Private Ascendance

[Xian Xiao]

To test Xian and allow her some responsibility when they sent her to represent the Diarchy at a funeral for some distant noblewoman. It was an unfortunate part of life that the girl had learned about quite early in hers. With the death of her parents, she had been orphaned and lived on Coruscant for the first 13 years of her life. After that, she had joined the Silver Jedi only to leave them after a few years. When she was 18, Diarch Rellik had found her and offered her a new life, the one she was currently living.

He had taken her in, given her training, and now it was time for her to put that to the test. It would take her a few days to get there, but the viewing and funeral wouldn't happen right away. Her time would be spent in study, about the man who so recently became a widower, his people, and his world. Most of all, she wanted to learn how to present herself to him.

As it was a time of mourning, she didn't pack to show off. Instead, she was being respectful of the Diarchy, herself, and the people she was going to be visiting. This wasn't a vacation, but something far more political. A way to get her name and face known, along with the government she belonged to, more than they already were.

The navicomputer beeped, and her shuttle came out of hyperspace. The automated piloting got them into the queue to get a space on the planet. With all sorts of visitors arriving, she was quickly granted permission, and a landing spot was assigned to her. It took maybe an hour, and she was walking out of the spaceport not long after.

In a way, she was a visiting dignitary, and she silently smiled at that thought. Far from royalty or nobility, she was going to be brushing elbows with them soon. To expedite visitors, a shuttle was waiting to take some of them directly to the Royal Manse, where the body of Queen Anavi Valoren was lying in state before her burial.

Xian had no connection to this woman, so she didn't feel a great deal of sadness. However, she did feel something for the children she left behind. Much like her, they would not have a mother to raise them. Joining the line of people here to view the queen, she looked in front of her as the line progressed through the atrium.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

He wished it were him lying there. Then he'd wished that it all would end. Then he wished it had never began.

It was hard to think about everything that had come to pass without losing his mind to it. Anavi was gone. He'd loved her ever since they were children together, childhood friends from different worlds. They'd married at the request of her father, and because Caelan had wanted to protect her from being married off to someone who simply wanted to abuse her. It hadn't happened as either of them wanted. She'd never loved him the way he did her. She never would have. Now she couldn't.

He wished they would stop coming to see her. But he knew a lot of people had loved her. She was a popular queen, always good to the people of the Kingdom. He had no doubt that everyone in the kingdom, and many from without, would come through at some point in time. It meant he was forced to stand there, dressed in solemn black, holding onto Kastiel and Serenya as people came by to offer condolences. He usually offered a quiet thanks, but never really looked anyone in the eye as they spoke. It was too much.

Every so often someone would come to take Kastiel for a while, or to supply a bottle for Serenya, or take her for a change. She was so young, though, that she was little trouble, sleeping most of the time and very relaxed in his arms. He couldn't give her up very much. She was the last bit of Anavi he had, her last gift to him. It wasn't her fault, what had happened, and she deserved to be loved the same as he brother, and he would do that.

Fate hovered near his feet, keeping track of everyone that came and went so thank you notes could be issued at a later time.

"Bweep bwoo-dweep beep bloop-boop bwoo-bwoop dweep bwee-dweet."

Caelan shifted his eyes downward when Fate spoke. A representative from the Diarchy? The only time he'd ever had any dealings with them, at least that he recalled, was when he'd run into one of the Diarchs, Reign, while on a mission when he was much younger. Surely they hadn't sent someone just because of that? He lifted his gaze and scanned the crowd, but didn't recognize anyone in it outside of the few locals he saw regularly. Who was it that had come? It wasn't Reign. He'd have recognized him.

But since he didn't recognize anyone, he, for the moment, went back to his usual responses to people, allowing his gaze to once more cloud over as loss gripped his heart again.

---

ATTIRE: see image | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

Lying some flowers with the rest of the gathered bouquets, Xian didn't know how so many could be kept in one place. Examples ranged from a single bud to very extravagant ones. The one the girl placed was something simple and small. It might not be much, but it was what Xian had selected to represent her and the Diarchy. It was wrapped in a gold and black ribbon and rested on top of the pile for now.

She continued down the line and the path in front of her. Standing closer to the king now, she could get a better look at him. The distant look on his face was one of pure sorrow and duty. He didn't want to be here, and she could see that easily. What kept him here was duty, and she respected that. In a way, it was what brought her to his world.

His age surprised her. Even though he was distressed, he was about her age. Somehow, she didn't feel he wanted the sympathy people were offering. More than anything, it looked like he needed a hug. Of course, she wasn't going to do that here, but she did feel like giving him one.

The young children were well behaved, and she felt more sympathy for them. At least, they would have a father, and that brought a small smile to her face. It didn't quite reach her eyes. Turning her attention back to the man, the kind father, she was finally in front of them.

Bowing at him, she wasn't sure how to react, so she went with what felt natural to her.

"Your highness. I am Xian Xiao from the Diarchy. You have our condolences and sympathy in your time of grief. If there is anything I can do for you while I am here, let me know.

"The children are lovely and handsome."

If the situation were different, she might have added more, but she held her tongue in check.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

He wasn't interested in conversation. Not with the majority of those that seemed to want it. People from the village, even some distant family members that he'd never actually met before. The latter he really had no interest in talking to. Them choosing to only introduce themselves in a moment of tragedy actually angered him, and in that particular moment he had trouble controlling that anger. A part of him wanted to lash out at them for being distant just because they lived outside of the Kingdom. Even his maternal grandparents received this treatment, though he did take note of the fact that something felt really familiar about them.

It wasn't too terribly long before he found himself looking at a young, redheaded Atrisian woman. This was surprising. Equally so was the revelation that she was there as a representative of the Diarchy. No small part of him wished that Reign had come himself so they could converse again. That would take his mind off of things in a good way. Instead, he'd apparently sent a subordinate. Perhaps he was too busy?

"Thank you," he said, looking into her eyes. "I appreciate the Diarc-"

He suddenly cut off because a really bad feeling washed over him. With little hesitation, he pulled Xian and as many as were near him close, and wrapped them in a protective bubble of the Force.

Just as he did so, an explosion ripped through the royal manse, originating from someone in the crowd of people. Caelan crouched down to protect his children as debris flew, pinging off the barrier. The sound of it had both Kastiel and Serenya screaming, which was echoed by the screams of people around them. Amongst the debris were bodies, people ripped apart by the explosion, the bomber likely among them. Others, the injured, screamed in pain AND terror at the whole situation. Caelan, at that moment, could only think of his kids, which he hugged close, the barrier remaining active in case it wasn't yet over.

ATTIRE: See Image | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

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[Xian Xiao]

So far, her trip and visit to Lazerian had been uneventful. That quickly changed as the king took hold of her after she spoke. Thankfully, he did, as there was an explosion nearby. Close enough that if he hadn't thought of taking action, they might not be cowering under his protection bubble. The realization that he saved her life came to her first, and then the second was that he could use the Force.

Her ears were ringing, but she didn't cry out. Maybe she had let out a eep, but she didn't panic.

"Are you and your children okay, your highness?"

The two young ones were crying loudly, so Xian could tell they were alive but terrified. Inside the bubble, nobody had been hurt, but outside of it was another matter.

The teen was not a peacekeeper or diplomat, but she tried to calm those in the bubble around her. Until such a time that Caelan could help his people. Standing next to the noble, she might try to touch his shoulder. To give him what little support she could.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

The screaming continued. People raced in from other rooms. The entry to the manse was blocked by guards, everyone outside turned away. Other personal had raced towards him and the children, but were obstructed by the barrier that remained around them. Some shouted at him, asking something or other, but he couldn't hear them over the sounds inside of his own head, and the cries of his children.

Everything was wrong. First he lost Anavi. Now they had come back for him. He'd always known they were still out there. The people who had killed his parents still existed as an organization. Worse, the mysterious force behind it, the ones that had hired that organization, were still out there. Until they were stopped, until something was done to bring them to justice, they would undoubtedly continue to come after him and his children. It was these thoughts that caused him the most grief. The same thoughts running through his mind as Xian placed a hand upon his shoulder, immediately invoking thoughts of Anavi doing something similar.

"Why now?" he asked, though his words weren't directed to her.

Why couldn't they have waited? Why target him when there were so many others present to be injured and killed? Why? WHY!

The barrier dropped and attendants rushed in. Nurses were quick to check him and the children before checking the others. He reluctantly allowed them to take Kastiel and Serenya to have them checked more thoroughly. It was possible their ears, young and less developed, had received damage from the blast despite the barrier, and that needed checked. He hated to see them go, but he knew it needed to be that way. The doctors didn't need him in the way.

He looked up, eyes falling on Xian among the few he had protected.

"I'm sorry you were caught in this."

ATTIRE: See image Above | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

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[Xian Xiao]

While the medics ran back and forth between their king, his children, and his people, Xian remained at his side. Perhaps she should have helped the population, but she felt he needed the support more. He was about her age, and the two of them, as young as they were, could support each other. For now, she would try to be his beacon of strength until he didn't need her for that.

He had spoken a question before lowering the barrier, but Xian could tell it hadn't been directed at her. The lot he had drawn in his life hadn't been a good one, but he was still better off than she ever could be. Their eyes met as he looked up at her, and she held a hand out to help him up if he wanted.

"I don't have an answer for you, but I can guess why. No need to apologize to me, your highness. You did not cause this, and I think whoever brought this...is no longer with us."

Taking a moment to glance behind her, the security were working on getting the living removed from the immediate area. Those who were wounded were tended to by additional medics, leaving the two of them alone for now.

"What can I do to help?"

The situation forced the girl to act like the adult she might become, and she stepped into those shoes gracefully.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

She didn’t think he needed to apologize, but he did. He’d known something like this was possible, but he’d done nothing to plan for it. Nothing. He shouldn’t have held the open mourning session. They were still out there and he knew it, but he still allowed people into his home, where his children were, which allowed them to take another chance at getting them. He’d acted like everything was normal in his life and people had paid the price for it. On top of that, a foreign dignitary had been put at risk by his complacency! It could have started a war if she’d been killed. The Diarchy could blame it on the Alliance and use that as justification to invade, putting the Alliance into a three pronged war which they would be very hard pressed to handle. All because he was a fool.

He took a deep breath and looked around, taking in the carnage. People were helping, but there was a lot of death around them as well. She was likely right that those responsible were gone, but it didn’t make it any better. They were probably someone expendable, or someone blackmailed into doing it. It didn’t matter. They’d done it. People had died. People he cared about among them. His people.

He needed out, and he couldn’t leave her there.

Instead of speaking, he reached for her hand, took hold of it, and pulled her to follow him. He would lead her out of the main hall, away from the chaos, and through the manse to the medical suites where his children were being looked over to make sure they were alright. He brought her inside, because he knew that if she was near him, he could keep her from being harmed if there was another attack, which would help avoid an incident between the Alliance and the Diarchy. That was ultimately his reason for dragging her along with him. The act of holding her hand reminded him of the comfort he’d received from Anavi, but he would never have that comfort again.

Both of the children seemed alright. Nurses were holding them while doctors examined. Serenya had calmed down and was back to sleep, while Kastiel kept trying to grab the doctors stethoscope.

“Should be safer here,” he said, releasing her hand as he walked over to pick up Serenya from the nurse that was holding her. “What did you say your name was again?”

He looked at Xian, focusing his attention on her while holding his daughter.

“Sorry, I think I blocked it out with what happened…”

ATTIRE: See First Post| WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

Perhaps Xian should focus on trying to be more empathic and understanding. It might help her understand Caelan and what he was going through. There wasn't any way for her to do that at the moment, but she could still try to be a support for the king.

She didn't know what thoughts were going through his mind, and she wouldn't unless he gave voice to them. Nothing in her life could have prepared her for the responsibility this man had on his shoulders. So when the viewing was held as it was, she didn't think it had been poorly planned. To her, this would have been normal. Not that she had been to many funerals.

He took her hand and pulled her to follow him. Following in his steps, he guided them out of the vestibule and deeper into the manse. It was grander than almost any place she had ever been inside, but right now, she wasn't looking at where she was. Instead, she was focusing on the young man leading her.

Looking at her hand when he let go of it, the warmth faded quickly, and she looked at him holding his youngest child. Raising her hand to hover just under her chin, she rubbed at the dress she was wearing until he turned his attention to her. Lowering it, she took one step closer to him and looked at his face.

Seeing the signs of stress and sorrow, she also saw his strength—the fortitude to make it through this tough time and come out stronger than he had been. Giving him a slight nod and friendly smile, it wasn't anything significant, but enough to lift the corners of her mouth.

"Xian Xiao, your majesty. You don't need my sympathy, though. I asked what I could do to help before you brought us here. So, what can I do for you?"

Speaking with some confidence, she fell silent and breathed in through her nose. If it had been proper to do so, she would have closed the distance and hugged him. It wasn't, and she remained in her spot. However, she didn't keep the feeling hidden and if he tried to read her through the Force, then he would know what she was thinking.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

Xian Xiao. Sounded Atrisian. Was she from Atrisia originally? They had their own form of royalty there, which meant she could be a part of a royal family, but he didn't recognize her name. But the Diarchy had picked her to come pay respects to his late wife. That alone made her of import, as the Diarchy was a galactic superpower. He had an obligation, no matter how he looked at it, to treat her with respect lest something terrible be caused between the Alliance, of which his world was apart, and the Diarchy.

"I'm sorry, Xian, that you came here to pay your respects and were nearly killed in the process," he said, even though she'd told him not to be sorry. "I should have known they would pick now to try again. A moment of foolish weakness on my part."

It wasn't something he would allow to happen again. Individuals would be welcome to visit him at the manse, but they would have to enter after being screened and searched. No longer would he allow his children to be put in harms way, or anyone else that worked for him in the manse. If they wanted to get to him, they were going to have to work a lot harder from then on out.

He also needed to figure out more of who THEY were.

"I appreciate the Diarchy sending someone. I have not seen Reign since that time I ran into him on Sepan 8. I wish we'd gotten to finish our conversation, but I also thing I was a bit- foolhardy at the time. I was set on calling him a Sith, but I don't believe he is one. Youthful brashness, I guess."

He nodded to her.

"Are you a direct associate of his? Did he send you?"

ATTIRE: See Opening Post | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​