Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Private Flaws

VVVDHjr.png
THE QUARTERS OF RIK PERRIS, JEDI KNIGHT
SHIRAYA'S SANCTUARY
NABOO

After the dissolution of the Foundation, his schedule hadn’t let up. Not only did Rik Perris have a padawan who was rescued from the ordeal of being kidnapped and enslaved only recently, but the routing of the Dark Empire from the core had been little more than a stopgap. There was more for the Corellian Jedi Knight to do than ever.

Rik sat in his quarters within Shiraya’s Sanctuary, cleaning a piece of equipment, after briefly returning to considering an actual ship after so many years of living out of his X-Wing; a thing he’d started to think about before Ceri was taken as it became more and more clear that flitting around in a starfighter was no longer ideal, as longer missions would come their way, in time.

And how he would manage the continuation of her training, while helping her move through the nightmares that plagued her. It made him think of the last time he’d sat down to consider next steps in Ceri’s training, before she was taken. The last time he’d been in these quarters for anything other than sleep, and how unexpected that day had turned out.

He’d heard of the mission to the Nether, and the retrieval of the Zeltron Battlemaster’s daughter, but in the wake of his padawan’s kidnapping, his mind had been elsewhere. Whenever his thoughts did wander to how Lossa might be doing over the months that followed the last time he’d really seen her (apart from that debacle with the train), his thoughts turned from wondering how many more tears she’d shed, to being hung up on whether she’d even want to be disturbed, when he could hardly imagine how she was or wasn’t coping with trying to bond with her own child after never getting the chance from the start.

The only thing he knew was how truly sorry he’d felt for her. How he could only imagine how it must feel through the lens of deep-seated desires he’d had since he was only a child, wants brought on by the inspiration of his parents’ example. And how it’d felt when Ceri was ripped from the reach of his guidance and care… that was close.

Rik sighed, put down the brush he’d been using to clean the fine details of the Morellian slugthrower he sometimes carried - which was unloaded - and settled against the back of his chair, letting his thoughts wander to how he was going to handle instilling the lessons around righteous anger, which could blur the line for some, when the door-chime resounded through the room.

He sat up, looked to the door with his gaze and senses, then rose and walked over to the entrance, and tapped the control to open the door as he came to a stop in front of it… only to see it wasn’t just the Zeltron who’d tried to clean his clock in the midst of spring, waiting on the other side of the threshold. The hot, sometimes volatile Zeltron... and her cute kid, who seemed older than he'd been lead to believe... but that didn't matter.

Oh, hey…” he glanced over to the worktable, where the powerful slugthrower lay, and the large, heavy light rifle leaning against the table, around to the rest of the otherwise tidy and sparsely decorated room, then back to Lossa and her daughter, and awkwardly scratched at the back of his head, “...uhh, come in,” he invited, stepping back from the door, “hope you don’t mind, been working through some gear maintenance.

This visit didn't factor into his day at all, and he had to wonder if that was normal for her, just showing up or making demands out of the blue... but he didn't mind the interruption, and started wandering back to the desk, then turned partway, taking the last few steps backwards to face the two of them.

Typical Jedi awareness of his surroundings.

"How's it going?"
 
Last edited:
VVVDHjr.png

THE QUARTERS OF RIK PERRIS, JEDI KNIGHT
SHIRAYA'S SANCTUARY
NABOO


Lossa still felt a gnawing in her gut despite the little presence that now clung to her hand.

It left her feeling more like the boat than the shore with how her daughter held fast to her. As though Lossa might drift away rather than the opposite. A grounding presence once more as the Zeltron moved through the sanctuary with practiced purpose.

She had already made this trip before.

Always feeling prepared to give an apology for her behavior toward him. Until she stood at the end of the hallway staring at the tiles of the floor instead of making the final steps toward her goal. Unsure if it was pride, cowardice, or embarrassment that had kept her from acting.

Those final steps being made today as she kept herself from squeezing her daughters hand. The little girl staring at everything around them wide eyed and cautious.

Every tiny movement made around them noticed and taken stock of as Lossa presses the chime for Rik's door.

Zeriana's attention shifting swiftly as sound came from behind the barrier. Her feet shuffling as she hid within the folds of her mother's robes. The tiniest frown forming on Lossa's face at the continued behavior before the door opened.

"Hey." More timid than he had likely ever believed she could manage as she watched him look back into the room.

Amusement flashing across her face as she also glanced inside, a brow rising at his invitation.

"Don't worry. Not here to cause trouble this time." She tried for teasing instead. Ushering Zeriana in with her as they took a spot closer to the desk.

His question of how they were doing making her pause.

"I'm doing better. Tired. Calmer." Her voice lilting as her hand slid across the hem of her robe, surprised to find Zeriana no longer hiding within the usual spot. That fact making her pause extend as her head turned from Rik to Zeriana.

Her daughter still holding fast, but intently looking up at Rik in subdued wonder. Only her one leg hidden behind the robes as Lossa glanced between the two.

Remembering what the therapist had told her and correcting her stare to instead look at Rik.

"I. Wanted to apologize." Her eyes unable to keep from sneaking a sidelong glance at her daughter once more.

Watching her intense stare focused solely on Rik as if she were trying to see through him. Lossa by far more nervous than her daughter who seemed enveloped in calm.

 
VVVDHjr.png
THE QUARTERS OF RIK PERRIS, JEDI KNIGHT
SHIRAYA'S SANCTUARY
NABOO

Rik gave the lightest of amused snorts when she claimed no trouble, barely a sharp breath out the nose, tailing his question, saying nothing. He chose to believe her, what with that timid greeting.

"I'm doing better. Tired. Calmer."

He sat back down in the chair a bit sideways, having company, "Good to hear," but grabbed the brush he'd been using to clean the slugthrower before turning back to the pink pair, and finding, following Lossa's gaze down to her daughter... who was staring right up at him. Rik bent a little, smiled small, and gave Zeriana a little three-finger wave with his brush hand, while Lossa apologised. His brows rose a bit at the apology, and he sat back up in his lean, leaving his hands dangling between his legs.

There was only one thing, one day, this could be about. But maybe it was more specific. Or maybe he wanted her to voice it, and do this proper.

"I'm listening."

He met her intense stare, level and calm - he'd stare down a Dark Lord - but it'd been months. It could be anything from that day, to all of it, to the silence since. Who was he to know? His attention had been elsewhere, but his padawan, Ceri Fraissi Ceri Fraissi , saddled with the aftermath of another traumatic experience to wade through, was back safe and sound, and visiting with her parents for a bit.

He had time to sort out next steps, time to be patient with the woman standing in his room.

 
Last edited:
VVVDHjr.png

THE QUARTERS OF RIK PERRIS, JEDI KNIGHT
SHIRAYA'S SANCTUARY
NABOO


Another time, she might have walked back out of the room. Let her pettiness take hold at the display. Let herself fall back onto old habits. The presence beside her however demanded that she be better than what she was.

To move forward and grow as an example.

An wry smile appearing with a sigh. "I am sorry that I called you out like that."

She stepped into the room slowly, guiding Zeriana in with her before continuing.

"And. I am sorry that I jumped to conclusions without speaking to you first." She didn't look away from him.

The smile falling away in exchange for a tight frown.

"You are a good friend to my cousin, and I am sorry that I assumed there was more to it than simply being there for her." Her hand wanted to pick at a nail. To itch a spot that didn't. To move away from its spot at her side to do something to remove that awkward feeling that crawled over her skin.

Instead she remained still.

"I understand if you do not want to forgive me for that, but I want to make amends for how I treated you. If not, then–" The feeling was crawling into her bones, and the urge to run settled into her. She resisted it. Still looking at him despite the little twitches from nerves. Preparing to speak further until her daughter interrupted her.

Zeriana had remained fixated on Rik. Looking at her hand and then back to the brush in his. Letting go of her mother to move towards Rik before uncertainty stopped her in those few steps away.

"Starlight?" Lossa was pulled from her feelings with surprised awe at the move from her daughter.

 
VVVDHjr.png
THE QUARTERS OF RIK PERRIS, JEDI KNIGHT
SHIRAYA'S SANCTUARY
NABOO

Rik sat up straight, watching and listening attentively, when Lossa stepped further into the room, bringing her and her daughter closer, and continuing her apology. He had to be as good of an example, in making space for her to apologise, open and without judgement or interruption, particularly with a child present.

He listened as she brought forth each point of her apology, an effort she made despite the discomfort that worked its way out of her in little twitches, yet still she remained firmly in place. That effort, her understanding, her voiced willingness to make amends... he was good and ready to listen straight through until she was done, but that little girl of hers couldn’t stay put any longer.

Words died when Zeriana stepped his way, then all of a sudden stopped — caution? Uncertainty?

"Starlight?"

Rik flicked a glance from Lossa, to Zeriana, and back. Then his hands, and the brush. A easy smile appeared on his face, and he looked to Lossa again. He hadn't been expecting this, either, but children were far from a foreign concept to him.

"It's alright. I don't mind." He gestured for both of them to approach. "Everything's unloaded, safeties are on, and I'd wager it's all too heavy for a little one."

 
VVVDHjr.png

THE QUARTERS OF RIK PERRIS, JEDI KNIGHT
SHIRAYA'S SANCTUARY
NABOO


A worry quickly appeared before Rik informed her she did not need to worry. Easing back from both nerves and worry with a cautious glance at her daughter once more.

Lossa shouldn't have been surprised Rik was careful about his gear. Especially in his own room.

He'd already shown how attentive he was along with his patience for her talking. Both prior and currently. It shouldn't have surprised her in any way that in the potential chance a padawan entered, they would be safe within his space despite the intent of the weapons in question.

His permission made the step forward easier. It didn't ease the instinct to run, but she didn't feel like she was intruding at least. Taking measured steps forward now as her hand settled on Zeriana's shoulder to guide her forward. Finding her daughter didn't need much more than her proximity as Zeriana moved in front of her and reached for Rik.

"I. Sorry, this–she–" Lossa couldn't find the words as her expression flipped between confusion and wonder.

"Bri got this after a little while but... " Lossa continued to stare in bewilderment as Zeriana opened and closed her hands in her rudimentary signal to be held. Staring up at him still once she was beside him.

The elder Zeltron stood silently, observing, puzzled by the development.

"I wouldn't say its all too heavy. She's got some wonky genetics because of me. But. Anyway. Uhm. I should have done this solo I'm sorry." Her brain was trying to push back to her apology. While trying to process things.

 
VVVDHjr.png
THE QUARTERS OF RIK PERRIS, JEDI KNIGHT
SHIRAYA'S SANCTUARY
NABOO

When Lossa started to apologised for her daughter, he started to shake his head in disbelief, but then she went on to talk about how her little girl had taken time to get comfortable with Briana, of all people.

That was dumbfounding. He was meeting Zeriana for the first time, right here and now, and she was inexplicably reaching for him to pick her up… though the idea of it wasn't something he was unfamiliar with, given what some of the youngest of his six siblings were like when they were kids.

It'd been too many years since then. Small blessings his relationship with most of them hadn't changed too much in the ways that mattered, what with the twists and turns of his path.

But nonetheless.

There was a kid in his quarters he hardly knew, with a woman he barely knew much better; the kid wanted his attention for no reason he could figure in the moment, and… call him crazy, he was gonna go along with it. Rik leaned on the chair arm closest to the pink little girl and leaned in, conspiratorially.

Well,” he started, quietly, “at least you ask.” His mother had chosen to pick her battles when it came to sibling bonding time. They'd all ended up respectful enough. Most of the time. Enough to hold a naval commission in most of their cases. “But we should ask your mum if it's okay with her.

He turned his head and looked at Lossa almost expectantly, from the angle of a bit higher than the top of Zeriana's little head, but he had something to say, regardless of Lossa's assent or not, to resolve what precipitated this unplanned meeting. He sat back up a little taller.

Maybe solo some other time, but you've apologised enough. All's forgiven with me. Don’t know that I wouldn’t feel the same, in your shoes.” Water under the bridge. Rik stood up, looking briefly at Zeri on his way up, and gestured to the only other seat in the room. “Why don't you take a seat, Lossa? Sorry the only other one around is the bed. I don't plan to stay in the temple permanently.

But that was the only plan. To not stay in the temple. Where he'd stay after that was something that bore thinking about. This wasn't his first stay on Naboo but it was his longest one so far, with the decision to stick around that had initially been based on a padawan that now appeared reluctant to resume her training; a decision that started to grow beyond her over the months she'd been his padawan.

This Order was stable, proactive, far from the complacency or the excesses of extremism in one group or another that had made it difficult for him to settle in one place for longer than a handful of months. There were Jedi here beyond the ones he knew on arrival that had started to gain his respect.

Maybe that was enough.
 
VVVDHjr.png

THE QUARTERS OF RIK PERRIS, JEDI KNIGHT
SHIRAYA'S SANCTUARY
NABOO


She stopped apologizing for her daughter and instead observed. A latent wonder if Zeriana could remember Sid in some way. That war machine given a heart and an unwilling conscious by her dearest cousin. Of all the 'organics' Sid had complained about, Zeriana had always seemed to get the least amount of his grumbling.

Her eyes narrowed at the thought now as she measured the height differences between Rik and Zeri.

"Go ahead." Permission given as she pushed away the wonder to simply enjoy her daughter making progress. Alarming progress that seemed backwards in some ways. But she wasn't going to complain.

Giving him a respectful nod as he explained.

"I appreciate it. Really. It doesn't excuse letting my emotions get the better of me, but thank you for the kindness." Her smile was easier this time. And the urge to run dissipated as he stood and allowed her the singular chair of the room.

His comment drawing her attention more than anything.

"Looking for a house?" Her eyes watching him with worry rather than interest. "Or just more comfortable in the stars?"

Hoping quietly he wasn't going to be leaving after just finally getting the gumption to apologize properly.

Zeriana trailed after Rik, daring to step a little closer now. A detail crossing Lossa's mind as she graciously sat down and looked between Rik and Zeri.

"I will warn you she can break fingers." Her expression held no humor in it, an unconscious rubbing of her own fingers as she gave a deep sigh.

 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top Bottom