Compass

[Retired2]

The woman had a secret she needed to keep and a place to hide. So she ran. The place she ran to was a planet called Kesh. She found a form of employment there, got her own place and kept her secret. Her life fell into routine and she was happy for what felt like the first time in her life.

She had bounced from one bad master to another and then another. Finally her last one had just disappeared, leaving the young woman alone. Having escaped from one nightmare, she didn't want to go into another. Picking what she thought was a random place, she ended up on this world.

Once there names were passed and she went by the name of Ava here. After getting settled in, Zesiro started poking her nose around as to who ruled here and what she learned came as quite a surprise. A person she had run into a few years ago ruled. An Edric Vanyan. Wanting to arrange a meeting with him, she applied to speak to him.

Already having employment here made it easier and now she waited to hear back from them for the time and place.

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

Edric was a bit of a busy body in those few years as well, taking a focus into his home and inviting the sister that his father had given his powers to. One might normally find jealousy in the matter but Edric understood the reasoning. He was meant to find his own way to power while protecting others and ruling the planet he now called home, while Charr, as she called herself, only worried about furthering her gift and continuing on Solan's path.

That was not to say Charr was away from the issues and conversations that happened in the palace. Whenever Edric met with anyone, she was there near him, watching anyone who entered and making sure Edric's guards did their job. This was especially true after Edric had created a system for anyone to request a meeting with him.

He had done this to find a similar frame of mind to those who lived under him. Hearing from them let him know what grievances or problems had been left in the wake of his father disappearing. Which is how he came to the situation of listening to the state of the cities near Tahv that are having issues of getting funding. He idly glances to the side and checked to see what came next, seeing that it was one of the many people living in the city itself. This wasn't unusual but for some reason it interested him.

"With respect sir, I must continue to see the others, if you would not mind meeting privately at another time today or tomorrow, that would be appreciated."

With a quick bow the man simply acknowledged his words and left, leaving Edric to glance at the name again.

"Send in this Ava person, it is her turn."

 

[Retired2]

When her turn came, Zesiro didn't hesitate in entering. While her physical appearance hadn't changed much since they met, her attitude had. He hadn't changed much either and should know her when he looked up. One thing that hadn't changed was how she moved. Though she had stopped attempted to flaunt what nature had graced her with, that beauty was still there.

"Been a while, your majesty."

There was actually a small smirk on her face when she spoke, but it didn't show in her voice. That was actually filled with an almost familiar sense of friendliness. ​He knew her real name. Back then it was what she went by. In going into hiding, she had changed it.

"How have you been? You know you could have told me more about yourself then. It's good what you do here."

She had also been a far more darker person. These days, Zesiro just lived.
​
[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

Edric didn't know many people personally and even less of the time did he bother to remember their names if it wasn't a dignitary of some kind, which is why he blinked at the woman infront of him. She was familiar and in a way that made him blink, confused as to why the woman was here. His sister, who sat nearby tensed up, assuming it was some hostile individual, something Edric quickmy waved off and set the younger woman at ease.

With his eye back on Zesiro he stared, listening to the words carefully before his straight faced facade wore away and he started to from again. He shared a crooked grin with his father, even if not related to his father by blood. He was humored by her showing up and honestly not sure what she expected from this meeting. Her mention of his position being hidden was also funny to him, considering that telling her would have been illogical due to the situation back then. The thought of their meeting made him blink and his smirk fade for a moment, remembering the accident at the end of the meeting.

"Zesiro, if I'm not wrong. I've been well, and am surprised to find you here on Kesh. That's the force for you, odd twists of fate no matter how your day begins."

 

[Retired2]

It took him a few moments at least to remember who she was. That was fine, the whole situation might have been normal to him, but it wasn't to her. The meeting stood out in her mind and remembered clearly. There were others in the room with him and she gave each of them a nod of respect assuming they were also royalty as well.

"You are correct. Though here I changed my Ava and have joined in the work force you provide. Hiding out to escape and make a new life for myself."

He didn't ask why she had wanted to meet him so Zesiro didn't know he was curious for her reasoning. The real reason behind it wasn't so much to thank him as she already had in a way, but for guidance.
​
"Indeed odd twists of fate brought me to this world after we met and freed those slaves together. I can tell wherever they wound up, they have been taken care of."

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

"I must admit you wound me Zesiro, any doubt about how I help others is a tad insulting. You would think I was some monarch or something." He smiled and leaned against his hand as he sat there.

Edric didn't quite have much to say right now, not for lack of trying to think of something. He was so used to being in far more formal situations where the person infront of him had no connection to himself. Intact he was more focused on the accident at the end of the adventure and had to glance to the side to try and focus. He was still getting used to being a leader so this threw him off his feet in giving him people who knew him outside of his place as the king of the planet.

After clearing his throat he began to stand and walk off t ok the side, intending to go towards his father's old garden. His voice rolling out of his lips a bit more calmly and his time noticeably controlled so that it did not convey any thoughts that were rolling about in his mind. He preferred to focus on what he could figure out about Zesiro before showing more of his own personality.

"If you don't mind, I would prefer to continue our conversation while we walk. My father created a garden that is far easier to talk inside of, the throne is a bit unnecessary in this case and if rather talk to you as a person."

 

[Retired2]

The little smirk Zesiro wore turned into a genuine smile when he spoke. A small light lit up her eyes and a bit of happiness might be felt through the Force if he was empathic. There was a few moments of silence and then Edric stodd up and walk outside. It left his two companions in the room and he invited her to join him.

"Of course, your majesty."

Even though it had been​ a few years since their initial encounter, Zesiro fell into a comfortable step with him if he allowed it. He was the leader here, so while she was moving with him, she remained a step behind. In no way was she equal to him.

His attitude changed and he appeared to be a little more calm. Not that he should be nervous around her, but he was the ruler here.

"Being outside is nice and a change of pace quite often. So natural."

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

Edric just stared at her for a few moments with his eyes trying to figure out what it was exactly that the woman wanted. People rarely came to just talk or see him and he almost never thought that he would meet with this woman again. It was weird to him but then he found his head turning back slightly more than he wanted it too as Zesiro fell into step behind him, or rather slightly off step from him. He already guessed what that was about and sighed, turning to her and starting to walk backwards, careful not to trip as his feet landed on the stone path that cut through the garden like a serpent.

"You know that you do not have to be all formal. The intention of moving to this location was to abandon the necessity for those honeyed words and acting like I am better than you. Just think like you are meeting the person who was at that desert, not some ruler in the middle of a throne room."

With the words said, he turned and let his feet continue to carry him, barely missing a beat as he fell back into step and slowed himself down now that he was a step behind her. He wanted the woman to relax and not have to worry, after all she had fought beside him.

"As to your comment about being outside feeling natural, I would like to point out the fact we are in the middle of nature so, it makes sense." His smile was dumb, crooked, and he made sure to emphasize it. He made the joke not because he thought it was funny, instead he simply wanted to clear the air.

 

[Retired2]

Her words did contradict her actions and when Edric pointed it out to her with his own words and actions, Zesiro did relax and smile.

"I'm sorry. You're right."

In his turn he had decided to allow her to step in front of him. She stopped, turned around and kept that smile for him. Holding am arm out, if he wanted they could walk side by side to talk. ​

"It's been interesting for me here. Why do you do it?"

No matter where he decided to walk, Zesiro would look at him as she spoke and asked her question.

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

He smiled as she continued to refuse being ahead of him, her arm held out and for a moment he blinked. He knew out of courtesy he should take the woman's arm but he seemed to find his eyes drifting off to the side instead and his hands nervously dusting off his clothing as they walked before crossing them behind his body. He was distracted by his own mind until she started once more with the conversation, at which point he blinked and glanced at her for a long moment.

He wasn't quite sure how to answer her, mostly because he didn't exactly have a reason for helping out the people he did. Atleast thats what he was assuming she was talking about. Honestly he only continued to do it because he felt it was his job to repay someone or atleast continue on what the man who saved him had done for him. It was difficult for Edric to explain though, even if to others that repayment was just natural. Edric was a bit odd in that point, not sure how to phrase his thoughts into words or at times stumbling over his own emotions and misjudging them or letting them build up to a bursting point.

The thoughts caused him to sigh and reach up, scratching at his scalp, one of his habits when given particularly uneasy situations.

"I honestly could not tell you, even if I had a suitable reason. I honestly do not care as to how their lives continue, nor do I care where people came from. Do not get me wrong, I do not dispise people or simply ignore them in regards to hardships that I can help stop..." He trailed off as he tried to figure out what he was meaning to say.

"My father was the one that saved me, and my sister, and a great deal of others. He gave us a home, a family so to speak and a future to look forward to. I never got to repay him for that so I am simply continuing what he would have done if he had been on that planet and saw what I did. I am not him though, even if I was a pit fighter as a teenager, and even if I had been saved I do not view myself as a savior for others, I am merely doing the job of a much better man."

With that Edric glanced up and bit on his lip a few times, thinking about his answer and letting Zesiro decide what she thought.

 

[Retired2]

She accepted Edric wasn't going to take her offer to walk arm in arm and instead did walk next to him. When Zesiro asked her question, it caused him a bit of thought before he answered. From what she gathered it was more tradition than anything else and she said as much.

"Your father started this and so you continue."

Looking at him from head to​ toe, she couldn't imagine him as a pit fighter. He didn't cut an imposing figure, but she had seen him fight before so knew he could be one when pushed. Giving a half smile, she nodded slightly.

"Edric, are you who you want to be?"

Zesiro knew there was more to life out there for her. Not a simple person to work the streets and keep the populace safe, but meant to be more. What she didn't know though.

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

"That would be the answer you are looking for." He said as she stated again what he had chosen as his reason.

He knew that his story was a bit far fetched, especially after a few years of relaxed living, surrounded by books and dealing with affairs of government and taking his expeditions out to aid his father's old friends. He had lost alot of the muscle he relied on to stay alive and had become rather poor when fighting was involved, the last time they had met being a clear example of that. He was certain that it was worse now with more time lost to his more mundane responsibilities.

It was her next question that drew his focus and had him looking at her as he considered it. It was a question he was unprepared for and he blinked, tapping his hand on his thigh while thinking about how to respond.

"I never thought about answering that question." He started, finally speaking. "As far as I cared, I had been saved and I wanted to continue on my father's purpose. As far as I had considered when I had taken up that place in this universe, I was merely a tool to be used after the death of the last one. Tools after all are meant to fulfill a singular purpose, and that purpose for him and now for me is to help others and protect them. Even if it means abandoning what we really want." He was happy with that answer, knowing that was what he believed about why he had been given this life.

 

[Retired2]

She didn't say tradition aloud, but it was as simple as that. It was a tradition she could get behind and support though. Listening to the rest of his answer, it was clear Edric really hadn't given it much thought.

"A pit fighter huh? I saw it when we met and I bet it's still there hidden."

Lightly pointing at his ​chest, Zesiro's fingertip was almost within touching distance. Her eyes met his as an equal like he wanted in private.

"I never found my purpose. Went all over, tripping and falling. Came here to escape."

Her hand lowered and voice with it. There was no humor when she spoke and maybe even a touch of sadness. Perhaps depression in its own way, but it wasn't strong enough to bother her that much.

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

"Maybe that is your purpose?" He continued to walk as she lowered her hand, expecting her eyes too soon follow the appendage.

"Look, sometimes we don't have some grand purpose, sometimes we are just meant to be people and to live our lives. No one said that you have to be some world destroying demon, or some world saving saint. Sometimes it is simple lives that people are destined for, built through what ever hardships might come their way and given chances because of other people. If you let yourself get bogged down in what this life is meant to be used for, you will never end up using it and in the end this means that you will be left standing there just as lost as you ever were."

He shrugged as he finished, yawning to himself and looking over at one of the beds of flowers that filled the area. He enjoyed being out here and it made him happy that he was able to just relax for once during a talk with someone that wasn't his sibling.

"As for the pit fighter part, I prefer the rest remains hidden. Believe it or not, I hate violence."

 

[Retired2]

"I, we have been gifted with using the Force. How can I just be meant to not BE something? No, I'm not going to go out and conquer everything in sight. That's not my nature. You here to provide a haven, work and a place to stay for people. I'm one of them."

Giving him a familiar half smile that indicated she was relaxed and showing him of her true self than a few minutes ago. Zesiro did listen to what he had to say and nodded when he mentioned keeping his past hidden.
​
"Same as me. So I came here, changed my name and put my past behind as much as I could."

Edric said he hated violence and she did believe him.

"But it comes with life it seems."

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

He nodded as [member="Zesiro"] mentioned how violence seemed to come with life. He honestly could not object to that observation because for him it was true.

"So it does." He replied simply, looking at her from the side and thinking about her words for a few moments.

"I have a question for you then Zesiro. Would you have traded your earlier life for a simple living like what you have now. Forgotten the past and only lived as you do now to create a simpler life?" Edric was curious about this fact.

He had himself wondered if he would trade his past for a different one, one that did not put him through trials and stress. It would be calm and he would get to see the past at his leisure if he had been born into a stable living. But he was curious how someone like Zesiro might consider the question.

 

[Retired2]

He agreed that violence did come with life and then asked a question of his own.

"No, my past is what made me who I am today. Think about it, we wouldn't be here having this conversation. Not a chance we would have met and I don't think my life would have been better. Growing up on a desert world farming moisture. Nah, just not my thing. I would be dreaming of being something more than that."

Placing her own hands behind her back like he did, it wasn't meant to mimic him. It was the same movement and stance though. A thoughtful look was on her face and her blue eyes looked to him before she spoke.

"What about you?"

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

Unlike zesiro he was not so concerned with the path he had been given and he smiled while looking over a patch of the gardens. He didn't say anything yet but his face was a bit happier now that she had said that.

"To tell you the truth, I do wish I could have altered my life." He began but turned his eyes on hers.

"But, I would alter more than that. I would have altered it so that the man who saved me had lived a happy life and I was not some adopted child to replace the one he lost. My father never got over the loss of his daughter, so he used me as a replacement as well as my 'sister'. We wouldn't have anything if it wasn't for him... but I can confidently say we would both wish to be more than just replacements. We wished we were tied to him more completely and so that we were his children alongside the daughter he lost."

Edric tapped his hand against his other one, creating a steady beat and thinking for a moment.

"Sorry about that, I get a bit too sentimental. Shall we continue?"

 

[Retired2]

His story of his life made her think of hers. Through about the age of twelve she had a normal life. A couple of sisters, loving parents and then her farm was attacked, her family killed and her mind wiped. The next thing she remembered was waking up in a cage and kept there until she broke. That was her first master. A man that had helped make her into what she was when Edric had first met her. A weak and pathetic sith wanna be. She had changed since and hoped he saw or felt that change within her.

"At least you had the love of even an adoptive father. I remember our first meeting. I have since had memories returned to me, but still no surname other than what you gave me that. Does it still fit me?"

Her tone was an open one, fully relaxed and at total ease. No deception was within her to him. ​It wasn't often she thought of her own past or ever spoke of it. Since they last met, Zesiro had met her sister and learned she was an aunt. Contact with that sister though was rare.

"What were we talking about any way? This isn't a poor choice at all and we learn about each other. I mean in these few minutes, we learned more than we did that day in the desert."

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"] was talking about him being lucky, or rather atleast having the love of an adoptive father and for a moment he was about to argue with her, but she was right. Compared to how she ended up, there was no father figure to give her a better life, instead she had to make that on her own and he looked at her now, leaving the flowers to retreat from his mind while she talked. He scoffed audibly and shook his head at her, starting to speak before he thought about what he was actually saying.

"Please, don't be so saddening Zes. Just because the name we figured out back then doesn't quite fit now matters not. You are still you and better now than ever before. As for us learning more about eachother than before its not like we really did much in that department before. You and I met up, kill some slavers, and got the victims out of there. Other than that, not really much talking about eachother happened. Hell even afterwards we..." He trailed off and started coughing, hiding his face with his sleeve as he did so. It was clear the coughing was very poorly faked though as he tried to keep the red in his face hidden.

At first he hadn't remembered the end of their adventure but now it was clear in his head, taking him by surprise again just as it had on that day.