Private Ascendance

[Xian Xiao]

Resting her hand on the shoulder of the boy while he babbled at her, Xian nodded and smiled. He was too young to make any sense to her, but she certainly pretended she did. When the exchange finished, she stood up to talk to Caelan again. She wore a half smile as she listened to him.

"If you think about it, though, if they hadn't abandoned me, I don't think we would be standing here talking."

That smile faded as she thought about the reason she was here. While she hadn't known Anavi, she was here to express her condolences and serve as a representative for the Diarchy. She thought she had succeeded at both, but some doubt crossed her mind.

"You're right, it doesn't. Before joining the Diarchy, I spent a couple of years on Castell. That's what I spent the first part of my life until my parents died. I have no idea what has happened to any of the Jedi orders. Just that I gave up on them. I don't mind you're one, though."

After she demonstrated her skills with the elements, he asked where she had learned them.

"No, I've been able to do things since I was a child, actually. It helped keep me and some others alive when our orphanage was destroyed on Coruscant. I do it naturally. Do you have any special skills?"

Instead of discussing the attack or her reason for being there, the conversation turned personal. Some of her wanted this to happen, and another wanted her to run. Her choice was clear, and she remained with Caelan. Who knows what would come of this encounter? Time would tell.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

She had a point.

The way things worked out, if they hadn't done so, they wouldn't have met. But what did that mean? Was there a reason for their meeting that he hadn't yet deduced? More than likely. There was always a reason for the meetings they encountered in their lives, even if they didn't know what they were. Perhaps, there was more to the timing of their meeting than he knew? He did know enough that she hadn't planned it. It had been obvious from her demeanor and the way she acted towards him and the kids. She'd been genuinely surprised by the attack earlier, as well. She certainly had no part in it.

"The Force always has a way of getting what it wants," he said, reaching a hand down to ruffle Kastiel's hair.

When the boy got old enough to be able to fuss back about it, he certainly would. For now, he didn't even really know what his father was doing.

"Sorry to hear about your orphanage."

He could, actually, imagine what that was like. Probably wasn't all that different from when he'd lost his parents and his home. It was a shame the Jedi had let her down. He would make sure that didn't happen again. He reached his hand over, after ruffling Kastiel's hair, and placed it on her shoulder to show trust between them and to give a squeeze of reassurance. Perhaps she would understand his understanding.

When she asked about his abilities, he nodded and created a barrier off to the side of them. No ordinary one, though. This one was made out of pure lightside energy. Vibrant, bright.

"I've always been gifted at creating barriers. A fellow Jedi taught me how to harness the light itself to cleanse darkness and I combined that with my barriers to create this. It's saved my life more than once."

He let the barrier linger for a bit and then it dissipated.

"I wish it could save more lives."

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

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

Listening to Caelan talk about how the Force always had a way of getting what it wanted, she wondered what it wanted from her today. Most of the time, it wasn't much, but once in a while, the price was high, and Xian wasn't looking forward to collecting any debt from her today.

Watching the father's actions with his son, Xian realized he would do whatever it took to keep them safe. She was thankful he'd also included her in his barrier earlier. Not only had it kept them safe, but also a handful of his people. Then he had chosen her to accompany him. Among everything that had happened, it felt like he saw her as a flame and that light shouldn't fade away.

Where had that come from? The young woman didn't know, but it gave her a touch of clarity on this clouded day. When he mentioned his sympathy for the orphanage, she shrugged.

"I think the landscape of Coruscant changes every few years as different governments invade and take over. I'm happy to be away from there. Less danger, and I have the freedom to follow my dream now. To train and learn at my own pace and not worry about taking care of other orphans. Somebody needed to do it, and as I grew up, it fell on me. I did what I could. I was then discovered by the Silver Jedi and taken away from that planet."

Falling silent, it was clear she still harbored some harsh thoughts about Jedi as a whole. He was different, though, and she was getting to know him on a personal level. Not as a master, but as a friend, and perhaps more. Certainly not yet an equal, but she liked that thought.

Turning her attention to the side when he nodded in that direction, she smiled as she was impressed.

"That's a great skill to have and saved our lives. Thank you."

Returning to face him, that smile lingered, and for once, she liked the feeling of his hand on her shoulder. What was happening to her? She didn't want to think too deeply at the moment and just enjoyed the gentle sensation she was feeling.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

"It does," he agreed. "Which is unfortunate for the people who live there, becoming subject to the constant change of leadership, some of which rules them in a manner that leaves people worse off than others."

Most notably he did not say which governments did which. He did not believe the Alliance had been doing a good job of things. His run in with the girl named Line had shown him that firsthand, as had his own time spent in the lower levels of Coruscant. As always, it seemed the majority of the Alliances work had been focused on making the rich richer instead of helping the poor that needed it the most. Perhaps that was why they had failed to stop the Galactic Empire from taking the core. Despotism. Bloat. Bureaucracy. He didn't like it at all.

She complimented his skill and he nodded. It was useful in saving life. His own several times, hers, several others as well.

"It has come in very handy over the years. I wouldn't be here without the skill."

Serenya began to stir in his arms and he glanced down at her. She was probably going to want to eat soon, especially with everything she had been through that day. It left him in a bit of a situation because he honestly needed to go and take care of her and Kastiel, which meant parting ways with Xian.

"I need to go and take care of my children. They're going to need much of my attention. If you wish, with what has happened, you may use an empty room inside of the manse instead of leaving immediately. It might be better to leave in the morning when things are calmer."

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

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

Once she had returned to Castell, Xian had left the world of politics, Jedi, and Sith behind. She had focused on earning her living at the diner and learning to live independently. It wasn't a life she'd return to unless she had no choice. However, the experiences she'd had made her into the woman she was turning into. As she thought about it, there wasn't anything she would change.

At least, he agreed with her, even if she didn't know why. His life was his own, and they hadn't shared anything mutual. He was even of a different Jedi Order than she had been. That didn't matter to her, and she was doing her best to keep that in mind.

"I wonder what it would be like to fight at your side. With your barrier and my elements...I bet we could be formidable partners."

Maybe her life with the Diarchy was rubbing off on her.

"I'd like to learn it if you can teach me. I'm not sure if I can teach bending like I do. That's what I've taken to calling it."

Looking at Serenya as she started stirring again, she wanted to touch her but resisted the urge.

I understand and would like that. It'll give me the chance to rest as well. It's been a long day for all of us. Thank you, your highness. You know, I don't even know your name. I gave you mine."

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

When she mentioned fighting together, he frowned just slightly. Not because what she said was wrong, but because he didn't relish the idea of fighting.

"Though I know many ways to fight, and have fought many times, I always prefer to strive for peace rather than combat. I honestly hope we would never have to fight together."

Then she asked about learning the barriers. That was something he was willing to teach to anyone who wanted to learn. It was important to him that he teach anyone who wanted how to defend themselves. That was what it meant to be who and what he was. If she was capable of utilizing the Force then he saw no reason she wouldn't be capable of learning to utilize the barriers.

"I would be glad to teach you to use the barriers at some point. Perhaps when everything has calmed down, though."

When she mentioned that she would stay, he nodded his head and then motioned for her to follow him before bending down to pick up Kastiel. Carrying both children wasn't hard, even though Kastiel was squirmy. He'd lead Xian out of the medical rooms and through the halls of the manse until they reached the living quarters on the upper floor. There were many rooms. Some were obviously unavailable as they were locked, chiefly his own room, which the kids were also in, and that of his sister Kita, but there were many rooms available.

"Go ahead and choose a room. You can speak with one of the staff to bring you something to eat if you wish. I'm going to spend the rest of the evening with my children."

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

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

"I haven't actually seen battle or fought in anything more than a wargame. It was a training exercise for the Diarchy, and it pitted us against each other."

She didn't think she had learned very much, but she kept that to herself. Listening to what he said, a part of her agreed. A slightly distant look crossed her face that lasted a few seconds. Shaking her head, her focus returned, and she listened to his answer about teaching her the barrier.

"At some point, when things have calmed down, I'll take you up on that offer. I wonder if I could throw in some of my elemental skill..."

Her voice trailed off as she considered avenues of using a barrier as an offensive skill. Then his initial words penetrated her thoughts. He didn't want them to fight together. It caused her to focus on something new and different. Not just the room he offered her, but a hint at a future. One thing the girl had never expected.

Following him in silence, instead of the firecracker she would have been usually, a calmer and more mature woman was coming out. This was not anything she planned and was a natural part of growing up. Some people never succeeded at moving past being bratty, but Xian would. Given a direction to go, perhaps Caelan would give her that.

"Thank you, your highness."

Returning to the choice of a room, she picked one of the open doors and didn't give any of the others a second glance. Curiosity wasn't something she was fostering this night.

"I hope you and your children sleep well."

Giving him a shy yet genuine smile, she closed the door and looked out the window at the view it offered.

Caelan Valoren