And lost without deserving...

[Gir Quee]

Gir looked at the menu at [member="Arabella Darkhold"]'s mention of the tea. Gir drank a fair amount of tea himself, but it was mainly stim tea or Calamarian C-tea. Neither seemed to taste particularly good to him, no matter how much sugar he added to it. But the liquids did their job in keeping him alert on long shifts on the deck of a starship. Drinking tea for pure enjoyment would be a new experience. His lips slowly curled upwards in a muted smile.

"I will trust your judgement and have the same then," said Gir, "I'm afraid that I'm a little used to more pedestrian teas."

Gir considered her second question carefully.

"I have adopted family back on Hast," said Gir, "and some distant relatives who I've met a handful of times. My parents disappeared while travelling on a starship when I was almost a teenager. No-one seems to have known to what happened to their ship, but they don't call the area around my homeworld Wild Space for nothing, I suppose. Perhaps one day I will find out what happened to them."

That too had been a project that Gir had been interested in, but there never seemed to be the right time to run off into space in search of them and their ship. Just when the galaxy seemed to be headed for peace, or even into a period of stable conflict, the chaos and tide of war always seemed to churn, dragging him back into things far bigger than himself. Conflicts that he felt that he could not ignore without feeling guilty. He briefly glanced downward before looking back up at her.

"But that will probably mean having to go through the old house on Hast, looking for clues as to where they were headed."

Gir gestured at the offworlder man he had seen earlier, "Do you know that man sitting over there by counter, by chance?"

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Bella tried not to giggle as she watched his face, was it that he wasn't sure about drinking the tea? "You will not be sorry I promise, this is a popular tea and you will kill the flavor of the tea itself if you muddy it with sugar, or some put milk, which I have never understood"

She placed the order, and then proceeded to make herself comfortable.

"that must be a terrible thing, not knowing." For her it was a terrible thing, she imagined that anyone would find the not knowing to make this hole in a life that while it could be overlooked or covered it was always there.

She did a lot of things like many of the women in her family, she jumped without looking. "I would help you. That is if you allow me to do so." He mentioned looking through a house, she could really help there she could listen to see if there were voices in the house, she could touch an object and see where it had been, or who touched it last their thoughts. If it was strong enough.

She didn't say all of this, she just let him know she would help, if he wanted it.

Arabella turned her head looking towards the table of the man [member="Gir Quee"] wished to know about. Arabella smiled at the table of men. Usually they were all so friendly, accommodating but today that one man looked at her and then turned away again.

She looked back at Gir, "I've seen him here before, his says his name is Manou. He tells beautiful stories but he's acting oddly. He has never turned away like that before." Her smile faded away as she looked towards Manou again this time concern written on her face. He did not look up.

She looked to Gir again, "Does he resemble the man you are looking for?" Maybe she could get the man she knew as Manou to tell them a story.

 

[Gir Quee]

Help? Gir briefly thought about it. He had considered hiring a private investigator, maybe a famed scout, or even utilizing institutional resources to find his parents. But he had never considered going through the home with someone else aside from the two caretaker droids he had bought to preserve it. That might be therapeutic in its own way...but she speaks like she may have some special skill set when it comes to that...That piqued his interest. If nothing else, that's an excuse to see her again later on.

"I would like that," decided the blonde man, "if you can escape your obligations here. I'm certain I can make the search worth your time..."

He listened intently to [member="Arabella Darkhold"] talk about the man.

Manou. Where have I heard that name before? He briefly closed his eyes as he tried to recall that memory. We were visiting on a spaceport at Chasin City. Wasn't that the name of a local legend? Then it hit him. Chasin City is on Commenor. Cassius is from Commenor...a pseudonym or cover identity perhaps? I suppose it could even just be a nickname he likes, I suppose...if that is him. But he tells crazy stories? Then again, genius frequently seems to be tied with eccentricity...

"It could be," said Gir, "his appearance is a little bit different from the holo I have of him. But I suppose our appearance tends to change with the passing of time. Do you think we could approach him?"

A brief smile flickered across his face, "After our tea arrives, of course."

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Her obligations here yes she could leave them for a time, she had done so before with little reprisal. She nodded, "I am able to do so with a day or two of planning. Izumi who runs the house hold needs instruction and the House Guards need only be briefed." To her it was simple tell them what to do until she got back. Worth her time? A helpful nature does not think about what is worth their time, she would help because it pleased her to do so, and it would help him perhaps gain a closure that she herself was denied.

But she knew the time was approaching when she wouldn't be coming back, while this was home, she was still changing and that change would make her a target, and untrustworthy to those that currently ran the government on Atrisia.

"Yes we can approach him, he really does tell great stories and I'm certain he would share one for a meal." that was another reason some gathered her, espiecally the story tellers. The reward for their time, and entertainment. Their tea arrived a steaming pot, and a strainer to make tea.

Bella picked up the ball opening it and scooped some tea into it, then placing it first in [member="Gir Quee"]'s cup holding it be the length of chain she slowly poured the hot water till it was three quarters full. She waited until the water turned the dark caramel color, and then she moved the strainer to her own cup and repeated the process.

She completed her tea process and sat back, she had over the years practiced the tea ceremony for her father's guests. This process was nothing like it, but it brought the ceremony to mind.

She sat quietly now blowing on her tea softly.

"Do you enjoy traveling?" She was ready to find out more about this man across from her if he would share such details. She was no threat, she just didn't now how to project that yet.

 

[Gir Quee]

Gir observed [member="Arabella Darkhold"] pour the tea with a measure of curiosity as someone was uninitiated to the ritual of pouring tea; most of his had come from the autochef or an almost nameless ensign or droid onboard a starship. Reaching back into his memory, the last time he had steeped tea had been when he was a bluewater sailor on Hast. But that was an exceedingly casual affair with the company of fellow blue-collar workers. His eyes watched the warm brown color slowly diffuse out of the bag to encompass the contents of the entire cup. How times change. Gir gingerly grasped the cup and slowly brought it towards its lips. He could feel the intense heat radiate out of the cup before his skin even touched the vessel. After a quick glance at its rising steam, Gir set the cup down just as she asked him about traveling.

"I find myself traveling more often than not..." started Gir.

That was probably an understatement. In the last decade Gir had probably spent more time living in a starship than he had on actual land. Sometimes he regretted that. He wistuflly thought that there was probably a certain serenity that came with the ability to simply walk out and be surrounded by nothing but blue skies, the wind, the sun, plants, and the rest of nature. Perhaps that's why dad bought an island to put our house on...It's almost the exact opposite of the starship travel that we've both spent our lives doing. The thought of that home brought with it the gentle of the tides, the scent of sea water, and the feel of moist, warm sand underneath his bare feet. Tempting. It also belatedly brought back reminders of the villa that he started construction on nearby the old family home. As idyllic as the location was, and as much as he cherished the memories that his dad's bungalow brought to him, he could not see himself making it his permanent home or retreat. With his positions, it was a bit too modest and small to host or entertain his social circle. Some would probably think that the humble home was even beneath him. But he had no desire to scrap the old house or somehow hide it away from them either. Perhaps he could use it as a part guest-house, part memorial to his family? He hadn't decided its fate yet. It would have to wait until after his current project was complete.

"...and while space travel has a certain appeal to it, sometimes it becomes mundane. It's nice to see and explore the plethora of different worlds, cultures, and people that the galaxy has to offer, but I find that it can be dangerously tedious and confining in a way, particularly during the long voyages. What about yourself? Have you done any traveling?"

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Bella looked over her cup at her companion he seemed genuine, and interested. She wondered though how much did he really like tea. She smiled.

It had been a time since she had shared cup with someone other than Izumi. "I have traveled very little, once to Nar Shaddaa, another time to Alderaan but mostly just here." She took a careful sip of her tea.

She considered her words, "Traveling should only be a means to accomplish something like looking for a friend, family or even a vacation from the every day. I have often thought of those who work in space, the navies that patrol how boring it must become to see the same thing all the time, and yet how sad that the wonder of space can be reduced to worlds like tedious. Please do not misunderstand, I can see easily how it becomes tiresome, perhaps even tedious." It was the battles that bothered her most send ships out not all ships came home.

She took another sip of her tea, "I have days where I would change places with the weary travelers, but then to miss this" she waved looking at the hut. "Even in this place there is much too see and learn, the gardens, the night sky, the hint of flowers that come on every wisp of breeze, that I cannot imagine being bound to space for too long"

She sipped her tea some more. She had to be careful or she would grow melancholy thinking on these thoughts too long. "But I do long to be somewhere else, even someone else" she whispered so softly she wasn't sure who would hear.

"Do you enjoy what you do?"

She wanted to know for her own curiosity.

[member="Gir Quee"]

 

[Gir Quee]

Gir involuntarily shuddered at [member="Arabella Darkhold"]'s mention of Nar Shaddaa. Yet the mention of that moon made him more curious about her. I wonder what she was doing in a place like that...Thinking back on it though, Gir realized that he too had visited some questionable spots, mostly for his job, such as Atrisia. Back in his Academy days, he would have scoffed at the thought of voluntarily visiting a world under the One Sith's rule. But here he was now.

"That seems like quite a difference in worlds," said Gir, "going from one of the proverbial armpits of the galaxy to one of the worlds well-known for its cultural grace and eloquence..."

He considered her words after that carefully. Did he really enjoy what he did? On the surface, it seemed like a simple enough question, but looking it deeper, he was not as sure. The Gir at age twenty had set him on a course that he had continued on without a whole lot of thought. Sure, he had thought occasionally what life would be like if he hadn't joined the Republic military, but he didn't miss what he never knew. Perhaps when he would have to mull that question over some on the flight back to Hast. He gingerly took another taste of the tea before setting it down. Do I enjoy what I do...at a gut level? He made the slightest shrug.

"I'm not sure if I would use the word enjoy so much as I would use the word satisfied. I'm pretty satisfied with what I do..."

He abruptly halted his words for a noticeable moment, almost going into a spiel about his service in the Republic. That would probably not be the brightest idea that he'd ever come up with.

"...I always travel with a purpose, as mundane and impersonal as it may be sometimes...but I know that my work and that of my crew positively affects the lives of hundreds, maybe even thousands of lives. The galaxy is so vast yet interconnected these days that my work is essential to the galaxy as we know it. By transporting a renowned doctor from Rudrig, his medical team, and supplies to a backwater world in the Outer Rim suffering from a disease, I facilitated process that saves hundreds of lives. That's probably an extreme example, but you can catch my drift about it. What about you? Have you enjoyed your life so far?"

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Strange how everyone did seem to ask her that question she looked across at [member="Gir Quee"] her cobalt blue eyes perhaps not as bright as they had once been, "I" She paused she was being honest not only with him but herself. She thought about her response.

"Yes and no." She smiled still working through her discomfort not from him asking the question but because of her answer. "I love my father's house and it's history. But I think I've gotten lost in it, that the things I've done have been to aide the house, and its people." She took another sip of tea, "But for myself I feel" there was that pause again as she thought, "unfulfilled horribly empty"

Sith some led the lives they felt destined to lead, others forged their out, she had merely taken on a mantle that was empty earning it only by her name. There had to be more, right?

It was like that when she met the Silvers Connor and Audren her life was not her own it belonged to everyone but her. "You are fortunate in all that you have done has been so altruistic and beneficial to others." She took another draw on her tea.

She did not know how to leave, she did not know how to let go of her fear that she would fail, or have her father return and call her a failure.

She smiled so as to not give her thoughts away, even as the concern showed in her eyes. "Most of what I have done only in the end has benefited my house" she couldn't say herself.

 

[Gir Quee]

Gir slowly nodded as [member="Arabella Darkhold"] talked. He felt that she was harboring some regret about her life, yet if Gir was honest about himself, he too had regrets. Several of them bubbled up to the surface of his thoughts as he took a sip of the tea. He began to contemplate a bit more. Most of us have regrets...that's a natural result of our own introspection as we look back at the past, thinking about how things could have been, or what we could have done ourselves. I suppose on a higher level of thinking, regret is the result of disagreement of what should be, what can be, and what is. If you can get all of those to line up, one has a certain congruence that feels just...right? Easier said than done, of course...He gently set down the cup of tea on the table.

"I often wondered if we're wired with a certain evolutionary sense of dissatisfaction in our lives," said Gir, "some sort of survival instinct that tells us that's something is wrong, and it needs to be fixed. And the more we fix things, the better things would become...the more likely we are to survive. But I suppose that only works up to a certain level. Once we have all the basics to live, it doesn't seem to help with our overall sense of happiness..."

He took another brief sip.

"I suppose most of us do things to benefit ourselves and those that we love...but I guess the harder part is finding a way to do that and feel satisfied with yourself."

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

"Can you imagine that we have a gene called the, "imustsuffer" gene before we can feel any sense of accomplishment in what we do." She took another drink she loved the tea, "I hope not cause, I want to feel better about it all soon, rather than later."

"I understand what you are saying,just because we didn't cure the galaxy doesn't mean what we did wasn't good, or helpful." Did it need to be? "maybe if we make little changes that lead to a place where we are at peace with ourselves then the things we do are just a benefit of the change" She looked at him, "What do you think of that?"

How many roads had he traveled to get here, how many times had he looked in a mirror to see his own reflection and wonder was it enough today.

She hoped that what she was thinking would help her in the end, and she could look in the mirror and not face that particular question again.

[member="Gir Quee"]

 

[Gir Quee]

"I think change, at least on a personal level, tends to be gradual rather than dramatic," said the blonde, briefly taking pause to savor his tea, "but individual experiences probably vary. There are so many other factors in one's life to consider, especially across all of the species and cultures spread across our galaxy and beyond."

Gir was not exactly a professional philosopher nor a jedi sage of any sort, yet he found himself frequently in deep thought when traveling and working around a variety of peoples and cultures. They often weren't in the best of positions. Yet whether they were jedi, Galactic Alliance marines, Republic troopers, Directorate soldiers, or native warriors, he found similarities in some of their personalities and mindsets, though individually most of them were very different. But would what he had learned apply to someone who grew up on a Sith-held world?

"But at the same time, I think that there are some general guidelines...perhaps principles is a better word, that people can follow. I'm not speaking of strict dogma, mind you, but rather general truths that people have found and perfected the hard way. But perhaps the nature of the beast is that such lessons stick with us and best understood by learning them the hard way...how does that phrase go? The worse experiences teach us the most valuable lessons?"

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Gradual change, yes she would agree with that she had changed slowly and over time through many encounters and long thought driven nights. "Yes there are many things to consider, like culture, and family." She knew in her heart that she was not a Sith, never really had been. She had been more Jedi than anything else, even if it was a dark one.

"There is another that I think alludes to what you are saying Experience is the best teacher. " Yes she had learned much from experience, and somehow this conversation with a stranger was finally settling her mind and bringing her to the decision that she had long put off. It was time to leave the Sith if she were ever to remain true to herself, to what she had grown into believing. She had to take that first step.

"Yes it seems the worst thing that happens, the memory lingers the longest and we do our absolute best to not repeat what was done before." She smiled lifting her cup, her cobalt blue eyes clearer than before as if the decision itself had lifted a great burden from her.

She felt lighter, her heart did not feel so heavy. Perhaps now she could make the move from this Sith owned world and go somewhere else.

"Shall I ask for a story for us?" She looked back to the man she knew he wanted to check out.

[member="Gir Quee"]

 

[Gir Quee]

Gir nodded in affirmation at [member="Arabella Darkhold"]'s suggestion. In a brief flash of introspection, it seemed unusual to him to have conversed with her like that. It wasn't that he didn't have such conversations on occasion with people like Admiral Reshmar or Lod, but he could only recall a few people in his lifetime including Arabella in which he had revealed his thoughts so freely and quickly. Perhaps that's the nature of being involved in a political career..that's something I don't have to worry about so much these days...but perhaps we just naturally connect with some people better than others. Those thoughts made him wonder about the story-teller. His eyes flickered from the storyteller back to the Arabella.

"Is there anything I should know about him before we meet?"

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="Gir Quee"]

"just speak plainly with him, listen while he talks, and know that you get more bugs with sugar than salt" She smiled at Gir "I think if you just act like yourself you'll be fine." She turned, "Manou if I buy you dinner will you come tell me a story. I've had a very long week and you always tell me things that help me believe in the goodness of the galaxy"

The old man with his tired eyes looked towards Bella, "Laedy Bella, you honor me." He looked a bit nervous at Gir would he come or would he excuse himself. He got up slowly it was now that he would make his decision. Bella smiled, "Manou, my friend is new and I've done nothing but rave about your stories. Please don't deny me"

If he had wanted to leave to deny the Lady of Hyogo in front of all those present, he would lose face with them. "Of course my lady, dinner is welcome. Any story?"

Bella ordered dinner for all of them family style she sat waiting bright eyed at what he would tell them tonight.

 

[Gir Quee]

Laedy? Perhaps an archaic term for lady? Gir blinked. I guess I should have seen that coming given how she's mentioned her house...but it appears that she has more influence here than I would have thought...He turned his thoughts back to Mannou, who apparently seemed nervous about Gir's presence.

That is curious.

Is there something about my appearance? Or perhaps it's something connected to being associated with her? I suppose the cause is irrelevant since the impression is already made. But perhaps I can help reverse that...The ma briefly made eye contact with Mannou before stretching out his hand towards the man for a handshake.

"I am Gir Antillies, a visiting merchant ship captain."

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Manou sat with them quietly pondering what story to tell, he knew the kind that Bella enjoyed but perhaps with a stranger, there was something else to teach. He cleared his throat as additional tea, and food arrived for them to enjoy.

He began his story in a voice that drew others to listen. The teahouse grew very silent, “Long, long ago, when all the animals could talk, there lived in the province of Inaba on Atrisia, a little white hare. His home was on the island of Oki, and just across the sea was the mainland of Inaba.

Now the hare wanted very much to cross over to Inaba. Day after day he would go out and sit on the shore and look longingly over the water in the direction of Inaba, and day after day he hoped to find some way of getting across.

One day as usual, the hare was standing on the beach, looking towards the mainland across the water, when he saw a great crocodile swimming near the island.

“This is very lucky!” thought the hare. “Now I shall be able to get my wish. I will ask the crocodile to carry me across the sea!”

But he was doubtful whether the crocodile would consent to do what wanted. So he thought instead of asking a favor he would try to get what he wanted by a trick.

So with a loud voice he called to the crocodile, and said:
“Oh, Mr. Crocodile, isn’t it a lovely day?”

The crocodile, who had come out all by itself that day to enjoy the bright sunshine, was just beginning to feel a bit lonely when the hare’s cheerful greeting broke the silence. The crocodile swam nearer the shore, very pleased to hear some one speak.

“I wonder who it was that spoke to me just now! Was it you, Mr. Hare? You must be very lonely all by yourself!”
“Oh, no, I am not at all lonely,” said the hare, “but as it was such a fine day I came out here to enjoy myself. Won’t you stop and play with me a little while?”

The crocodile came out of the sea and sat on the shore, and the two played together for some time. Then the hare said:
“Mr. Crocodile, you live in the sea and I live on this island, and we do not often meet, so I know very little about you. Tell me, do you think the number of your company is greater than mine?”

“Of course, there are more crocodiles than hares,” answered the crocodile. “Can you not see that for yourself? You live on this small island, while I live in the sea, which spreads through all parts of the world, so if I call together all the crocodiles who dwell in the sea you hares will be as nothing compared to us!” The crocodile was very conceited.

The hare, who meant to play a trick on the crocodile, said:
“Do you think it possible for you to call up enough crocodiles to form a line from this island across the sea to Inaba?”

The crocodile thought for a moment and then answered:
“Of course, it is possible.”

“Then do try,” said the artful hare, “and I will count the number from here!”

The crocodile, who was very simple-minded, and who hadn’t the least idea that the hare intended to play a trick on him, agreed to do what the hare asked, and said:
“Wait a little while I go back into the sea and call my company together!”

The crocodile plunged into the sea and was gone for some time. The hare, meanwhile, waited patiently on the shore. At last the crocodile appeared, bringing with him a large number of other crocodiles.

“Look, Mr. Hare!” said the crocodile, “it is nothing for my friends to form a line between here and Inaba. There are enough crocodiles to stretch from here even as far as China or India. Did you ever see so many crocodiles?”

Then the whole company of crocodiles arranged themselves in the water so as to form a bridge between the Island of Oki and the mainland of Inaba. When the hare saw the bridge of crocodiles, he said:
“How splendid! I did not believe this was possible. Now let me count you all! To do this, however, with your permission, I must walk over on your backs to the other side, so please be so good as not to move, or else I shall fall into the sea and be drowned!”

So the hare hopped off the island on to the strange bridge of crocodiles, counting as he jumped from one crocodile’s back to the other:
“Please keep quite still, or I shall not be able to count. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine—”

Thus the cunning hare walked right across to the mainland of Inaba. Not content with getting his wish, he began to jeer at the crocodiles instead of thanking them, and said, as he leapt off the last one’s back:
“Oh! you stupid crocodiles, now I have done with you!”

And he was just about to run away as fast as he could. But he did not escape so easily, for so soon as the crocodiles understood that this was a trick played upon them by the hare so as to enable him to cross the sea, and that the hare was now laughing at them for their stupidity, they became furiously angry and made up their minds to take revenge. So some of them ran after the hare and caught him. Then they all surrounded the poop little animal and pulled out all his fur.

He cried out loudly and entreated them to spare him, but with each tuft of fur they pulled out they said:

“Serve you right!”

When the crocodiles had pulled out the last bit of fur, they threw the poor hare on the beach, and all swam away laughing at what they had done.

The hare was now in a pitiful plight, all his beautiful white fur had been pulled out, and his bare little body was quivering with pain and bleeding all over. He could hardly move, and all he could do was to lie on the beach quite helpless and weep over the misfortune that had befallen him. Notwithstanding that it was his own fault that had brought all this misery and suffering upon the white hare of Inaba, any one seeing the poor little creature could not help feeling sorry for him in his sad condition, for the crocodiles had been very cruel in their revenge.

Just at this time a number of men, who looked like King’s sons, happened to pass by, and seeing the hare lying on the beach crying, stopped and asked what was the matter.

The hare lifted up his head from between his paws, and answered them, saying:

“I had a fight with some crocodiles, but I was beaten, and they pulled out all my fur and left me to suffer here—that is why I am crying.”

Now one of these young men had a bad and spiteful disposition. But he feigned kindness, and said to the hare:
“I feel very sorry for you. If you will only try it, I know of a remedy which will cure your sore body. Go and bathe yourself in the sea, and then come and sit in the wind. This will make your fur grow again, and you will be just as you were before.”

Then all the young men passed on. The hare was very pleased, thinking that he had found a cure. He went and bathed in the sea and then came out and sat where the wind could blow upon him.

But as the wind blew and dried him, his skin became drawn and hardened, and the salt increased the pain so much that he rolled on the sand in his agony and cried aloud.

Just then another King’s son passed by, carrying a great bag on his back. He saw the hare, and stopped and asked why he was crying so loudly.

But the poor hare, remembering that he had been deceived by one very like the man who now spoke to him, did not answer, but continued to cry.

But this man had a kind heart, and looked at the hare very pityingly, and said:
“You poor thing! I see that your fur is all pulled out and that your skin is quite bare. Who can have treated you so cruelly?”

When the hare heard these kind words he felt very grateful to the man, and encouraged by his gentle manner the hare told him all that had befallen him. The little animal hid nothing from his friend, but told him frankly how he had played a trick on the crocodiles and how he had come across the bridge they had made, thinking that he wished to count their number: how he had jeered at them for their stupidity, and then how the crocodiles had revenged themselves on him. Then he went on to say how he had been deceived by a party of men who looked very like his kind friend: and the hare ended his long tale of woe by begging the man to give him some medicine that would cure him and make his fur grow again.

When the hare had finished his story, the man was full of pity towards him, and said:
“I am very sorry for all you have suffered, but remember, it was only the consequence of the deceit you practiced on the crocodiles.”

“I know,” answered the sorrowful hare, “but I have repented and made up my mind never to use deceit again, so I beg you to show me how I may cure my sore body and make the fur grow again.”

“Then I will tell you of a good remedy,” said the man. “First go and bathe well in that pond over there and try to wash all the salt from your body. Then pick some of those kaba flowers that are growing near the edge of the water, spread them on the ground and roll yourself on them. If you do this the pollen will cause your fur to grow again, and you will be quite well in a little while.”

Kaba flowers can translate to birch or bulrushes. Because this story speaks of kaba being by the edge of the water, it is most likely referring to bulrushes, cattails. Also, our hare could not pluck flowers from a birch tree even if he jumped.

The hare was very glad to be told what to do, so kindly. He crawled to the pond pointed out to him, bathed well in it, and then picked the kaba flowers growing near the water, and rolled himself on them.

To his amazement, even while he was doing this, he saw his nice white fur growing again, the pain ceased, and he felt just as he had done before all his misfortunes.

The hare was overjoyed at his quick recovery, and went hopping joyfully towards the young man who had so helped him, and kneeling down at his feet, said:
“I cannot express my thanks for all you have done for me! It is my earnest wish to do something for you in return. Please tell me who you are?”

“I am no King’s son as you think me. I am a fairy, and my name is Okuni-nushi-no-Mikoto,” answered the man, “and those beings who passed here before me are my brothers. They have heard of a beautiful Princess called Yakami who lives in this province of Inaba, and they are on their way to find her and to ask her to marry one of them. But on this expedition I am only an attendant, so I am walking behind them with this great big bag on my back.”

The hare humbled himself before this great fairy Okuni-nushi-no-Mikoto, whom many in that part of the land worshiped as a god.

“Oh, I did not know that you were Okuni-nushi-no-Mikoto. How kind you have been to me! It is impossible to believe that that unkind fellow who sent me to bathe in the sea is one of your brothers. I am quite sure that the Princess, whom your brothers have gone to seek, will refuse to be the bride of any of them, and will prefer you for your goodness of heart. I am quite sure that you will win her heart without intending to do so, and she will ask to be your bride.”

Okuni-nushi-no-Mikoto took no notice of what the hare said, but bidding the little animal goodby, went on his way quickly and soon overtook his brothers. He found them just entering the Princess’s gate.

Just as the hare had said, the Princess could not be persuaded to become the bride of any of the brothers, but when she looked at the kind brother’s face she went straight up to him and said:

“To you I give myself,” and so they were married.

Manou then smiled, taking the last dumpling from the tray. “it is a story of justice Laedy Bella” He looked over at Gir, “For the actions we take inevitably have reactions”

Bella nodded, “I love stories” She reached for a cup of tea, and then looked over the cup to Gir.
Manou often thought of himself as the little hare, having made decisions that had attached great cost. Was Manou the one once known as Cassio?

[SIZE=14pt][member="Gir Quee"][/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]

Spoiler

story taken from Japanese mythology, The Little White Hare

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[Gir Quee]

Gir listened to Mantou intently. The concept of a story could be almost anything, from fanciful imaginations of things that could be, to things that happened in the past. But Gir often found symbolic stories, whether relatively simple parables to national or religious epics, to be deeply layered and mysterious. Yet perhaps paradoxically, in their complexities and the thought put into them, they revealed much about their creator, if the listener could interpret it. But interpreting was the tricky part, and not something Gir could easily do without knowing the person or culture behind it.

Gir briefly spared a sweeping glance down Mannou's body towards their table as he neared the end of his tale. Part of it was simple natural human habit, but part of it was more deliberate. One could learn some things about a person based on their physical details. The simplest was general health, whether by their body frame or the features of their face, a task often perfected by medical workers and intelligence operatives. But even many a layman knew that bloodshot eyes could mean a sleepless night. Clothing and accessories could reveal occupation, culture, wealth, or any combination of the three. From what Gir could see of Mannou, he seemed to be a man in transition. Yet he would have to inquire more directly to be sure of both that status and his identity. He briefly made eye contact with [member="Arabella Darkhold"] as she handed him a cup of tea.

"Thank you Laedy Bella," said Gir, taking a brief sip of tea before turning his attention to Mannou, "is that an original story of your's, or does it come from somewhere?"

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Manou took a sip of his tea, "it is a story from Atrisia, one that I find having particular meaning." His eyes old with age looked at [member="Gir Quee"] and then drifted to Bella. She being a gentle creature smiled at him.

"Atrisia has a rich history of such stories. Many planets across the galaxy have such tales. They help teach lessons, morals, and sometimes instill fear to keep children in their beds at night. I know there were some that made me stay there"

Manou smiled at Bella again, "House Togashi is richer than it knows by your presence"

Bella nodded, "Manou my friend here, Gir he is looking for someone. I know that you know a great many people because you're so popular. He's looking for an engineer named Cassius, an off worlder most likely. Do you know anyone?"

Manou looked into his cup the dark tea hid the bottom, "there are many engineers on Atrisia, there may be one who use to be called Cassius. But what does your friend Antilles-san" Manou's gaze looked at Gir, "wish of the man?"

Bella had a feeling there was a game being played, and she was not certain why. She drank her tea but followed the conversation carefully.

 

[Gir Quee]

Gir turned his eyes briefly from Mannou to [member="Arabella Darkhold"] and back again. He's cryptic...I wonder if that's an inherent personality trait of his, or something he adapted to survive here...He had heard that life under the One Sith, especially if the Inquisition was present, had wrought changes in the people and their culture. He's probably pretty wary, and rightfully so. Being upfront will probably set his mind at ease at most, and might help me gain his trust.

"I'm looking to offer him an engineering job dealing with molecular reconstruction with corporation based in Wild Space, Hast to be exact," said Gir, "It's a beautiful and tranquil world of islands and oceans that's far removed the recent galactic conflicts that have rocked the galaxy. I have more details to offer, but I think it would best if I discussed them with the man himself."

He watched the other man carefully as he spoke, trying to gauge the man's thoughts about what he had revealed so far.

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Bella appreciated that [member="Gir Quee"] had been honest with Manou. She wanted to be a help in this, she put her hand onto the top of Manou's. Her cobalt blue eyes rested on him.

"So Cassius has the opportunity to leave Atrisia, to be away from the struggles" She looked at Gir, "if you know him Manou, and if Cassius wishes to take this offer, he could meet Antilles-san tonight at his ship."
She pat his hand gently and then withdrew it, "and no one else would know"

Manou looked at Bella, "House Togashi has new armor yes?"

Bella nodded yes.

"House Togashi has its household accounts in order to pay those who maintain it, yes?"

Bella nodded yes again, "I don't understand"

Manou this time put his hand on hers, "Maybe Antilles-san can take you too from here with your family gone, and your House taken care of. You could go and have a life."

Bella half smiled, "He is looking for Cassius, and this is his opportunity. I will have others." All this said in whispers. She had known for a time that he looked after her, perhaps the reason he told such stories for her. Or perhaps he wanted her to have a father figure to look to, neither knew.

Bella pulled back, "Would that be ok Gir? That if Manou knows Cassius that they meet you later." It would save face and honor among the Atrisians.