Luminosity

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

"Oh, you have no idea what you're in for." Relina purred under her breath, shaking her head. She'd take the bottle herself and poured herself a drink, her eyes glued to the holo. "The players in the white are our's. Charubah wears the silver and purple. This sport grew on me while I was on deployment during the last conflict. I used to only really care about fencing, really." she explained.

The commentary and play-by-play was done in Hapan. Relina touched another key to make subtitles in aurebesh appear so Josh could understand what was being said. It would also become apparent that it was a coed sport with men and women playing together. Relina sat straight up in anticipation when the ball was nearing the opposing goal by one of the Gallinorean players. "GO GO GO GO GO GO!" she shouted, fist pumping. Perhaps the brandy was taking effect.

Aless also seemed excited. "We also have professional fighting, which is popular. Usually it's men, but there is a women's division." She said. "I trust you prefer wrestling and fighting, then?"

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The blonde would stare right at Relina and grin cheekily. "Oh I'm sure" He would tease. He would take another drink as he watched this odd sport for a little while, relaxing a little more as he would sink a bit into the hot tub, his eyes half-lidded as he allowed himself to finally just loosen up. It'd been a long couple of weeks, and he certainly needed the rest. He didn't know if he'd seen a good opportunity like this one for quite some time, so he knew to appreciate and get the most of what he had while he had it.

He nodded in appreciation when she turned the subtitles on. He was still learning Hapan after all, and it would take him quite some time here in order to do that. And that was just speaking it. Writing it, and understanding the written language? Oh boy, that was going to take awhile.

"I do" He remarked to her question. "Maybe I'll even do an exhibition sometime on the fighting as an example" He cracked.

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

The twins looked at each other. "I wonder if..." Relina began.

"... they will let him, being a Jedi." Aless finished. They both glanced at him, but Relina's attention returned to the game when the commentator shouted the Hapan word for "GOAL!' nice and elongated.

The ball had been kicked into the red goal, slamming into the glowing grid of energy, not unlike a stronger, more elastic version of the particle shielding that held the pool into it's spherical shape. The ball was still spinning when it impacted the goal, slowing to a stop before it was pushed back by the field flattening itself again. The holocam that captured this had to have been situated directly behind the goal. The scoreboard then flashed, replacing the Hapan numeral for 0 to 1 next to the Gallinorean flag to indicate Gallinore won the first goal. Two players swam by each other, clapping one another's hands in a somewhat sluggish high-five. "YES! Take that, Charubah." Relina said with a smug grin before sitting back again.

"Hell, " she added. "I'd like to see how he fares at a game such as Blitz." she said, with a nudge at Josh. "It looks exciting, doesn't it?"

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The Jedi would shrug in return. "My affiliation with the Silver Jedi is loose, and my relationship with the Republic Jedi Order is pretty much cut. The mission I was doing before I came here, the one that I was on for two months... Was self assigned. I did the research. I did the work. I did the scouting. And then I went in and did the job myself. Nobody's paying me, I'm doing it for free" Josh would correct. "I'm doing the Jedi job without the Jedi perks, for the most part, and sustaining myself through an outside venture for income. My training facility, my living quarters, my ship, my ship costs.... I handle those alone. I get a bit of pay from the Silver Jedi, but not near enough to justify the costs of what I do, as I'm constantly out on mission on a regular basis"

"Besides.... If anything, the exhibition would count as training, so long as it's kept private. A private sort of show. If I'm keeping myself in shape, does it matter how I'm doing it?"

He chuckled as the two would begin shouting over the game. "I'm not sure how I'd fare" He remarked with Relina nudged him. "It's rather new to me, after all":

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Relina and Aless listened. "Industrious, compassionate, attractive, and martial. It's hard to believe he's still single." Aless commented.

"You.. ARE without a lover, yes? Now that I think about it, I'd feel guilty trading attempts to seduce with someone who has another in his life." Relina added. She never asked him, but at this point only assumed he was single.

She respected his view on fighting for sport. to her personal training was a part of life. For one to see such a thing as just another PT run mean that he was committed to self-betterment. She liked that in a man... now, if only she can dress him up AND take him out.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Oh, you flatter me" The blonde would tease, reaching over and nudging Aless playfully before looking over at Relina, tilting his head at her question. What did she take him for? He wouldn't flirt NEAR this much, if at all, if he had a lover. He just didn't roll like that. He didn't know whether to think her just overcautious, or to be offended. Part of him -really- wanted to be offended, but at the same time, he'd probably be asking as well. Still, he'd assumed she knew he was single, but he supposed he'd never really officially brought it up.

"Yeah... I've been single for about... Eh, a year and a half, maybe more now?" The Jedi would respond with a shrug. "Only had one lover in my entire life, and the Sith got her. Never got to say goodbye"

He frowned at that thought. There was more then he was telling, as well.... But the Sith had done a lot to hurt him. And he'd spend the rest of his life making sure they wouldn't hurt anyone else.

"But to answer your question, no dear, I have no lover" He added, chuckling a bit as he would reach over and tickle Relina playfully. He wanted to get his mind off that, obviously.

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Relina recoiled at the tickling attempt, feeling her question was a bit silly. She was being overcautious, really. "Fair enough, then. I never asked, and perhaps the question was silly." she said. With a clear conscience, she could abuse her wiles at his expense.

The day was moving along as the afternoon gradually neared evening. Dinner would be ready soon. Still, the Blitz game played on and Relina kept getting distracted by it. "Assassination attempts aside, what do you think of Gallinore?" she asked of him. Her sister was listening, but her eyes were on the game.

Incidentally, there was the sound of people "oooooo"ing when one of the Gallinorean players was tackled and thrown out of the pool. The woman penetrated the energy shield that contained the water and flew right into the front row seating, droplets of water spraying every which way. The player that tackled her backed away from the rebounding shield bubble and back into the fray.

"Ooooo! She's going to feel that in the morning." Aless commented.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The Jedi would shrug in return. "No harm, I suppose" He would remark. Well, at least she knew she could flirt till she was blue in the face if she wished. He'd been doing it all day already. He snuck another pinch to Relina's bum for that.

He had relaxed and watched the game for a little while, losing track of the time as the hot tub would soothe his aching bones and muscles. He would perk up when Relina would ask what he thought of Gallinore. He supposed he had to think on that one for a moment. "It's beautiful. Beautiful skies, beautiful cities, beautiful Ducha. It's great" He would crack, shooting her a grin.

His attention was taken again when someone had managed to get themselves hurt via tackle. Well, that looked like it would hurt, and the Jedi couldn't help but wince just a little.

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Relina recoiled again from the pinch. "You flatter me." she said with a grin. Looking to the time on the holo, she rose from the water and got up to fetch a towel.

"Dinner will be ready soon. I need to dress and make a call beforehand." she advised, wrapping the towel around her at the chest. She didn't particularly like what she had to do, but so be it. She needed to reach out to military contacts and prepare to return to active duty, if only for this. True, it was a personal, but it was also a matter of Gallinore's security. The personal part only justified her willingness to directly involve herself in the conflict. When one is challenged, the only honourable thing to do is accept the challenge.

"Go and make known what you wish to eat." she added as she went in.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He smirked. "Oh I'm sure" He would tease. So what would he do when she went to fetch a towel? Took full advantage, his eyes stayed behind her at every moment until the towel was on. He was just taunting her at this point. He was provoking her more and more, as if he were just -waiting- for her to do something about it.

He nodded when she would decide it was time to head out. It was fun while it lasted, he supposed. They'd had their leisure time. Now it was time for work once again. For Relina, anyway. Technically, Josh didn't have anything to do, he was a guest. Relina didn't need him there while she was making calls. So... What was left for him to do? He'd been working so long, that he wasn't sure what to do while she was working and he was... Sitting around.

But leisure time was low. He nodded a bit. "I'll let them know" He responded. "Be careful out there. They could strike from anywhere" The Jedi would warn. Once she had left, he would look over at Aless and shrug.

To dress and go do something until dinner? Or stick around and chat with Aless until it was time to go dress and head to dinner? He was unsure.

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Alessandra lingered a while longer, leisurely finishing her drink. She, too, would have to handle some things herself, but she didn't have to jump to it immediately. She continued watching the game, which was nearly over with Gallinore leading by 2 points. "What is with Charubah? Have they lost the will to compete?" She asked, seeing that the opposing team was seemingly slowing down.

The twin knew what was coming. Relina was going to effectively declare war, although Aless had to be the one to make the formal declaration politically. She was content to wait until Relina positioned her pieces, however. The Dammerung could be secured by nightfall with a single lance of soldiers on top of those already stationed there. The only possible resistance would be corporate security, for what good their sidearms and stun batons would do against military armour suits and firepower. The civilians would then have to be confined to their offices without the possibility of contact beyond the skyhook. Step one would be relatively easy... but attacking House Kel itself was not quite as simple. At least, she hoped things would be as smooth as she predicted.

"You know, Mr. Joshua. Relina seems fond of you. I admit I am jealous, but I will not get between the two of you. You'll forgive my candidness, but I wonder if a gentleman can be made of you... public appearances, if you catch my meaning." Aless said. A servant made her rounds, straightening up around the pool's deck. Aless was about to rise from the hot tub herself, but decided to call her over.

"Please fetch us one of the dining staff, dear." she said to her. The servant nodded, saying something in Hapan that was probably an acknowledgement before hurrying off.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The golden-haired Jedi Master would finish his drink, deciding to stick around for a few minutes just in case Alessa wanted to talk for a bit, since he had given pretty much most of his attention to Relina during his time here.Though for the moment, she seemed preoccupied with the game. He would shrug it off and pour himself another drink.

Josh knew full well that this was the calm before the storm. It wouldn't be long now before a battle would break out. The question was... Did he jump in like a soldier? Or did he operate like a Jedi? He'd have to discuss that with Relina... So far he'd been doing things like a Jedi. Even the interrogation still held that Jedi dignity, with him trying to peacefully handle it, and his interrogation methods meaning a better end for everyone involved. Was it a little biased? Sure. But he had everyone, including the assassins, best interests in mind.

"Hm?" He would inquire as Aless would suddenly speak, tilting his head. Fond of him? He wasn't sure to the extent of what she meant, but he would nod a bit, smirking faintly. "I can be a gentleman when I need to be, Aless dear" He would respond. "I don't usually say it much, since I don't care much for it, and I was just doing my job, but...." He began, letting out a sigh as he addressed her seriously for a moment. "Forgive my own candidness but... You forget who I am. I'm a Jedi Master. I represented the Republic and the Jedi Order for over 15 years. My public appearances are endless, I am a former Grandmaster Of The Jedi Order... And most importantly, I singlehandedly ended a war, and negotiated The Fringe into a truce when the actions of my superiors attempted to plunge both the Republic and Jedi into a complete total war, with no support on my end, while the so called Supreme Chancellor sat behind me, insulting the leader of the Fringe like a spoiled child with her right there, while I did it alone. I did it with nothing but words and a table to sit down with Ashin and her men. So... The only advice I can give is... Don't judge a book by it's cover, Miss Zhan. I'm quite experienced with.... Public appearances, and know what to do when I have to" The Jedi Master would remark, chuckling a bit, back to his playful nature again. It was... Odd, to say all that. He didn't have the ego or the arrogance to say it normally or tote it around. But when it came down to it, these were cold, hard facts.

Don't judge a book by it's cover.

He allowed Aless to call for one of the dining staff. Likely to decide what to eat.

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Aless listened, meeting his gaze. Her bias was based around a different culture, of course, and wasn't used to people like Josh. However, she could imagine the implications of what he was describing to her. ​"Are all Jedi so diplomatically inclined? Stories and holofilms don't seem to do them justice." she remarked. "Just as well, I want you to look after my sister through this conflict. Family wise, she is one of the few I have left after Mother died and Father disappeared. She means worlds to me."

This was a side, both verbally and emotionally, Alessandra Zhan rarely let people see; the fact that she had Human emotions and familial attachments. In the Hapan political arena, an outward show of such things could mark one as weak. Aless trusted Josh enough to let him see a tiny bit of this side of her.

One of the dining staff, a familiar man, came out finally and requested orders. "The catch of the day, I suppose, for the main course." she told him.

Meanwhile, Relina had gone to cleanse of herself of the chlorine in the hot tub, dress properly, and make the call to one of the commanding officers of the Navy gunners on board the Dammerung. Standing before a holocam, she would return the greeting salute from the inferior officer, despite not being in her uniform. "Commander. House Kel has committed an act of war against House Zhan. As owner of the station and the corporation, I am requesting Secondary Protocol be enacted on board the Dammerung. All non-military personnel are to be confined to their offices without the capability of communication beyond the station. Corporate security is to co-operate or be found culpable themselves. I am relaying this to Naval Command as well to requisition an additional garrison."

The Commander saluted. "Aye Ma'am." Of course, as a Ducha, she had a certain sway over those belonging to her portion of the Royal Navy, despite formally still being a Major, itself nothing to sneeze at. Still, there were other formalities....

Simultaneously, she had relayed the same communication to Admiral Grey, to whom she next addressed with a salute. "Admiral, I am requesting your co-operation in this conflict. I believe the most expedient means to the end is to cut off supply lines to House Kel's defense forces and any forces they may have obtained control of. I am voluntarily resuming active duty to assist."

[member="Aleister Grey"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Not all of them, no. Some of them just like hitting things" He remarked with a casual shrug. "I try to operate without violence if necessary. If I can preserve a life, I will. It's why I didn't do anything to the assassin servant other then knock her out cold quickly. And with my abilities, during the interrogation.... As well as with my lightsaber and my own physical strengths... I could have very well easily tortured her into she gave out the information. I could have tortured her more painfully then any torture machine or method of your Hapan culture could ever dream of dealing during that interrogation in order to make her talk. But I didn't. Because I'm more of a pacifist and a diplomat. It's just my preference. Which is funny, considering most of the stories that have been told about me have portrayed me as a warrior" He remarked, chuckling a bit. "But as I said, I've had strong diplomatic victories as well, such as ending a war with the Fringe without raising my hand in violence. Jedi are meant to be diplomatic and protect peace. Some just do it a little more... Violently"

To her request, he would nod in response. "I'll do my best"

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Aless nodded and listened intently. "I see. Well, this impresses me, to say the least. You are an unusual man, Mr. Joshua. I'm not certain I will ever get used to you completely, but you have begun to earn my trust." She said evenly. Subtle as the signs might have been, the difficulty for her to admit that fact might have been noticeable. Alessandra rose from the water as reached for a towel of her own, wrapping herself up in it the way her sister had. "We should dress soon and meet Relina in the dining hall." She advised, tossing Josh a towel from the rack loaded with them, warming them with a gentle heating system built into it.

Relina had since made her dinner order known, the same thing her sister had ordered, finalising her first moves in her little vendetta. She gave the order for local forces to seize the Dammerung. She only hoped the Paragon executives and security would co-operate. She'd sigh and headed down to the dining hall.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He would make his dinner plans with the staff nearby as he would listen to Aless, and nodded a bit. "Thank you" He spoke in response. Impressed her? Unusual? He wasn't sure what that meant, but he supposed he would likely find out in time. Once she tossed him a towel, he would nod in thanks and take it, getting out of the hot tub and wrapping the towel around himself. He wasn't sure what her trust meant, but he'd take it. He hadn't realized he'd been distrusted at all until now. All he'd done was do what he thought was the right thing. Didn't think they had any reason to distrust him to begin with.

"We should" He agreed as he would start to head out the door. "I'll meet you in the dining room then" The Jedi would add as he would head out. Once he would shower and wash out the chlorine, and dress properly, he'd head to the dining room himself.

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Alessandra didn't trust easily and for obvious reasons. Understandably, with what had happened with her sister, her trust with people in general must not have improved much. To earn Alessandra's trust meant to either spend lots of time around her, giving her no reason to distrust one while she got used to them, or to commit an act of perceived heroism for herself, her family, or someone she cared for in general. Secretly, for once, she wished it were she who was saved by a handsome Jedi. Nevertheless, at this point, she hoped Josh's presence would last for more than a mere holiday. He could very well be the ideal suitor for her sister, although she wouldn't bring that up at the moment.

Soem time later, Aless had dressed very similarly to Relina, heading down after her. As she headed to the dining room and passed by Josh, she'd stop a moment to ask, "Are there others like you? One who might do for me as you have done for Relina?" She kept her voice down, not wanting to ask that with her sister present, although it wasn't like she could keep desires like this hidden from her easily.

Relina had already been waiting in the dining room, with a glass of flavoured water by this time, looking out over the Ceres Ocean that sprawled a ways beyond the windows and the seaside cliff the Palace of St. Clavelle had been built upon. It was still daylight, although in a couple of hours the brilliant light show that constituted the night sky of any world within the Transitory Mists would replace the clear blue the Ducha was staring at in silence.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh himself didn't trust people easily. He'd been backstabbed many times before, and he had to be careful now that the more that time went on, the target on his back only became bigger and bigger. Relina was an old friend of his, and so far he could trust her. Aless... Well, they would have to see. So far, she'd earned his trust, and he knew he'd done naught but rightfully earn hers. Hopefully, he hoped, that would only get better.

As he would look over when Aless asked her question, he tilted his head a moment. Finally, he chuckled, and shook his head. "You might find kind Jedi, but I'm pretty sure I'm one of a kind" The Jedi would crack in response. There was only one of him, after all. That, he could say. He didn't know any Jedi who were just like him whatsoever.

He would smile a bit, taking his seat as he nodded toward them both. "Are things going well, Relina, Aless?"

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Relina turned from the window and would dip her head in greeting. "Yes." she replied. "The arrangements have been made. i ship out tomorrow at 1300 hours." she added as she took a seat.

Already under the influence slightly, she'd rather not drink much more tonight. Thus, when wine was offered, she'd decline. "Seizure of Paragon headquaters is just one small part of this campaign. Across the Ceres Ocean there is House Kel's onworld centre of influence. That, I fear, is where the brunt of our forces will end up." she said.

Aless said nothing, simply listening, a slight melancholy about her that mirrored that of her twin.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Good, good" The Jedi Master would respond with a curt nod. "You missed quite a talk" He would remark with a playful little smile, gazing over at Aless for a moment, then back to Relina. "Just try not to get too worked up over this, aye? We're just having dinner, nice and quiet, no need to worry too much. Save the worrying for tomorrow, we can deal with House Kel then" The Jedi would encourage warmly.

He seemed alright with drinking a little more when it was offered. He could hold his liquor just fine, and he doubted he was going much places tonight. He wasn't sure if Relina would even allow him out of the palace with House Kel hanging around.

[member="Relina Zhan"]