Private Line in the sand

[Aiden Porte]

Naboo
Theed
Blaire Sal-Soren

There was a nice cool breeze that took the people of Naboo away to a place that was enjoyable. At least for the people of Theed. He wasn't sure how things were in the other parts of the Naboo, from the deep plains to the Gallo mountains. He was going to safely assume that they were going just as well.

Today was another meeting for the Jedi Padawan, one of the many he would continue to have. As the weeks, turned to months and such, the meetings were getting smaller. While it would seem disheartening for some, for Aiden it was a very good thing. It meant people were living, they were moving on and taking that first step into their new future. Stepping out of the darkness and into the Light once more. Not a Jedi's light, but just living again. Families that were torn apart were mending and even being rebuilt.

Aiden could see it in their faces when he saw them on the streets, he had a lot to be thankful for. In one way or another, the citizens were helping him too.

He had been asked upon the dismissal of todays meeting if he would still be here should the day come that no one showed up.

"Yes, I'll still be here. Same time, same place, every week." Aiden showed a friendly smile as he glanced around to them all before standing up. "Enjoy the rest of your day my friends. If you all need anything you know how to get a hold of me."

Good fortunes were said as hugs exchanged and farewells as they began to clear out of the room. Aiden glanced over to the datapad on the desk checking the time. It was pretty close, enough time to stop by and get something for Blaire and her kiddos.

The Jedi Padawan had inquired about stopping by for a visit to catch up and say hi. While Aiden couldn't deny that he had another objective in mind, in the form of a question. However he would keep that close to him for now. Flowers for Blaire, and small stuffed animal for the kiddos would be something they would enjoy.

Good company, they could both use it he felt.

Aiden arrived at the location as gave a few small knocks at the door.

 

[Blaire Sal-Soren]

There was a knock at her door. Blaire Sal-Soren had not been expecting anyone today. She was not even certain anyone knew she was back home on Naboo, having been away for the last couple of weeks.

Then again, her siblings were all Jedi, even baby Bast! So, maybe they just knew she was back, or maybe Briana who was the big time Jedi Grandmaster on Naboo was informed of Blaire's arrival back from Malastare. It would be just like her to try and keep tabs on Blaire.

Malastare was where Blaire's work was. Technically it was where Joran Del-Finn was. Joran was the new senator for Malastare and was busy making himself known on the world. What did that have to do with Blaire? Well, it just so happened that a handful of weeks ago Blaire was made Head of Acquisitions and Investments for Fortune's Favorite limited, which was Senator Del-Finn's company.

The company did all sorts. There was a shipping division, A & I, obviously, manufacturing, agriculture, bars, restaurants, and probably more. Blaire's job was to find other companies that could either be absorbed outright by Fortune's Favorite or invested in to a degree that could allow for future gains.

She turned the nine through fifteen largest fuel distributors on Malastare, a world known for their fuel into Fortune Fuel, an investment that should yield profit in less than four years.

Blaire punched a few absent minded key strokes on the security pad, and the door opened with a woosh. Staring back at her across the threshold was not any of her family.

It was…

"Aiden!" Blaire said, surprised to see him. She beamed. It's been forever since Blaire saw Aiden, not since last life day where she had made an ass out of herself. That seemed to be the theme of her Life Day, between embarrassing herself in front of Lorn, and starting a brand new feud with Briana, which really wasn't her fault, she was only trying to help, honest.

That was all small time compared to how she was with Aiden. First she'd kissed him and disappeared on him for days until seeing him again at a grief meeting he held where she had proceeded to vomit her feelings all over him. Honestly, the fact that he was at Blaire's door now proved just how great a guy he was.

"Oh! Are those for me?" She asked, noticing the gifts in Aiden's hands.

See? What a guy.

"Don't stand out there and catch a cold! Come in," Blaire gently pulled Aiden in by the wrist. "The girls are sleeping right now, thank Shiraya."

Blaire led Aiden into the living area of her, well she wouldn't label it as lavish but a penthouse apartment in Theed really had no other applicable word to describe it.

A cool breeze drifted lightly through the open door to the balcony. Curtains kicked and danced to the tune of it. Floral smells drifted quietly through the whole of the apartment struggling to be noticed over the smell of pine scented floor polish.

Blaire, before Aiden's sudden arrival and after finally mercifully getting her twins down for a nap had taken the time for some tidying, so to say she was woefully underdressed for visitors was selling it drastically short. Almost as short as the shorts she was wearing,

which judging by their fit were probably Bastilia's. Her top was hers though for sure…or maybe this one was Briana's or actually come to think of it, this one was Lossa's…maybe. Didn't matter now, stained and worn in as it was. Gosh, and her hair was a mess too, hastily thrown up in the most mediocre attempt at a bun ever witnessed on Naboo. Here Aiden was looking like…that…with gifts and flowers and she looked like a bar matron who had a rough night.

Blaire guided him to a couch to sit.

"How are you?"

Aiden Porte

 

[Aiden Porte]

"Aiden!"

Her reaction was all that he needed as it settled his nerves. Granted his usually didn't come over to places unannounced, he always made it a good habit to let the other person know and such. But to this he wanted to surprise Blaire and hopefully provide a good surprise. And based on her reaction he definitely succeeded in that.

"Oh! Are those for me?"

He chuckled lightly. "Of course they are. Well, the flowers are for you and the animals are for the young ones." He was whisked in as he followed her inside her home. "I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time, in truth I should've probably gave you a holocall before." The cool breeze from the balcony had ushered tossed the fresh scent of the floors around.

"Thank you for having me." Well, unexpectedly you moron.... Aiden thought as the guilty thought ran through his mind before he dismissed it and joined her on the couch.

"I'm doing pretty well all things considered. A lot has happened in the past week and half." While he didn't want to get into the details of the fact that his home had been burned to the ground and that he had killed several dark warriors in the past week. Probably wasn't something to open with, in truth he was more concerned about her and how she was. If the conversation happened to lean towards his home and such, he would of course give the details of such. One of the biggest things that he had learned during the weekly meetings he would hold for those that were having trouble forgetting and letting go. He had to be honest with those he cared about.

"You look well, It's good to see you. Have the little ones been resting easy?" Aiden asked curiously and genuinely. He heard stories especially from his own parents that young children would tend to be quite fussy in the middle of the night. He hoped when he was a young child he didn't cause them too much trouble.

He did muse at the thought though.

Blaire Sal-Soren

 

[Blaire Sal-Soren]

"Hush," she dismissed his concerns about not calling first "if it was a bad time, you coming over solved it believe me. I'm just lucky I was able to get the place cleaned."

Just like Aiden. He was a Jedi, well, a Padawaan but still, and he couldn't just sense how glad she was to see him. He was so worried to be imposing that he failed to notice that it was her that was pulling him inside, very clearly not upset in the slightest.

There was something in his tone that was clear to Blaire that something big had happened over the last week or more for Aiden. Blaire was no Jedi. Had no talent in the Force, except for…well, that was for another time.

No, Blaire was no Jedi but she'd had a lifetime of practice reading people's emotions and learning to hear what they didn't say. That's what growing up in the aristocracy got you, hardly anyone ever said what they truly meant, every barb and thorn was hidden in the bouquet. Then there was her second life as an agent for The New Way, a life she had hidden from practically everyone, daddy didn't know until the end and as far as Blaire knew, her siblings still didn't know. Living a lie made one acutely aware of when they were given half-truths.

"Shiraya's Blessing Aiden, I am a frickin mess, but thank you. For the compliment and the flowers." She gave his hand a squeeze. "Oh the girls sleep pretty well, as well as can be hoped for, I think. I've got a Korunai woman who helps around here, she has two littles of her own, she has been a life saver."

Keela had the day off so Aiden would not be meeting her today.

"Now tell me about this week you had,"

Aiden Porte

 

[Aiden Porte]

"Well, I'm glad I solved it then, I take back my apologies." He said with small chuckle as he gave her and gentle squeeze in return. He listened to her talk about the girls and the woman that comes around to help.

"And stop, you look great." He laughed, squeezing her hand, reassuring her that he didn't care that she looked how she did. It was real, and wasn't something fake.

"I'm glad they are doing well. You know, if you need any help with anything at all. Don't hesitate to ask." Aiden said with a smile and she mentioned about the week. As he felt she would ask. Perhaps part of him was hoping that she would. That portion of his heart wanting to explain what happened, and what he did.

He began with the story of the dark exchange and the dark one known as Sion. Cast all anger, hate and darkness upon his family. And within the last few weeks they launched their plan. His families home burned to the ground, and he was forced to do what was necessary.

"I had a mix of emotions, sadness, relief, compassion....." Aiden let her hand go for a moment as he turned on the couch to face her a bit more. "....and anger." Aiden took a deep breath, while it was a short while ago, he found his ability to let go had grown. Yet as he remembered it again, it would always leave a wound in him. That wouldn't ever heal....

"I killed those that came for me and my family. And she came back, Esme." Aiden looked over to Blaire. "Someone who I loved a few years ago. She died during a New way attack. And by some dark design by my enemies meant to torment me." Aiden chuckled lightly, as he shook his head. It wasn't something he found funny, just crazy. That this all happened, he glanced down to his hands.

"She was trying to get me to join her again in darkness, and to free her I had to kill her." Aiden remembered the sight of her spirit leaving, truly joining the light once more. It was by Sion's dark design that she had returned, and thus by the Jedi Padawan's hand she had returned to light.

Aiden looked back to her. "I hope I didn't bring sorrow to your day. I was told it would be easier to talk about this stuff and to let those I care about truly in." He wasn't the type to spill out his problems, which is what lead to his breakdown on New Life Day.

Aiden wanted to apologize again but he thought better of it.

"Am I a good person, Blaire?" The young man inquired, looking to her. Perhaps seeking an answer, whether it be one he wanted to hear or didn't.

Blaire Sal-Soren

 

[Blaire Sal-Soren]

Aiden let go her hand has he began he story of loss and grief and evil things being done to people who did not deserve it. She had taken his hand back when he spoke of Esme. Even before he explained who she was to him, she could sense his despair for her thanks to Blaire's new connection to The Force.

"Am I a good person, Blaire?"

"Aiden," she pulled her hand from his. Not for anything that he had done. No, none of that bothered her. Not his confession of anger nor the fact that he had killed people. Bad people but still people. It was nothing to do with the return of his former love, well, that wasn't true m. Her reaction was very much due to that but not because of anything Aiden had to do. "I am not the right person to ask that sort of thing." She told him "if you knew…" she began but could not finish. "I'm sorry," she told him through a smile, as tears ran silently down her cheeks. She tasted the salt.

For not the first time Blaire was filled with regret for her choice to come back to Naboo. This was her place, her family's place, but she did not belong here surrounded by people who loved her, who tried to care for her, not when all she had done was hurt them. Hurt them in ways she did not know and in ways they would never recover.

The New Way. They had hurt so many people. Tortured Cybelle, imprisoned Brandyn, taken Lossa's daughter and now Blaire found out they had killed Aiden's Esme as well. Blaire was more than the daughter of the man who had started the organization. She had been a part of it herself. She'd helped them, lied for them, stole for them, killed for them. Now she lived that lie yet. Surrounded by people she had a hand in hurting, never revealing that she had done the things she had, afraid now that she had them, they would cast her out again or worse, they may even forgive her.

"I'm so sorry you had to deal with all that, Aiden." It was a very weak cover but she did not know what else to say. "It all sounds so awful," Blaire had some experience with losing her family home and loved ones as well.

"If there's anything I can…"

| Outfit: xxx | Tag: Aiden Porte | Equipment: xxx |​

 

[Aiden Porte]

"if you knew…"

"I'm sorry,"

Why am I always doing this?

The Jedi padawan inquired, as she began to cry. His hand raised against her cheek briefly to wipe the few tears away. It wasn't his intention to get her upset, but he seemed with his openings about his life. That seemed to happen more and more often than not. But this was what he wanted to do, this was his deal. He chose over and over again to be that person that everyone could count on, to be able to bear his friends pain and even sadness without breaking himself.

Aiden felt her pain, regret and.....fear? He wasn't sure what was all going on, but the emotions were there. "You don't have to apologize, you haven't done anything to me." Aiden's hand rested on her shoulder before he began to pull her in, if she allowed it. "Come here..." He would pull her into a strong hug, letting her know it was going to be okay.

"I'm so sorry you had to deal with all that, Aiden."

"It all sounds so awful,"

"It was awful, but I'm still here. I'm doing okay, you know? Tell me what's bothering you?" He asked as he pulled back to look at her. He wasn't sure what it was, but her tears and her face said it all. It was something she felt incredibly bad about.

Aiden just wanted to help her, like he was trying to help everyone else.

Blaire Sal-Soren