Frappuccino Politico

[Jsc]

Starcappers
A fairly boring coffee shop in the Senate District, Coruscant

If you've never been to a coffee shop during lunch hour, you don't know crowded. Not just any crowded either. Coruscant crowded. Tiny black marble tables all squished together by the bodies of sitting patrons. The door is generally already wide open to accommodate the extremely long lines and always manages to leave a distasteful breeze in the air. The rich smell of coffee is replaced with the body oder and perfume of a thousand strange galactic species. Inside the machines keep the noise to a maximum and outside the construction workers threaten to explode your ears. It is the finest, most expensive coffee you will ever almost-kill-another-person for. This is Starcappers. ...And Sam Jhovna was stuck in line.

"Excuse me? Excuse me? Hello? Can you take my order?"

Her womanly hands waving in the air. Desperate to get the attention of the eight armed creature behind the bar.

"...Hello? Bartender? I'm next. Just... Trapped here between the wookiee imposter and the salamander queen."

~ "Hiss -- I not salamander? -- Hiss -- I the trade ambassador from Wartooga!" ~

"Whatever. Your bumping the line. So suck it in, buddy."

The tall reptile behind her seemed shock and in dismay. He must not shop here much. Sam Jhonva, Jedi Padawan, dressed in her casual trenchcoat and white blouse; was about to start throwing elbows.

"...Hello! Bartender? Yes. Yes. I'll take three Frappuccino Moca-latte-waka-delights. Yes, three. ...To go!"

Because after a living hell like this line, every girl needs a little liquid heaven.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

While on Coruscant, Thurion wished to see all the sights and experience what he could not as a young boy, and a Jedi at that, so many years ago. He'd already visited the Jedi Temple, along with its lovely gardens where he and Asha would spend their time training, and where he had just yesterday met with newly befriended Jasmine Lancaster. Last night he'd assisted in protecting the innocent in the riots going on in the lower sectors of Coruscant, and there he also met and fought the Demon himself - Tracyn Ordo - who he left to wallow in his arrogance and self-destructive thoughts. There was nothing he could do to help him, and he refused to kill him, for there was still good in him.

Needless to say, it had been a busy couple of days since his arrival on the Republic capital, and he could use a spurt of energy. He'd never been one for coffee drinks, or any drinks at that, but he did love his blue milk. Ever since Master Asha introduced it to him, Thurion was immidiately hooked on it. One might think a place exclusively serving coffee beverages would also be in possession of blue milk, and so he stumbled upon Starcappers. He'd have settled for any similar shop, but this one seemed decent enough and the bustling activity was a plus, too. Thurion therefore paced towards the door and was just about to step inside...

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

A heavy hand found Thurion's chest and a blond woman stepped out in front of him. She was attempting to leave.

"Let me save you the time handsome. It's a mad house in there."

She reached down and pulled one of the three drinks from her cutaway tray. She only needed two of them anyway.

"Here. Frap-moca-latte-delight. Deluxe edition. Personal favorite, I know."

The girl winked and nodded. Seemly blissful of all the people that surrounded them.

"And yes. You're very welcome!"

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

A stunned expression met the woman in the doorway, who almost immidiately shoved a cup of what appeared to be some fancy drink. Big blue eyes stared down at the lady as he on instinct took the cup from her hand. "I-I'm sorry?" was all he managed to push out of him just as the woman winked at him.

Snapping out of his daze, Thurion brought the cup to his nostrils and took a whiff of the caffeine. It was not a foreign smell, per se; he'd been around people drinking all kinds of coffee before, but he'd never actually been close enough to dip his nose in the stuff.

"Thanks?" was his response to her, still somewhat baffled at the occurrence, more questioning what was happening than anything else.

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

Ah. He was blissfully unaware. It was kinda cute really,

"Ahem. Yes, you're very welcome. Oh! ...And don't forget the card."

She removed a business card from her pocket and slipped it neatly into the cup's cardboard holder. It read: Sam J. Followed by a phone number.

"...Call me."

The blond winked again and began to wander off. Trot, trot, trot; in her fancy riding boots. Two drinks still in her hands. Oh, and a lightsaber hilt poking out from her purse. A perfectly palpable princess.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

And so the glamorous young woman trotted away in an almost strutting fashion, leaving the clueless Thurion alone outside the entrance to Starcappers. Their whole exchange had happened during the course of only a few seconds, with the woman apparently very busy with other pressing matters to attend to. "The card?" he questioned long after she'd disappeared, picking it up to read what it said: Sam J. along with a phone number. Did she actually mean for him to call her, or was it just a formality on her side? He figured he might as well try it out and see where it takes him; he did have another day to spend in Coruscant, after all.

That very night, way past Nina's bedtime, Thurion was sat debating whether or not to call the young lady he'd met that same day. Would it be rude to call her at this hour? Hesitantly he dialed the numbers he'd been given on the private comlink. A few seconds later someone picked up the call. "Excuse me, is this... Sam J?" he asked the person on the other end, having to investigate the card he'd been given to remind himself of the name.

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

Sam was at a nightclub with her girlfriends when the phone rang. It was an unknown number and she couldn't help but wonder if it was indeed Thurion himself. So many of her adventures had gone arye lately. Just maybe this was a sign of good luck. Finally her terrible luck with men was beginning to improve,

"...This is indeed. You've reached the princess herself? And who might I say is calling?"

She giggled into the phone as her girlfriends began to huddle around. There was music in the background and it would be easy to tell Sam was with company.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Listening to the music in the background, coupled with several girls giggling and shouting, Thurion had to strain his hearing to make out what the lady said on the other side.

"Um, so... we met outside the Starcappers earlier today, remember? You asked me to call you, and... consider yourself called, I guess." He didn't know what else to say, seeing how she was the one wishing his to call her, and not the other way around.

"Did you want us to meet? I've got the rest of the evening off, if you'd like."

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

Yes! Finally. An interested male who wasn't a Rodian Smuggler. Ah, her luck really was changing. There might even be dancing?

"Yes! Yes, good heavens. I would love that. You're the tall gent from earlier today right? I'm Sam. Samantha, sorry. Hehe. What's your name? Where would you like to meet? I'm... Completely free as well."

Her girlfriends frowned a knowing frown. They weren't invited.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"Yes, I'm the one." He could tell from her voice that she was excited to meet him, so who was he to disappoint her?

"My name is Thurion. Thurion Heavenshield. As to where we'd meet - how about the gardens by the Jedi Temple? I know them well, and I expect there will be a beautiful fullmoon out tonight." He paused so that he could hear the sounds of disappointment from her obvious group of friends.

"Would that be okay with you, Lady Samantha?" he asked her, growing more and more confident with every word spoken.

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

Ooo. Lady Samantha. Maybe he was rich? Awesome!

"That works perfectly. I just so happen to have access to the Jedi's Temple. Lucky me? ...Hehe. Can I see you there in an hour? Should I bring anything?"

She meant food but left it open-ended. Sam wasn't quite sure what two adults did in a garden together but drink tea and talk. As she shrugged her friends seemed a bit skeptical at this point. The mention of the word Jedi always left the muggles in such a stupor. After all, Jedi don't party. Do they?

Sam smiled. She knew better.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"No, it's fine. I'll bring us something to eat", he said as he was about to hang up. "I'll see you there in an hour."

With Nina fast asleep, and without a doubt through the night, Thurion could safely leave the ship docked at the Space Port for a few hours. Before leaving, however, he made sure to pack a few sandwiches. Made by his own hand, of course.

Always one for wanting to make the set time, he'd arrived a few minutes earlier than what they'd agreed upon, just so that he'd be sure not to leave her waiting for him. That'd be rude of him. Sitting on the very same bench he'd found Jasmine upon earlier that day, Thurion gazed into the nearby fountain as it shot out crystal clear water high into the air before it crashed back down into the small pool surrounding the fountain head. Ever since his earliest years on Pelagon he'd been fascinated by water and how it had the potential to grant life as well as crush it. Growing up on a water planet probably lent itself to his fascination, most likely. The picnic basket sat beside him on the park bench, offering a fresh scent to the nearby area. There were no other people around at the moment, and considering the time of day, there was very little chance of anyone joining him and this Samantha.

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

Sam found parking and exited with a quick trot. She was five minutes behind and strutting around in her club heels. Black shimmering dress, white riding leathers, and bright wrist bangle. Her purse was delicately small and shuffled as she jogged. Designer labels all.

She found Thurion with ease. His countenance was a beacon and the Force was always mindful of such encounters. The blond smiled brightly and hustled over,

"Hello hello. What a fancy place to meet. Good evening. ...I'm Sam. Sam Jhovna. Hehe. Great to finally meet you when I'm not in such a hurry."

She extended a hand,

"Oh. And can I completely assume you are a Jedi Knight of some experience? You have that countenance, you know. Wonderful trait, really. Hehe. Just saying."

Her tone was confident and bold, if a little rushed from her jog.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Taking her by the hand, Thurion took a bow as he kissed her gently on her knuckles. "Lady Samantha. It's a pleasure to meet you. Even moreso when I'm not in danger of getting scolded by hot caffeine drinks", he said with a sly smile on his face as he rose from his greeting. "I am no Jedi anymore, my dear; I left the Order when I was but a boy to pursue a different way of living along with my master. Please, sit."

With a gesture of his hand he bade her to take a seat on the bench, and only after she was seated would he join her. Common courtesy, after all. "So... You wished to see me? Well, I'm here, and I even brought something for us to chew on should hunger set in", he said while unveiling the basket of freshly-made sandwiches. "Sorry I couldn't get hold of anything more... fancy, I guess." The young woman was obviously used to having only the best, judging by the way she dressed and the fact that she as a Jedi were out at night visiting nightclubs. A city-girl, through and through.

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

His manner was foreign to the Core after Sam's experience. It was more stately and reserved. Mix with that his prowess and gentle manners, and he most certainly couldn't be a politician. Politicians need not concern themselves at this hour with anything beyond their fancies. So, royalty perhaps? Traveling and new. Yes! That must be it. Heavenshield was surely a prince newly come to the Core. That would explain a few things.

"Oh my. Such care for a ladies manners. I am in awe Master Heavenshield. Thank you dearly."

She played with the words like a temptress under the moon. It was a reflection of her age as well as her love of danger. Free spirits rarely consider such things as modesty and reserve worth their patience.

"Oh, and thank you for the food. I could use something to munch on."

Time was on her side and she did not venture into real conversation without settling in first. Taking a seat and filling her hands with a sandwich.

"I suppose I should also thank you for seeing me? I understand the situation is something of uncommon, perhaps? Though it is not without merit. I myself have recently joined the Jedi Order in my full adulthood. The transition is still ongoing. Hehe. ...I make a terrible monk you know. Well. I should say that I make for a grand student. Hm?"

She paused to take a bite. Sam liked it when men waited on her. It was the sign of a born gentleman. To be a good listener.

"And student I am. Seeking knowledge and inspiration where ever it may be found. High and low. Near and far. ...In small packages or just outside the coffee store."

She smiled,

"Today Master Heavenshield, you perked my interest and a touch of the Force's curiousity. Thusly I was demanding to meet you. I hope I did not inconvenience you too much. Hehe. I was hoping we could both look past appearances and just... Talk. If that's alright."

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Listening to Samantha's words, he nodded sagely once she had spoken. "Very well, I see no harm in the two of us just talking", he said smiling. "My little girl will be fast asleep through the night, so we have some time to kill, I guess." He really had nothing better to do that night, and since the young woman merely wished to talk he figured he'd be back in only a couple hours.

"So tell me, Lady Samantha; what is it you wish to know? I'd be willing to teach you, should you wish it of me."

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

Sam smiled at his generous offer,

"I wish to know how a Jedi keep their head above water during troubling times? ...Well. Maybe just a few stories of how a Light-Sider like yourself has managed it. I'm not certain I have the political tact to navigate our modern galaxy."

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

The request she made of him was admittedly more serious in tone than he had expected from someone like her - well-dressed and conscious about her looks, as she seemed to be. It demanded a few quiet moments to gather his thoughts on the subject before answering her question. "Well, I can't speak for the Jedi, nor anyone else in particular. I am sorry for having made you think me as one of the Jedi, but alas it is not so, I'm afraid. I left the Order when I was but 10 years of age, along with my master and several other Jedi." He paused.

"How do I keep my composure, you ask? I cannot really say; I took my training to heart even in my youth, although I never feared to attempt a more lighthearted approach to the lessons my master would teach me. When she died I... I, uh..." He scratched his beard to appear less troubled about talking of his master's death than he really was. "Needless to say, I took to training more seriously. When I eventually received my knighthood, deep inside I was a broken young man. My master's passing was the hardest ordeal I've ever had to deal with, and so when I have moments of doubt or distress, I think of her and everyone else I know and love, and I remember that those are the ones I fight for. They grant me the strength to carry on."

Looking over at Samantha, their eyes met. "Do you have someone to hold onto when times are hard, Sam? Any family or friends? Someone to keep your heart safe at dark nights?"

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

Sam listened thoughtfully before replying,

"I have a sister on-world. She and I are very close. The blessings of family I suppose."

The blond listened to his story and realized she might have approached him incorrectly. There were thousands of Force Sects outside the Jedi Order. Many of them filled with good men and women too. Sam believed that they all had something to offer the galaxy. One need not be a Jedi to stand as a champion of the Force.

"Do you have any thoughts about all the diversity we see amongst Force Users? I have been taught that it is not just the Jedi's mission to protect the balance of the Force. But rather, the duty of every Lightsider. Might you agree?"

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"Then you should treasure every moment you have with her. Family is the one thing one should always be able to rely on for support. Alas, the world isn't perfect..." he sighed, thinking back for a moment on his earliest memories spent without parents, and with only his older brother to care for him. Unwilling to show her his pain from thinking of his brother, he instead listened to her words that followed.

"Honestly? I've never been one for prophecies and grand plans. I try to act against evil deeds where I see them, to protect anyone in need of it, and do the best I can with the gifts I possess." He paused, looking the girl over. "I'm aware of the Jedi Order's views on the Force and the clear distinctions of Light versus Dark, but if there's one thing I've come to know over the years, it's that things are never black and white; in my youth, I met a child at my age - we were both only 8 years old at the time - and we became very close friends in the short time we spent together. It was then brought to my attention that the little girl was a member of the Sith - my 'sworn enemy'. I couldn't, and I wouldn't believe it. She hadn't done anything wrong, and she wasn't a bad person. Yet she was branded an enemy because of difference of beliefs."

The woman beside him was perhaps too young to be able to take in what he was saying, but even so he continued. "Later in life, after having recieved my knighthood, I was visiting Coruscant after having spent almost a decade away from Republic space. While here I partook in ending a terrible riot going on in the lower sections of Coruscant, and there I fought my first ever duel with another Force user by the name of Tracyn Ordo. He was a Jedi, yet when I met him that rainy and chaotic night he was more beast than man, and rather than help all the innocent men and women he preferred to fight me in the streets. It was as if he was feeding off of some dark power which corrupted his mind and drove him to insanity."

He looked into the woman's eyes. "Nothing is ever only black and white. Don't let anyone, be it the Grandmaster himself, tell you any different. Jedi are quick to be blinded by the Light they serve to see the nuances of grey littering the world." He spoke with wisdom beyond his years, but he knew what he said was true, for he had witnessed it first-hand.

[member="Sam Jhovna"]