; "I do hope you're not taking a risk here in contacting me, Minister...". They had both worked for the same woman, had their hearts set on serving her and the rest of the Commenori people with dignity and respect, yet they too had both seen the way any who had spoken up in argument, had been incarcerated and nearly left to be persecuted. Darben was among the numbers of captives that Veiere had given a chance to evacuate, with Kay's blessing...-Or rather, her resignation in the choice at the time.
 
Darben kept his eyes along the heads of the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man he meant to meet with. A voice behind him made him jump momentarily, and he turned quickly to then feel his shoulders relax as he calmed down immediately. "Indeed it has" he replied as [member="Veiere Arenais"] pulled back his hood. The words sent a chill down Skirae's spine, and then he began to worry. Truthfully he did not think he was risking anything. But Mute and his shop came to mind again. Had he put them in danger, just by coming here? "I certainly hope not..." He let the words hang there for a moment.

He gestured to move from their current position, if Veiere was comfortable with seating arrangements. Although, Darben guessed he didn't want to be out in the open, but that was only an assumption due to the hood. His right handed started shaking, as did his right leg. "I asked you here, because I want to know." He quickly checked if anyone was nearby. This would no doubt be something to discuss openly, about the situation of others being locked away. "What happened? Why did it all happen? The arrests, Kay's return. i never noticed it at first, but she's changed. She's more....well, there's just something different about her."
 
Veiere accepted the invitation and moved to take a seat alongside [member="Darben Skirae"], his eyes moving to the market street as he watched the locals going about their business, purchasing and selling goods to make ends meet by the end of the day. The anxiety that Veiere could feel around Darben was soon proven and where he raised questions, Veiere understood perfectly as to why. Much of what happened to Kay had been a mystery even to him, yet to those not of practice within the Force, the evidence was even thinner. Grasping at assumptions, yet not having the 6th sense within the force to feel the change in Kay Larr's character of self, Veiere nodded in understanding and waited for the closer few to pass by and put distance between the locals and their discussion now.

"[member="Lady Kay"] was taken into captivity; those months she was gone, she had been abducted by a member of the Sith Empire..." It might have sounded hard to believe, given the Sith Empire or rather the One Sith had all but been driven into exile, yet Veiere's knowledge of their new Order coming to power was null and void, save for his recent encounter with [member="Tirdarius"], the Sith Lord of whom offered nothing in the way of their secrets. "They tortured and broke her...-Her mind has suffered and the life she knew before is no longer one she remembers..." He turned to look back at Darben trying to gauge how the minister of security might handle such extreme and sensitive information. "Kay is not a bad person...-But neither is she the woman we knew before. She knows so little of her former associates and this was why she sent out the warrant for your arrest and many others. She was trying to figure out who remained loyal to her and the people of Commenor under her new regime...".

Kay hadn't gone the best way about keeping her friends, though considering the hurt, the confusion in her mind and the man pulling her strings so to speak, Veiere struggled to blame her. "That you remained on world and haven't been persecuted gives me confidence...-I have been meeting with her privately, trying to fill in the missing pieces and discovering more about this new mentor of hers. Darth Prazutis...".
 
Darben leaned forward, all ears attentive to [member="Veiere Arenais"]. The Sith Empire rang some bells. he heard the title tossed around. But he wondered why someone like that would want Kay. For all he knew, she had no enemies back then. Of course he forget to add in that every leader had some kind of enemy. But more pieces came into play. He held his breath as Veiere spoke of her having been tortured. Sure, he had changed. But by torture? He could not think of why someone would do such a thing, and he did not wish to dwell on that any longer. It sent shivers down his spine. "She was...tortured." That explained how she was changed. But he also knew Veiere was right. She was a good person, and surely there was still some of her in there. That was all he wanted to hear.

But there was more. Not only had she been tortured, but she had a mentor. Some named Darth Prazutis. He assumed this was the one who tortured her, and both of his legs shook as if there was an earthquake. "Is he the one who...did he change her?" He dared not say the word 'torture' again as it already scared him. If it were true, that meant he must have still been about. It made him wonder if her mentor had her do all of this, or if part of it was her own doing out of her own confusion. "The others, they are all far away and safe?"
 
"I've not had contact with the others since the day of [member="Lady Kay"]'s return..." Veiere admitted, his gaze drawing away from [member="Darben Skirae"] and instead looked back to the locals, though his eyes distant, he seemed to be staring off into his own recollections now. "There was another of the Silver Jedi Order with us, [member=Ryn'Dhal] ...-Last time I saw him, he was locked in combat with [member="Darth Prazutis"], I've heard nothing from him since. [member="Ghorua the Shark"] held similar intentions I believe however, they both sought to rescue Kay through conflict with the Sith; a path that I did not agree with nor did I intend to follow. My decision to remain neutral and to avoid violence, I fear may have inspired their distrust of me...-My goal that day was to ensure Kay's safety and upon learning of those captive such as yourself, do what I could for those unable to help themselves...". He had done no fighting that day, though Kay's friends, his allies intended to do so themselves. He still hadn't decided what that made him in their eyes, a coward or perhaps even a traitor yet he followed the Jedi Path back then, wanted to blood shed where it could be avoided.

"Kay and I had grown quite close over the several years before all of this..." He explained, glancing back to Darben slightly. Their relationship hadn't been common knowledge though there were always the odd whispers within the royal palace; "She did not remember my name aside from what was officially documented. She knew I served alongside her as a former bodyguard and having allowed me to speak with her, realized I might be able to help her find her old self once more...-That's what I've been trying to do in the days since. I've kept it a close secret outside of Kay Larr and myself. The Sith cannot know, least Kay be endangered any further...-But you, I trust you...-And you still work within the ministry; meaning you can keep an eye out for her sake where I cannot...". It was an impromptu decision yet it made sense. Reaching to the pouch upon his left belt side, he drew his datapad and ejected a small datachip from within; turning to hand it to Darben whilst elaborating on its contents. "Should the need every arise, you may find my residence upon the mountain overlooking this City. Kay and her security team are aware of this place so it's best to keep your head down unless the need is dire...-Still, my Comm-Frequency is also attached, in case you'd rather not risk being seen in public like this...".

"Trust me when I say my loyalty to the Commenori People and most emphatically, the Madame President has not wavered in the slightest".
 
As it turned out, a lot more than Darben had expected had in fact happened. A fight had happened, a rescue had been planned. And [member="Veiere Arenais"] had not had any contact with the others since then. So for all they knew, they could be on the other side of the galaxy, which Darben supposed was a good thing. That calmed him somewhat, knowing they were at least safe, or so he assumed. Who knew what was happening out there. He sure didn't.

One brow arched up as Veiere continued. He had never noticed anything. And then he felt rather sad that Lady Kay had not even remembered her bodyguards name. Then Darben was hopeful. Skirae nodded. He would be absolutely sure to do so, to keep an eye on things. "Anything to help. Even though I barely knew her, I saw her as a friend." No one had approached them or looked suspicious, so he assumed that going out in public was rather fine. "I think I should be okay. And I believe you. Never thought otherwise."
 
Veiere nodded, he was thankful that there remained someone on Kay's staff that genuinely cared about her well-being, "I appreciate your loyalty" He smiled, speaking plainly; "I hope one day she will remember enough of the past to recognize it. If you're ever in trouble and she's in a position to help you, speak quietly and mention my name...-It may help". It wasn't a great deal to go on though between he and Kay, things seemed to be heading in a much brighter direction. Hearing that something might happen to [member="Darben Skirae"] would have been incredibly discouraging, the more good people that they had within Commenor to help stare things back to the way they used to be, in Veiere's mind, it was the better for the peoples interests, as well as Kay's own.

"What can you tell me about the direction this new government regime of hers is taking. The change in alliances, who are Commenor's allies now that the Sith have interfered...-Are things stable or do I need to be prepared for some sort of conflict affecting things on the ground here. The last thing Kay needs is a war on her doorstep when she's at her most vulnerable...".
 
Darben Skirae gave a quick bob of his head. Although despite how nervous he had been about things, all this understanding made him feel safer. He didn't think he would need to do that. Unless the Sith thought something suspicious of him. Then he would need to worry. He just hoped that day would never come. "I'll keep that in mind...Thanks." Darben wasn't exactly sure what he said that for, the advice, or for [member="Veiere Arenais"] coming to meet him at all. He decided to go with both of those. Plus, it made Darben feel safer, as well as it making him feel as if he might be able to do some more good. And if it helped Lady Kay, Mute and himself, as well as Commenor, than he would help.

"There was a meeting with the Trade Federation..." He paused for a moment, trying to recall the meeting. "In fact, I recall something Kay said...Yes, she said something about others trying to dethrone her?" He spoke the last word as if he was unsure by whom these were seeking this. "And there was talk of Mandalore, but she didn't seemed too worried. Besides that, I've mostly been cooped up in my store, or office."
 
Veiere nodded gingerly, his eyes squinting somewhat as he peered across the crowd, looking at no one in particular yet lost to his thoughts as they roamed over their conversation. "Trade Federation is a new one I've not known about, I can't say I know much about their current dealings though their kind always were rather shady...", those of the Federation however weren't the only ones, "Keep an eye out for the Hutt Cartel too...-[member="Thraxis"] acted as a friend per say, back when she returned with Darth Prazutis but I've little confidence in his good will for her or Commenor...-He's too unpredictable to trust, if he's to go near Kay, she's to be guarded at all times...". Frankly, above all else, he was more worried about the Sith and the Dark Side that seemed to hang over the royal grounds. It hadn't escaped Veiere, the possibility that Prazutis might simply be playing a long term hand looking for an end game to eventually use Commenor towards whatever cause the Sith still fought for. Whatever that consisted of nowadays was beyond his knowing, though it wasn't the first time that a Sith played their cards closed to hand.

"Get in touch with me, should you see any others looking like Kay's new friend did..." He of course meant the Sith Lord who had taken her in the beginning only to return with her into the public light, "She's had contact recently with another of them too. Ambushed us during a private meeting so they're well aware by now that I'm still hanging around. Sooner or later, they'll go looking for answers, least Kay no longer holds strategic value for their kind...-And watch out for yourself too, don't try to fight these people if it comes to that...-I was trained well and if I'm needed, I'll make the most of what I've been taught for the good of Commenor...-Kay, especially.".

[member="Darben Skirae"]
 
Darben Skirae had not heard of them either, not until the meeting with the Nemoidian. They didn't seem like a problem, just another trade relationship for Commenor. However he did know about Nemoidians being shady in the past, he could swear it was even part of their nature. They were good traders, however. The name 'Hutt Cartel' caught his attention. Not a group anyone would want to mess with on their own. "Hutt Cartel?" Sith, Hutts. Who knew who else Kay had odd relations with. "That's not a lovable bunch, I bet."

"Okay. Keep an eye out for anyone looking Sithy. Right." He had no idea what 'Sithy' would look like exactly, but he would try. If they had a lightsaber, he would definitely call that in. "Wait, there's another?" he asked, his hands tensing up on the table before them. That was just great. Despite [member="Veiere Arenais"] warning about fighting them, he started to think that might be just what he needed to train for, just in case anything did come to take them on. "Perhaps I should return now, I might be able to get some research on any other relations she has had." He started to stand to head off, giving a nod to Veiere.
 
Veiere offered a brief smile, nodding as [member="Darben Skirae"] sought to make his leave. It was understandable, the man didn't seem too experienced in dealing with the sorts of people that Veiere had spoken of. He wasn't a Jedi yet a man with integrity, Veiere hoped that Darben wouldn't go digging himself into any holes that he couldn't find a way to climb out of. Between him and Kay, it seemed like trouble was destined to find them eventually yet Veiere had to hold a hope that things weren't going to end up being as bad as he expected. At least with the Dominion behind him, any opposition to Commenor would be met with extreme prejudice, not from the army here on Commenor but by the force that would build up from the north to rally against any who would seek to degrade the solitary trade world.

"Be safe, Darben" Veiere called to him as he too rose to his feet and turned to make tracks back the way that he had come. He'd given the man much to think about, yet to know that Kay would be carefully watched over made the risk worth while. Here in Chasin City, the presence of the former Jedi Knight wasn't among the most popular of sights and so he picked up the pace if only to avoid the patrols that roamed the streets trying to keep the peace about them. If only they understood Veiere's position in all things, one day they would come to understand and on that day, he hoped that his reputation around Commenor didn't rise with the flames of war.
 
"The same to you, Veiere." The meeting had calmed some thoughts of his, despite raising awareness on other matters. But he knew that with [member="Veiere Arenais"], he was sure they were all in good hands. "Good luck." He hoped he himself would be safe, and that he would dig a hol too deep and step into it, only to dig into this to not only inform Veiere, but also satiate his curiosity in all of this. He moved off, headed for the palace to begin this research of his.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top Bottom