Private Garden State

[Mykel Dawson]

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Background

Where the Tall Ferns Grow: Mykel assists in refurbishing the Ukatian Jedi Enclave and builds ties with local Ukatians in the process, most notably the stonemasons Veynar and his apprentice Teran.

Exodus of War: Mykel returns to Ukatis, using the Spare Fleet and his then fledgling NGO Frontier for his first development project as part of a new galaxy spanning mission.

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Mykel strode through the golden fields he had once known only as barren wastes of red dust. Tall stalks of wheat now swayed gently around him, brushing against his cloak as the breeze moved through them. He lifted a hand, the cool passing breeze caressing his fingers like flowing silk. Kneeling, he then sank that same hand into the earth.

Where there had once been only dry, crumbling clay, the soil was now rich and moist. Through the Force he could feel countless microorganisms teeming within the small clump. A quiet, vibrant pulse of restored life where only death had lingered before.

These rejuvenated fields had become far more than a personal triumph. Their bounty now fed hungry mouths across the galaxy, carried outward by Frontier and Ukatian volunteers. More importantly, they stood as a living beacon of what was possible for Ukatis once it embraced new ways. Today, Mykel had returned to present these results to the Crown and the Assembly, hoping the same renewal could spread across the entire planet.

With quiet care, he patted the soil back into place, brushed the dirt from his hands, and rose. Then he turned and disappeared once more into the swaying sea of gold.

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Amhault Technical College​

Formal Clothing

At the heart of the newly restored farming fields and rolling pastures now stood Amhault Technical College, a co-ed institution dedicated to shaping the next generation of Ukatian farmers and engineers. With its innovative programs and practical focus, the college represented a bold step toward modernizing the planet's agriculture industry and ushering in an era of lasting prosperity.

Just days before its official opening, local dignitaries, business leaders, faculty, and other distinguished guests had been invited to tour the campus and witness the thriving operations unfolding across the fields leased to Frontier.

Both horse-drawn carriages and sleek speeder cars glided along the pristine white stone roads leading to the grand Atrium. There, a smiling Mykel stood waiting to greet the arriving guests, flanked by the Chancellor Marlene Schreiber, and Chief Construction Officer Daelic Veynar.

Corazona von Ascania

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

“Ah!”

Lucy’s tiny legs kicked as her mother fastened the snaps to her darling little dress. One diaper change later, and the littlest von Ascania was happy as a clam.

“Are you excited to visit mommy’s friend?” Cora cooed, grin stretched wide across her face. She’d chosen a speeder over a carriage today, the smoother ride making changes an easier affair. “We’re going to see the new school. There will be lots of plants there, wheat, corn…” she continued, listing all of the things one might find at a technical college focused on agriculture.

When the speeder finally slowed to a stop, the driver helped the Lady von Ascania and her daughter exit, setting up Lucy’s pram.

“Uwaa…”

The babe began to whine the moment Cora placed her down on the stroller’s soft bedding. Her little nose crinkled, displeased.

“Alright, alright,” the mother relented, scooping up her child. “We’ll walk together, then.” With one hand, she balanced Lucy against her shoulder. With the other, she began pushing the hover pram toward the grand building.

Lucy was blessedly distracted by the swaying stalks of wheat. The color reminded her of her mother’s hair. One little hand reached for the nearest flowering head, little fingers closing around air. She squealed in delight.

Cora and her daughter weren’t the only patrons here to pay a visit to Amhault; quite a few curious Ukatian aristocrats and even foreign dignitaries had arrived. Cora followed the slow crowd until, at last, they arrived in the grand atrium.

There were three individuals greeting guests. Clad in his Ukatian finery, Cora did not immediately recognize Mykel.

Mykel Dawson

 

[Mykel Dawson]

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Formal Clothing

"First of her name, Keeper of the Realm, Champion of Light, Her Grace the Dowager Princess Corazona von Ascania!"

At the top of the stairs, a silver protocol droid adorned with a gold trimmed indigo sash loudly warbled the titles of the Princess, just as it had for the other nobles, dignitaries, and distinguished guests.

However, when Cora and her daughter had arrived, the honor guard of elite Valkyri Antarian Rangers lining both sides of the inner court road shifted in perfect unison. They raised their vibro-arbir swords in salute, the polished blades catching the morning sun. The armored behemoths cast long shadows across the glittering white stone. Yet in the Force, each warrior glowed with a soft sheen of Force Light, empowered by the Force Cyclers distributed among their ranks.

Security would normally have been left to the campus gendarmes, but with so many high profile guests from Ukatis and beyond, Mykel had found it prudent to import some of his best soldiers for this particular occasion, capable of dealing with any interloping Sith who decided to poke their heads into Ukatian and Republic affairs again as had become their habit. The visible layers of protection were impressive enough, but invisible ones ran further, a vast web of agents and detection measures stretching all the way into orbit with surveillance ships.

Chatter among the arrivals momentarily died down as everyone turned toward her and offered their respects. Some of the local nobles, in particular, didn't care much for her, and it showed plainly on their soured faces. For her upending of the old order of things. Still, they acknowledged the throne she represented, if only out of duty.

A smiling Mykel, trailed by the serene looking Chancellor and a very anxious Veynar who clearly felt out of his station, closed the distance so they met halfway. His usual Jedi robes and black attire had been traded for more ornate, colorful Ukatian garments, courtesy of a local tailor he had promised to try. His tousled dark hair, grown out since their last encounter, was pulled back into a neat, small ponytail. The scent of crisp floral and woodsy cologne wafted from his skin and clothes as he moved with the easy confidence of a man who had found his purpose, vastly different from the lost and troubled youth who had once shown up to her estate in despair.

"Your Grace," he said with a small bow after coming to a stop before her. "Or rather… your Graces."

His expression softened as he looked down upon her gurgling daughter. In the baby's cute, tiny, pudgy face and bright blue eyes, he saw Cora, but those features were topped with ringlets of dark curly hair, no doubt a gift from her father. Save for the eyes, she almost reminded him of a miniature version of her sister Fatine. Perhaps double the trouble.

"I hope your trip went well. I'm delighted you've come," Mykel continued warmly. "Hopefully you'll find everything here to your liking today. Frontier has made quite the progress restoring these lands and we're eager to share our developments with the rest of Ukatis soon."

Corazona von Ascania

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

"Oh," Cora said softly to herself.

This affair turned out to be a bit more elaborate than she'd anticipated. Even still, the daughter of Ukatis straightened her spine and adopted a more stately air. Her pram was parked discretely behind a pillar, and Cora, holding a very distracted Luciana, offered a dip of her head to those who sought to pay their respects.

If her dress was too plain, then perhaps it could be chalked up to the way old money families outfitted themselves; without flair.

Cora quietly took note of those who wore disdain as she descended the staircase and swept into the grand atrium. Lucy's little hand flailed over her shoulder, impressed by the brilliant slivers of plasma that guarded each vibroblade.

"Mykel," Cora greeted warmly, a familiar softness to her features. She paused for a moment to give him a once-over, appreciative that he appreciated the work of their native tailors. A please little hmm sounded from the back of her throat.

There was a confidence to him that she hadn't seen before, worn well and without overt arrogance.

"May I introduce the second of her name, the little Lady Luciana von Ascania."

The baby whined as she was shifted in her mother's arms, the back of her head now resting against Cora's chest. She stared at the three strangers with the sort of open-mouthed awe that only an infant could.

"We're delighted to be here." Cora smiled and bounced Lucy in her arms. "Aren't we?"

"Awah!" the little one declared.

"You've all been working hard, no doubt. From everything I've heard about this project, I'm hopeful that it will represent a right step forward for Ukatis."

Again, she tilted her head - this time to the chancellor and mason who flanked Mykel.

"I'm certain you've all worked very hard. You have my thanks, and I’d love to see more of what you’ve all built.”

"Ah!"

Cora chuckled once. "Our thanks."

Mykel Dawson