Jake Daniels
Archduke of Dantella IV
.::.Honoghr.::.
The Freighter skimmed over the treetop canopy of Honoghrs vasts forests which carpeted the planet wide continents. There were of course large bodies of water that were not quite large enough to call oceans. They nurtured an otherwise thirsty land. Rivers and waterfalls seemed to be everywhere. Throughout the landscapes there were large temples that rose above the tree lines; the sacred places for the Noghri. The planet was one of the few things in the galaxy that Jake truly loved. He was willing to die to protect it from any and all threat; from Jedi and Sith alike.It finally came to a landing pad where the descent began. Jake, sitting in his small room next to Evangeline, had spent the majority of the trip in absolute silence. He had held her close; refusing to let the woman out of his reach for any longer than a few passing moments. There really wasn’t much to say. He tried to let his tenderness speak for itself. He just wanted his little Gem to know that he was here for her. When the landing gears touched the ground, Jake slowly rose and took Evangeline's hand.
“We’re home.” Daniels said.
By the time the pair made it off the ship, Umako had already landed Evangeline's ship on the other half of the pad. Both ships now took up the entirety of the landing space. Both ships hissed as they cooled in the brisk Honoghr air.
Unlike Serenno there were no cities. There was no population center. As Jake took in the afternoon sun, he glanced at over the horizon. Rolling hills, distant mountains, prairie lands, a few lakes as well as two large Temples in walking distance. Jake sucked in a deep breath. The freshness of the air was unlike any other in the galaxy. Pure. Toxin free. Anyone unaccustomed to it might have felt light headed at first.
Rania quietly emerged from the ship but remained a few paces from Jake and Evangeline. She made sure they had their space.
Jake turned back to Evangeline, “This way.”
The pair began a trek up a worn stone path. A direct line from the landing pad to Daniels Home. As they walked, still in silence, Jake could feel the gaze of a dozen or so black eyes staring at them. In the shadows of the surrounding trees, the sentient species of Honoghr stalked the pair. Daniels didn’t need the force to sense them. They were always around. They were always watching. They served no threat to Jake. They never would. His guests however were a different story.
Jake’s hand never left Evangeline's. Still wrapped in Adita’s quilt, a remembrance Jake was happy she kept, the man finally lead the pair an opening in the forest that revealed the recently rebuilt Daniels homestead. The beautiful constructed, recently painted manor was a sight for very sore icy blue eyes. It was the one place in the galaxy Jake felt the safest. It was the one place in the galaxy his little Gem would find peace in her time of need. Before Jake could proudly take Evangeline into the home, they were greeted by new guests.
From the surrounding forest, a single Noghri Warrior emerged. Dressed in traditional thin cloth garbs, the Noghri approached Jake first. The Warrior only stood at about four and a half feet, shorter than both humans, but he was four and a half feet of pure muscle. Metallic colored skin, black eyes, and sharp teeth. In a sheath on his back was a large Noghri broadsword. Jake finally spoke as the Noghri stared up at him.
“This is a Noghri. The only native sentient being to this planet. They do not like off worlders.” Jake explained. “The design of the sword he carries indicates he is a hunting party leader, a honored fighter amongst his people and one of the few specifically tasked with watching my home.”
The Noghri leaned into Jake and took a deep breath of his scent, “The Noghri is making sure I am the man who lives here. Their sense of smell is so sharp they can even tell if someone is a clone of someone else.”
The Noghri then stepped in front of Evangeline. Jake pulled her gently closer which caused the Warrior to look at him.
“He wants to know who you are.” Jake explained. He didn’t need to read thoughts. He still didn’t need to use the force. He had literal decades of experience understanding the Noghri and learning their mannerisms.
“Intimate partner.” Jake said with a striking confidence. His left hand gently squeezed her own. He wasn't going to lie. He wasn't going to deny what he felt. The way Jake said it, the tone he used, ensured the Noghri clearly understood. This little Angel was Jakes. She wasn't too be harassed in any way.
The Noghri turned his attention back towards Evangeline. Slowly he leaned in and took a deep breath of her own scent.
“He scented you simply so his people know you are under my protection. When they pick up your scent, they will not bother you again. The other unique thing about Noghri? They know family lineages by smell as well. Should our children one day walk these lands, they would know instantly we are the parents. That is how strong their sense of smell is.” Jake explained. “The only rule on Honoghr is you cannot venture past the tree line of my land. Anything cleared away such as the landing pad, its walking path, my home and its surrounding grass and even the few walking paths that lead to a private waterfall lake in the back are fair game. If you leave the territory without me; the Noghri will view it as a threat.”
Satisfied after hearing Jake explain the rules to the human woman, the Noghri made his way back into the trees, where his small stature seemed to vanish back into the shadows.
“Well my little Gem let’s commence with the beginning of the tour. I do promise you, we are safe. The only way to find this home is to have been here previously or to know its coordinates.” Jake explained. He desperately wanted her to feel safe. He wanted to protect her from the hurt of the galaxy. He wanted to ensure she was as comfortable as she could be. It probably would just take time.
Quietly the pair made their way up to front steps and right through the front door. The best thing about Honoghr? Jake never had to lock his doors. No risk of thieves or robbers. The first room Jake took Evangeline into? The sitting room. The pair quickly found the sofa.
“The outer skeleton and walls of the home were rebuilt by myself, Rania, Umako, and Cody. Together we replaced what had become a condemned home that had been claimed by forest. Over the months everything fell into place.” Jake didn’t tell her that he used a simple force trick to get the remainder of the home build by weak minded contractors. “Rania built the floors in here.”
“I sure did. There better not be any scuff marks!” Rania joked as entered the home. She carried two large duffel bags, with various bandages, bacta supplies, and another cast kit visible in them. “Doctor Rania is here. I believe I need to check on some injuries. Who first?”
Jake motioned to Evangeline, “Evey first, please? My arm can wait.” Daniels still had no feeling in it. The pain medications completely numbed the extremity. Honestly, it felt great even if it looked grotesque. His entire focus was on Evey and her needs.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
[member="Evangeline Cross"]