Private Reunion

[Ripley Kühn]

"Ma'am, I've activated landing protocols. We should be arriving shortly-- I've notified the children, but I'm afraid Losa's chosen to be frightfully difficult this morning. She's informed me shoes are stupid and she wouldn't have to wear them on the farm."

Ripley let out a deep sigh, rubbing her temples slightly. It had been a long flight from the Treicolt homestead. Whether the distance or the upheaval that had made them test her so, Ripley was unsure, but all three children had given her a run for her credits over the past day. Nevertheless, she pushed herself off the bed, grabbing the leather jacket that hung at the door and shrugging into it.

"Thank you. Can you also send a message to Kahne Porte letting him know we'll be landing?" She asked, pushing past the droid.

"Right away, ma'am."

The ship had enough space for the small family, but there were no secrets. She began to hear the two younger fighting only a few steps out of her quarters. Kyla, elder and above her sister's fighting, offered her a sympathetic glance from her doorway.

"No! I don't want to take this stupid vacation to Naboo! I want to go back to the farm, or better yet, the bar!"

"Losa, Naboo will be fun! There will be art and singers, and Ripley promised us we could go shopping in the city!"

"I don't want to shop! I want to swim in the river! I want to work with Maynard and Kyric, and eat huttaburger with Loske!"

"You're being such a baby!" Vhi exclaimed with all the pomp only big sisters possessed. "Just put your shoes on and let's go!"

"That's enough, girls."

Ripley's voice cut through the argument, casting silence through the tiny bedroom. It was the voice saved for soldiers and warring daughters. Losa instantaneously melted from sheer defiance to a pout, while Vhi shrunk with grace, abashed.

"Vhi, we're coming into port. You can get a good view of the city. I'll help your sister finish getting ready."

A smile instantly bloomed on the older girls face, and she took off in a mad dash to catch a glimpse of the bustling metro. Ripley floated instinctively to the younger. Sadness and anger radiated out in waves far too massive for a mirialan of seven.

"Losa..." Ripley began, taking the girl's hand. "I know new is scary, mostly because new for us has always meant something bad has happened. I promise, after this vacation, we'll be going back to Denon. But this.. is important. Not only for me, but for you guys. New doesn't have to mean bad. Your dad- he made it a point to go all over, and see the way all kinds of people lived. It can teach you things, and you can make some of the greatest memories of your life."

Memories rolled with those words. An x-wing on a cliff, overlooking Corellian lights. Ryv's beaming face on a hyperspace background. A meadow cast in orange on a hot summer evening. Losa, another naturally blessed empath, must have gotten a flash- her eyes widened, tearing slightly. For all the challenge the girl was, it was matched with sweetness, and their shared gift had brought them closer.

"I just wish Dad could come with us. He wouldn't make me wear shoes. He'd carry me." She stated with sniffles.

Ripley had to chuckle at that. There was truth in it - her beloved had melted with a bat of the eyelashes from his daughters.

"I'll carry you. Come on. Kahne won't stress shoes, he's seen worse." Ripley laughed as she carried the girl to the dock. "Truly, he's seen me worse."

The hovertaxi drive through the city came and went without further meltdown. The children oh'd and ah'd all the bright additions Naboo culture had to offer, while Ripley twilled her thumbs, growing in excitement. It had been too long for the pair of old friends. When the craft rounded the bend to the manse, blue eyebrows raised. Her training had seldom brought them close to his home, but it was clearly not avoidance or shame. The Porte's lived in beautiful decadence.

"Alright, come on now, out girls."

A credit chit was slid to their driver, their belongings unloaded. Ripley approached the door with her small army gathered around her.

 

[Kahne Porte]

Kahne had been busy most of the day getting things ready for Ripley Kühn and her little ones to arrive. While he had been briefed on the situation and how the kids came to be in her company. The Jedi Master wasn't ever one to question anyone's choices or anything of that sort. So it hadn't bothered him in the least. He was incredibly happy to meet them and to see Ripley. He missed her greatly and he knew that she was on her own path. While he told her that if she ever needed him he would come whenever.

Kahne knew that he couldn't coddle her and that wasn't something that he wanted to do with Aiden or Addison. They would need to get through these phases of lives on their own. And while he would help if he absolutely needed too. This was their path and they needed to chart their course.

The rooms were made for the children and Ripley was going to have the main guest room. Kahne was truly excited to have more children in the house again. Kahne stood up and walked towards the door, sensing Ripley and hearing the sound of the transport. He opened the door to Ripley and the children and a big smile showed on his face.

"Ripley Kühn, where have you been?" The Jedi Master inquired happily as he opened the door and moved outside to meet them. "It's good to see you." And the Jedi's eyes moved towards the three children, showing them a sweet sincere smile. Kahne was pretty well versed when it came to children, those days on Kashyyyk looking after the younglings while all the other Jedi were having their fun paid off.

Kahne knelt down as he glanced to the youngest children then looking to the oldest. "What do we have here? My name is Kahne Porte, your mother is a great friend of mine. I am your friend, always."

"Come on in. We are happy to have you guys here." Kahne inquired as he beckoned them inside, soon to show them to their rooms and such.

"I promise we will have some fun this week." The Jedi said with a chuckled. "You kids like to swim?" Kahne inquired as he glanced to the kids.

 

[Ripley Kühn]

"Oh you know, to the end of the galaxy and back."

Ripley quipped in response without missing a beat. A matching grin lit her face, only growing bolder as Kahne greeted the children. They began to follow the usher, greeting as they went.

"I'm Kyla. Thank you for having us." The eldest greeted.

She was a kiffar who shunned the tattoos, almost able to pass as human. Thirteen, though she seemed wiser than her age. Quiet and reserved, but kind, her amber eyes didn't miss anything. Her own personal style had mimicked her parents. The streetwear of Denon clothed her petite form, a leather jacket and all, yet there were subtle differences. White leather in place of black; A crystal on leather where Ripley's dog tags hung around her own neck; Her hair hanging wild, decorated with bold magenta streaks.

As they came into the foyer, Vhi stopped, sweeping into a bow at the waist as a padawan might a master. She was force sensitive and still drunk on the tales of the living legends she had met at Ryv's wake. The mirialan had chosen to wear a silk dress which gathered at the shoulders, a nod at traditional Naboo fashion. The bright colors contrasted the black line which ran from bottom lip to chin.

"Truly, it is an honor, Master Porte. I'm Vhi. Mom has told me about your legacy in the Alliance. Thank you for this show of hospitality and I hope to learn all I can while we are here." As she rose, she looked to Ripley for approval. The zeltron offered a small nod- apparently that was enough of the formalities, as when approval was offered, she broke out in a goofy grin. "I love swimming! Do you have a pool here?!"

Losa, the smaller mirialan, chose to stomp forward in another show of defiant glory. Barefoot and dressed in orange cargo overalls, the girl puffed out her bottom lip.

"I'm Losa, and I like swimming more." She declared haughtily. "And if you're really a Jedi, let me see your lightsaber!"

Ripley's hand went to her face, a groan escaping.

"Losa..." A sheepish smile was offered to Kahne by way of apology. "I've been all over, and you've been hiding here, in all it's glory, huh? Sorry to ruin it with my scout troop. They only know chaos."

A studious gaze swept over the master.

"Where have the years gone? It's been too long. Feels like yesterday we were running all over the outer rim."

 

[Kahne Porte]

"Oh you know, to the end of the galaxy and back."

"I've been there many times. I know what its like." Kahne said with a chuckle as he was soon greeted by the young ones.


"Kyla, its a pleasure to meet you." The Master spoke as he extended his hand towards her. "I sense you have a unique strength about you. Let it shine, Kyla." He looked to speak personally with all of them, not for training purposes but to get to know them better. "You always have a home here."

"Truly, it is an honor, Master Porte. I'm Vhi. Mom has told me about your legacy in the Alliance. Thank you for this show of hospitality and I hope to learn all I can while we are here."

"Nonsense, the honor is mine. I was quite thrilled to be meeting you all. Your mother after all is like a daughter to me. We can learn, but also have fun, that's probably the biggest thing for this vacation." Kahne smiled big as his hand rested atop the young girls head and then against her cheek ever so briefly and lovingly.

"I love swimming! Do you have a pool here?!"

"Not a pool, but a river, waterfalls, the most beautiful to ever have your eyes rest upon."

Kahne truly loved it here, perhaps he as biased, but he mentally shook inside and was completely convinced it was the best ever.

It was then the youngest came forward and he could help but chuckle. She seemed to have some of her mothers defiant attitude amongst her. While he wasn't sure of the details, she seemed to be much like Ripley Kühn

"You like swimming more?" Kahne inquired curiously as he glanced between her and Vhi. "Perhaps we should make this a contest, whomever swims the best gets a prize?" Kahne said with a big laugh as he reached for his lightsaber that was at his waist. "Here it is...." Kahne whispered as he held it out to her. He gave Ripley a 'don't worry' look. His lightsaber was of unique creation, only able to be used by him and him alone. No one else could activate the blade, not even another Jedi.

"I've been all over, and you've been hiding here, in all it's glory, huh? Sorry to ruin it with my scout troop. They only know chaos."

"I'd say rehabilitating would be a better word. But perhaps its time for the younger generation to take a step forward and take the places of those that have just turned fifty." The Jedi smiled and spoke with a playful manner. While he truthfully just turned fifty, everything else was a playful nature.

"It does me good to see you Ripley." Kahne said with a smile as he gave her a big sweet hug. "I've missed you kiddo. Don't forget what I told you. I'm always here."

"I can show you all to the rooms here shortly. You can leave your things here. Let's get something to drink." Kahne spoke as he led them into the kitchen. "What would you like?"

 

[Ripley Kühn]

The children giggled and gasped over the hilt, though the weapon was soon forgotten as the argument of who would come out champion in the swimming competition arose. The hug brought a sense of warmth and peace swimming over her. A firm hand squeezed his shoulder before the two departed, and a realization that this was home. It had never been a destination, but people, those closest who had been allowed to gaze beneath the rugged façade. Whilst the farm had given her comfort in being surrounded by those who shared grief, it was not the same to be loved simply because they loved the person who loved you. Naboo was a welcome reprieve from that melancholic knowledge.

"I've missed you too, Kahne. Don't get to talking like an oldster, now, though," She said jokingly. "Someone's got to train these newer ones. Force knows what kind of masters me and the rest of the Order's leather-jacket soldiers would be make. We still need you around a while."

As they followed, Ripley inspected the interior, admiring the architecture. It was so different than the cityscape's narrow lines and stark metals. Cozier.

"You have sprite?"

"Sprite!" Losa agreed cheerfully, before returning to the taunting of her sisters.

"Ya know, what do you get up to out here? This is just a vacation, but... I could see myself settling down and staying a while, after I find someone to work and manage the bar Ryv opened on Denon."

And when she figured out what to do with the little monsters. Abandonment was not an option; Kyla had lost her dad, the younger two orphaned before being left again. There were, however, unmentioned struggles- force training for the girls, Ripley's own duties in knighthood, and a sense that she couldn't quite be everything they needed her to be- at least not alone.

 

[Kahne Porte]

Kahne was more happy than Ripley would know. His life had indeed become more calm and relaxed now as he had settled in nicely in this life with Alexandra. But the sound of kids and even old friends was enough to put a bigger smile on his face.

"Someone's got to train these newer ones. Force knows what kind of masters me and the rest of the Order's leather-jacket soldiers would be make. We still need you around a while."

"They seem wiser than I am even at their age now." Kahne said with a small laugh as he grabbed some glasses and poured sprite in each of the glasses before handing them out to them all.

"I'll always be around, Ripley. You know that."

"Ya know, what do you get up to out here? This is just a vacation, but... I could see myself settling down and staying a while, after I find someone to work and manage the bar Ryv opened on Denon."

"Alexandra started up a vineyard, and I've been helping her out with that. We've got some farmhands and such. Some of my old buddies from the Alliance In Exile, well that group is now long been disbanded. But they stick around here and help with security. Alexandra has taken this business far more greater than I could've."

The Jedi master took a drink from the glass and cleared his throat before speaking again.

"I"m also working for Locke and Key mechanics, John Locke has an office here on Naboo. It's be a pretty good deal, I'm enjoying it." Kahne looked to Ripley as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "You and the kids are more than welcome to stay for as long as you want."

Kahne smiled and glanced around at the kids. "Who would like to go swimming?!"

Ripley Kühn

 

[Ripley Kühn]

Kahne's question instantaneously broke the chatter. While Losa and Vhi jumped up in exclamation, Kyla offered a firm nod and polite smile. Ripley set about their bags, fetching pieces that had been most uncerimously shoved into the cases.

"The pilot checked per bag?" Ripley offered with a chuckle to Kahne.

The girls paraded into the bathroom together to get changed. Ripley herself stuck in her streetwear, and though on Kahne's words. The vineyard, and a gig with a tech company sounded a dream - but it was the bit about his old war buddies which had struck home. A life after it all. Not entirely normal - there was a twinge of violence in the task security - but normal enough. Stable. No skyfalls, no darkness.

Losa was the first to make her way out. A bright purple once piece accented her skin, and a porg danced across the torso. She was the image of adorable. Vhi's one piece was black and fit for athleticism, whilst Kyla wrapped the cover up to hide skin from the two piece Ripley had warned she'd hate.

"We're ready!" Losa declared.

"Do we walk to these waterfalls, Master Kahne? Or do you have a landspeeder? Oh, I am. So. Excited!" Vhi devolved into a shrill squeal.

"Looks like you got big talk to live up to." Ripley teased Kahne.

"Uhm, I'd like to hike, if we can." Kyla stated. "That ship ride was long."

"Agreed." Ripley looked to their host for guidance. "Perhaps we can see that vineyard you mentioned on the way?"

 

[Kahne Porte]

"It's not too far at all!" Kahne said with a small smile. He couldn't help but chuckle too. "You don't have to call me Master, Kahne will do. Or Uncle it don't matter." He laughed slightly as he held out his hand towards the young girl.

The Vineyard was quite monument, at least for the duo. Alexandra had done so much good with this. Their brand was doing quite well and he it wasn't even him. It was all because of his wife, she was truly amazing.

Once they reached the vineyard the waterfalls and such were only about a five minute walk or so away from where their home was.

"This was all due to Alexandra's hard work. She worked her tail off to make this dream of her happen. I helped out as much as I could. There are several days where i am working in the fields just to help the farmhands out. They have some good stories too." Kahne looked over to Ripley and gave her a big smile.

"Looks like you got big talk to live up to."

"Oh don't worry, they will be quite please and I'm sure they will probably want to be out there most of the day." He wouldn't tell Ripley how much it meant to him that she came here with the kiddos. It brought so much joy to him, also the fact that he was able to see Ripley and spend time with her as well.

The waterfalls came into view and he glanced to either side of him. "What do you think?" Kahne said with a small chuckle.

Ripley Kühn