Reclaming Hyogo

[Arabella Darkhold]

She remembered when [member="Gir Quee"] had come and taken her and her belongings from here. She remembered all the things she had questioned and learned.

And now life had once again dealt her something she had not been completely prepared for [member="Jia Darkhold"] and forming family with [member="Muad Dib"]. They questioned much and found a foundation within themselves to know that one thing they needed a place that was home.

Having made all the proper requestions Bella headed home with her family to Hyogo. She told her father [member="Darkhold"] that she would be returning and knew that the estate would be in good condition. The Estate loyalists had the best armor, and weapons she could afford to buy. It would now be the fortress to protect what she held dear.

It was not the great halls of Alderaan but it was home to her. She as familiar with the halls, the people and the others. There were questions for them to answer now.

She glanced over at those with her. "I can already feel the draw of the gardens, and smell the tea that Hitomi-san makes." She had missed home.

 

[Muad Dib]

His eyes were closed. Resting would be the first assumption, yet those who knew the Mad Man rarely had seen him in such a self indulgent pose. In every walk of his life he had been a force of nature, the only calm was the one before a storm. And yet here he sat, a duffel at his feet containing his beskar'gam and his beskad resting on top. His arms were crossed across his chest. He was a man of action, rarely of quiet introspection, yet here he was.

Opening his eyes slowly he looked to [member="Arabella Darkhold"] with a smile. He felt the roller coaster of emotions flooding through their bond. She was excited and nervous to be returning. It was written in the slight wrinkling of her brow. Looking across the hold he observed Jiaasjen sleeping comfortably amidst a row of seats. Quietly he rose and reached into an over head collecting a thin blanket. Moving to his daughter he slowly covered her form in the cover, taking another moment to look upon his daughter.

Sighing he moved to his seat while looking at Bella. Easing into his seat he reached across the void taking her hand with his right and and raising it to his lips lightly. He felt the trepidation. But more then anything was the echo within his chest from the force bond gained with. Lowering his hand he frowned slightly.

"Change is coming. I can feel it. Every day seems to whisper of events that alter our course. This is just another. You know I'd follow you anywhere, Atrisia is just the next place. Perhaps the last?"

A quirk of his lips at his statement. Yes, Atrisia was virgin territory for him, but Belly had called it home. Maybe it had been her only true home. His life was as a nomad, no single place ever claimed him ... Save for the desert. But where Arabella's heart lay, so did his own.

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="Muad Dib"]

She smiled as he took her hand she felt the force flow between them binding them into one. They were so close it was hard for anyone to come between them, their bond was unbreakable.

it had to be.

Each time they were thrown something that would surely knock them to their knees they gathered their wits, and their emotions and battled back. She looked over to where Jia slept watching as Muadie tenderly took care of her.

"She's a storm of emotions like us." A storm for certain it spun with ferocity and when it lashed out it cleared everything in its path.

"I would have gone to Tatooine to live Muadie." The desert always made her think of the first time they allowed themselves to admit their emotions. Atrisia was familiar and her childhood home. It offered strength and shelter.

Would they stay here? She didn't know.

 

[Muad Dib]

He turned his head and looked on [member="Arabella Darkhold"], while holding her hand. It was true, their b ond was more then just physical. It was steeped in history, in the force, in the intangible thing called love. A word he was loathe to use only on principle. But he loved her, his Bella. His princess in pink with eyes of azure and obsidian. She was part of him, and he her.

A tired smile creased his face as he heard her proclamation. A tiny shake of his head.

"Tatooine will always be a memory. But that is not what we are doing. This isn't the past, but our future we make. You, me, Jia. The old man on the moon named @Darkhold. This is about who we are now, and what we want for ourselves. A place we can call ours. We aren't sith anymore. Nor are we Jedi. We aren't saviors, we aren't monsters. We are a man and wife not beholden to titles placed upon us. We do this for us, for family. Something to die for, but more importantly, to live for."

He smiled once more and laid his head back. The Galaxy changed, and yet it never truly did. But they could change. They had already. And with Jiaasjen, they had the opportunity to change even more. He looked to their daughter, a youth so different yet oddly similar. She was their child, that was no doubt, and reflected in her emotions and actions were similies that bore both of them within her.

"She has your eyes."

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="Muad Dib"]

"Yes Tatooine has all the special memories that have made us one." She watched Jia sleep and smiled when he said she had her eyes, "She reminds me of your when I look at her. So calm and collected and then she unleashes herself and no one better stand her way."

Her forefinger drew circles on the back of Muadie's hand she did this when she was thinking things through.

I'm afraid Muadie

She looked up at him her lips having never moved, "Atrisia is steeped in history and has a formal culture. The household staff at Hyogo will help with settling us in, and the loyalists will protect the lands. Our family. You, me, and Jia will have to earn their respect. We can do this by helping Atrisia. Plus my has a forge there you would probably like, and books for me....and for Jia I hope a sense that she belongs."

They would arrive soon and then what????

Bella swallowed hard...she hoped Hitomi was still there.

 

[Muad Dib]

He closed his eyes feeling the touch upon his hand. The intricate design creating goosebumps that rose upon his arm. Of all the beings in the Galaxy, she was the one he had chosen. She who had stolen his heart before he was even aware he had one to steal. And though their bond didn't conform to any established relationship according to a man and woman uniting together, theirs had seen the test of time, of distance, of separation.

He heard her unspoken words, the sense echoing within his core. He knew establishing an actual home wouldn't be easy, despite the familial ties Bella had there. They would have to earn their place. A challenge? Perhaps. But it was a worthy endeavor, and any challenge merely begged to be overcome. He had no doubt they would. Alone they were unstoppable. Together, invincible.

"I haven't swung a hammer or worked the bellows in some time. To refresh myself at the forge, that could be fun. And I sense that Jia may just be young. There is more of you in her then I. And isn't that the way it should be? She's going to be her mother's daughter. All it takes is time."

He felt the slight shift in power as the hyperdrive disengaged. They had entered space near the planet that would be their home. With the change of travel Jia stirred but had not wakened just yet. Looking back at Bella he let his own unspoken words flow through their bond.

Fear is nothing new. Just another obstacle. You have me, and I will never forsake your side. The hellfire of Mustafar, the biting cold of Hoth, the desolation of Tatooine. Nothing shall stop me from being by your side [member="Arabella Darkhold"]. I am yours, as it's always been. And we can do this. We will."

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="Muad Dib"]

He had always known what to say to her to help her face the demons and tests of time. They were never really apart their bond kept them aware of one another. Though at times what each was doing did remain a mystery.

"Maybe you could teach me something about it." She was a willing student. "There is something else too...Atrisia is without leadership last I knew. When we return there are those that might...." How did she want to say this? She looked at Muadie he likely already knew, "ask our House to make a claim." She wasn't sure she wanted to do that with her history she often felt more like a criminal than nobility.

She looked at Jia, "something like would affect us all." She looked back to Muadie.

"All things being what they are doing it together nothing unusual for us." They did thing together faced it together. She would need him and Jia for what was ahead. She hoped to be strong enough.

A tilte in the wings Bella could feel the ship angled, "we are nearing Hyogo. It has it's own landing area..." She smiled. Just saying it, Hyogo made her smile.

 

[Muad Dib]

As he listened to her words, watched her smile light up her face as she returned home, felt the soft skin of her hand in his own scarred and callused one he felt a quickening within his spirit. Our House she had said. Affect them all, their entire family. Not Organa, not Darkhold, not Dib ... but the personal family that existed within the shuttle. Their little aliit. And though whatever choices they made would in effect touch upon all those with familial ties to them, [member="Arabella Darkhold"] was speaking of their close knit relationship. Together they could weather any obstacle.

Together...

It stirred his heart as he realized something he already knew. She was his, and he was hers. They were bonded together in ways that few couples in the history of the Galaxy could ever know. A love that had survived nigh everything that could possibly be thrown at it. With a smile that reached the blue glow of his eyes he lightly squeezed her hand.

"I could teach you something now. I'm not the man I once was. I'm not haunted by my demon, not haunted by fear, not haunted by ties to people that bind us. Strengthens and weakens us. I'm not the Mad Knight of the Sith anymore. You say together and I know that we are one, in ways most would not understand. I completely agree."

He winked at her as he leaned over and unstrapped her to pull her into his lap, his eyes unwavering upon hers.

"Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an...."

His eyes flickered to where their daughter yet slumbered before back to Bella's.

"Mhi ba'juri verde."

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

She couldn't help but smile at him as she picked up on some of his emotions. Yes he had changed, they both had grown. She wasn't a sith either anymore maybe she looked to that training to draw some strength and knowledge but really she just did not have the drive that Sith did. Least the ones she had always known.

He had not let go of her hand once through this touch they connected felt each other's emotions she felt his calm. She had concerns at first when he turned and left when he pulled from her mind what she had gleaned from the sorcerer. It was a lot to deal with even she had sought our her father for advice. Cobalt blue eyes cast a gentle gaze upon his glowing blue. Without thought she rubbed her thumb against his hand the feel of the scars reminded her of all that he had endured.

She scars on her arms a reminder of what they had gained, she looked over at Jia. Yes they had gained a child she had not carried but yet her child her blood, Muadie's blood yes theirs. Their family, A family that they would find ways to bind together to build a strong foundation that allowed them freedom and yet knowledge of where they came from and who they were.

She had studied mandalorian because of Muadie's ties, and her father. So when the love of her life began to speak she held her breath...he was really speaking them..outloud...now...she didn't know how to act at first.

But she sat there staring at him only sure of one thing. He had given her strength when she needed it, he had saved her when he could have walked away, he loved her even when she felt unloveable, and greatest of all this he accepted her for who she was Arabella..his Belly. She was bound to him already this only made it official.

She smiled, Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde" She had to say it slowly and perfectly putting emphasis on Mhi - We..it would always be We. Us. "ner madman" her madman...even if he wasn't mad...he was still hers.

[member="Muad Dib"]

 

[Muad Dib]

As she said the words back, completing the short ritual, he grinned like a demon as his eyes flared a brighter hue of blue. Leaning forward he kissed her hard, possessively. She had always been his and this was just another way they were bound together. Together. Over the intercom the pilot spoke, alerting them to their landing upon the planet. Reluctantly he broke the kiss and smirked at his love, his riduur, his Belly.

"Guess you're stuck with me now."

The slight shudder ran through the ship as the landing struts made contact with the ground of the planet. Their planet. Their home. A place they would build, together. Stirring slightly he stood, [member="Arabella Darkhold"] held in his strong embrace before he set her upon her feet. A wink was what he offered before releasing her and moving to Jiaasjen, soft hand upon her shoulder.

"Time to wake ner ad'ika. We're home."

Looking back to Bella he raised an eyebrow as he strode over and slipped the beskad onto his back before tossing the satchel over his shoulder.

"Are we expecting a welcoming party?"

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="Muad Dib"]

Fire ignited inside her all she felt was the consuming passion that existed between them. A single kiss that sealed the pact, a few words spoken that made him hers for eternity. "Yes I am...but then again you are stuck with me." She smiled cobalt eyes hinted at the spark that he had started.

Adi'ika...yes their child.

Wow...it just hit her again, family. They were a family. Holy feth.

"Yes..loyalists from the estate will meet us to ensure we arrive at Hyogo. But there is from what I have understood, the Crown Prince [member="Shoma Ike"] he may make a demand upon us as I hinted at. But my father may have to make an appearance too..." Atrisia could be complicated.

"BUT wow...let's go...home. I want you both to see everything...to know this place as I do." She remembered the tea house, the temples, the other nobles of Atrisia...but yes..there were darker things too. There was another thing she needed to find out was there really a dark nexis on Atrisia?

 

[Muad Dib]

"Well you know me, I don't do demands well. And my knees don't bend. But if this is to be our home, I will behave."

He gave a wink to Bella as he moved to the landing ramp. Behind him and Bells, Jia silently collected herself and her own belongings and followed. Muad's right hand slipped into the bes'briik around his waist acting as a belt, his thumb hooked within the metal. Unobtrusively near the revolver strapped to his thigh. He wasn't looking to be considered a threat, yet he would be ready for any situation. It was ingrained into who he was.

Moving down the ramp his feet touched the surface, his first time upon this planet. Neither too hot or too cold, it was quite temperate. Almost pleasant. Ahead of them a contingent moved toward the ship as the thrusters powered down, the backwash calming the storm of debris that had been kicked up from their landing.

Looking sideways at [member="Arabella Darkhold"] he smirked lightly.

"So what does this Prince [member="Shoma Ike"] expect from you and your father's people here? Because your people are my people, and I won't see my people subservient for no reason."

Eyes turned back to the small crowd approaching as Jia closed in, her presence and mind silent. A small grin touched his lips at their daughter. She was theirs, yet even now they were looking at establishing commor ground to build their relationship.

As he stood there his mind went back to the intricacies of allegiance. Vicelord [member="Darth Metus"] and the Confederacy had a modicum of his loyalty as did the Mand'alor [member="Yasha Mantis"] with his heritage in the mando'ade. And here was another aspect that would create a bond to the Mad Man.

"I won't cause a scene Bella, but I won't answer to a master, I never have."

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="Muad Dib"]

"You have such knobby knees too" She smiled and winked at him. "If we are to reclaim Hyogo as our home my father [member="Darkhold"] may have to tell the Prince that he transfers his titles and responsibilities to us. Which means we would become completely responsible for everyone around us. I don't know the world I could use to help you understand Muadie. But then again he might not require anything of us and we just move into Hyogo and go about life."

Cobalt blue eyes looked over to meet the madman's flame blue, "We would have to meet with the Prince to see what he requires of our house. I won't ask you to bend a knee. Myself as the daughter of the house, born and raised here on Atrisia. I will do what is necessary to secure us and our home. I know you have my back, you're my...purotekuta - protector" She smiled at him just as the wind whipped up and around.

Bella turned back to see the small group walking towards them, at the very front a small woman with streaks of gray taking small steps moved with haste. It did not take but a moment for Bella to recognize Hitomi. She smiled and ran towards her, "Hitomi." Bella stopped short put her hands together and bowed slight, "I am so pleased see you" The woman stopped and repeated the motion to Bella.

"Bella" a small whisper before Bella reached out and hugged the woman who had cared for her when her father was away. She had been concerned that she had died since no word had come. It was a great relief to see her.

"Hitomi, I want you to meet..." words she had never thought to use , "my husband, and my daughter, Muad Dib, and Jia Darkhold."

Hitomi bowed as she had to Bella, "Welcome to Hyogo, Home of the Family Darkhold. We are honored and welcome you home."

 

[Muad Dib]

The soft smile he only shared with his close family, specifically Bella, crossed his face at her words. He was her protector, as she was his. He smirked as she mentioned his 'knobby knees' and glanced up the ramp to see Jia exiting silently, the training as assassin leaving it's mark to listen and watch before speaking. They would have to get her used to the idea of speaking up, speaking her mind.

He turned to follow Bells as she walked toward the group. Her words echoed in his mind as the wind lightly rustled her hair, his eyes following the whisps and tracing her rear. He chuckled and mumbled under his breath.

"Yep, I have your back."

Stopping to the side and just behind Arabella he watched the happy reunion of the women. When Hitomi bowed to Muad he smirked lightly and returned the bow, just slightly deeper then her own. Straightening he nodded.

"The honor is mine. It is a blessing to meet those who cared and watched over my riduur before we had met. I'm beholden to you for giving Arabella happiness in such troubling times of the Galaxy."

He straightened and gave a small grin to the woman of shorter stature and greying hair.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Hitomi nodded, "Come the the rooms have been made ready I took the liberty of remodeling your room to fit your new station Arabella. As daughter of the house and the one who manages it I moved you to a larger room that would also accommodate your husband."

Bella looked back smiling, "I have placed your daughter in your old room. Additionally we have made ready the rooms of your father [member="Darkhold"] as it is rumored to Togashi could be coming home." Bella nodded, "yes he could be."

She sighed slightly, "much has changed that I need to understand. Are there other nobles in Shiso City?"

Hitomi turned her dark eyes on Bella, "Rest first, information later."

Bella nodded, "Ok...what's for dinner?"

Hitomi laughed, "a traditional meal to welcome you and your family home."

She almost heard Muadie's thoughts about her rear she smiled broadly and thought to him she laid her hand on her hip, And it is all yours..better or worse..

She looked to Jia and saw her hesitations its ok this is home for us.

[member="Muad Dib"]