Private Wild Silence

[Caelan Valoren]

Ragoon-6
A Gentle Field

Long, tall grasses swayed in the breeze of a light wind as the transport rested nearby. There were plenty of people aboard, of course, there always was, but they would not be traveling with him further. They would get to enjoy their own version of downtime near the ship, on call in case anything happened. He had promised Xian they would be alone, and they would be, but he had rules that he had to follow as well, and that meant having people nearby in case assistance was needed for any reason. Illness, injury that couldn’t be handled by themselves, things of that nature. But they wouldn’t be really close, and they wouldn’t be watching.

Caelan himself stood in the field, a beacon set up for her to follow when she arrived in the system. He had his eyes closed, arms out wide, letting the wind blow around and over him, just relishing the freedom of the place. No one for him to give orders to, no one asking him how to handle situations for a time. Those he had handed off to a hand chosen administrator for the time being, someone that he trusted to treat things as he would and ensure the safety of their people while he was away. It was the first time in a long time he felt free.

Even the children were not around, which he did feel sort of guilty about, especially with Serenya. She was still practically a newborn, and he was the only parent she had, so leaving her with someone else just didn’t feel right, even if he fully trusted them. But he had done it, because he needed this time away. She would be safe, as would Kastiel, and it would be food for them to understand, even this young, that he wouldn’t always be around with them. They had people who were accustomed to caring for royal children watching over them and they would be happy in that, he knew. It was better to be away when they were young and not so dependent on his presence than it would be when they were older and needed his guidance.

Even as he stood there, meditating and waiting for her, his pack lying nearby, loaded with everything they needed including tent and bedrolls, he could feel danger lurking not far away. Though the world was breathtakingly beautiful, it wasn’t without its dangers. They would still have to be at least somewhat on guard here. But it would be worth the risks, he was certain, and no world was completely safe. They could handle it.

ATTIRE: Link | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

To say Xian traveled light was putting it nicely. She had a change of clothes and a brush for her hair in her bag, and that was about all. The last time she had been close to camping had been when she was still on Coruscant and living on the streets. Huddled next to a barrel that held a fire she had lit from the garbage she had found. Pushing those bad and old memories away, she changed her thoughts to the next few days.

A week had passed since she had seen Caelan, and she was looking forward to this adventure. At her request, he had been able to arrange care for his children, and it would be just the two of them. Her pulse sped up as she thought about that. She didn't have any fear and felt he would treat her as a gentleman would treat a woman. She also understood they wouldn't be too far from his children and some of his people. This was a rule he needed to follow as a king, and Xian accepted that. Some of these things would take her a bit of time to adjust to if they solidified their relationship. There was no reason for her to think that wouldn't be the case. In fact, she hoped they did. That might be the girl in her who wished her first love would be the one that lasts.

Caelan had given her the beacon code to look for when she arrived in the system. Flipping on her sensor when she came out of hyperspace, she located it quickly. Setting her course, she had a little bit before she would arrive and land. By the time that happened, her heart was back to a normal rate, but she was still slightly nervous.

As she brought her ship in for a landing, she let the astromech droid take care of it. Xian wasn't yet fully versatile with piloting, and neither was her master. With more practice, she might become a decent pilot, but not today. She expected her ship would be fine where it was landed and grabbed her bag as she walked down the ramp.

When her eyes landed on him, her face lit up and she wore a large smile. Throwing her bag over her shoulder, she walked over to him and felt a little shy, even though she had a grin from ear to ear.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

When she entered the system he could feel her presence in the Force. His smile grew even as he stood there, letting the wind flow around him and the scents of the grasses and flowers entertain him. He was glad she came, though he had never doubted she would. It was, after all, her decision that had led to this. His decision on what they should do, but hers that they should spend time together alone. The more time they had been apart, the more he'd looked forward to seeing her again. Doing so alone would be a treat.

Her ship descended and he opened his eyes to watch as it did. When it settled, she was soon walking out of the ship and he smiled at her as she approached. He thought about hugging her, but decided to save that for later, when they were out of sight of anyone else.

"I'm glad you're here," he said when she was close. "I've been looking forward to seeing you again."

Out of concern, he did look her over briefly to make sure that she was whole, still. He honestly didn't know what life was like in the Diarchy. Maybe he should remedy that. Something to do later. Perhaps next time they got together he could visit her in the Diarchy. Might be nice to meet Reign again and have a conversation now that he wasn't a fresh-faced teenager.

He bent down and picked up his bags, slinging them over his shoulders. It included food, because no guarantees they would find any, plus all the other essentials.

"Ready? I spotted a waterfall when we were landing. It's a decent walk, but it'll be a nice spot, I think."

If she was, he'd started walking that direction.

ATTIRE: Link | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

"I'm glad you agreed to see me again."

Gulping slightly, she tried to push some of her nerves down and settle her flipping stomach. A sensation she had only felt the first time a week ago. Glancing at the ships next to each other, she could almost feel the attention his people were paying. When he asked if she was ready, she nodded.

"I am. I can carry something if you need me to. I only have one bag."

Throwing it over her shoulder, her hands were free to carry a bag or hold his if he chose to do that.

"I've been looking forward to this as well, Caelan."

Almost afraid to have her voice carry, she spoke softly and glanced at him to make sure he had heard her. Walking next to him for a little while, she would loosen up a lot when they were out of sight of his ship.

"I've not spent much time out of a city. So I expect there will be many things I need to learn. Hey, this will teach us to work together, too."

There was still plenty of daylight, and her expression would be clear on her face. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes sparkled with joy. To anybody who was observant, it was apparent she meant what she said.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

"I'm not having you carry more than what you brought," he said as they started on.

It wouldn't be right of him to treat her like a pack mule. Honestly, he'd carry her pack as well if she asked him. One of his skills he hadn't yet disclosed to her was the ability to utilize the Force to enhance his body. Carrying the packs wasn't very hard on him despite all of the gear that was in them. If he was anyone else, he'd probably have a droid carrying the stuff or have used a speeder for transport. But not even Fate was coming on this trip. It was literally just going to be them.

She commented on this being a good way for them to work together and he couldn't help but agree with that.

"I've been counting on it, actually. Your ability with the elements will be very useful in fire starting and stopping, for example."

They walked through the tall grasses with ease. It wasn't difficult and there weren't any immediate threats in the vicinity in terms of wildlife. Ahead of them were trees and somewhere beyond that was the river they would end up following to their camping spot. But he just wanted to enjoy the hike for now.

"Camping was something we used to do as a family. I always enjoyed it so I thought it would be a good way for us to be alone. Nature doesn't talk to people about what happens in it. And watching the stars above at night really is magical."

ATTIRE: Link | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​