The Return (PM for Invite)

[Josh Dragovalor]

He listened to her words, and nodded along. He understood, of course. He smiled a bit, chuckling after the kiss. "I forgive you" He responded with a smirk.

"But... I understand" Josh would speak, placing his hands on her shoulders as he stared her in the eyes with a soft smile. "I understand why you were upset at the time. You have a loyalty to your late husband. Even with him gone, you couldn't bear the thought of not being loyal to him. It's normal when dealing with loss" He would explain. "I was the same way at one point, like I said last time" He said with a sad smile. "I had someone who I considered my soulmate. Despite all the differences between us, and all the time we traveled different places, different paths, we always seemed to find one another. And... She made me really happy. Of course, that's where the happiness ends. I remember finding out that she'd been killed. She was gone. I was crushed. Everything became a nightmare for me, I didn't want to live in this galaxy anymore. Sleep left me, I looked and felt like a mess. I wasn't able to engage in another relationship again, and I spurred away many potential women because of that in my grief, for a very long time. I didn't improve until I realized that my responsibilities were growing.. And I needed to shape up because there were people that were counting on me"

He took a deep breath. "But... I was never intimate with anyone again after that. At least, not until Zeltros. It was a shock for me as well, and I understand completely why you acted out the last time we met. I'd have done the same thing in your situation" The Jedi Master would speak softly. "So... I forgive you"

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

His long talk of sympathy had gotten to Nimue. She was glad to know he understood, more than she realized in fact. Perhaps had she not been as she was she;d have had the chance to hear this story the last time they spoke. But at least hearing it now meant both their pains were out in the open for them to see. It did comfort her to know that there was more they could relate to than just thier affection for each other. Once he forgave her she smiled again and hugged him closer, her squeeze almost too tight to breath.​

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After that she sighed and looked up to him, saying "Ahh. You have no idea how much I missed that handsome face of yours. And the rest of you as well." her finger trailed down his chest. "You should've seen me in battle. Tearing down one an after another. Half dirty. Clothes almost torn. I bet the sight would;ve been...exhilrating."​

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[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He felt a little better with all of that in the open. He had begun his process of moving past Saoirse's death when he shut himself away from everything and everyone, to fix himself, to clear his head. Her death, accompanied by the Jedi Order in his eyes betraying him, and all of the politics and attachments had broken him. Now... He was a new man. He'd been in the middle of a transitional period when he met Nimue, but he was proud that his progress was increasing now, to get back to where he was without all of the baggage.

He took a deep breath, and hugged her tight himself when she did. This was where she might realize he was stronger then his appearance gave way to. Still, he was glad to see that they had something to relate to, as much as she was, and would laugh a bit when she would describe her... Rather unique state out in the battlefield. "Oh, I'm sure it would have been" He would tease with a playful smirk. "I'm generally wearing robes in battle, and armor underneath. I don't think anyone's seen me all torn up and dirty yet" He would snark.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

His comment made her huff a smirk before grabbing his rob, almost with the intent to rip it off of him. "There's a first for everything." she quipped back with a smile before leaning in for another kiss. This one was more breif than the others. She stopped and sighed before saying "As much as I'd like to continue I need to get back. They'll be sending a search party out for me soon if I don't return." She looked around and thought to herself before saying "Stay until later. I'll be in my quaters then. Plenty of time to...rekindle."​

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[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The Jedi Master would chuckle when she pulled him close, and nodded when she mentioned needing to get back. "Of course, Your Grace" He said, returning to the formal term instead of using her name. He'd indulge her and return the kiss this time. "I'll stick around then, you have my word" He would promise, smirking faintly. "I'll exit the hallway from another door, just to protect your... Modesty" He would tease as he stuck his tongue out at her, before heading down the hall to exit into the main floor again before her, to cull any suspicions.

While he was thrilled that there was no longer any hostility between them, he had to admit he was confused as to what the Empress was looking for with him. A relationship, a fling, or something else entirely? He wasn't sure.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Tydeus of Tion]

Korr arrived on the planet as a Jedi delegate. Ostensibly, he would be there to offer relief aid for the citizens. The Jedi Knight stood at the back of the throne room in earthen tone robes of a roughspun quality. They were quite itchy.

His face seemed more stone than skin, despite the gold-red stubble that grew heavily thereon. The faded red of an angry scar slashed down just below his right eye, marking him as no stranger to hardship. Korr liked to think himself a patient man, but the truth was that he had little time to spend idling here waiting for the royal red tape to unwind. He had a duty to fulfill.

"Where is the Empress?" He asked the nearest guard.

"Bathroom."

"Oh."

It seemed even royalty needed a trip to the refresher, but as the moments dragged on Ryan's eyes narrowed. He glanced at the side door and opened it. The message from the Jedi Council to the Empress cou- he stopped in his tracks, witnessing [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] tangled up in [member="Nimue Stormson"]. It was hard to tell where one ended and the other began.

"Uh."

Korr's face reddened and he made a hasty retreat. Perhaps he could wait in the throne room after all.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] gave his little quip again, which made the Empress chukle. She'd have said more but knew it was best to leave it lest the conversation be drawn out any further than it was and more people would come looking for her. But, as she turned, it seemed as though she was gone longer than expected; or at least whoever this man was he didn't understand the need for patience and privacy.​

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Nimue looked aghast at the sight of [member="Ryan Korr"] having caught her and Master DragonsFlame in thier embrace. Already this looked bad, especially since by his apperance it seemed he was a Jedi. She knew there could be some sort of ramification from this, especially for DragonsFlame. She needed to act fast and try to work around this.​

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Just as Korr was about to leave she turned and smacked DragonsFlame across the face and said "How dare you make advances like that towards me. You Jedi have no true maners. I'd have you thrown in a dungeon if I knew it wouldn't spark a war." She turned and huffed before walking back towards the throne room. She picked up her crown and places it back on her hand while saying to Master Korr "You, Jedi. Tell your friend to mind where his hands are on a royal person next time he tries to make advances on them." ​

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After that she left in a flase huff and allowed DragonsFlame to try and pick up the peices.​

 

[Tydeus of Tion]

He stopped short, back straightening, then turned around slowly as the Empress brushed past. Eyes the color of storm clouds stared at the former Jedi. Ryan's face was expressionless, though his words were cool and crisp.

"[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"], what are you doing?"

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The slap was unexpected. Why, after he'd attempted to leave, did she turn around and hit him? The answer was evident when he noticed [member="Ryan Korr"]. He had to keep from laughing when he realized what was going on. Still, that answered his question quite well. If she couldn't be seen with him and felt it would shame her, then their relationship likely wouldn't go past "fling" territory, unless she was wanting to talk the whole thing out. He would wait for her to leave, before turning toward Korr. He recognized him, just as the man recognized him, and he would close his eyes first. A voice would emit in Nimue's head.

"He's not one of my kind. He's Republic, I'm Silver. You probably could have licked me 'till I melted and he wouldn't be able to actually act on it"

He was irritated with her for not actually making sure what was going on before acting, but if she was so hell bent on this sentiment... Well, so be it. Finally, the Jedi Master would speak, knowing Nimue had put him in an awkward position. He'd confront her later.

"The Empress and I go way back. She gets a little... Overzealous in greeting with me, and gets flustered when she realizes. The abuse is pretty normal" The Jedi Master would explain with a casual shrug, as if the whole thing was normal. He would clench his fist, and the big red slap mark on his face would disappear. "She'll apologize later, then next time I see her she'll hug me and hope nobody else sees. Normal women stuff. I used to have a fiance, I know the drill" He would speak with a small smile. There was both truth and stretched truth in all that he'd said. He was a bad liar, but when he mixed it in with truth, it was more convincing. This was really the only way he could explain why he'd caught them hugging, and likely caught one of the smooches too.

Granted, bedding an Empress wouldn't tarnish his reputation even if he WAS a member of the Republic's Jedi. They let him get away with bedding a former Sith Knight, didn't they? Granted, he didn't KNOW, but that's besides the point.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Tydeus of Tion]

"Normal women stuff?" Korr's voice grew cold as ice. "...And they say chivalry is dead."

He turned on his heel and strode back into the throne room, a sullen frown etched onto his pale features. Joshua's actions might be detestable, but sexism wasn't a crime. And he had other matters to attend.

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"], [member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

As [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] sent his little message into her mind about there being a difference about which Jedi he was compared to [member="Ryan Korr"] Nimue only rolled her eyes. As if she would be able to know the difference. It didn't matter, however, since she knew she'd make up for the slap later on. For now she only returned to the main hall, returning to a more professional composure, before taking her place at her throne. Her gaurd handed back her scepter before she continued with addressing any and all guests that would arrive to her with thier business. ​

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The particular line had been casually joking in nature and not intended as sexism, but the look on the Knight's face told him that he saw it that way. As did his cold tone and the sarcasm. Yeesh, for him as a kid, those sorts of sayings were perfectly normal. Guys were rougher, simpler, girls were more complicated. Basics. But of course, he would remember that this was a new generation where people would find any excuse to call just about anything sexist, mysoginist, racist, or any other ridiculous term that was once saved for very specific things. The Jedi Knight in particular reminded him very much of the Republic Jedi that he had left. Rash, full of themselves, quick to judge, acted without thinking. When this became a reoccuring thing within the Jedi Order, he parted ways due to separate interests. Discounting that that they had become ruthless dark side hunters instead of leaving that to the Jedi Shadows.

The man getting irritated with him and walking away didn't bother him any. What people thought of him bothered him little. Being overly nice and trying to please everybody was what got him booted from his old position. He would shrug it off with no bother and walk away to mingle with other guests. Perhaps maybe someone less.. Rude.

Still. It had worked out. He hadn't asked questions about the nature of his and Nimue's relationship. The both of them got out relatively unscathed.

 

[Tydeus of Tion]

"Empress," Korr caught up with her easily, long strides cutting the distance. His brow was still furrowed.

"The Jedi Order wishes to aid in diplomatic negotiations with the remnants of any defectors to your realm. The hand of peace and reconciliation can quicken the healing process."

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Once [member="Ryan Korr"] had finally approched the Empress nodded at his arrival. She wanted to apologize for what he'd seen but knew that would lead to implcations she didn't want at this time. Instead she only leaned back and listned to him explain how he came to represent the Jedi order in the hopes of helping to rebuild Effekt. She gave a small smile at this while her free hand trailed it's fingers against the arm of her throne. ​

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"You offer is a kind one, Jedi Master Korr. Though I should say now that many of these 'defectors' have been dealt with already. If you wish to see them merley look to the courtyard out back." After that she leaned foward and added "Though any and all aid is not unwelcomed in my realm. Not even from the Jedi. Perhaps if your order could aid with resources and protection for my people while we continue to rebuild. There are still those who would take advantage of a war-torn society in these dark times."​

 

[Tydeus of Tion]

The pale planes of his features remained rigid, as though he were hewn from granite. "Of course, I will inquire as to the resources we can send. What of the defectors? You said they were... dealt with?"

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

When he asked about how the defectors were 'dealt with' Nimue gesutred to one of her guards and said "Escort the Jedi Master to the courtyard in the back. Let him see what justice has been done for the people of Effekt."​

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The gaurd saluted before leading [member="Ryan Korr"] towards the back of the palace where a courtyard would sit. They only had to go to one of the landings on the same level to look down and see what had been done. Large wooden spires were erected in a line where the remains of days old men and women were hung. They were eaten bit by bit by the crows while the remains were left to hang and rot out in the open. The form of justice best suited for the people of Effekt, as any would tell an outsider. ​

 

[Tydeus of Tion]

The stench of rotting flesh soon pervaded Ryan's nostrils. Bile rose to his throat and an overwhelming sense of nausea overwhelmed his senses. Korr grimaced, crushing the urge to wretch at the sight of the desiccated corpses.

"I see. Thank you, guardsman."

Korr moved back into the throne room and addressed [member="Nimue Stormson"]. "I suppose this nullifies the need for a negotiator. I will return to the Jedi and inquire for any resources we can send you. Thank you, Empress."

He turned to leave, saying nothing about the darkness he felt inside her.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

[member="Ryan Korr"] Wasn't the only one who had found his way in some fashion outside. Another Jedi, the Jedi Master Joshua DragonsFlame stood nearby, arms folded as he stared out at the example that had been made out of the people that had revolted. DragonsFlame would only pass Ryan a glance as he turned to leave, but the frown on his face as he stared out at this unnecessary death was evident.

Why? Why couldn't she have just.... Locked them up as an example? These were her own people... In arms or not, this was just... Wrong. Sure, maybe that was just Effekt's custom for treason and uprising but... If this was what she meant by being strong... He didn't know what to say.

He wished she had called him.. He reached out through the Force to see if there was any life left...

He found none. It was a graveyard. A monument of death. He wished he could have been there to settle this peacefully... To save so many lives... The fact he could not ate at him.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

When [member="Ryan Korr"] had returned it didn't take much for Nimue to see he was upset by the punishment laid out by the traitors to her and her empire. If he didn't like it then that was his problem, but on effekt they had thier justice and this was what was fit. Even to where the people had once cheered at the fact of seeing these men and women slain for thier crimes. When the Jedi only agreed he would send his resources when needed Nimue nodded to him. It was odd though. she had an odd sense that he had more tension towards her. Not because of her actions but because of soemthing else. She couldn't out her finger on it. ​