The Dawning

[Scherezade deWinter]

[member="Cardinal Vi'dreya"]


She could feel butterflies inside her stomach when he smiled at her like that. The good kind of butterflies though, not the ones that messed your entire digestive system out. Madalena wanted more of it, and it was taking every bit of her self-control not to take that more right there and then. The endless need to wait for that more, it was driving her crazy.

As the two walked, their hands were wrapped in each other's. Madalena looked down and smiled again. The last time they had done so, there was a certain level of discomfort and awkwardness event though both of them (or at least, she was certain it was the both of them) had wanted it. But in that moment, it seemed like the most natural thing in the world that they could do.

"The Viceroyalty don't need us today," Madalena answered as they approached the bar. Her opinion of that entire body of politics had been made clearly known to Cardinal the night before the liberation of Eshan. But while the Pathfinder had no love to give to any of the Viceroyals she knew, she never balked at performing her services either. Whenever she was called to guard one of them, she did her job, albeit with a clenched jaw. But today there was no need for any of that. There would be others guarding, and she could enjoy whatever time there was left with Cardinal before duty called him away.

"I'll take a whiskey," she said as he asked, and soon enough the drink was in her hands.

Her eyes followed Cardinal's as he touched his hair, and her hand came up to join his in there, only now realizing that she was actually making that bold move. She'd never had her fingers in his hair like that, not even when he still had his braids. For a split of a heart beat, she regretted not having done that when she could.

"You're not?" she asked, intrigued. Madalena and Cardinal were similar in that regard; there were a very few missions they volunteered to not take on, though each had their own reasons and responsibilities. So when Cardial said he wanted take time off…

Taking his hand in hers again, Madalena nodded. "You are not the man you were," she agreed, "you're not the man you were all those months ago when we first met, cold and distant and brooding. You are not the man you were prior to Eshan, thinking he could survive almost anything without consequence. Taking the time off to figure out who you are, with or without the Force…"

Madalena sighed "I loathe the idea of being parted from you so soon. But if you promise me that once you find yourself you will be back and I will not lose you to it, then you have my blessings and my support, and I will craft you a little something to help keep you safe. And I will wait eagerly for your return."

 

[ToKola Bakari]

There was truth to what Madalena said, which caused the man to chuckle a bit. He had changed, significantly over the past few months. While he wouldn't call himself brooding, he was a lot more reserved before and didn't much care to interact with anyone. These days things had been a bit different and he was thankful for it, but there was still more missing. When he looked to Madalena he was happy to hear she supported his decision. He was not eager to be away from Madalena, however he was not quite sure where he was even going to go yet. He exhaled, before looking to the woman and nodding. “There are just things I need to figure out. I won't be gone long.”

Cardinal paused as he led Madalena out into an opened part of the resort. Allowing the breeze to rush over them and offer the cool relaxing sensation that came with most beaches.

Cardinal took another swallow of his ale before looking to Madalena with a quirked brow. “Come with me.” He said, simply before spreading his lips into an almost mischrvious smile. He offered it to her before glancing back the way they'd came. “Why not? I could use a warrior to train with and someone to keep me company anyway. Who better than you?” Perhaps the opinion was a bit biased. He didn't want to part from Madalena, however since the woman could prove a good sparring partner, he could justify taking him with her on his retreat. “Better than a few months trapped with Journey.” Cardinal said, looking to Madalena intently.

A moment would pass before he'd sip his ale and point to the woman with a smile. “We can hunt a bit...and maybe some other things.” Cardinal placed a hand on the woman's waist, pulling her close to him.

“Though, there is work to be done before I leave. Since I will be gone for a while Im going to name someone to command the Knight's while I'm gone.” He explained to her, however he was reluctant to continue that portion of the conversation, it was for another time.

[member="Scherezade deWinter"]

 

[Valencia Hadley]

[SIZE=11pt]Location: White Waters Resort, Scarif[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Tag: [member="Genesis Rostu"][/SIZE]​

[SIZE=11pt]From the corner of her eye, she could see the small screen blink back to life, and she felt an ounce of tension leave her. With an easy tilt of the glass along with her head she pounded what was left of the glass of wine, something that was very unlike the Viceroyal that others saw, but was something the man seated beside her had witnessed more than his fair share of times. She set the glass down on the bar and slid it away from herself, moving her hands along the bartop and snatching the datapad from in front of him. She moved the small screen to her lap, settling it in the nest of sheer black fabric there before she looked back at Genesis, her clear blue eyes finding his sable gaze before she let loose a small sigh.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“I would have at least tried.” Her voice was soft when she said it, an ounce of something else creeping into it as she slowly rotated the seat around to face him. Valencia neatly folded her hands in her lap, the datapad resting against her palms as she regarded him evenly. It was hard to be kind to him, even though some small part of her was screaming at her to stop being so ridiculous. The years apart hadn’t changed him much, but what had changed was all positive. He was still as handsome now as he’d been then, and his voice was still as calm and deep as it had always been. Many things had changed for her, and she assumed that it was much the same for him - especially with this new promotion, but there were just some things that she wasn’t ready to let go of, especially not after he had used that name.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Remembering that whispered name made her bristle, her own eyes crinkling a touch at the corners as she fought not to let a frown settle on her lips outright. “Thank you for fixing the datapad - even if it is your fault it’s full of sand, and congratulations on the promotion. I’m sure it’s well deserved.” That last bit was tinged with a hint of anger, unable to keep herself from letting it slip out. It took more effort than she would have liked to admit to stay seated in that stool, facing him, her knees only inches from brushing against him in the close quarters.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“I should get back to work - there are meetings I need to attend this evening, and I wanted to get some of these reports wrapped up before then.” She hefted the datapad a few inches off her lap as she mentioned the reports, obviously indicating that they were something she could attend to remotely. “And I’m sure that your new position will have you playing host to some of the Order this evening as well. Best that we get back to it.” Her voice had taken on an air of formality now, that not-so-obviously-false tone of kind amusement joined by a small nod of her head and movement that would suggest she was going to extract herself from atop the stool.[/SIZE]

 

[Carbon]

Location: White Waters Resort
Specific Location: Maintenance Rooftop
Objective: Monitor and Assess

"Why are we up here?" The voice pulled Carbon from his thoughts, dragging his mind to the present like a body from the sea. Lips tightening beneath his mask, he huffed. Downward pressure on his palms pushed him from the barrier wall he'd been leaning against to observe the party below.

"Because, we don't belong down there." The taciturn reply was greeted with momentary silence while he turned to face his companions. All were clones of the same man. All were garbed similarly: covered head to toe in non-issue gear acquired from their Progenitor, they were not the sort of presences that would be welcome at what was, he had been assured, a diplomatic function.

"And whysat?" A third voice joined the pair, and he found himself sighing again. Resting the small of his back against that low wall that formed a barrier between the roof and a sudden drop to ground level, Carbon folded his arms across his chest.

"You going to go down there and talk to them?" He asks, sounding as annoyed as he felt. They were all the same age, and had similar personalities, but he was still in charge. That was just the way the clone tanks had popped them out, really. Silence greeted his question, and he smiled beneath his mask once again - this time without humor. Carbon knew they weren't going to. They wanted to, but they wouldn't. They were highly skilled, overly trained, and utterly deadly... and yet, their teenage physiology and inherited social anxiety meant they relied on the same crutches their Progenitor had at this age; a mask, and distance, most often physical. "Didn't think so."

The fourth on the rooftop merely shrugged, making a point of checking over a blaster rifle that had it's power pack removed. Another tactic - appear busy to avoid eye contact. "Spread out. Find some other locations to monitor from. If every pair of eyes is looking in the same window you'll never get the complete layout."

All three began to gather their gear, moving to a set of steps at the back corner of the maintenance building's rooftop. He was sure at least one person had seen them already, though no one had seemed alarmed. When the last of the trio disappeared into the doorway and down the stairwell, he turned back to the wall and leaned forward once again, resuming his vigil. People. Conversation. Fun. If anyone was to be a voyeur to diplomacy, it was always the man with a blaster at hand. He smiled once more beneath his mask.

It was never a party unless there was a weird kid in the corner. They'd be the weird kids.

 

[Genesis Rostu]

Location: White Waters Resort, Scarif
Tag: [member="Valencia Hadley"]

---

Hindsight was a cruel Bastard.

When it came to remembering the past, one could always think about what they could have done differently. In the moment, all that they could see was what laid before them; and as a result, they had no way of knowing just how much agony they were setting themselves up for. But. When looked upon years later, the regret-ridden soul had the perspective of seeing all the twists and turns their actions could have taken. Most often, they would dream about what could have been, if only, and that dream would scab over with time. Genesis was, for the most part, content to leave the Valencia-shaped scab alone. But her presence - and seeing what had not changed about her - picked and picked until it bled.

He should have cut his losses sooner. That was the regret which had colored many, many years since they last spoke. Maybe then, the circumstances which saw the scab form would never have happened. Ah...hindsight was indeed a cruel Bastard. Nonetheless, when Valencia extended her gratitude for the restoration of her datapad, the Grand Marshal offered the woman an earnest smile. It was that small, satisfied flash of teeth that always followed any triumph over technology - that much wouldn't change no matter how many years passed. In addition, he responded in turn to her congratulations. "You're welcome." he began, not batting an eye at the fact that she had taken down her wine like "usual." "And thank you...I do believe I should be congratulating you as well on your appointment. If you keep up this trend, you'll be Vicelord soon enough."

A light chuckle escaped him at the thought. "You as my boss...I wonder how many times you'd have me court martialed for daring to drink beer with a meal then."

Valencia, it seemed, did not have the time for jokes. Or, perhaps, the prickling scab upon her own world was just as tender as his own. But, she preferred leaving that wound right where it was. With but a few moments, she gave him what he identified as the typical routine. A practiced slew of professional-sounding excuses in a professional-sounding voice to ellicit a professional-sounding response. Genesis knew the woman well enough to know - he'd seen her practice in the mirror once or thrice after all. Thus, when she began to make her departure, the Grand Marshal reached for the bottle of wine.

A splash of the beverage was deposited in both of the glasses upon the counter and he motioned with his chin to her own. "You once told me about the wonders of delegation." he began, coiling his fingers about his own glass gingerly. "I'm sure there won't be a fire for a few minutes, and I'd love to at least toast your promotion - stay just a little longer?" Please?

 

[Valencia Hadley]

​

Location: White Waters Resort, [SIZE=11pt]Scarif[/SIZE]
Tag: [member="Genesis Rostu"]​

​

That smile. The tiny flash of teeth as he handed her back the datapad, his tiny show of pride at her acknowledgment of his talent. There was a pang in her chest and she could feel the edge of her mouth fall a fraction. There had been days where she’d spent hours just chasing that tiny flash of a smile, and seeing it now, so freely given… If there was a scab that had his name on it, there was certainly blood flowing now. She could feel it written on her face, however, and so with a smidgen of effort, she forced herself back to neutral, having lowered her eyes a moment to avoid him seeing the sadness laid bare there. When her eyes lifted once more, her game face was firmly in place.

She offered a polite smile as he acknowledged her own political gains - a small nod accompanying the upturn of lips as she responded. “Thank you. Vicelord might be a little far-reaching, even for me, but I can think of a number of things I’d prefer to court marshal you for before we’d get to [SIZE=11pt]having[/SIZE] a drink with dinner.” Her tone was jovial as they both chuckled, but she was thinking of the laundry list of things he’d done to piss her off, she assumed he would be doing the same. It brought the chuckles to a much more abrupt end than was likely polite - but it was hard not to let the memories sour her fun.

​

The Viceroyal knew she needed to go. She had work to do, and even [SIZE=11pt]more[/SIZE] pressing was the ache that was starting in her chest. Laughing about it might have given the impression that she wasn’t hurting - but just seeing him here was a discomfort to her. His laughter was a reminder of a time when things were so much more simple, but also a reminder of the pain it’d caused when the laughter had ended. She’d made up her mind to get up and leave as he reached between them and collected the glasses, tugging them to the edge of the bar closest to the pair and filling each with a small amount of the wine.

​

Valencia turned those pale blue eyes from the glasses back to Genesis as he asked her to stay, the unspoken plea weighing like a stone in her stomach. That silent please brought all that hurt back into her eyes, and this time she didn’t have the presence of mind to look away. It was there between them like a [SIZE=11pt]ghastly[/SIZE] remnant of their past that refused to leave them be. She carefully lifted and set the datapad onto the bar counter, and hefted the refilled glass instead. Her hand extended as she held the glass midway between them, that raw look in her eyes as she gazed across the tiny distance at him, “To getting what we wanted, I suppose…”

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

[member="Cardinal Vi'dreya"]

Madalena nodded as Cardinal said he would not be long. While the sentence had not come with a promise, she still had every intention of keeping him to his word. The two continued to walk, and Madalena let him take the lead, enjoying the warmth sent through his hand into hers.

Words weren't really needed. Madalena could not remember when the last time was she felt so comfortable around someone. The only thing she would have changed right there and then in that moment was to perhaps lay on a large beach towel, snuggling closely. Such were the thoughts going through her mind as Cardinal asked her to come with him.

Madalena looked up, the surprise all too easy to see on her face as her lips formed a perfect O. She wasn't sure if Cardinal felt the need to add more words, but he mentioned no one was better, the Warrior thing, being trapped with Journey, and something about work to be done before leaving.

"Shut up," Madalena said with a grin as she neared her face to his, kissing him again, "I can think of nothing better. But you might have to sign me some extra off-duty days to make it happen."

 

[Otor Blank the II]

Location: Scarif, White Water Resort, Resort Landing Pad

Goal: Make Connections in the Confederacy and enjoy himself a bit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a ride through hell trying to get a room in the resort while the event was going on, but Otor managed it. The room he got might not have been of the high luxury he was used to be it was a very small price to pay to attend such an event. Here he would be able to make the connections he needed to get his planet under the banners of the Confederacy of Indepedent systems. He aimed to talk to as many people as possible and get his name engrained into the minds of the people of the CIS. His people needed him to do so.

Although the Lord of Quarzite was very fond of his palace on Quarzite and had a hard time respectin the architecture of other planets he had to admit that the resort was quite a masterpiece. The tall white spires and the lush greens of the resort were to be admired, but they also made Otor and his six guard entourage stand out. The dim red of the royal guard uniforms and even the purple of the Lords great coat were grim spots of shadow on the bright planet, but the lord made up for it with the magnificent red-white crystals that adorned his gaunlets and the fashionable neckbrace he was wearing. He'd brought the pieces in an attempt to impress CIS leaders, and although he wasn't very fond of the type of style the gauntlets and brace gave he didn't hate it either.

By now Lord Otor and his guards had reached an entrance to a main building of the resort. Now was the time for him to represent Quarzite and improve his planet for the better.

 

[Dax Perl]

To say the Confederacy and the Coalition had different ideas of a party would be understatement. It was more like trying to compare an angel to a gundark, where the refined, elegant finesse of the confederate galas were the angels, and the rowdy, spontaneous drunken pits of debauchery of the Coalition were the gundarks. In other words, Dax was enjoying himself not having to avoid the flying fists of drunken brawls that inevitably ensued between the patrons of the various bars he visited. More than that, he was enjoying the time away from the troubles of the Coalition with his beautiful wife, a simple pleasure he rarely got to enjoy.

"I dunno about the food though..." the Rogue said to the white fox next him as he examined a...honestly Dax didn't think he could pronounce the name of whatever the waiter said this thing was. "Fancy food is always just...bland..." Dax absolutely adored food. Which made the fact that he harbored a distaste of the finer things all the more interesting. The man swore that the best food he'd ever had, does and will ever eat will always be the food from a street vendor. "Welp, here's to hopin'," Dax said as he popped the small little pastry into his mouth. He chewed for a moment or two, swallowed and shrugged. "Well at least I could tell I was eating something."

[member="Kimiko Taiyō"]

 

[Genesis Rostu]

Location: White Waters Resort, Scarif​

Tag: [member="Valencia Hadley"]​

For a moment, the smiles were genuine.

They shared a laugh and bantered, well and truly bantered, for but the briefest of moments. Yet, just as the next quip escaped the Viceroy's lips, it seemed the scab had been plucked one too many times. The laughter had died down a little too quickly for it to have been out of politeness; and Genesis could only imagine why. When last they were together, it had been to say goodbye. There was no other contact up until the literal present. It was a sunny day like this one in fact, and both had made the choice to pursue something other than one another. The fact of the matter was, both Genesis and Valencia were much younger people...and hindsight was always a bastard when it came to reminding one about what they could or would have done differently. Nonetheless, after the courtmartialling quip ceased, the Grand Marshal yet offered her that same, genuine smile.

"I'm sure I can think up a few things to impeach you over - but I'd never try to get in your way. Unless it's to the restroom after spicy nuna." That had been the one and only time she had struck him where it hurt. That had been the one and only time she had struck him period, in fact. It seemed as though, despite his jest, there was not much to say or do to come back from the fact that history was occupying a third seat between their barstools. Yet, surprisingly, the Viceroy obliged Genesis in tarrying for just a little while longer. They had every excuse under the sun to walk away - she certainly did - but she ultimately filled their glasses and raised her own in a small toast. Her eyes...that look...the professional persona known as Valencia had been shed unknowingly.

Haddie was looking at Gen as simply and as the day they last spoke. That same expression...Genesis found it hard to speak past the rock that was beginning to form in the back of his throat. Nonetheless, he cleared his airway with a small ahem and raised his own glass. He wanted to agree with her and to leave it at that. To admit that they got what they wanted in the end; but did they? He couldn't speak for Haddie, as it seemed as though she was doing quite well for herself. It seemed that the decision she made had the desired affect, for now she was within the orbit of a powerful, Galactic leader. As for Genesis...well, all he had to show for his decision was a few more scars than when they last met. Yet, those scars were instrumental in his appointment to Grand Marshal later on, but...If he could do it all again, would he have done it the same?

...Did we get what we wanted though?" he breathed, finally managing to ease out the words. "Did you?"

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Ki laughed at Dax's shenanigans as he tried his best to stomach his meal. It was adorable to say the least, a side she rarely saw these days from her war-hardened husband. But this was where they were to partake in a sort of getaway. She joined Dax eagerly, leaving Chika in charge while she was away, to get out of the palace dealing with the various aspects and undertakings her people were embarked on.

To the R&R!

"You can't expect all the delicacies across the Galaxy to be to your tastes dear. It just wouldn't be fun for anyone else." Ki jested, shortly taking a bite of her own meaty meal. She did actually savor it,"Maybe, we can get some food from home soon if we're lucky." adding a shrug to the statement.

[member="Dax Fyre"]

 

[Valencia Hadley]

Location: White Waters Resort, Scarif​

Tag: [member="Genesis Rostu"]
​

Had they?

The question was one she tried not to dwell on often. There were few things that bothered her more than thinking [SIZE=11pt]of[/SIZE] the things that could have been. So often in her life, things had not gone as planned, and it was only more recently that things had really shaped up for her in a way that seemed like meaningful change. Most of that had started with the man that sat with a glass of chilled white resting in his hand, just inches from her.

He’s been a source of great happiness for her, and his [SIZE=11pt]assistance[/SIZE] had been invaluable… His calm and steady manner had been a rock in the storm of her amassing of power for a number of years - and it had been an extremely difficult decision to let that go. As he wondered allowed if they’d truly gotten what they wanted, she felt herself asking the same thing. Had they?... Had she? The smile of hers, though tired at best, faltered. She hefted the glass a fraction, offering the cheers she’d meant to originally and polished off the drink all at once again. It took everything in her not to grab the bottle and refill it, but she had an easier time setting the glass down than she did with what was coming next.

Valencia slid off the stool and collected her datapad. She could feel the confusion coming from the man who’d been nothing but polite since she’d sat [SIZE=11pt]down[/SIZE] because she felt it too. She didn’t feel much like getting her work done now, but she also couldn’t sit here with him. He was correct in what she assumed he'd been insinuating, that she didn’t have everything she’d wanted - and most especially that there was something she was missing. There was no part of her that was ready to handle what that meant just now though. Seeing him here, speaking to him, the easy way that he handled her little flare-ups… No. Not yet.

She gave him another tired smile and reached out with the hand that didn’t currently carry the datapad. Her fingers found his free hand and gently squeezed the fingers she found there. “It was good to see you, Gen - truly. I have to go.” Her fingers slid from his as she [SIZE=11pt]sidestepped[/SIZE] from between the two stools and strode back into the sun. She gave him one quick glance over her shoulder, offering a warm smile as the sun shone through the loose wisps of blonde hair that the warm breeze pushed about. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again, Grand Marshall Rostu.” With that she set off in the direction she’d come from, her pace quick and purposeful as she made her way back to her room. She needed a warm bath… Or a cold shower… Probably both.

 

[A'Runda]

Location: White Water Resort, Scarif
Goal: Feel Better
Tags: None

A'Runda's eyes slowly open one after another in his resort room. It was morning on the tropical planet he believed. However, in his weakened state it was easy for him to simply fall back asleep. But he wouldn't let himself waste away in a bed in his gaunt body. Slowly he got up from his bed and sat at its edge. His once athletic build had quickly turned thin and frail after the invasion against the Jen'ari. Instinctively he coughed into his hand. Afterwards he looked into his palm and didn't see any blood. That was a good sign.

Seeing his own body and tribal tatoos was a bit of a rarity for him. Since he was normally covered head to toe in garbs. But he quickly learned that resting in his garbs all the time was uncomfortable. So when in private he'd strip as to make his sickness all the more bearable. Not wanting to waste much more time he threw on some traditional-ish looking Tusken garbs and would begin to make his way to the food court.

multiple times to help him get around he'd been offered a cane to aid in supporting him but he always refused. He was doubtful that in his current state any tribe on Tatooine would welcome him, some may even wish to mercy kill him. Since a Tusken who was in no state to properly use a gaffi stick was unfit to live in the eyes of many. This made it easy to him to mentally beat himself up over his weakened state under radiological influence.

Making his way into the food court he wasn't really looking forwards to having a good meal. Since he'd gotten sick A'Runda hasn't had much of an appetite. But he knew that if he was gonna want to get stronger he was gonna need food to fuel his efforts.

 

[Dax Perl]

"It just wouldn't be fun for anyone else." Ki had said to the Rogue as he absently tossed another one of the pastries into his mouth. "Yeah, sure but I'm the only one in the galaxy that matters," he joked with his mouth full. Dax chewed a bit more before swallowing and speaking, "Ok, well I guess you do too love," he teased, nudging Ki in the side with his elbow. "I wonder if anyone we know is here." the Marshal suddenly mused as he set down his small plate on the tall table, "We've lent a helping hand to the Confederates a time or two, and obviously they thought well enough to send us an invitation. Wonder who's mistake that was." Dax could only hope his Coalition compatriots wouldn't cause too much of a problem. Oh if only the Confederacy knew the beast that they had welcomed into their home...

[member="Kimiko Taiyō"]

 

[Varindar Asyt]

There seemed to be no takers for the swim, so, while Confederate beach lovers would usually look to Scarif or Rishi, there really was nothing special between each beach and another. The main variable was temperature; oceanic swims on Trandosha were not the same as doing those on Manaan or Ceraluen, or even Barkhesh. But she swam at roughly the same speed on Scarif as she would have on Trandosha, hippodrome or deep water, since she swam faster in hotter water. And that was fast. The water was bit salty perhaps, but that was the downside of swimming by a tropical beach. There were no Silvers in the water, nor Confederates that even wanted a swim. For this reason, she would think that something wasn't right: she knew that, with the number of guests around here, there would be at least one or two of them that would actually go for a swim. What would have made this swim interesting is someone from another race swimming alongside me, she thought, while swimming further out from the beach. Well, given her experience of the beach anyway.

 

[ToKola Bakari]

There was a light hearted laugh that escaped Cardinal as he kissed Madalena. When she spoke of needing more off-duty days he shook his head with an arched brow. “Actually I don't. I'll be assigning you to guard duty. You'll just be guarding your Dominus, is all.” He said before pressing his lips back to hers with another warm smile. Once they finally parted their lips he could not help but sigh. “I still don't know where we're going.” He repeated. “But it will be filled with life and plenty of game. Maybe Kashyyyk again. We had a lot of fun last time.” He suggested.

“Still. The trip won't be too long I'm afraid. As much as I'd love to spend months alone with you, my desk is starting to pile up. The Galaxy is moving, and not as it usually does. My brother believes the battles we have fought thus far are just the tip of the iceberg.” The man's smile turned into a wry smirk. “He's eager for a good fight, as am I.” If there was nothing else the two brothers shared, it was a love of combat. Still, Cardinal exhaled softly, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I'll be happy once the actual fighting starts. Lately the Galaxy has been so damned political. I'd rather fight ten wars than suffer one more Viceroyatlty meeting.” He muttered. While Cardinal was adept in many areas, the halls of politics were certainly not one of them.

“The Viceroyalty just put in some new bill or order. Marking Mandalorians who come into our territory. They're worried the Mandalorians Empire will pay us back for Eshan. Maybe they will.” Cardinal shrugged before a small light flared in his eyes. “I have a certain Mandalorian I'm eager to fight.”

Cardinal's defeat was still a bitter bite to swallow. He was a man used to defeating all of his enemies, and in the end that had been a great part of his defeat. His hand wrapped around Madalena's waist as he gestured down the hall. “Come on. Let's get something to eat.”

[member="Scherezade deWinter"]

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Guard duty? Madalena made a motion to protest such a silly thing, but she as stopped short when Cardinal explained himself and said it was ­him she would be guarding. She grinned from ear to ear, purring into him as he kissed her again, seeing no reason at all now to deny the summoning of the mission, especially when it promised to be her most interesting guard mission to date.

Her arms wrapped around his middle and she snuggled into him, the smile plastered to her face, unable to remove it even if she had wanted to. It didn't matter if the trip took days or months – as long as it would be the two of them, Madalena would be more than glad to go on it. However, now that Cardinal mentioned it, she was interested in one that would take months. But she was a patient woman. They could work their butts for another year or few before that one happened.

Looking up as Cardinal mentioned the upcoming fight, the smile on Madalena's face became a positive mischievous smirk. "I hope your brother is right," she said enthusiastically, "I don't care what excuse the viceroyals give us to put the pointy end of our swords in others. I'll take it, and use it. Let me bleed entire worlds dry."

She wanted to go in for another kiss, but then Cardinal mentioned the new bill. "Marking Mandalorians?" she asked with a frown, "have we become the First Order? The Confederacy has Madnalorians within its ranks and some of them are even decent. There's no need to mark them."

As Cardinal's arm went around her waist though, she purred, leaning closer into him. In truth, she wasn't really hungry, but that hardly mattered; if her man wanted to eat, he was going to eat. It was just a shame they were somewhere that offered nothing in terms of hunts. "Let's see if they've got any rare or exotic meats on a stick," she offered with a laugh as the two rose from the rock they'd been sitting on and began to make their way back.

It wouldn't be long; shortly enough, there would be other people around them. But until they got to that point, Madalena kept her arms tightly around Cardinal, leaning against him as the two walked.

She wouldn't have it any other way.

[member="Cardinal Vi'dreya"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh had allowed [member="Aida Aquila"] to handle matters for this meeting thus far. With the recent hierarchy changes, Josh had gone from the acting leader of the Silver Jedi Order to part of the Silver Assembly alongside Aquila, a decision he was fine with. Doing the duties originally meant for two of the highest roles in the Order was quite straining and Master Aquila had proven to take to the situations they had been thrown in like a fish to water. But she was still not heavily experienced with these matters, or at least if she had been back in the day, she was likely rusty now. The last few meetings, Josh had let her take the lead, wanting to help her adjust or readjust, whatever it was. The better off she was, the better they as a whole would work. All as what was best for the Silver Jedi Order.

Though he did smirk slightly in amusement when the Confederacy's leader, [member="Darth Metus"] would call her Grandmaster. It made him wonder just how versed they were in the current leaders of the Order. It made him wonder how versed they were in the Confederacy's leadership as well... He made a note to do some digging so as not to do something similar. While Josh didn't mind, he couldn't account for them... Or for their other allies, come to think of it. Either way, Aida had handled the matter of accepting their gift, and presenting their own. Josh admired the craftsmanship of the lightsaber for a moment, nodding his head calmly in turn. "It's well-made" He pointed out, his way of being gracious in regards to their gift to the Order and showing his respect. Josh had wielded a variety of blades over the years, and helped hundreds of Padawans build their own. He knew good craftsmanship when he saw it.

Josh had been a sort of unofficial emissary between the factions prior to his ascension, so it made him happy to see the factions ties being as strong as they were.

"I hope our gift is to your liking" He spoke with a warm smile. "The Silver Rest has it's share of gardening areas, this is one we've grown ourselves. Kashyyyk is beautiful, as is it's flora. We've learned to embrace it, I suppose you could say."

He peered out the window then. "Speaking of beautiful" He trailed off, beginning to laugh in turn. "This place is incredible."

To be quite honest, this was his kind of place. He couldn't help but absolutely love it here and it showed in his expression.

[member="Srina Talon"] | [member="Adron Malvern"] | [member="Aida Aquila"] | [member="Darth Metus"] | [member="John Locke"]