Jason's Big Trip

[Josh Dragovalor]

It had been a long time since he had been to this amusement park, on a planet who's name he couldn't remember completely. It held bittersweet memories, but he had last been here long before Jason had been born. Now Jason was here, and was old enough to remember this at least a little. This also doubled as the next meeting with Ra that had been arranged some time ago. Their "date", as was the joke. The two had been busy in the time since, and hadn't been able to find a moment to make this happen for a little while. But Josh had some time after having finished a few missions. Ordinarily, he'd take Jason home. But this was the best time to make good on those plans, and make some memories with Jason. Ra hadn't minded bringing him, luckily, and he'd made sure to ask her over and over if it was okay. He was grateful that she was good with it. She seemed to indicate she hadn't been to one before herself...

Things had changed for Josh since their last meeting. He'd been going through quite a lot, and he had a harder time masking a great deal of pain that he'd been suffering through lately. It would be difficult to hide from Ra, especially once they started talking he knew. Which he felt bad about, he didn't want to ruin today for her by talking about his problems, if he could help it. Still, he was at least somewhat on the mend... He had learned to open up a little more, thanks to Jyoti. And had quit mass drinking, so he felt less gross lately, somewhat thanks to Scherezade. So he was... Somewhere in the middle.

Josh and Jason would walk down the ramp of the Final Dragon, notably with Jason walking alongside his father this time instead of being held in his arms. He had grown since the last time, and Josh could hold his hand now. Sure, Jason wasn't incapable of having his hand held and walking on his own with guidance before, but... Josh's own height made that a problem until now. The amount of people around seemed to unnerve Jason, who stuck close to his father as they would look around for Ra.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

An agreed upon second date between Josh and Ra was going to happen today. Her own troubles were mounting on her and a day of reckoning was going to happen soon. Today though, she threw those worries aside as best she could and hoped to have an enjoyable day. She honestly wasn't sure how much time had passed since they last saw each other, but it was enough time for Jason to have grown to be able to walk at least a bit on his own.

They had arranged to meet at the location of the amusement park instead of travelling together. Knowing Josh it was because he didn't trust her enough to not attempt to harm him or Jason. That thought wasn't on her mind and Ra had no intention of doing any such action. He didn't know that though and considering what she had been when they met, it was understandable.

The spaceport of busy, but hopefully they could find each other easily enough. If nothing else they could rely on the Force to bring them together. Walking out of her landing bay, she looked around and picked a location to watch for them where Josh could see her easily as well. As tall as he was, they should both find the other.

Not sure who saw the other first, they headed to meet in the middle of the throng of people. Greeting him with a smile, she gave a larger one to Jason.

"Nice to see the two of you again."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

It was less about trust in this case, they had just been meeting here from different places, that was all. He had to go to Kashyyyk to pick up Jason before he came here. Jason would cling to Josh's leg with his free hand as they walked, clearly a bit intimidated by the large crowds of strange people. Kashyyyk had crowds, but nothing like this, and they generally would give Jason space as a good deal of the temple had come to understand the child being timid from the time he had been around. These people did not know and thus would not give the same consideration. He hoped that Jason would feel better once they were on the rides.

Ra would approach, and Josh would bow respectfully as Jason would hide behind his leg when she came too close. "It's good to see you, Ra" Josh greeted warmly. With that, he would look upwards and note some of the attractions and rides at the amusement park they were about to enter. "Shall we go?"

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

The woman may not know how to read people's emotions, but she could tell Jason was nervous being here. As a child, he was so small among the crowds, but he was trying to be brave. Clinging a little to Josh, Ra looked down at him and smile before returning her eyes to Josh's face.

There were certainly many people here, enough even to make Ra feel a bit like Jason and out of place. Not totally though.

Josh was formal in his bow and she nodded back.

"It's going to be nice to relax. At least I think that's what this is for?"

Motioning for him to lead on, she nodded with a touch of a smile.

"By all means. Knight in shining armor, lead the way."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"As far as I know" Josh would respond as he would hold out a hand to take Ra's. Shooting her a playful smirk as he would lace his fingers between hers, he would lead Ra to the entrance by one hand, and Jason by the other. Once they had their tickets, they would step into the amusement park and Josh would look around, a bit overwhelmed by all of the rides and attractions. Jason, while still clearly nervous, was obviously wowed by all of the rides and other stuff. The child's jaw was dropped, his eyes staring about in wonder as he seemed almost overwhelmed himself by all the things to see and do.

"Jason looks like he's in heaven" Josh remarked with a chuckle as he looked down at his son. "Let's try not to go near the food stalls yet. He should eat -after- the rides."

"So. Any ideas for where to start?"

 

[Ra'a'mah]

This was almost like harkening back to her days when she thought she was a neutral apprentice and could barely use the Force. She had met a sith one night and had joined her in going to a club of sorts. It had been an enjoyable evening, but overwhelming at first. Ra hoped Jason would handle it all better than she did that night. Of course, this setting was totally different, but the sights, sounds and crowd would be similar.

Accepting the hand of Josh and intertwining her fingers with his, she felt this was going to be an interesting day. When Josh commented they should avoid the food stands, Ra let out a laugh that was genuine and continued to wear that smile on her face.

"Totally agreed there. Wouldn't do to have that food come up right away."

He then asked if she had any ideas on where to start right at the same time she was going to say the same thing.

"Not a clue. What about those tea cup things that spin around?"

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"I think we can do that" He spoke. "You'd think Jason might be a bit terrified at it, but he's travelled on ships before. I think he might actually enjoy it" Josh would admit it with a light smile. "Might take him a bit to get used to though."

With that, the trio would begin to make their way to the tea cups. It would be a bit of a wait, and Jason seemed to grow a bit impatient at points where Josh would need to entertain him a little to keep him from getting a little irritated. The child wasn't used to waiting in lines, so Josh didn't blame him. Once they had arrived, Josh would help Jason up the steps, and let Ra walk up first as he would follow soon after.

"You gonna be okay on these? I've only been on them once or twice, and that was years ago. I don't know if you've been on them before, but they can be daunting if you're unprepared" Josh would ask Ra.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

"I've never been to one of these kinds of things. So like with Jason, this is all new to me. However, I think I can reign in my childish excitement."

Her own eyes were filled with it, even if she didn't express it as much as Jason did. She also had far more patience than he did. There was also a touch of humor in her voice when she spoke and a slight smile for Josh.

Their time in line was taken up quite often with trying to entertain Jason. It also gave them the chance to make plans for the next ride or attraction to visit.

"I'm sure I'll be fine. You?"

Noticing he waited for her to go first, she climbed the steps​ in front of them and helped Jason if he allowed it.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He nodded his head, allowing them to go first as Ra would help Jason into the tea cups. Josh would sit on one side, allowing Ra to sit on the other side of Jason and for Jason to sit in the middle where he would be safest. As the ride would start, Jason was clearly fearful at first, clutching hard to the handlebars as the ride would go on. But the more that the ride went on, the more that it seemed to remind Jason of the time spent in hyperspace on the Dragon, and the child would relax. Before long, Jason began to cry out in glee as the ride got faster, clearly beginning to enjoy himself.

Josh himself had brightened up when the ride got faster. He wasn't used to this, but the sensations were exhilarating to him.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

In a way it surprising, but also very sweet that both Josh and Jason allowed Ra to help the child. A sign they were becoming more comfortable and accepting of her. Not that she was going to say anything on the matter.

There was fear and joy mixed together, but the fear went away as the ride progressed. Happy she had put her hair into the braid like she normally had it or it would have been wildly in the way. The feeling was shared with all of them and by the end of the ride, all were grinning.

Eventually the ride ended and they needed to exit. Again her hand was offered to assist Jason out of the cup and they trundled off to allow the next group on.

"I picked this one. Where do you want to go next?"

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Jason let her help him down as the ride would come to a stop and Josh would step out behind them. While he was worried about Jason, Ra had been gentle with him. He could at least give her a chance here, seeing as he was close by anyway. Josh himself could even admit the ride had been exhilarating. He had very little enjoyment as a child, so it had taken a lot to draw this sense of fun out of him in this matter. But he was enjoying himself. Even just the thought of spending the day with Jason and Ra was wonderful, really.

For a moment, he found himself fantasizing about future trips, taking them both to other places like this, just... Being together.

Kind of like a family.

He snapped out of it quickly, realizing the cause. He missed that sense of family, but... He couldn't have that back. Not now. Not while the other person may, deep down, just be a replacement for Shmi. If he was to jump back into a relationship, he wanted to know it was real. And he wanted them to know it was real as well. It wouldn't be right otherwise.

"Hmm..." Josh would muse aloud as Ra would ask where to go next. "Definitely not the rollercoasters... A bit too much for Jason, I think. Maybe the Ferris Wheel? It might be a bit much for heights though... But he might be ok."

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Enjoying the fact the help offered was accepted by both Josh and Jason made her feel good. In a way, Josh seemed a little reluctant at first to allow her to help his son, eventually it became clear it was sometimes needed.

When ever Jason wanted to hang onto her hand or swing between the two of them, Ra would take his hand. If he wanted to cling to Josh too, it wasn't going to hurt her feelings. She was still a new figure in the boy's life and full acceptance would take time. However, he might be able to pick up on just how open she was to having him hold her hand and accept him. Jason was a part of Josh's life and she understood that fully.

The momentary thought of Josh wasn't totally missed by Ra, but she made no comment on it. If he wanted her to know, he would tell her. Not ever having had what would be thought of as a family life within her memory, it wasn't something she considered he thought of. Nor did she think he was trying to replace his former wife with her.

"Even I don't think I can handle rollercoasters. Just the thought turns my stomach. Ferris Wheel sounds like another smooth ride."

Looking down at Jason, she gave him a smile if he was looking up and pointed to the large wheel that went up into the sky.

"Want to go on that next?"

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Never been a fan, myself" Josh would admit with a casual shrug. It seemed that the ferris wheel it was. As Ra would lean down and ask Jason the question, the child would look up at where Ra was pointing, his jaw dropping in curious wonder. "Ooooh..." Jason would ooh and ahh aloud as he watched the big spinny thing in the guy. "Let's go, let's go, let's goooo!" The child would chirp excitedly as Josh laughed a bit, keeping Jason from running ahead as he would motion for him to take Ra's hand when he noticed it was being offered. Mainly so it'd be easier to keep Jason reigned in if he got overexcited.

Jason stared at her hand a moment, but while hesitant, he would soon grab her hand with his free hand and begin moving toward the ferris wheel excitedly.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

It was nice to know neither one of them really liked the thought of being on a rollercoaster. Looking down at Jason, he seemed like a little daredevil and when he got bigger would probably enjoy the thrill of the ride. Not yet though, in a few years they could return here and he could go on one.

When he looked up and stared at the wheel in awe, she grinned and held out her hand. At first he looked at it like it was a viper ready to strike at him, but when Josh motioned for him to take it, he did reluctantly.

"Hopefully the line won't be quite as long for this one."

The little boy tugging away at their hands lead them to the end of the line for the Ferris Wheel.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Once Jason took their hands, Josh seemed to get an idea. It wasn't everyday he'd get the chance to do this again, after all and he knew Jason enjoyed it. He looked at Ra and motioned to swing Jason. "On three" Josh would suddenly remark as Jason would look up at them. "One-two-three-wheeee!" He cried out as he would swing his arm forward, and once Ra did the same, Jason would giggle wildly as he swung a bit in the air as he hung onto their hands.

Josh knew that it'd been something he loved when his mother was still around, something he couldn't provide by himself now. But for now, he was focused on entertaining him until they go to the end of the line.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

It was sweet to be walking hand in hand with Jason. The three of them appearing to be a normal family. There was something Josh thought of and Ra nodded when the message was clear to her.

Not having grown up with parents to speak of, this was something she had never had happen. But the laughter and giggles from Jason made it all the better. A very endearing sound and one she wanted to hear more.

Leaping jumps, swinging backward and foreward would also help to wear him out. Before the day was through, he would be on sleepy child.

As they walked, Ra looked around at the other rides and saw one that interested her. Hoping Jason was big enough to go on it, she would mention it when they got done with the Ferris Wheel.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh had spent far too much of his childhood either on the run, or in the Jedi, to really recall much for childhood happy memories like this, unfortunately. But he knew from what he'd seen in other parents this and that, and what little he did remember of his own childhood, even if it was small. The rest? It was instinct, really. A strange paternal instinct that helped drive him forward.

It wasn't long before the three of them would be at the front of the line to the ferris wheel, though it felt like forever to them all. The three would hop into one of the containers, and Jason, sitting between them, would reach out to try to grip a hand of either one as it went up...

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

While Josh had memories of being with the Jedi his whole childhood, hers were the opposite. She had grown up being trained and raised by a Sith lord. Neither one of them had much opportunity to have fun. He had been given the opportunity to observe other parents and she could only guess. However, she loved children and always had. Maybe what Ra did was as much instinct as Josh, but it worked out.

She found attempting to keep a toddler that wanted to run around amused a challenge. Somehow she and Josh managed it though and after what felt like ages they were climbing into one of the containers that would take them up into the air.

They were in, sitting and slowly rising as Jason reached out to take one of her hands. It was one of the first times he had done this without a prompt from Josh and it made her feel nice. Like she was wanted and her company was welcome. The hand was accepted and she held on.

"You're going to like the view from the top, I'm sure."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Jason would reach over and take Josh's hand with his other one as well, clearly nervous about the sudden heights. The child wasn't used to this sort of thing, so Josh wasn't surprised that he would be like this, he would adjust soon enough and be all joyful again he knew. He just hoped it didn't take too long, or he'd miss all the fun. He supposed they could always take him on it again if he liked it though, right?

As the ride went higher, Jason would slowly start to look up from where he'd been staring at the floor. His curiosity had gotten the better of him as he would find himself looking down at the sights around them, eyes wide in wonder. Josh would smile in turn.

"Looks like he's about set just in time for us to reach the top."

 

[Ra'a'mah]

As they started to travel upwards, Jason at first would look only at the floor of the carrier. When he figured out the bottom wasn't going to drop out from under his feet, he decided to look up and out. The eyes of a child were such wonderful things and Ra smiled as the wonder filled them. Glancing at Josh, she gave him a real smile that was honest in what she felt. While she was an adult, somethings would always bring a sense of wonder. The ability to have fun, relax and not worry about anything was one.

"It is wonderful to look at, don't you think?"

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]