The Dragon's Retort

[Ra'a'mah]

With some recent changes in her life and a role to fill, Ra had decided to attempt a renewal of contact with old relations between the Free Worlds Coalition and Silver Jedi. The Silver Jedi had moved to a new location and it was actually much closer to the Free Worlds than before. So she reached out to them to find out if they were also interested in renewing those ties between the two factions. An affirmative answer was sent back and permission given to her to visit Kashyyk.

Now the fact she was a force user let alone sith was kept totally and entirely secret from everybody. She was strictly a businesswoman and this is what she did for a living. Leading the merchant fleet and conducting business first, sith was secondary and not something she professed to anybody she didn't trust.

Realizing she was taking a huge risk with this particular contact and going to the heart of Jedi territory, she hoped her secret would remain just that. Something that was now normal for her, Ra covered the fact she could use the Force. There was no physical corruption to her. When she did have to use the Force, most of the skills she used neutral and she didn't rely on her emotions to fuel them.

Not wanting to make a scene of her arrival, she came only in her shuttle, not her large fleet. This was for contact only right now. Once they reopened the trade, then her fleet could come and start trade up again.

Feeling slightly nervous being around so many Jedi, the thought of what they could do to her as a single sith on their home actually concerned her. Not here to fight, cause any issues or disturb their lives...she didn't think they would accept that answer from her. The concept of a sith that placed business over ideals just wasn't something that crossed many minds.

Leaving her weapons behind, Ra walked down from the ramp on her shuttle.

@Jogh DragonsFlame

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

A harrowing mission meant that Josh was going to be on Kashyyyk for a little while longer while he regained his strength, before he made his way home. The Jedi Master was walking through the base that the Silver Jedi had made for themselves after the issues they'd had in the past, his mind filled with memories of the horror-filled night that had transpired shortly before. Letting out an exhale, he tried to push the thoughts from his mind as he would note a ship he didn't recognize pulling into the base.

Josh would quirk a brow, clearly suspicious at it's appearance. Deciding that it was best he handled this before something happened, he would begin to walk to meet the ship where it landed, wanting to see who was waiting on the other end himself. He was too tired to deal with another incident, it would be best to nip this one in the bud before it spilled out, if necessary.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Walking off her shuttle, Ra carried herself with confidence. More a mask at this point than real confidence. In the aspect of being here for business, she was all confidence. However, some doubt still lurked in her mind about them picking up on her alignment. Even if she kept it hidden and buried, there was bound to be somebody that might pick up on her.

Not having a name of a contact surprised her, but she would do her best to make use of the situation. A man approached her as she walked off her shuttle and she gave him a professional smile. She felt him through the Force and knew he was a master. Letting out a mental sigh, since as soon as they would shake hands, he would know what her alignment was. Hopefully the fact she came without weapons on her body might lead to her now being locked up just for being a sith.

"I am Ra'a'mah Numare. Please just call me Ra though. Much easier to remember. I come to renew ties between the Silver Jedi and Free Worlds Coalition for trade. It's been a while since the agreement was originally made."

Her purpose was stated without any hint of deception because it was the truth.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

A woman would step down the ramp, and he would meet her in turn. He would hold out a hand, and the moment they shook hands, he knew. It wasn't difficult upon touch, though he might have never known without it. His eyes met hers, and he would quirk a brow, but his facial expressions didn't betray what he'd found beyond that, nor what his thoughts were on the matter. But he could feel that she was a Master herself... A Sith Lord, then? He noted she didn't have weapons on her body, but...

His first instinct was to act, in order to ensure the safety of the Silvers. But it was interesting she had come on behalf of the Free Worlds Coalition... Josh decided to adhere then to what Lady Kay had once told him. He would hear her out.

"Joshua DragonsFlame. Josh is easier. A pleasure to meet you, Ra. And a beautiful name, at that" He spoke with a light jest to his tone, a smile crossing his lips as he would gingerly release her hand. He detected no deception in what she said... Interesting. But it was very possible he was dealing with a cloak. That he had to be wary of. "While I cannot speak directly for Grandmaster Kitra, I would be happy to hear your terms and bring them forward to her, if that is acceptable with you."

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Taking full note of the raised eyebrow, but lack of outward reaction from him, Ra almost visibly relaxed. That cover remained over her alignment and signature though. Here it would be crazy to reveal it. He introduced himself easily, also providing her with a short name to call him. Not with a master title though, yet she could feel he was one.

His tone was light and had a touch of humor. She appreciated that and gave him a slightly warmer smile now she wasn't as concerned about cuffed and thrown into a cell for holding. Not once ever having though her name beautiful, it was her turn it raise and eyebrow at him.

"Thank you, Josh. I'm also pleased to meet you. As for terms, there was an agreement made before."

The hand shake concluded and him knowing what she was, she would move more carefully to reach into one of her pockets. With clearly no indication of ill intent, she would pull out a datapad with the previous agreement and attempt to hand it to him.

"All the information of the agreement is on that. I understand fully about not being able to speak on behalf of your Grandmaster. It is nice to know her name though. The last I heard it was Master Yune."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The Jedi would take the datapad and look it over, reviewing the agreement. He recalled seeing something like this in the archives, so it certainly passed go for him... But it was curious as to why a Sith, a powerful one at that, would come sincerely wanting to handle this. He recalled what Lady Kay had said before, and he knew that he should at least give them a chance, but he couldn't help but be wary.

He nodded then as he would take out his own datapad, copying the data and sending it out to Grandmaster [member="Valae Kitra"] in turn. With that, he would quickly record a message.

"Grandmaster Kitra, a representative of the Free Worlds Coalition wishes to reaffirm that trade agreements are still in place despite our recent situation. If you could throw us an answer as soon as you can, I'll have our friend accommodated and made comfortable until you can get around to it. Appreciated."

He made sure that the "representative" could hear him to signify that he did legitimately mean to honour their request. Once this was done, he would hand her datapad back to her.

"Aye. Grandmaster Valae Kitra is now our new Grandmaster. She was Master Yune's apprentice" He would explain. "Grandmaster Yune was killed in an explosion while battling the Sith. The Sith pinned the explosion and the destruction they caused with it on her, and slandered her across the galaxy. They've completely disrespected and disgraced her memory."

The Jedi Master shook his head, but shrugged it off as he looked her dead in the eyes. He didn't mind divulging this to her... She likely already knew. Was he trying to hammer home the destruction the Sith caused? Or the monsters that the Sith looked like to the rest of the galaxy? Or perhaps he was just being factual and informative for information's sake? She hadn't even known Arisa was gone, apparently, so it would be good to cover bases, even if it was likely she already knew.

"As much of a shame as that is, Arisa was an angel after all... It's part of the job. When there are people like that out there, you lose a lot of amazing people because of folks who only care for their own gain. We've had to learn to accept that, and work toward a future where maybe one day, we won't have to lose someone as amazing as Arisa was ever again."

With that, he would put his datapad away. "Come, we can take a walk and kill some time, maybe find somewhere to sit down. Perhaps somewhere to eat if you're hungry. Grandmaster Kitra is a busy woman, it could be a little while but I'm not comfortable with just leaving you here to wait."

Despite his suspicions, she was a guest, and he would treat her as such. It was just how they were here in the Silvers. Valae had set the example. It was his responsibility to follow it.

With that, though, he would shoot her a grin as he began to walk. "I'd be happy to keep you company, of course. What kind of host would I be to just leave you here alone?" He teased genuinely.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

While her words had been true when she said the last she had heard for herself, Arisa had been Grandmaster. She had heard rumors, some from reliable sources, but nothing from somebody that was closer to home.

Noticing Josh didn't reveal in his communication anything beyond business, Ra felt even more relieved. A small glimmer of trust, but not fully. He could be speaking telepathically or have some sort of other way to communicate she wasn't aware of to alert the people here. However, Ra didn't think he did such a thing. Listening as he spoke, Ra kept her face neutral. Just because she followed a certain code, didn't mean she was part of that Empire. He could have just been giving her the details of the fact or maybe implying she had a hand in things.

When he mentioned Arisa as an equal to an angel there was a ghost of a smile she gave to him. There had been one such angel in her life and then he was killed in front of her. Not on such a grand scale as Master Arisa, but his death had shattered her world. That man had instilled in her a sense of honor she carried even now. Sith or not, at the end of the day, all that a person had was their word and that was something she lived by.

The respective datapads replaced, he offered to keep her company while they waited to hear back from Grandmaster Valae. In saying he wasn't comfortable leaving her alone, Ra just shook her head slightly, but took the jab in stride.

"That would be fine, Josh. Company is sometimes difficult to find."

He seemed to genuine in his words, actions and invitation. No sense of anger or a lot of distrust. The little he had was just that and something Ra understood very well. When people first learned what her alignment was, it was normal for them to distrust at least a little. Over time, most of them realized she was not an evil person, just a person that held to the ideals of the sith code for the most part.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

If he came within proximity of Master Kitra, a telepathic message would likely note it, seeing as the Grandmaster would likely figure it out anyway. But if he did see her, well, odds are Ra wouldn't be on the planet much longer anyway if they did find her. Since Valae's decision was what she was here for. Either way, he had no reason to try to cause problems by reporting her right there while she was standing there. It was better to go the peaceful route... Kay had said to at least give it a chance instead of just jumping to conclusions. Even if he was still on edge. A Sith on the Silver Jedi's world... That was a problem. A very suspicious one. The odds of her intent being ill were incredibly high. But so long as he kept watch... Well, maybe it would be okay. Even if the reason he had offered company was to be a good host, legitimately. He was doing what Valae would do. He knew he should offer the Silver Jedi level of hospitality, no matter who she was, until she legitimately tried to cause harm.

He would smile then as he would hand the datapad back to her. "I enjoy some good company myself, so that appreciation goes both ways" He would joke, shooting her a cheeky grin then. With that, he would lead the way, and the pair would soon arrive in a sort of lounging room within the temple, a place to welcome guests, but it was also a place to relax and heal, if need be. The Order was heavily based around healing, after all...

"I'll ask someone to bring something to eat. Do you have any preferences, Ra?"

 

[Ra'a'mah]

What he called her good company, especially here Ra felt a touch of humor. Their personal ideals might clash, but so far they had been brought into question.

"Thank you for the warm welcome here. I am genuinely surprised."

Spoken quiet enough that​ only Josh would hear, it wasn't entirely a whisper. Close to one though.

He lead her to a comfortable looking room and Ra could feel the calm that surrounded everything here. She was aware of the Code the Jedi followed and had her own interpretation of it. Same went for the Sith Code she held close to herself and followed. There were other Codes and beliefs Ra was aware of and each had valid points to them. A person or people could follow and believe what they wanted in her opinion as long as they didn't get in her way if she was after something.

In asking about she wanted for food, Ra shrugged her shoulders. It wasn't that it did not matter to her, but she had not given food a thought.

"Something local? I've never been here before."

​For a moment, her business façade dropped from her neutral face and Ra showed Josh a small sliver of her humanity she kept buried most of the time. Her eyes met his and if he looked he would see they were a natural gold in color and not corrupted like a user of the dark side would be normally.

"Thank you."

And just like that with a blink of an eye, her business face was back on. Not once did her Force signature reveal itself though.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Genuinely surprised, huh? Well, for a Sith Lord, he supposed they would be genuinely surprised. She probably wasn't expecting hospitality, especially from a Jedi who clearly knew what she was. But, well, she hadn't done anything wrong... Yet, and the usual fare was to provide hospitality if necessary. He was abiding by the rules here. Regardless, he would nod his head when she would give a general idea of what she would like for food. Stepping out a moment, though keeping an eye on her at all times for... Well, obvious reasons. He would ask one of the droids in the temple to have food prepared, something local. Josh hadn't eaten much of the local Kashyyyk cuisine, despite actually knowing how to speak and understand Shywook... But it couldn't hurt to try. He just hoped it wasn't hairy.

Of course, what's on his mind generally gets spoken, as...

"Here's to hoping that what we get isn't as hairy as the natives" He would joke out once the droid was gone, as the Jedi Master would take a seat on the couch nearby Ra. "So, Ra. I don't know a whole lot about the FWC, and I'm just the messenger obviously, but would you mind filling me a bit on what they're about?"

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

This Jedi was doing his best to either knock her personal barrier down on purpose or just doing it naturally. That barrier had nothing to do with her hiding what she was in her alignment but herself. Barriers Ra had put up over the years to keep people at a distance and not giving them or her a chance to get close. People in her life that she had allowed in close were either dead or gone from her life.

"I'm sure the food won't contain fur or hair."

Josh then asked about what the Free Worlds did.

"Each world is ruled by a person or group of people with Alderaan being the capital world and where most activity is. When possible we will send aid and help to those that are in need. You know humanitarian things."

It likely sounded odd coming from a sith, but this was secret even from her people. ​Only a few within the FWC knew what she was and a handful outside of them. It was something she kept undercover and did not actually use her code to gain power. Instead what power she did have, she had earned from working her way up. He wouldn't know this about her though.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Well, at the least she was friendly for a Sith. But he also knew they could be very deceitful, so he kept on his guard. He wanted to like this girl, he did. He wanted to see the good in everyone if he could, especially after what [member="Lady Kay"] had said to him before. If not for her words, he probably wouldn't have let her past the gate. Though he had already alerted someone. One of the Assembly members who he could sense peeking in. He'd already filled them in telepathically. He knew that if he didn't, they would likely walk in and start asking questions. It was better to just give them the general gist of things, so they understood and could prepare if need be. He hoped it wouldn't come to violence, but considering Josh had already been in a Temple when Sith had shown up from the shadows of it? Well, you couldn't really blame him for at least taking precautions. They'd likely tell Valae if they ran into her. Hell, the sooner Valae found out, the sooner this lady could get her information, so... For the best, he supposed?

Regardess, he couldn't help but chuckle at her comment. "I haven't tried the local stuff here yet... Maybe hair and fur is the norm for it? I guess we'll just have to find out. I'd hope that Valae would have warned me ahead of time, but... Well, she's a busy lady. Angel though, just like Arisa."

Thinking about it a moment, he realized he'd been wrong on something.

"Ah. Right. She wasn't Arisa's pupil. Thurion's. Not Arisa's. I know they were close though" Josh would decide to correct, to rectify his statement from before. "She's clearly taken a lot of tabs from Arisa, which could explain partly how she's filling those shoes so well."

He would listen as she would take about the FWC, and nodded his head along with her explanation. "Humanitarian stuff, huh. Neat" Josh would respond with a light smile. It was a bit weird hearing a Sith talk about humanitarian things, but, well... Either she was serious, or she was keeping up the front. He kept his mind open to all possibilities.

"I've worked on humanitarian efforts most of my life. It's hard work... As is dealing with people who think you're sending aid to Alderaan places" He cracked, with a shrug. There was a pun in there, he hoped she got it. He really didn't want to feel awkward.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

"What have you had here then?"

Asked with some humor, Ra was really curious as to what he normally would eat. In her position, she went all over the galaxy and there was always the chance they would meet up again. Maybe even outside of a fully business setting. Many times she met with people was for business, but not in an office. Much like this meeting, here for business, but not in a true office. If he ever found his way into her area, by knowing what he normally ate, she could make him feel a little more comfortable.

The only deception Ra was doing was through her Art of the Small and keeping her Force alignment hidden from those around them. Even though she maintained a professional face, Josh did get a feeling of who the real Ra was under everything because of that handshake. A woman that was mad at her past. It had helped make her who she was now. That pain in her past was an intrinsic part of her. In a way, she blamed the galaxy as a whole for what happened to her. Where was it when her life went sour? Those times when she alone with nobody that cared for her, when she needed to live or die on her own. While she did her best to keep her fear secret, there was a chance he could pick up on it. Ra feared to be alone. Not in a physical sense, but on an emotional level.

Giving him a genuine smile as he spoke of Arisa and Valae, she nodded. There had been such an angel in her life and like Arisa had been taken from her. So Ra understood exactly what he meant about taking lessons. Her angel was the one that had started her on the path to being a businesswoman. Even now, she used what he had taught her.

"In my personal life, helping others in a fully selfless and humanitarian way doesn't happen often. However in the aspect of work, well I do what I can."

Not missing the joke, her eyes narrowed slightly with the humor, but she didn't comment on it. Just a simple glitter in them showed she appreciated the joke though.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He had to think on that one for a moment. What -had- he had? "Well, there's a cafeteria here, so I've just kinda grabbed things I'm used to since they have a variety. I'm a bit of a picky eater" He would admit with a chuckle. "Should I have a choice to eat something I prefer anyway. Though I guess there really isn't anything wrong with it, if the choice is there... "

When it came to work, he would shrug his shoulders. Soon enough, food would arrive, the local cuisine. He wasn't used to it, but he would give it a shot as he would slowly take a bite. By his face, it seemed good enough as he would shrug again, before taking another bite as he would then begin to talk about work once he had thought of what to say.

"Humanitarian stuff is what I do. I provide relief to refugees, I free slaves. Sure, the slavers might not like it..." He trailed off, before shooting her a cheeky grin. "... And the Sith might not like it..." He added with a light chuckle. "But they can take a long walk off a short space-pier as far as I'm concerned. Human lives are not something to be bargained for, or put to forced labor. They are not things, belongings... People are people. It's as simple as that, right? So I do what I can.

Besides, if it were my own family in those camps... I'd want someone to help them if I couldn't."

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

The peaceful atmosphere around her did wonders and even though that shield over her alignment remained in place, Ra started to relax. She was not naturally empathic, but could sense the humor from Josh was real.

"It is always nice to have something familiar to eat. Comfort food at its best, I suppose. I like to think I am a pretty good cook though. Doing what I do though, I don't often get the opportunity to cook anymore."

Nothing wrong with having a choice to eat. Certainly probably better of a selection than what she gets while on her ship and travelling. It was times like now when she got to try new things that Ra really enjoyed. An opportunity to learn, the setting might have been better, but she would do the best she could here.

Returning the smile he gave when he mentioned the slave part, it was something she agreed with.

"I don't approve of slavery either...at all. While I don't have the power to free many on my own, I have done what I could in the past. But you know something? We are all slaves to something. Though, I am pretty sure the slavers don't like the freeing of what they consider stock. You are correct though, people are people. I have no family."

She shrugged slightly when she said that last part. A statement of truth, her parents had died when she was an infant, picked up by her master and raised by him. There had been no love in that relationship, it was always clear he was the master and she the apprentice. Emotion had been lacking in her life and to this day Ra was out of touch with her own, except that hurt and anger she always carried.

"Do you have a family then?"

A sense of curiosity was expressed. At least she had emotions on the surface, it was the deeper ones she was out of touch with. The question was meant to imply family outside of his order and hopefully Josh would figure that out.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"It's been nice to settle down and actually have food that's more comfort than function these last few years. Spent most of my life eating whatever necessary to survive while I went from mission to mission. Family life changed that. And changed me" He spoke. He had already said he had a family, which he knew had been a mistake but it had slipped out. Still, she'd given him no reason to believe she would go after his family, but well, if she did...

It was interesting that a Sith would disapprove of slavery, and something in how she said it and what he could sense said that she was telling the truth. It was an odd thing to hear, but perhaps Kay was right after all that not all the Sith were the same. Sure, they could just be trying to get his guard down, but... He didn’t sense that from her.

Her question then concerned her. He considered for a moment whether to tell her. He would... Though it came with a warning.

“I do” He spoke softly. “I have a son, he’s about two years old” Josh would admit, taking a deep breath. “He’s my pride and joy... And the most important thing in my life.

... More important than the Jedi, even.”

He didn’t know why he was opening up like this, it just felt... Right, he supposed.

“I found that out for sure when slavers took him away” He would then admit, closing his eyes. That wasn’t a memory he wanted to revisit, but... It just came to him. And in that moment his tone began to become more frigid, more cold, the more serious it got.

“To keep him safe I did things that the Jedi would not approve of wholeheartedly. These slavers tried to take my son away... These slavers aren’t here anymore.”

He took a deep breath then, doing his best to keep his calm. “Jedi and Daddy are two different people.”

He allowed himself to exhale then as he would shake away the memory. “Sorry, I get a little worked up when my son gets involved” He would admit, giving her a small smile as he would return to his cheerful self and continue to dig into the food. Perhaps that was his way of saying that he knew her secret and to be wary around his kid? But who knows, right? Maybe he just got a little overprotective and found himself saying these things?

“What about you? Do you have a family yourself?” He asked, curiously as he seemed to be back to his old self.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

"Being on the move so much myself, I understand exactly what mean about the food. It is nice to be able to sit down, eat and not have to worry about functionality and just taste the quality. When I can, I actually like to cook."

Listening as Josh opened up about himself, saying he has a son and that he would do anything to keep him safe, Ra nodded. She didn't have any children of her own or any romantic interest that could potentially be a father, but she felt they were the future of the galaxy. In her own way, she would do what she needed to keep safe any child she could. ​

For a moment, her face softened slightly as he spoke. A small sense of sympathy might be felt from her and agreement with whatever his actions had been. If he was anything like she was and it sounded like he could be, those slavers wouldn't have gone out in a painless manner.

She looked at him closely before speaking, Ra could tell him he was upset at the memory. Something made her press that issue only slightly more before she answered his question.

"Why apologize for something that is natural? I have no children of my own, but have rescued and saved a few in my time. One girl would be about ten now and is being cared for by an orphanage that took me in for a time on Coruscant. Her name is Xian. I suppose I could adopt her, but being on the move so much, I'm not sure it would be best for her. What is your sons name?"

If he choose not answer,​ she would respect his wish for that privacy. However, there was no harm or ill intention behind her words, but real curiosity.

"A woman named Stardust Raxis adopted me as a clan sister so while we are not biologically related, I guess we have each other as family. Beyond her though, I have no family to speak of."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"I don't think you understand what I meant" He would tease with a light chuckle in turn. "I've been a workaholic most of my life, Ra. Still am, to an extent. I've been a Jedi since I was five years old, this has been the life that I have lived since I was old enough to remember much. My time spent not working was minuscule, and thus my opportunity to be choosey on what I ate, or consider likes and dislikes much when eating, were few. I went from one mission to the next, I'd return to the Temple and do more work there, then I'd ship off on another mission. I didn't partake in dinners and buffets, I restocked on rations and was off on my way.

My son being born changed everything."

He smiled lightly then. "He made me more human, I think. He gave me a purpose besides being a Jedi. Now I think like a normal person, talk like a normal person, act more like a normal person. He gave me a reason to know that I belong in this world, besides as just a member of an organization doing organization things. Once I was home more to take care of him... Suddenly I had likes and dislikes for food, suddenly I liked some food better than ours, suddenly I became picky. Even when I shipped back off, I wasn't the same. Rations don't taste the same when they're not the only thing you eat anymore. And when you've actually had good food. But you're right... It's nice to be able to just taste the quality.

It's hard to go back to doing otherwise" He cracked, smirking in turn. "My son really has changed me. I spend every day looking forward to the next day I see him again. And I spend more time at home, time being human. It's probably why I haven't been targeted as much anymore" He would admit, giving her a teasing look regarding what he was about to say. "Sith probably don't see you as a priority as much when you're a harmless daddy half the time" He joked. Was it just a joke? Or a message for the Sith not to disrupt his time of tranquility or he would become a much larger pain in the butt? Who knows with him?

The topic had shifted to the slavers, and it had gone cold for a bit, though he tried to stay upbeat best he could as she asked her questions.

"Jedi are taught not to be angry. Nor to do the things that I did. The problem is not with the act of saving my child, and others... It is how I did it. I have saved hundreds of children from slavers over the years, and done so without allowing my emotions to get the best of me. But when it was my child, my emotions got the best of me. We are taught, unlike the old days... And something I teach others myself... Is that emotions are okay. Emotions are a strength. But letting them run rampant too strongly, can cloud you in combat. They can impair your judgement.

It is a fatal flaw for the Sith, allowing themselves to rely entirely on emotions, to shackle themselves to their emotions and all of the clouding that comes with it... Damn the consequences. The fatal flaw that they don't see... Is that it is a pair of chains. A pair of chains just like the ones they claim in their Code they are freed from.

I allowed myself to be chained by the same things when a more personal stake was at hand. It guided mine. And if my opponents had been stronger... It may very well have killed me. And I'm not going to be a very good father if I'm dead. That is why the way I handled things was a mistake...

And in this instant, I almost let my emotions run high again when I even think about it. To someone who has done naught but shown courtesy and kindness. That is why I apologized. You did not deserve to have to bear my burdens for even a moment."

He let her continue to speak from there, listening as she would ask of his son's name, and then talk about a Stardust Raxis... Which got another smirk from him.

"I know the woman. My history with her is... Well, I'll leave that to mystery" He joked lightly. "My son's name..."

He had to consider carefully about revealing it, he knew. Though he knew now who she was... If he found out she was seeking out a child named Jason, she would not find success on the endeavour. Only a protective father.

"Jason" He spoke softly. "His name is Jason."

 

[Ra'a'mah]

She listened to everything Josh had to say. Other than her former Jedi master and Jessica, he was the only Jedi she had any real contact with for a length of time. When she had been with Dune and Jessica, she had been a different person. While she had grown up basically a Baneinte sith, there was eight years of her life where she didn't know what she was. It was during that time she trained under Dune until he disappeared. Soon after that, she had learned of her past and everything had changed.

Nodding at his key points, smiling at other details and just being human for once. Not sith or merchant, but a woman enjoying some food and conversation. Still remembering where she was, that shield remained though. That would remain in place without a second though from her. It was how she lived most of the time.

"In a way, you and I are a bit alike. Different paths of alignment, but have lived and worked all our lives."

He had found a sense of​ what it was like to be normal and she still lacked that. While Ra knew she a person, she also felt more like a cog of a large wheel. Her role though, she was a little more important than a simple cog. Being head of the merchant fleet, she was the face of her people. The one that made first impressions and sitting here, she wondered what kind she was making.

"For some reason I've never been a target on a personal level. On that same note, I've never targeted anybody. So, I never went after you. In all honesty and especially when it comes to work, alignment has little baring on things. Well, it sort of does, but that's now something to talk with you about. Not entirely trade secrets, but doesn't deal with us."

It was something that went back to her days with the Metal Lords and continued into her position with the Coalition. She could not make deals with any sith. Being sith herself, she actually had no issue with this. It was still unknown to most people just what she was. When it came to business contacts, Josh was the only one to know.

"Daddy and harmless hardly go hand in hand, Josh. Any good parent would do whatever was needed to keep their child safe."

Part of what she said next was spoken softly, but the rest was clear enough to be heard by him.

"I think I'm a rare one. Instead of emotions fueling me, I use logic. Some chains are good to have. Agreed though, many don't fully understand they are never free from those chains. Don't even know they are there. Considering what I follow, I keep my emotions in check."

Did that make her less of a sith? It was something she had been questioning for a while. Just how sith was she still. Now talking to Josh, it came into question again.

It seemed Stardust was known by many and that made Ra smile a little. Maybe in time, she would be more known herself, but it wasn't in her nature to want to be in the limelight. She worked better in the shadows and behind the scenes. In her position though, she needed to come out and become a known name.

"That's a nice name. Simple. Not like mine."

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Different paths of alignment, huh? So that was on the table, good to know. Still, he listened to her wholly, just as Kay had suggested he do. She hadn't tried to cause trouble yet, so there was no reason for him to draw his saber. Still... It was true, getting married and becoming a father had changed him. He had spent his whole life becoming more and more like a robot, like a tool up until this point... And then all of a sudden it was torn down and the human part of him shined through. It was... Kind of nice. Nice to be human and not just a tool, a cog in a machine. He got to be his own person when he was home. It was a way of life that he cherished deeply when he was home. In way, it may his work a bit harder... It was no longer the only thing he had.

She then got to talking about how -she- was never after him. Well, really laying into it, huh? He supposed now that it was on the table, might as well go all out. Still, once she finished, he had to think it over a moment but he finally spoke.

"Thing is, with the Jedi... If I wanted to tell Valae to suck her own left... Well, you get the idea... I could walk out this door and go home and spend the rest of my life with my family. Would I be the most popular? No. But I'd be living. Now, if you were to tell the Emperor or whatever that they have a slightly misshapen head... They'd probably get triggered immediately and they'd probably kill you at home out of spite. Even if you leave without insult... My ex left the Sith peacefully and they still axed her when her back was turned. Didn't fight them, just went to go be a mercenary. They killed her anyhow. Out of spite. They are confined to that sort of thing, confined to commit senseless violence over the smallest things. They are slaves.

These are the chains I am talking about. When you say chains are good... What kind of chains are we talking about? When it comes to the Jedi, the main "chain" is... Don't be stupid. Don't do something you shouldn't do just because it'll probably get you killed like an idiot. Or worse, go to the dark side, be a Sith... And end up in chains. Sith talk about breaking chains and getting away from the light to be free and be the best and all that, but... What chains are they breaking? It just seems like an excuse to be... Well, you know. That. Bantha poodoo. Those jerk geese. Ryan Korr, who despite being a Jedi, is... Well, about as much of a man as someone who doesn't have the parts."

The Jedi shrugged his shoulders in turn. "He'll probably try to get my Masterhood revoked again for that one" He joked with a laugh. "Last time was because someone gave me a hug."

It was interesting she claimed she used logic over the usual from the dark side, but he just shrugged again. Interesting, but difficult to believe. He'd address it in a moment.

"Well... Regardless of you being conventional or not, now that you know I've got issues, and I got a kid... Let me just give a friendly freebie here just so we're on the same page. Being human does not mean I am easy to influence. Touch my kid, I cut your head off. I will not be "corrupted" by it... I will actually sleep just fine and get back to work the next day. I've already touched the dark side."

He held out a hand then, and for a moment, he tapped into that power. That power that made him feel sick to his stomach. Within seconds, it was gone. She would be able to sense it, but it would fade soon after.

"Learned it... Touched it, hate it, not fun. But I didn't feel those same feelings I felt when I used it... When I cut the heads off the slavers who took my kid. There was no malevolence, no darkness... Just dad doing dad things."

He let out a yawn then with his arms relaxed behind his head.

"Maybe that's part of being human."

He changed the subject then, once the warning was out. He did not trust lightly, especially not to a Sith. It was a courtesy that he warned her ahead that any attempt to take advantage of it would prove fruitless... And he would kill her with no effect on him if she or her dark friends went near his kid. He did not speak with malevolence, he did not speak with emotion... It sounded very blunt, matter of fact, infomercial... He really did mean it as an information freebie. He just got... Blunt, sometimes. It was clear on his face that he wasn't being cross with her. Just being cautious. For her sake more than his.

"Emotions... Emotions are fine if you aren't overcome by them. If they don't rule you. Emotions are part of being human... I teach that to my students, regardless of whatever a faction says. I held a high ranking Jedi in my arms while she let her emotions pour out for a bit. Nothing wrong with it. Because I know in the field of battle she's still going to kick ass and make sound judgement. So don't sell emotion short... But balance it too."

@Ra'a'mah