Possible Expedition

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Jairdain"]


Eddak had requested one of his advisors try and get in touch with the CSA Princes Advisor, in hopes we could have a chat with them about the Prince. Eddak wanted to try and get to know the Prince before speaking to him, and thankfully he had a public advisor. This seemed like the best opportunity. He wanted to speak to the Prince so he could hopefully be friends with the entire Commenor Royal Family. Of course, Eddak had his ulterior motives, but it's not like he wanted to harm CSA. They were his best chance at getting Galderra independent, and they would be great friends in the end. It seemed today would be the day he could possibly get to know the Prince of Commenor.

"Let's not sit at the throne this time around, Alfred. Let's take up that spot where I first spoke to Queen Kay.... that room gets almost no attention anymore," Eddak spoke as he walked with Alfred, his fashion advisor to the room, walking up the stairs. "Will you be having a feast with the lady, King?" Alfred asked, not sure of the plans Eddak may have. "Oh, a lady is she? Huh, well I suppose we can't get into the kind of guys chat this time around, can we? No. I don't think we'll have a feast. But have my favorite tea ready." "Of course, my King." The woman would be arriving soon, and be escorted to the very room Eddak had his first chat with lady kay. She would have used the ground space port and found her chaperone, who would have taken her by carriage all the way to Eddaks Kings Keep. Once she was escorted through the gatehouse and the courtyard and into the larger structure, she would be taken up stairs into a formal sitting room with two sofas next to a glass doors which they they could see all the way to the ocean.

Eddak would not be in his most royal of attire for this meeting, as it was usually reserved for those of royalty or great leaders, but he still wore his jacket to be somewhat fancy, as he always enjoys. When Jair would enter the room, Eddak would stand for her entrance.

 

[Jairdain]

It was not unheard of for Jairdain to be requested to meet with people before they met Bradshaw. Quite often they came as a surprise though, but they were always answered by her. Time may lead to these people actually meeting beyond the initial contact. Normally people contacted Lady Kay directly, but she was lead to know Eddak and Kay already knew one another and he wanted to meet the Crown Prince.

Accepting the invitation to meet with him on his planet as he was the king there, she understood what sort of duty was required of him. Her journey was uneventful luckily and she arrived in good order. Her ship was pretty much the maximum size his yard could handle. Instead of taking up all the room, she came down in a shuttle.

Expecting a person to escort her, she didn't wait long. He lead her to a carriage and helped her in. She openly felt out with the Force to get a feel for the land and the emotions of the people here. The trip to the keep was calm and she could tell the people here were overall content with his rule. When the carriage came to a halt, the chaperone again assisted her and then lead her into the keep.

The feeling of it being a home that was lived in, loved and cared for filled the atmosphere. She used no staff or cane to assist her in walking and had the Force for that. This left her hands free to feel the railing of the steps.

Her own clothing had changed through the years and Jairdain had long since given up wearing formal Jedi robes. She now choose to wear pants normally and did so today. Instead of a black top, she wore a dark blue shirt. On her hip hung her lightsaber hilt, but in her hands it was almost useless.

Entering the room, when Eddak stood, she would look in his direction. If he noticed, then he would see her eyes were unfocused, but a violet color. Not clouded at all. Giving him a small bow, she would then hold a hand to shake if he wanted and introduce herself.

"Thank you for inviting me. I am Jairdain."

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Jairdain"]


When Eddak noticed she held her hand out, he stepped away from the sofas and towards her, gently grasping her hand and raising it to kiss it instead of shaking it. "Please, my lady, the pleasure is all mine. Eddak Manod." After kissing her hand, he slowly leaned back up and put his hands behind his back. "I must thank you for coming on such short notice. I would have rather made it easier to schedule something at least a week or two in advance for both of our needs, but with events coming up.... I'd like my plans in full motion before proceeding to the next step." Eddak turned to face away from Jair, giving her the right of way as he held his hand out towards the sofas. "Would you like to take a seat, Jairdain? Alfred," Eddak turned his head to look at the other gentleman who was on the other side of the room, "Please get me some of my Moogan tea. Jairdain, would you like anything while we discuss our matters at hand?" Alfred nodded and turned around to enter the small kitchen area just beyond this sitting room.

His voice obviously had a bit of a rustic accent tinge in it, but it was lighthearted and showed no signs of distraction or lies. Eddak was quite open at this point, and in some tactical minds maybe even vulnerable. Eddak showed he was very open to Jairdain, hoping to make sure it was comfortable and not like a stand off-ish mood so that she would feel welcomed and free to express herself. Even while being a King, Eddak was never raised in any formal way to become Royalty, so he still saw himself as an equal, and he was the first King of Pzob, so he was also still learning the ropes, himself.

 

[Jairdain]

Accepting the gesture of the kiss and allowing him to kiss the back of her hand, it surprised Jairdain slightly. He thanked her for coming on short notice. Luckily her own duties at the moment were light enough to allow her to come. Giving him a slight smile, she nodded that the advance would have been nice, but accepting the need to move things speedily along.

As he turned away to motion to the couch, Jairdain followed the guidance he gave and took a seat that he offered. Eddak asked if she would like anything as they conversed, she nodded again.

"Certainly, I join you with having some of that tea."

The life Jairdain had could have lead her to be a manipulative person, but it wasn't in her nature to be that way. Having been a victim of it herself in the past, she wasn't going be one that did it others intentionally. She had her own natural mental defenses in place, but did not hide what she was within the Force. If Eddak could sense anything it would be that she both light and dark, but leaned more to the light. She was not a bad or evil person and actually cared about the fate of those around her.

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Jairdain"]

Eddak was happy she took to the comfort so quickly, she could even possibly taste his favorite drink. He sat down on the other sofa, adjusting himself to be comfortable. "Stretch your legs, get comfortable, that sofa is all yours for the moment." Eddak pulled up one of his legs to cross them, holding onto an ankle as he stared at Jair, trying to get an idea about her life. "So, have you known the Royal Family of Commenor long? I can't say I've known them forever, but I knew the Queen before she had children, or even a love interest in the Now-King Veiere. I'm what you call a friend of the Family. If I had more time to help out, instead of being taken by the Galactic Empire... oh, I don't know, I might have even been looked at as a godfather to the kids." Eddak looked down with a huff of a laugh, "Maybe that's just my own ego talking.... but we'll never know now, that chance, and any other chances, are long over. Hmm... It wasn't but a few years ago I was taking orders from a belligerent Governor and the Commenor Systems Alliance was just gaining ground, now Queen Kay has children and is married, and I'm a King with no social life." It almost seemed like he laughed, but there was no sound, just his body showing the huffs.

As he paused to hear Jairdain respond, Alfred came back inside with a silver platter, which had a pitcher and two large cups. "Ah, good, thanks Alfred, I'll handle this." Alfred nodded and quickly left the room so the two could have their business privacy. Eddak poured the tea and Jairdain could tell it had a certain bit of fizz to it, but it didn't bubble up and get frothy like soda. "This is my personal blend, I keep it extremely cold, and its extra sweet. It's called Moogan Tea, one of the many things we kept in our culture after arriving on Pzob. If you noticed we're similar to the old Galactic Empire.... within the Fort of Galderra is an old imperial fort that had armor, weapons, and rations - including, heh, moogan tea." After he finished pouring it, he handed a full cup to Jairdain, allowing her to try it.

 

[Jairdain]

As Eddak spoke and invited her to get comfortable, she would do just that while still maintaining professionalism for the visit. She crossed her legs above the knee, keeping one foot on the floor and resting comfortably against the arm of the couch. Her arms were uncrossed and her body language indicated she was open to the conversation.

Remembering her first meeting with Kay and Veiere, Jairdain took on a clear look of thinking about it. In learning he had been a long time friend of the family, she smiled in his direction before answering.

"For a little over five years. Met them on Commenor when I was newly with the Silver Jedi and we hoped to reestablish the Silver Embassy there."

Tipping her head slightly in his direction before continuing, she also leaned forward just slightly.

"Duty keeps you bound here most often and this is where you need to be. Social life or not, you are where you're supposed to be. There isn't anything else that should be expected of you. They were already married when I met them."

Being an empath, Jairdain picked up on his internal laughter and her eyes shared a little of the humor in what was being said. Hearing the arrival of the tea and him speaking about it a little, she shook her head slightly.

"Actually, I know very little of the history of the galaxy. My world is unknown and now destroyed. To my knowledge, I'm the last of my people or at least I have not met any others since I was fifteen and my world died. What I have learned is very wide spread and is mostly ancient. However, I am aware of the current governments. In the position as advisor, I have to know what is going on and where to the best of my ability."

Accepting the tea, she held the cup for a moment before taking a drink of it.

"This is very good."

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Jairdain"]

Eddak stretched his right arm for a moment, lips tight together making a half smile he thought for the moment. "Social life or not, I am only human, I crave some sort of... something that mingles with others. I put off work just to spend an hour at the tavern, to have tea with the others, even if work piles on and I work later into the night. There is a void in my chest, stripped away from the past. I have an urge to fill it, more often than not. Sometimes I question my willingness to the position." Once again, he relaxed, rolling his shoulders and trying to forget the subject. He cleared his throat, "Sorry," a forced smile appeared on his face, "This is a formal meetin', not therapy." He shook his head, adjusting his seat. "I wanted to ask you about the Prince. I'm hoping to meet him soon and see what he was like," he paused, taking a sip of his tea. "I hope to stay friends with the royal family as long as possible, no matter who takes the throne. I feel I owe a lot to the family and pray they continue to support me, and then Galderra long after I'm gone and whoever takes my position." Another statement that made him think.... thinking if blood would take the throne after him, or someone else. "You understand I want to do my best not to say something offensive by accident, stay on his good side; You know, politics and such."

 

[Jairdain]

She had been banished when she was fifteen from her home and found her way alone for a few years. Some people helped her during this time, but Jairdain had not gotten really close to any of them. As she grew up from that time, she realized she had lead rather a life of solitude. Keeping her own room on Voss when the Jedi were there. Building a home on Iridonia when she was sith and lived there alone. Finally when she returned to the Silver's and after recovering her mind, she eventually found her position on Commenor and lived there alone.

Jairdain kept silent on her past though and focused again on the present. Listening to what he said about wanting to meet Bradshaw and continue to be friends with the royal family, she nodded. One of her skills in the Force was not one she had full control of. A gift of prophecy. When he spoke of the next person that would take up his position something hit her. There would be more of his kin after he died. Keeping it to herself though, she listened on to Eddak's additional reasons for wanting to meet with her.

When he finished, she couldn't help but chuckle just slightly. What her thought was would be clear on her face and she shook her head just slightly before speaking.

"It would take a great deal to offend the Prince. He grew up outside of being royalty and was gambler and smuggler. I do understand the point of politics and such as you put it. I imagine, the two of you would probably get along just fine."

One key aspect of Brad's personality she left off as she spoke about him was that fact he flirted with every female he met.

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Jairdain"]


Eddak raised his eyebrows and smiled, giving Jairdain a more intense look, "Oh, ya think so? Maybe we could be pals... a smuggler, eh? Seems right down my rustic old alley." Eddak nodded slightly and turned in his seat so his back was partially against the arm of the sofa. He leaned back and propped his leg up onto the sofa as the hand that held it moved to lay on the the sofas backboard. Eddak was completely comfortable now, being entirely less nervous. It was at this moment he got a good look at the woman in front of him, he was intrigued, to say the least. She had a beauty to her that attracted him, but that was only face value... he would continue to subtly look at her, and read her. "What does the prince enjoy," he took a sip of his tea, "I know he's a gambler, but maybe there's a sport or some sort of entertainment we could join in on. I could always use a scapegoat out of a bad subject. Plus, entertaining him may prove to be useful. Oh.... how old is the prince... by that I mean, in your own words. How would you describe him; his behavior, his growth?"

 

[Jairdain]

Eddak seemed to be genuinely interested in knowing about Bradshaw as a person and not entirely as royalty. He searched for a connection to use to get to know him better. When he mentioned that the smuggling would be something he could connect with, Jairdain shook her head slightly with a touch of humor.

She was herself and didn't intentionally keep anything hidden from observation. He asked what prince enjoyed outside of a gambling and she didn't have to think too long on an answer. The other information took a little more thought and as she considered her words, she took a drink of the cold tea that had been served.

"Well, he's a pilot as well, but not so much into sports unless it deals with gambling or flying."

As he advisor most of their exchanges occurred in meetings and he didn't seem to care to take on the responsibility of his position.

"Life to him is like a game itself. Doesn't want to accept his role or the responsibility that goes with being the crown prince. Getting him to listen is like trying to teach a child. He does have his moments though. Deep down he does care though. When the time comes, I have the feeling he will accept his role and position."

Every words she said was true and no deception. It wasn't everything she knew about him, but the more important details. The answer also included what she thought about his age, growth and development as well where she felt it would end up.

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Jairdain"]


Eddak patted his leg at Jairdains response to his smuggler comment. "Oh, hah, no. I mean we can relation socially, not ... from business. Being a smuggler you're not quite in touch with the fancy side of the galaxy. Yer more on a survival escapade. You take to the cheaper things, simpler things. Cheap ale, muddy boots, that sort of thing. That's what Galderra has been for so long. In fact, this Keep is probably the first to express wealth since the old Governors house. But... the gambling and flying part... that may be harder to do. I've gambled in my time, some poker here and there... nothing serious, I haven't done it in awhile. And... flying, nah... I've just piloted speeders." Eddak leaned back and knocked back the last of his tea, gulping it down with a happy hum. He leaned forward to grab the pitcher and more himself more, offering the pitcher to Jair. "I understand he isn't blood, right? He isn't born in the family? I've heard some things, but I never got a full picture. And what about you? What's..." With Eddaks head tilted down his eyes looked up, giving her a glance, "what's your past like? Career? Is the Advisor to the Prince where you thought you'd be?"

 

[Jairdain]

"I have a small idea of that kind of life. When I first left my world, I ended up working as part of the crew on a freighter for a short period of time. Being able to use the Force provided a certain boon to them. Never did get into the whole cheap ale and muddy boots though. I think those guys protected me from or kept me distant from that aspect of life."

Jairdain could help but have a small half smile when he mentioned playing poker. Being blind it was a little humor that Brad had wanted to try and teach her how to play. With her mentalism, it could have turned out either very well or backfired terribly. That opportunity had never come up though.

"Never have been able to play poker and don't know how. Bradshaw is the adopted son of Kay and Veiere, so not biologically related."

In the process of asking about Brad, Eddak then asked about her. If Jairdain had expected to be the advisor and she shook her head at that. He also wanted to know about her past. Some of her past was rather painful and harsh, the fact that she had even been Sith at one time might not be liked. Now she wasn't opposed to getting to know Eddak, at this time, Jairdain felt it best to leave that information out of the conversation. However, she was not going to lie to him.

"When I joined the Jedi, I wanted to grow up and be a consular. This is about as close as I can get these days. Never thought or expected a meeting that happened in my life years ago would ever actually mean anything now."

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Jairdain"]


Eddak became interested, she wanted to be a Consular... but it seems like she isn't part of any order now, being a simple advisor, or even a secret bodyguard... the prince would have to be quite important for an order to have her accompany him. So it seemed for Eddak to guess, she was alone. Commenor wasn't a major thing or major force entity in the galaxy until recently, so he wondered how she came here. "Hmm... you said you wanted to be a Jedi Consular, were you a part of their Order? What made you leave?" Aside from the fact that Galderra was uneasy about force users, it seemed she left the order, so he was curious where she stood now. Not by any ulterior motive or suspicion, Eddak really wanted to know what brought her all the way to Commenor, and what happened before, so his mind subtly influence hers to speak up and speak out. "How... did you come to find Commenor, exactly?"

 

[Jairdain]

As Eddak assessed what she said, some of what he pieced together was only partially true. Figuring to set one thing straight for the record early on, she did allow him to finish what he was asking before answering. His natural mental manipulations were gentle enough to not trigger her natural defense she had built up over the years, nor was it strong enough to influence her.

"I still ally myself with the Silver Jedi and will sometimes join them for missions. Most of my time though is spent on Commenor."

A half smile come up slightly as Jairdain remembered her visit to Commenor.

"It was actually with the Jedi. There is an embassy on Commenor. So the Jedi wanted to reestablish the relationship with Kay, Veiere and Commenor."

The Iron ​Empire had also been present at this meeting, but she didn't feel that detail needed to be told. Since she was here for Commenor, the past meeting with them wasn't in the equation.

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Jairdain"]


Eddak nodded as he understood, he felt like he wasn't getting everything, but it wasn't necessary. "So you think if I take the prince to the bar, instead of having a meeting like this, he'd be more interested? I'd be curious to more questions, but I feel like I've taken up as much time as is appropriate. Before we finish up, would you like any of my tea to take home?" He slowly started to get up from the sofa, standing and adjusting his jacket. Personally, Eddak found interest in this woman and he wanted to hear more. But he didn't want to overstep any boundaries with Commenor so he was being business appropriate with the woman. He didn't usher her out but he also didn't push her to stay.

 

[Jairdain]

When Eddak asked if he would get Brad interested in a meeting if they were go to a bar instead of a sitting room, she had to smile. It wasn't a false one or deceptive. The truth of his observation should be obvious as she nodded in agreement.

"Yes, he would enjoy that so much more. As his advisor though, I'm not sure I would be invited to attend that meeting."

That smile carried into her voice and Jairdain's eyes glittered as she answered. He said he was curious to ask more questions, but his words indicated he may have other duties to attend to and he slowly stood up from his couch. Taking the hint, Jairdain also rose and he offered for her to take some of his tea to Commenor.

"That would be nice. It was very good."

She was in no hurry to leave and had no pressing duties to attend to on Commenor, but she wasn't going to outstay her welcome.

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Jairdain"]


"Great," Eddak smirking, his pride getting the better of him. His batch of Moogan tea he started long ago, now his kitchen aids have it, it's not hard to make. It's actually sweeter than ordinary Moogan Tea. "Hey Alfred," Eddak called in an above average volume of inside voice. "Yes, Eddak?" Alfred peeked from the door, totally wasn't listening in on anything. "Fetch me a can of my good stuff, would ya?" "Right away!" Eddak nodded with a smile as he slowly looked back at Jairdain. He wiped his hands as if another task was done and on to the next. "You may, of course, peruse the town as much as you please, I do have a few things to catch up on," he extended out his hand, once again the old switcharoo to kiss her hand if she tried to shake hands. "It was great meeting you, again, Miss Jairdain." And with that, Alfred had returned, exiting from the door and handing Eddak a can of his personal Moogan Tea. He tossed it over to Jair, and asked her one last question before she slipped away. "Miss Jairdain... do you think I uh," he looked down, an obvious smile coming from him as he tried to hide it, "I could possibly trouble you for.... dinner... perhaps next week? Share with you Pzobs gourmet?"

 

[Jairdain]

Picking up on the fact her answer of yes brought a sense of pride and please Eddak, she waited silently as he requested Alfred to get her one of the cans. He offered or suggested she was welcome to go through the town if she wanted, but Jairdain shook her head.

"I understand fully the need to catch up on things. However, going through town right now if probably not something I should do on my own. Not being able to see what something is rather hinders sightseeing."

Eddak extended his hand and brought her to his lips again to kiss as he had when they met earlier. In saying it was great to meet her, she gave him smile before answering with a slight tip of her head.

"It has been great to meet you as well, Eddak Manod. I look forward to introducing you to Bradshaw sometime soon."

Alfred returned with a can and handed to Eddak. In his turn, he tossed it to her. Luckily she didn't fumble and drop it. Holding it at her side, Jairdain looked in his direction as he smoke again. Stumbling over what he was going to say, what he did ask genuinely caught her by surprise. His voice held a smile and very slowly she returned that smile.

"I don't think it would be any trouble to come next week. That would be nice."

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Jairdain"]


Eddak looked puzzled for a moment when she mentioned not being able to see, but he didn't want to pester the statement. They both would have time next week. Besides, it was probably something personal she may not have wanted to talk about. "Well, the pleasure is all mine for this meeting, thank you for seeing me. I'll have a guard escort you back to the space port so you can be on your way. Have a good rest of your day, Jairdain." He smiled with a small bow of his head.