Titanium

[Allyson Locke]

Taking an Echani Transport always made her miss the Peregrine even more. The ship didn’t feel like home nor did it give her the same warmth. Closing her eyes, the Queen of Eshan made the decision to rejoin the Republic and the Order. It was a quick decision, but it had its benefits. Her fingers played with the ring placed on her ring finger. She never removed the ring; the flecks of Kaiburr crystal reflected the light slightly as she played with it. It had become her new nervous habit. The shuttle arrived and a message was sent titled Urgent to the newest Councilor.

Aleidis,
We have much to discuss I’m arriving on Coruscant please meet me at the senate building. I have a favor to ask of you.
Spencer

It was quite informal, but formality was out the door at the moment. Spencer continued towards the building with her guards around her and once she arrived at the small room she took a seat. Fingers once more played with the ring signifying her marriage to the former Dark Lord of the Sith. Biting her lip, she continued to wait for the Ghostling girl.

@[member="Aleidis Ijet"]

 

[Aleidis Zrgaat]

@Spencer Jacobs

She didn't have to wait for long. Although people seemed to be making it habit to show up at Aleidis' door with little-to-no forward warning, there were a few names the Ghostling would always make time for. Typically speaking, they were names she'd known before she'd become Chancellor. Masters, friends, allies. And in one special case, a woman who'd become something less like a role model and more akin to a sister.

So when Spencer sent her a message requesting a meeting, Aleidis pushed somethings off of her schedule and was into the room just after Spencer with a basket of fruits and a radiant smile. "Go~od morning, Spencer!" The Ghostling chirped merrily - she didn't even care that Spencer apparently had a favor to ask of her, she was just glad to see her friend.

 

[Allyson Locke]

The tension disappeared from her face as she sat there and heard the cheerful voice of the younger woman. Spencer never had the pleasure of having a younger sibling, she was the youngest in her line of the Hawk clan and even then she wasn’t graced with the name. Standing slightly she bowed her head towards the woman. Spencer took in her sight and remembered how proud she had felt when she heard the news of both the girl’s mastering and becoming Chancellor of the Republic. Her instincts were right, the girl was meant for great things and it was by the will of the Force she had met her.

“Aleidis you’ve done quite well for yourself haven’t you?”

The words danced along the emotion that filled the room as the girl entered. So young and in charge of so much, Spencer sympathized with her understanding the role she was filling. Though unlike Aleidis, she had someone to mentor her the entire way. Unsure if a hug was welcome, Spencer still made her available for it if the Ghostling girl wanted it. The stress, it was thick and Spencer rubbed her temple as a headache started to surface. With a soft sigh, the room soon filled with Spencer’s influence a calm would wash over them and Spencer hoped that whatever weighed down on the girl would lift just for this moment so she could breathe.

“I have some good news, I’ve fully returned to the Order as well as the Republic, I won’t be leaving for some time now – you’re the reason of course, I couldn’t leave you – didn’t feel right.”

Pausing Spencer hesitated for a moment and then looked around. The force filled the room as their words became hushed as well as their actions. Hazel eyes locked onto the Ghostling, knowing all well the stress that was on her shoulders.

“What is going on Aleidis? I’m here for you – you know that”

@[member="Aleidis Ijet"]

 

[Aleidis Zrgaat]

@[member="Spencer Jacobs"]

Aleidis, as focused as she was on keeping up the veneer of cheerful professionalism that'd become her usual face to greet the Galaxy was, didn't notice as Spencer began enforcing calm. She set the basket aside and stepped forward, hugging the woman in greeting. "I'm so glad that you're coming back, Spencer." Aleidis chirped enthusiastically. The way to hug a Ghostling - as anyone who spent time around one knew - was to simply make yourself ready to be hugged, and try not to move too much. Although Aleidis was more sturdy than she'd been at fourteen - when she'd met Spencer - she was still far from normal in that regard. "Even if you should d-do so because you want to, and not because of muh-me." Aleidis added with a smirk, glancing up at Spencer.

Why was her vision so blurry? Aleidis blinked myopically in surprise as she spoke. "I'm fine - everything's fine. Busy, of course, but fine where it matters." The Ghostling explained. As unaware as she was that Spencer was blanketing the room in calm, she was still the heir to one of the greatest Mentalists of the past century - a girl who'd been training to keep Je'Gan from illusory-screwing up her senses and mind for years. Spencer could relieve Aleidis of the burden of leadership, but not lock down her emotions.

As such, Aleidis was completely unaware of the unsettling change that'd happened. Even as she blithely smiled up at Spencer Jacobs and took a step back, clasping her hands in front of herself, everything else about Aleidis' body screamed of intense distress. Tears flowed heavily from her black eyes, over red puffy cheeks, completely soiling her makeup. Her hands, clasped innocently at her waist, shook as though with palsy. And still, she smiled in the same pleasant way. "S-So, wuh-what's this f-favor you wanted to ask of me?" She inquired, voice breaking slightly as her breath caught. Aleidis cleared her throat and shook her head, disregarding a choked-back sob as allergies.

 

[Allyson Locke]

Don’t cry, don’t cry, please for the love of the Force don’t cry….feth you’re crying…and now…

Spencer mentally did her best to block and control the emotions that Alei was feeling, crying though was her one weakness and tears welled in the now Jedi Master’s eyes. She did her best to control it even though it wasn’t in her control at all. Stuffy nose sounds echoed between them and Spencer soon regained control the best she could and sighed. The favor wasn’t as important as her duty as Aleidis’ friend. She couldn’t touch the girl, she was too fragile and this made things a bit difficult. She received the hug and nodded knowing that it was something possibly that Alei needed.

“My favor can wait, right now I think it’s you that needs to talk.”

Again her fingers played with the ring nervously, she worried about the girl and wondered how Je’gan felt about her taking on such a difficult role in the galaxy. Her mind continued to wonder if Je’gan was there at least helping her and who was on her side? Rumors flew around and Spencer had heard each and every one of them. One gossiper found himself going crazy with force insanity the instant something foul slipped his lips about the girl. A soft smile spread across her face as she remembered the moment.

“Alei, I’ve been in your position before, maybe not in your direct position, but I was the First Apprentice to the Dark Lord of the Sith. I was in charge of so much, things that Ashin couldn’t do herself because she was busy with other matters. I had to do things alone without my mentor and Master. The stress can be unbearable at times – I really had no one to talk to, I sometimes had Ashin, but it was only in passing.”

Taking a deep breath, she did her best to constantly control her emotional intake from the girl who was unaffected by the calm in the room. Of course, Je’gan’s heir.

“So anything please talk to me Aleidis, I don’t need to be an empath to know that you’re stressed and bothered by things. Maybe I can help”

@[member="Aleidis Ijet"]

 

[Aleidis Zrgaat]

@[member="Spencer Jacobs"]

Aleidis sat down at the table with a crooked smile, folding her hands in her lap. "I'm fine, Spencer. This is most likely... allergies or something." She explained, dabbing at her cheeks with a hankerchief. Then, a faint sensation - like wind through her hair. Aleidis deadpanned suddenly, and all her mental defenses went up like the blade of a duelist the second she realized that she was being influenced. The tears stopped, and she stood up.

"...you, too, Spencer?" Aleidis asked coolly, as every display of emotion faded away - what could not be stopped (like tears) was hidden behind White Current illusion, leaving the Ghostling just as pristine as she'd been when she entered the room. "I don't know why everyone seems to think that, all of a sudden I'm incapable of moderating my own emotions." The Ghostling complained, folding her arms. "But for you, Spencer, to come in here and try to... influence me without my consent? I am very, very upset."

 

[Allyson Locke]

Not this again…

Spencer saw the through the white current, she had learned well with her mental defenses and sighed quietly. Once more Spencer had over stepped her boundaries with someone and the girl stood where she was standing and pulled her cloak tighter around her frame. Remembering a certain Spacer and his women problems, Spencer groaned and realized she needed to keep tabs on this. Not everyone desired to be influenced or would take it as the good intention she had.

“I should have known and I apologize. My intent was to help, I understand what you’re going through and my assumptions got the best of me this time. This will never happen again.”

Pulling a small napkin from her robe pocket she dabbed the tears from her eyes and shoved it back in. The emotions flying around the room were going to get the best of her soon, but she could sense that a thing like what she had done wasn’t welcomed. Aleidis wasn’t a child and like the rest of the Republic, Spencer needed the realize that. Preparing to be dismissed because of this, Spencer did her best to once more convey with words her sincere apologies.

“I see my error in judgment and once more I’m sorry Aleidis. Thank you again for seeing me on short notice”

Spencer bowed her head once more and sighed cursing quietly under her breath - seemed her diplomacy was a bit rusty.

 

[Aleidis Zrgaat]

@[member="Spencer Jacobs"]

Aleidis endured the apology - for as disappointed as she was, 'endure' felt like the right word to use when each syllable felt like it was falling down a long, dark well and banging against a metal box somewhere deep and hidden. Was that where she kept her heart these days? "Spencer - " Aleidis reached out to stop the blonde woman with one hand, gently barring the way with the Force in case Spencer went to leave without her assent. Although, her reaction might have been different if she knew that her cosmetic illusion wasn't hiding a single thing from Spencer's eyes. " - don't go."

Although she didn't say 'please' the word might as well have been etched in every line of her face, screamed from the fear in her eyes that she'd lose yet another of the very few connections to a life where the only thing she'd had to be was clever and happy to make friends. When every morning, she'd known who she was and what she'd wanted to do with her life, and the direction she needed to take was as clear as her nose.

And Aleidis was desperately, fearfully clinging to every remnant of that life and the girl who'd lived it. "I-I'm just upset. I'll get over it. What was the favor you wanted to ask?"

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer felt the Force, it stood between her and the door. Looking over her shoulder she could see through the illusion the woman was creating. The soft smile appeared once more as she nodded; it seemed she didn’t completely burn the bridge between them. A nod gave Alei a notice that the woman wasn’t leaving. She removed the robe once more and settled back into the seat, the favor was political along with personal. She needed information and access to some of the more precious files the Republic had.

The smile never faltered as she nodded and did her best for now to ignore the tear stained face of the girl. Reaching into her robes she pulled out a dry handkerchief and set it gently on the desk, then slid it across towards the Ghostling.

“The favor I ask of you, I need help Aleidis. I’m losing my fight with trying to keep things balanced in the Galaxy, people are settled into siding with one or the other – and I’m tired. There are shadows lurking preventing peace in the Galaxy and it’s my other reason for returning to the Republic.”

Shifting slightly she rested her hands in her lap and continued to speak.

“I remember when the alliances were forged with the Protectorate; things were nowhere near how a normal alliance worked. Payments for their aid? Splitting of technology and them not sharing their advancements with the same tech we shared? I do not feel comfortable knowing that these military minds have run the Republic dry treating us like we’re a source of income.”

“I had a run in with the Lady Protector herself, she has a skewed sense of justice, I understand the crimes that Circe Savan had committed, but why was the Protectorate involved? Why did they have the authority to obtain the woman’s body? If there is justice to be brought the Republic should be the ones doing it not a Private military organization who had no right to Endor.”

Sighing softly she ran a hand through her hair and regained some of her composure; she felt her mind and heart race as she spoke more of the Protectorate.

“I’m here to offer my services Aleidis. In any way possible all I ask is for information and that you allow me to study here while I build my case against the Protectorate.”

@[member="Aleidis Ijet"]

 

[Aleidis Zrgaat]

@[member="Spencer Jacobs"]

Aleidis listened quietly, her composure returning completely once talks could be construed as business. She absently wiped her cheeks, pondering Spencer's words, and gave due consideration before speaking. "Spencer, the Republic's in a delicate position right now. If you're just here to gather ammunition and take aim at another faction - regardless of my feelings about that faction - I can't condone it." She explained patiently, running the kerchief over between her fingers. Aleidis stood up slowly and shook her head.

"Everything I do is under scrutiny at all times. if the Protectorate were to hear of this, they'd focus on it to the exclusion of anything else and I'd be strung out to dry." She explained, taking a few steps away with her hands behind her back, back to Spencer. "If I'm going to rebuild peace, I'm going to have to drag them kicking and screaming the whole way. And if I give them a convenient out, all will be lost. I'm sorry, Spencer - as a friend, I am happy to see you. As a leader... I wish you'd never told me your intentions."

 

[Allyson Locke]

“I’m looking for peace as well, but I’m prepared to fight if its necessary. As for my case I wish to keep it as peaceful as possible and the delicate position of the Republic is why I’ve come back to it. I won’t allow a place I called home for years to be under the thumb of another group.”

Spencer pinched the bridge of her nose; it was possible her vision of peace was possibly skewed by her time with the Empire. She thought about it and decided that it was time to learn from another in these matters. The girl in front of her was level headed and despite the stress that she was under she remained that way. The hand fell and Spencer nodded her head. Looking back towards Aleidis she smiled.

“I’m glad to see you as well. I’m open to try your way; I serve the Republic and not myself – I will do what you need done, all you need is to just ask. You feel that the Protectorate are open to Peace, then I’ll follow you that way. Though I don’t want the Republic left open for an attack. What are we to do if they decide to fight?”

@[member="Aleidis Ijet"]

 

[Aleidis Zrgaat]

@[member="Spencer Jacobs"]

Aliedis offered a weary smile - even behind her defensive illusion, the girl had regained her composure and mostly left the illusion up for the sake of her ruined makeup. "Your best bet in that regard, Spencer? Go to the Jedi Temple. Talk to Grandmaster Watts or Olra'En." She suggested. "While I'm working towards peace, here, it's a slow, plodding peace. And... well. Spencer, I love you to death, but I don't think your temperament is cut out for being my aide." The Ghostling suggested with a tiny smile.

"The Jedi can give you a clearer vision of the peace I'm working towards." Aleidis promised. "If my guesses are wrong, and the Protectorate becomes hostile - we'll deal with it, then. The Republic has been around for twenty-seven thousand years, our military is quite capable and skilled." She promised with a warm smile. "I pray, however, that it doesn't come to that."

 

[Allyson Locke]

A soft smile returned to the woman’s face, she knew the girl was smart and there was no need to worry. Standing, she pulled out an envelope and slid it to the Ghostling’s desk. Adjusting her robes she sat back down and nodded. Aleidis was right, more right than Spencer wished her to be. It was not only her temperament that was an issue it was where her loyalty resided. Spencer remained silent as she went over her initial plan of coming here, of course she wasn’t going to get anywhere with it and decided to just finish with what she had planned to do in the future.

“I know you probably hear this a lot, but you’re wiser than many of the old Masters in the Order. Everyone has something to learn from you. In the envelope is a letter written by me relinquishing the sovereignty of Eshan.”

Raising her hands up she shrugs.

“It’s there for when you want to claim the planet wholeheartedly. Until then I’ll remain the Queen. Just remember I’ll forever be your ally Aleidis. We’re connected through more than just our teachers. You’re my friend and I can’t call that many people in the galaxy that.”

Pausing she felt her bottom lip quiver slightly. She had grown to love the Echani people; it was her home after Dathomir and the last grasp of her father she had left. Bringing a hand to her lips she paused and regained her composure.

“Take care of my home.”

@[member="Aleidis Ijet"]

 

[Aleidis Zrgaat]

@[member="Spencer Jacobs"]

Aleidis accepted the envelope with all the importance and respect such an event called for. Which was to say, a great deal. for a long moment, she wasn't sure what to say to Spencer - who seemed to be doing this with the resignation of a person going off to a war from which they didn't expect to return. "...I will, Spencer." Alei promised gravely, looking up at the older girl with a mixture of regret and compassion. "And when you return to it, it'll be like you never left." The Ghostling added with a small, wavering smile in the hopes of reassuring Spencer.

A moment later, she decided 'to hell with it' and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her friend with as much affection as her biology would allow. "Just be safe, okay?" Aleidis asked in a whisper - not as a leader, or as a Jedi. But as a girl worried for her friend's safety, for her happiness, and for her future. When they'd met, Aleidis has admired Spencer more than the blonde likely knew. And that admiration hadn't diminished much with the seasoning of two years.

 

[Allyson Locke]

It was times like this Spencer wished she could embrace the Ghostling, but she would have to take what she was getting and keep it dear to her heart. What she did was best for Eshan, she couldn’t do much more and her attention was needed elsewhere. Her heart was in the Unknown Region and she couldn’t give the people what they needed. The Republic could. She remained quiet feeling that silence said more than necessary.

Softly sighing she spoke quietly, making sure only Aleidis could hear.

“Be better than me…@[member="Aleidis Ijet"]"​