Private Bookclub

[NPC Treasury]

Kay's time in Purgatory was made all the better when Ambrose Cadera was there with her. He was in the form of a female named Hilda to better protect her reputation given that she was married at the time. And it was enjoyable. Not only did he protect her from some of the other inmates, but he shared her love of mystery novels. Every day they read together, pouring through the pages, at times leaving them to sleep on a cliffhanger. It gave them something to look forward to in the day.

But that was a few years ago. Much had happened since then, and none of it good. With the war between the Jedi and the Mandalorians that tore her family apart, to her capture by the Eternal Empire and the torture that came along with it, the trauma had left her scarred.

And just as she was starting to be on the mend from that, the sudden death of Veiere and the breaking of their Force Bond dealt her with another blow. Telling their children wasn't easy, yet the two handled it better than she had expected. And maybe it brought them a little closer together too.

But still she was having a tough time. So Kay decided to reach out in the hopes of being able to reconnect with her former cellmate and dear friend:

Ambrose,

I hope that you are doing well. Lori told me about the recent battles on Mandalore. I am on Altiria and was unable to help. But I do plan on donating credits and teas to help in the recovery effort.

I do miss our book reading though. I could use some of that right now. I'm not sure if you've heard, but Veiere was slain by Prazutis. I'm not...really taking it too well. If you have any new books, could you bring them please?

~Kay.

 

[Ambrose Cadera]

Whatever any in the galaxy could say, I am uneasy. Yes, consumed in word of the pause of Mandalore, more so I worry over the two women in my life. NPC Treasury Larr and my niece Yasha. Yasha recuperated with Alexandra Feanor and Noah Corek in Alderaan's forests. Kay was farther away. Mentally and physically, it seemed his friend Kay continued shifting ever farther and I missed it.

I let my worry over the once-Infernal consume any forward look at the outside world. Rather than sending a letter in return, I packed a shuttle with books and supplies, and left Alderaan.

Nothing but a single message in return: "I'm coming."

The flight to Altiria had me pouring through new books, seeking out the novels which might give the best distraction to my once-cell mate. Somehow prison was easy. Protect Kay, pretend to be Hilda, wait for rescue. Novels kept our minds together, a safe haven in the dangers of the prison. I let the droid pilot take the shuttle down to the surface, bag of books around my lupine neck.

What better way to see Kay, than as the gigantic wolf-like gurlanin, a glorified protective pet and friend? There I trot, up to her door with a bag of books and treats around my neck.

 

[NPC Treasury]

Ambrose Cadera was on his way. That brought her a huge sense of relief. No doubt he was on his way as soon as possible, yet Kay had no idea of where his location was. Regardless she'd be keeping an ear out.

Still his arrival was sooner than expected. Kay heard the claws of his padded paws on her porch. It was hard to miss given how quiet her shoppe was. She dusted off some of the flour from her apron before and tucked some stray hairs behind her ear before navigating around the counter to the door.

Ambrose was a sight for sore eyes as she opened the door, wrapping her arms around his furry neck. "Thank you for coming. And so quickly too. Here, let me take your things." She took the bag from his neck and led him into the shoppe. It was empty, but cozy with a fire. The smells of a variety of teas and baked goods hung in the air. "Can I get you anything?"

 

[Ambrose Cadera]

The flight would have had me pacing if I were in a larger shuttle. Instead, the moment I could be out it was a bound which took me to NPC Treasury Larr ’s door. A porch in front of the shop. The scents in the air remind me of ingredients unfamiliar to my carnivorous palette. That, and the ever present scents of tea which are in my senses, ubiquitous to Kay.

“Of course, Kay. All you needed do was ask.” The bag was heavy around my neck, stuffed full of books and comforts from more Mandalorian reaches. My muzzle presses into her shoulder, a growlish purr burbled out of my throat. Trotting in a circle, I flop in front of the fire and set my head on forepaws.

“Nothing but some company. Kay, what happened? Yasha's care has taken the vast majority of my time, I regret to not have my eyes cast out on the greater Galaxy.”

 

[NPC Treasury]

Kay set the bag down, not yet delving into it's contents. Instead she joined Ambrose Cadera at the fire, sharing the floor with him as she nestled herself against his side. Her right hand dove into the fur of his shoulders which were courser than the rest, spreading her fingers so that the fur sprouted between them.

"I'm sorry for pulling you away. I won't keep you here long. Nothing bad has happened here for the most part. I've been more or less left alone. But after my capture by the Eternal Empire, I had suffered a lot of trauma. I lost sense of what was real and what wasn't. Veiere tried to get me to go to Kashyyyk with him, yet I was afraid that it'd just be attacked and that I'd be safer here. So I stayed. And now he's gone forever. The kids are busy with their own lives." She sighed as she gestured to the shoppe. "This is all that I have now and for the most part it keeps me out of trouble. It's a far cry from estates, palaces and monarchies, isn't it?"

 

[Ambrose Cadera]

“It’s alright, Yasha is cared for and protected. You have me for as long as you need. Besides, Noah Corek would probably enjoy me not sticking my wet nose in his business, where Yasha is concerned.” I chuff and shake my head, the shakes making my fur down to the fluff in my tail drift backward with a bit of flop. NPC Treasury Larr ‘s hand in my fur feels as fantastic as time with an old friend. In my natural state, I shift to better accommodate her against my side. Head nuzzling back to stick a wet nose near her.

“Tell me who and I’ll avenge you by wrenching the flesh from their bones. It has been too long since I’ve tasted one-skin flesh.” My jaws clack, massive canine teeth snapping in the air. The thought of ending miserable marauders by clenching around their throats.... a happy growl grows out of my lungs.

“Tea suits you. A quiet but noble life without politicians and would-be assassins demanding more than their pound of flesh. No, there is nothing awry with a life selling tea.” Perhaps if Arenais had been more than a stumbling block for my beloved Yasha, his death would affect me with more sympathy. Yet, he was nothing but denial of all attempts at clemency, yet I will say no such thing to a grieving widow. “He died fighting. For a Mandalorian, that makes his death a victorious one, and brings him to Manda. For your Force, does that not make him one? I know that is little comfort to those left.”

 

[NPC Treasury]

Kay was glad that Yasha was in good hands, but still, she felt bad for pulling Ambrose Cadera away. "Regardless, I can't be keeping you for long. That'd be too selfish." And right now it was easier to push people away than it was to let them in.

She sighed a little as Ambrose expressed his desire to avenge her, though her sigh wasn't out of not wanting him to do so. She just felt that it wasn't worth it. Kay stroked his fur, finding that almost as calming as drinking tea. "It was Tacitus. He was trying to get information from me, wanting to know everyone that was behind my rescue from Purgatory. He was...expecting some kind of conspiracy against him, I guess. Yet when he found out that I was just a tool...well...there was no longer any use for me then."

She had to agree with the peace of her isolation. Yet Kay was so used to an extremely busy lifestyle that she didn't quite know what to do with herself. Which was why she tended to do everything at the shoppe herself. It left her busy from dawn to dusk.

"I watched Veiere die. Even though I was nowhere near, our Force Bond made it happen. I guess that it was so that I'd know why the bond was suddenly broken. Veiere should be one with the Force, but I don't know. I haven't asked the Jedi or anyone if there was even a body. But it's not as though I had any claim over it. I divorced him before this happened...to save his reputation like he did with me years ago."

 

[Ambrose Cadera]

Eyes that saw too much of death and its’ companion life peer up at NPC Treasury through my fur. Try to push me away, I’ll dig my claws into the carpet. One reason my size is a boon, Kay couldn’t lift me if she tried. My wet nose nuzzles against her arm, and I nip at her sleeve.

“You are loved, that is what you are. I did not put on Hilda’s skin for so long out of salvaging a tool. But Tacitus, you say… Ahh. A name worth ripping apart.” The Eternal Empire bristles my fur, how they tossed her aside as so much laundry. All because Tacitus wanted… something else. My tail fwumps pleasantly into her side, wrapping around as I warm by the fire.

Space is cold. Not as cold as one-skins. All clamboring for a moral high ground which existed once, before their noses all became collectively bloody.

Not one has reason to be above the valley now, but that too is the philosophies of a four hundred year old shapeshifting man-eater. Jedi get stuck in my teeth… especially the leaf-fed ones.

“I am sorry. You know then, that Prazutis…” I shift a bit more, side of my snout nuzzling against her shoulder. “The Jedi would have cared for his remains. You did all you could repeatedly for the man, and in the end he died in battle. Veiere died in honour. What more, eh? I can tell you, the killing blow harmed Darth Prazutis. He remained weak and locked in healing chambers for some time… Kay.

He called Adara to him, and she went. She fled Australis’ care, although I know not why. None are getting through to Kaine Australis now, it seems. A fire coats his mind, one of war without limit. Double-so, with his losses over Mandalore, Reyn taken as prisoner of the Sith. I wish there was more contented news to share.”

 

[NPC Treasury]

Kay looked down to Ambrose Cadera as he nipped her sleeve, moving her hand to rest on the top of his head with her fingers enveloping themselves in the strands of his fur. She was loved surely, but she was a burden as well. And what did she have as a result of any of her accomplishments? A dead husband and a family that can't shake the Darkside. No matter what, the Sith were always there to steal and corrupt those important to her. At least her children were safe, for the most part.

"Veiere died with honour, yes. Though I wish Prazutis did too. He deserves it more than most. I'd kill him myself if I could, but I'm nowhere near strong enough. I never will be." Tears threatened to fall and so she just turned her eyes to the fire, staring at the flames as they danced and burned. There were times when the flames burned her too, blackening her flesh until it flaked off. But that was just an illusion.

"Can we read now? I want to be in someone elses' shoes right now." Reading was her escape. The heroes suffered but they always came out on top. It was nothing like real life at all. And that was the point. She was tired of losing all the time.