Private Life is a Hazard

[Iandre Athlea]

Iandre had been spending more time in the infirmary than she wanted to as a patient. This time, she had her leg in a cast and had been told to stay in bed. Luckily, she had a datapad and full access to the holonet. Anything she needed to keep her mind occupied was provided, and she was starting to feel rather confined. Without the option of getting up and moving, she could only rotate around on the bed.

Grunting slightly, she flopped over again about as graceful as a beached whale. Keeping her firm hold on the electronic devices, she reached over to the table next to her and grabbed the glass of water that was waiting for her. Hearing steps in the hallway outside of her room, she expected one of the nurses to check up on her.

She had not complained about her situation and didn't plan on it. Noticing who had walked in, she sat up straighter and almost wished she had her helmet with her.

Diarch Reign, a man she had only encountered when she was on duty. A man who had never seen her face. That she knew of. Somebody she should probably get to know better. Especially considering the feelings she had for his brother. Feelings she felt he also had.

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Aurora Station | Infirmary
Tags: Iandre Athlea

---

He had not planned on stopping by, Reign had been reviewing injury reports for the armed forces. Something he often did, so that he knew the very real toll their campaigns had.

It was something he knew the soldiers admired about him, and something he couldn’t bring himself to stop. He knew the names of every dead, every wounded, anyone that fought under their banner.

However, when he had gotten to Iandre’s name, he was determined to go visit the woman. They had met once during the campaign on behalf of Antipater , clearing the Sith cultists. However, she had seemed curt, distrustful even towards the Diarch. Many things had changed since then, if conversations with Laphisto and Diarch Rellik were to be believed.

He smiled thinking of his brother and their close friend, they had faced many trials together and still their bond was strong. As he entered the room, he saw the woman straighten, felt her unease.

He smiled broadly, looking more like a dad than a commander and warrior feared by half the galaxy.

“Woah, easy, I’m just here to check in on you. It’s a habit I have with all of our wounded… how are you?”

 

[Iandre Athlea]

Their brief encounter on Borosk had proven to be a positive one. Then again, on Taris, they had been in the same room, and nothing bad had happened to her then either. The third try was the charm? Relaxing when he told her to, she hadn't realized she had tensed up as much as she had.

Motioning to one of the chairs, she invited him to sit next to her and gave him a slight smile. Pointing at her casted leg, she shrugged slightly before answering.

"I'm still alive, Diarch. Thank you."

She was probably doing better now than when she had first joined the Lilaste Order and Diarchy. At that point, she was hardly more than a rotted husk of a form. Through time and patience, she had recovered, and now she would be bedbound for several weeks.

"My needs are taken care of, and I appreciate that more than you can imagine."

Rellik and her men had brought her out of that hole and then back here. The aid they had been sent out to give was something she still felt guilty about failing. It didn't matter that Rellik said she had helped. She had fallen and not done anything except break a leg.

Finally, a little smile formed again, and she turned that to the Diarch.

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Aurora Station | Infirmary
Tags: Iandre Athlea

---

Reign took the seat that was offered, and he listened. Intently, green eyes never leaving those of the speaker. He had learned long ago, that it was best to listen first, especially when trying to get to know someone.

He studied the person in front of him while she spoke. An old soul, if the reports were to be believed, yet within the trappings of someone not much younger than himself. He would be lying to himself if said he wasn't curious.

"Sometimes Alive is all we can ask for.. others are not so fortunate"

He said, pointing to the datapad in his hand, it still held the list of KIA soldiers.

"I'm glad that your needs are being met. Both Laphisto and my brother speak very highly of you. I wanted to take this opportunity to really meet you for myself."

He looked intently at her, green eyes burrowing into grey, almost as if he were studying her

"Friendship, loyalty and... love, are the foundations of the Diarchy, you seem to have found a place, but tell me.. are you happy here?"

His mind drifted slightly to his wife and children as he spoke.

 

[Iandre Athlea]

When Reign spoke of the dead and pointed at his datapad, her eyes followed the movement. She didn't entirely focus on what was there and instead remembered her own past and the dead who were a part of it. Just taking a few breaths and fighting back some tears, she looked back at Reign.

"I do understand that very well. You, your brother, Laphisto, and even Zara have all welcomed me with open arms and minds. Zinayn greeted me when I opened my eyes and told me about you, Rellik, and the Diarchy. Without this family, I don't know what would have happened to me.

"Am I happy? Yes, beyond anything I could have dreamed about when I was a Jedi in the Clone Wars. I still don't know why I was saved and brought forward to now, but I'm thankful for this chance to live again."

Iandre was a survivor, a fighter, and she wasn't about to let a broken leg slow her down much. The corners of her mouth turned up slightly in a smile as she finished speaking. She gazed at the Diarch, and if he were still studying her, then he would see the resolve and conviction she had.

"I thank you, Diarch Reign, for all the effort you have made to carve this corner of the Galaxy into something a former Jedi or two can support. Everything is gained over time, and I'd like to think I can offer you all three. Well, maybe not love, but I certainly don't dislike you."

Love was still a somewhat foreign element in her life. Something Iandre was coming to accept, and she knew what it felt like now.

"To loyalty, friendship, and the love for your brother."

Holding the hand out that was empty, she offered a genuine shake and not one filled with fear.

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Aurora Station | Infirmary
Tags: Iandre Athlea

---

The Diarch listened, really listened. Looking for the words between words and the subtle shifts in the force as he did so. It was what made him a good statesmen, diplomat, and leader. He let his people know that he heard them.

The woman was strong, and she had no lack of conviction, that much was plain. It warmed Reign's heart when she spoke of family and getting the chance to live again. Family was the driving factor for the Diarch, his own wife and children the reason he fought.

When Iandre thanked him, he was a little taken aback.

"I have done nothing worthy of thanks, my friend. My brother and I did not form the Diarchy for the sake of ourselves, nor to be thanked or heralded as heroes. We created the Diarchy for people like you, people like the citizens down on that planet below us. All beings deserve peace, freedom from the endless wars that have plagued this galaxy since before even your time. So I must tell you not to thank me.. not until children know the sound of laughter instead of blasterfire.."

He realized then he was getting back on his soapbox and clamped it down before continuing softly

"Friendship and loyalty.. I can take that. Besides I don't think my wife would be very happy if you came to love me"

He laughed as he said the last part, it was no secret the Diarch was happily married. But his mind snapped back into attention at the mention of love for his brother. He chuckled lightly as he addressed her.

"Ah, I thought I'd heard something about that. Rellik is.. interesting. Beware of stray lightning when getting close to him. And get used to hectic family gatherings, my daughters are their own force of nature."

 

[Iandre Athlea]

"But you have, Diarch. I will thank you again when that time comes. However, I don't think that will happen in our lifetimes. In this corner, you have brought the children laughter. You have allowed me to recover in peace, and I will help you to continue to carry on your dream for the future."

She had seen the scars of war; Rellik had made sure of that. Her research had revealed more to her, and she had learned exactly what happened to the galaxy when her republic had fallen. Noticing he trailed off and didn't finish what he was saying, she didn't press further.

"No, I imagine she wouldn't."

Returning the humor, she looked at him quizzically when he mentioned the stray lightning.

"Now you have me curious, Diarch. Does he just randomly shoot off lightning?"

As she had not grown up with a formal family, she listened to his advice and nodded. Something else also occurred to her. He freely accepted her relationship with his brother. That shocked her more than anything.

Her hand remained extended, but she was thinking about lowering it.

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Aurora Station | Infirmary
Tags: Iandre Athlea

---

The Diarch stared at the outstretched hand for just a moment, his jaw dropping slightly. Then he gripped it in a firm handshake, trying to hide his embarrassment.

“Hang around him long enough and you’ll see it. When he gets really angry or excited, you can even see it in his eyes!”

He laughed as he said this, real warmth coming from him.

“And don’t get me started on his “science” we had spent two months finally growing beards when he wanted to show off some new alchemical experiment he was working on.. bye bye beards.. father was.. not pleased”

He trailed off slightly thinking about his father but recovered quickly.

“But tell me of yourself!”

 

[Iandre Athlea]

His hand was warm and firm around hers, and Iandre returned the shake and took her hand back after a moment or two. Listening to Reign's answer, she smiled at his laughter and remembered the looks his brother had given her.

"I look forward to it, Diarch. Truly. I never thought anything like this could happen or be real, even."

Rubbing at her chin when he mentioned beards disintegrating, she laughed.

"I guess I'm glad I won't grow one. That way, he can't make it disappear. How old were you?"

She had gleaned some information from Rellik about his upbringing and family life. It wasn't something the former Jedi ever had. Now she would hopefully learn more from Reign. She would take as much as they would give her.

Then he asked her to tell him about herself. Letting out a sigh, she played with her covers for a second or two. Much like he did, her eyes might have taken on a distant look. Her memories went through her mind as she spoke.

"I figured out I was born around 42 BBY. Was raised as a Jedi on Coruscant. I had a master, and she died keeping me safe when Order 66 came."

Falling silent, she closed her mouth and had a bit of a frown.

"I then changed my clothes, kept my lightsaber hidden, and booked transport on a ship. My luck was horrible, and the hyperdrive malfunctioned. I climbed aboard an escape pod, and the next thing I know, I'm looking at the faces of Gem and Zinayn.

"The rest you should know."

Going quiet again, she was curious about him as well. Nobody with the Diarchy had ever lied to her, and she didn't expect him to either.

"What Code do you follow? I'm no longer a Jedi and don't know what I am."

Maybe it was heavier than he wanted or expected, but the question was out, and she waited for his answer.

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Aurora Station | Med Bay
Tags: Iandre Athlea

---

He thought back to the beard incident, he couldn’t have been too old.

“I must have been roughly 18, Rellik 16. Our father was a very.. severe man. He’d lived a hard life but he always let us know he loved us.”

He listened intently, the only other person he’d known that was that old had been Laphisto and they had spent many hours locked in deep conversation.

“I’ve studied that time period, a part of my studies was military tactics of past superpowers. Between that and the friendship I hold with your master, I’ve learned much.”

He smiled at the question of the code. It had been a hard lesson drilled into them by their father.

“ Diarch Rellik and I can’t take all the credit, the code is a memorialization of the teachings of our father.”

he paused before reciting

“Bonds of Unity Create Power
Power Shared is Power Multiplied
Power Multiplied Creates Purpose
Purpose for Order over Chaos
Loyalty Above All”

“Our father taught us that the bonds of love and friendship create more power than we ever could alone. The pursuit of power for one alone will never amount to power multiplied by many. Power is nothing if used without purpose, and the purpose of our power is to bring order to a galaxy in turmoil.. and above all, loyalty. Loyalty between us brothers, between our families, between our people”

He exhaled after he spoke. He had not spoken the code aloud in some time.

“You will find the Diarchy quite a different place than the republic you left behind”

He smiled softly, if the woman was paying attention she would see the deep sadness within the Diarch. The sadness of a man who commanded those he considered family to die for a future they’d never see. A man who would die among them for that same future for his own children.

 

[Iandre Athlea]

"Rellik has told me some about your father. It's wonderful that you knew the love of your father. I'm sure you are doing the same for your daughters."

When he mentioned he had studied the military tactics, she let out a huff of breath through her nose.

"That I can also help with. I studied them in person. Laphisto is a great person and has helped me so much. I'm actually quite happy and glad I decided to learn about the Diarchy instead of trying to return to the Alliance. Not that they are bad, but I don't think I would have been able to integrate with them as well.

"What you have made here, Diarch, is beyond anything I could have imagined happening."

As they spoke, something changed within Iandre. She started accepting him. Perhaps she had grown accustomed to the aura he projected or had developed immunity to its effects. No matter what it was, her broken leg brought them together, and she was no longer uncomfortable around Reign.

Tilting her head and really listening to their code, she nodded. His explanation touched her viscerally in a way she hadn't known before. It was a code she could adopt herself and still mostly follow the Jedi code. She didn't feel she would be a Jedi for much longer. With the teachings of Laphisto and her feelings for Rellik, the path she had been on was no longer where she was now.

"It is a very different government from the one my Republic was. Yet not entirely. War is something that binds them together. The Lilaste Order is what the Clones were, and I am among their number.

"I will likely join you in the sorrow you carry."

One of the nurses came in to check on Iandre and give her pain medicine. There was a clear but unspoken request from the nurse to the Diarch to leave. She didn't say anything, though, and kept quiet. Only speaking to Iandre and giving him a nod.

Diarch Reign