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 ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

Accepting his answer that she wouldn't carry anything extra, she didn't consider it fair or not. Nor did she feel it was his duty to hold everything. She'd offered to be polite because she wanted to. In her way, she thought it was a step in the whole working together thing. They would be sharing duties, but she kept that thought to herself.

At least, he was counting on them working together, and that kept the smile on her face. He pointed out where her skills would be most useful, and she nodded as they walked along.

"It'll be fun."

The sound of them walking through the grass was oddly comforting. It lulled her into a calmness she had never felt before. Into a sort of serenity the Jedi had tried telling her about. She could fully feel how the Force connected everything and the life around them.

Slowing down slightly, she wasn't tired, worn out, or needing a break; she just wanted to enjoy what she was feeling. Turning her face up to feel the sun on her face and the light breeze blow through her hair, she spun around in a circle and stopped once she had completed it.

"I think this time together is going to be magical. You're lucky you had a family. I don't remember mine."

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

It wasn’t that it WOULD be fun, it already was. Just being there, enjoying the nature around them, was itself enjoyable. Having her along with him only made it far better than it already was. Taking in beauty alone was fine, but having someone to enjoy it along with was much better.

When she slowed a bit, he did as well. At first he wasn’t sure if something was bothering her, but after a few moments he realized she was just enjoying their surroundings. She had mentioned that she was a city girl. Probably she didn’t get to see a lot of this sort of environment very often. He could understand that. If the Manse wasn’t located in a forest at the heart of the City of Devit he probably wouldn’t have gotten as much time in nature as he had when he was younger. He’d have been too busy with his studies.

“Sometimes I wonder whether it would have been better if I hadn’t,” he admitted, glancing over to her.

That time between when his parents were killed and when he returned to Lazerian to take over as King had been extremely difficult. He’d struggled to survive, but he’d also struggled with the knowledge that his parents were dead and he didn’t know where his sister was, or if she was alive. He believed she was, but it was impossible to say for certain. That consistent feeling of pain at the loss of his parents, and the unknowing about his sister was a constant drain on him. More the latter. He’d gotten past the death of his parents over time.

“I shouldn’t say that. The time I had with my parents and sister was great. I don’t have a right to wish I hadn’t had that. I just struggle with the fact that I don’t know where my sister is and if she’s still alive. It makes things difficult when I think about her.”

But she hadn’t known her family at all, which meant she had nothing but those around her.

“Did you form any bonds with the other kids at the orphanage?”

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

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

"Maybe it would have been better, but I highly doubt we would be on this adventure if our lives had been any different. For one, I wouldn't have grown up on Coruscant to be abandoned by multiple Jedi."

When he changed his mind, it pleased her, but she didn't say anything about it. Xian gave him a nod and quickly caught up with him. They weren't in any hurry, but she did want to get the camp set up before it got late. Walking comfortably beside him, she glanced his way as he asked if she had made any connections on Coruscant.

"I'm sure your sister is fine. Like you said, maybe it's better she's hidden and secret. That way, she's not in danger from your assassins."

Thinking back to her years in the orphanage, she shook her head.

"When I was little, we were allowed to run free on the streets. We just needed to be home for dinner and to sleep at night. Let me say, my education is pretty scarce. However, I can cook up a mean dinner from next to nothing.

"No, I didn't really form any bonds with the other kids. Especially once I started displaying my odd skills. Yeah, they liked it when I made them warm or fixed them food, but none stuck around long enough to become a friend."

It could be a reason why she didn't have any friends now, really.

"That's never been a problem, and I've never needed friends."

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

He listened as she spoke, taking in the words she said. While she indicated her education was scarce, he saw it differently. She may not have been educated by books, droids, or teachers, but she had received an education all the same. It was just an informal one. In fact, it was one that was probably more important in surviving in the galaxy than dealing with the kind of learning he had. When he'd been forced into the gutter, it had been rough.

"You got a different kind of education, is all," he said, not willing to say she was uneducated. "You learned how to survive and how to understand the galaxy outside of what can be taught in a classroom. That's pretty valuable, though I'm sorry you had to learn it the way you did."

The lack of friends was kind of sad, at least to him. Not that she was a sad person for it, just that he was sad she didn't have them. Friendship was a great thing. If it weren't for his friend Azurine Varek and the gift she'd given him, he'd have bled out on Woostri. If it wasn't for his friend Corazona von Ascania he wouldn't have learned how to harness the power of the light, and he'd likely have died on a space station alongside Grandmaster Noble. If it wasn't for the late Caltin Vanagor , he'd never have learned Broken Gate and been able to defend himself the way he could. Friends were valuable and he cared for his deeply.

Considering he did have one free hand, he reached over towards her hand to clasp it, should she allow. They still had a fair amount of walking to do and he thought it would be enjoyable to hold her hand as they did it.

"Well, you have me, so you have at least one friend. More than a friend, but still counts, right?"

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

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

Giving him a bit of a side eye when he tried to say she'd gotten a different kind of education, she wasn't going to deny it entirely. It was true, but it would be nice to be able to read better or hold an intelligent conversation about history. As it was, she was a slow reader and only knew some basics of history. Then again, maybe he was right and her skills were more useful. Mentally shrugging, she let out a small breath through her nose.

"Nobody can learn everything at the best of times; sometimes, when it's at the worst, that's when you learn the most. I don't know. When I left the Jedi, I returned to where I had spent the first few years of my life. There, I got a job and learned how to be responsible."

Then she smiled slightly at the meeting of Rellik.

"The Diarch came into the diner where I worked and offered to finish the training the Jedi had started when I was younger. I accepted. Do I wish my life had gone differently? Maybe, but I look at it this way. If there were any differences...would we be walking through this field and having this conversation? I don't think so.

"The Force works in mysterious ways, and maybe we would have met regardless."

Shrugging, she didn't know what his thoughts were about having friends, and she wasn't going to ask. Looking at him when he reached for her hand, she grasped his with comfort. Her stomach gave a slight flip, but settled quickly, and she gave him a closed-mouth smile that lit up her eyes.

"Of course."

Xian wasn't one to get visions or anything, so maybe what flashed through her mind was closer to a daydream. What she saw was the two of them together, standing with his children on a dais and flower petals falling around them. Shaking her head, she liked it, but where did it come from? She also kept it to herself for now.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

"That is probably true," he agreed at her comment of them not being together. "It has its way of bringing people together. Such as how we met. Most people would not have seen that as anything more than terrible coincidence."

Holding her hand somehow always felt right to him. It had when they had first met, when he had pulled her to safety and then led her away from danger, and it had when they were at the gala. He'd had to tell himself that it was alright to feel right. It didn't matter that he had spoken to Anavi's Force presence and that she had told him to move on when the opportunity presented itself. There were still some people on Lazerian that questioned him over it. Probably always would be.

"There are things that I should probably tell you now that I know we're alone and out of earshot of anyone else."

He didn't want to keep things from her, and if she found them deplorable then he would rather her find out now than later. They were hard things to talk about, and he squeezed her hand gently as he began.

"For starters, I'm not the real Caelan Valoren. I mean, I'm not the one that my mother bore. I'm a clone of him. I didn't know this until a couple of years ago when I stumbled upon a chamber hidden below the manse and was attacked by the real Caelan at the behest of someone older, evil. He had taken the real Caelan when he was a baby and switched me in for him so that he could train him in the use of the Dark Side and utilize him as a means to take over the kingdom from the shadows and bring it to ruin.

"I still don't know who that person is, but they're also responsible for Anavi's death, the bombing when you and I met, and the attack that killed my parents. That's a digression..." He shook his head. "I had to kill the other Caelan. There were several other clones that the person in charge of that Caelan had created, but he put a toxin into their chambers and was killing them. I managed to save one, a baby that I sent with some trusted people into the unknown regions. I couldn't let him grow up on Lazerian because it would cause problems, but I didn't want him to die. He didn't deserve that."

Would it bother her that he was a clone? Would she care? He was clearly unique to the original Caelan as he was the moral opposite of the dark.

"He wasn't the first person I killed. I killed a few on Tython in order not to die, and a few others have perished along the way. I'm not proud of that, though."

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

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

In reinforcing her statement, she lightly squeezed his hand as they walked. As much as it felt right to him to hold hands, it was the same for her. For the first time in her life, she felt a spark of romance with another person. Something more than anything platonic, and she found him, and it was enthralling.

When his tone changed slightly, she picked up on it and glanced at him as he spoke. The additional squeeze from him caused her to look at their linked hands and then at him again. Through his revelations, she remained silent. Looking away a few times, she returned to looking at him.

At first, she didn't want to believe him. Then she wondered why he would even lie. It lent credence and reliability to his story, and she stopped having any doubts or second thoughts. Not that she was having many of those. If he were empathic, he would feel her emotions as they passed through her.

The doubt, then the belief, and finally the relief. Finally, some anger. Nothing was directed at him but at the poor situation that was his life. There were ups and downs, but one thing he wouldn't feel was judgment.

She wasn't wearing a smile as she spoke, but she was calm and honest.

"I probably would have done the same things if I were in your position. I don't blame you for your actions, and the person you are is who matters. You're lying to your people, though, aren't you? How many know? The more you tell, the more likely your secret will be revealed.

"Don't worry, I won't say anything."

Giving him the shadow of a smile, she looked in front of them for a few steps and then returned her gaze to him. Pursing her lips together for a moment, she seemed to hesitate in speaking. Letting out a sigh, she was quiet for a moment longer.

"You are Caelan to me, and you will be until you ask me to call you something else. I want to make sure we are meant to be together and that I'm not just some fling. I...want to know what love is, and I think you can give that to me."

Her confidence wavered, and she looked away as she finished speaking. Not because she felt he would reject her, but she felt crazy talking like this so soon. Love took time, and she believed what she said; she didn't know if he would.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

She wasn’t wrong. He was lying to his people by omission. It was something he had been keeping silent, and for reasonable reasons, but perhaps that should change. At the least it didn’t seem to bother her to the point of wanting to leave him. Perhaps his people would understand the situation now that he was older and that they had seen how he led them.

“You are right, I am lying to them,” he said, staring off in the direction they were walking. “When I first found out I was afraid that telling them would cause a revolt, and then the Kingdom would fall into the wrong hands. I care about my people too much to let that happen.”

He sighed.

“I do think it’s time I tell them the truth, though. By now they’ve seen enough to know I care for them. Perhaps it will not go poorly.”

That was something he would do when he returned. Perhaps after he made the difficult decision regarding the status of their membership in the Alliance. There were a lot of difficult things to be done on his plate at the moment. Granted, there always was when you were leading people. No rest for the weary; no rest for a king. But it was as it should be and he had accepted that reality when he accepted the crown. He’d also accepted that level of responsibility when he’d made the decision to become a Jedi. There was no going back on it now.

She continued, indicating that regardless of his origin, he would still be Caelan to her, and he smiled at that, though it slowly dwindled and was replaced with understanding and a serious quality when he looked over at her.

“I’m not interested in a fling, so I assure you this isn’t that. I do not wish to be like the nobles and royals who engage in flashy relationships and then move on to the next one when it loses its appeal. I’m a father, and my children need a mother; I need a wife. I don’t want superficial, I want a real, tangible relationship.”

When she looked away, he stopped for a moment and reached a hand out to gently touch her chin and bring her to look at him.

“It’s alright to be cautious and you need not fret over it. Just know that I am fully invested in us and think we met when we did for a reason.”

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

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

"I don't think you made the wrong decision, especially knowing how populations can react to surprises. Do you have any advisors who are aware of the situation?"

There was the chance he had waited to tell her until they were far away from his ship because nobody knew. Running a thumb along his knuckles, she was quiet while he considered her question. She didn't know what thoughts were going through his mind about telling his people, or not getting any real rest. Maybe the next few days would be exactly what he needed.

Even though she was looking away, she could feel his eyes on her. Stopping when he did, he turned her around to make her look at him. It wasn't anything mean or angry. Not even rejecting. That wasn't something she expected, but it was nice to get the reassurance from him.

Meeting his gaze, she still wasn't feeling confident. For a moment, she furrowed her eyebrows as she ran his answer through her mind. One thing she didn't do this time was look away from him. Her stomach flipped, but she was almost getting used to that feeling.

"I hope I can live up to your expectations, Caelan."

Gulping a little, she tried to shove away the caution and reluctance, but she wasn't entirely successful.

"I'm looking forward to this chance to get to know each other. Thank you for making sure your children were cared for. Once you have my heart, I'll spend time with them."

That wasn't going to take very much time, but she wasn't fully aware of everything that was happening to her.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

"I do, but not ones within my government," he said, allowing his thumb to brush her cheek. "Jedi friends, mostly. Ones I trust with my life."

She looked up at him, and there was a glimmer in her eyes that made him smile. She was young, nervous. Truthfully, he wasn't that old either, but he had been through a lot, just as she had. Perhaps slightly more just by nature of who and what he was. Everything he'd been through as a Jedi was pretty, well, crazy to say the least. And he was still young and undoubtedly would go through so much more. There were still other things he needed to tell her, things she may not have noticed about him, but perhaps it could wait.

It definitely would wait with what she said next. He shook his head at what she said.

"Do not try to live up to the expectations of others. You will find that you always fail to live up to others standards because they set them higher than anyone, including themselves, could achieve. The only thing I want is for you to be you, and to be happy."

The gulp was visible, and it only made his smile soften as he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

"I know you will and I know you'll care for the children as much as I do. I, too, am looking forward to this time alone together."

Not just because he rarely got time alone, either. He wanted to be near to her. Being around her brought him true comfort and a feeling like he was cared for. Sure, Anavi had cared for him, but not in the same way that he could see Xian looking at him. They had no history of family friendship between their families and there was no implied sibling nature between them as there had been with him and Anavi. They HAD been a lot like siblings growing up with how much time they spent together and the things they did together. He didn't have to worry about that with Xian, though. She wanted to love and be loved as he did.

With a gentle squeeze of the hand he still held, he turned to start walking again. They still had a ways to go after all.

"Tell me the things you like. What color? Flowers? Music? Foods?"

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

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

Xian felt both happy and sad for him when he said he had advisors, but that they weren't part of his government. That part made her sad for him. None of them were likely in proximity to him to give him help exactly when he needed it. It wasn't a role she was designed for and might never be that way. A little trickle of a thought happened, though. If they did end up together, then as his wife, she would have to be one, maybe not in political ways but in many others. It was something she would need to think about as this future relationship progressed.

"You're probably right. I think you might have some for us, though. I want to know what those are. It doesn't take much to keep me happy, Caelan. Not with how I spent most of my childhood. Who else would I be except myself? I'll never be anything other than that."

Shrugging, her brows lowered again, but his light kiss brought them up again. She actually turned her face so he could get a better angle at it, and she leaned into him slightly. It felt right, and more than that, Xian liked how he made her feel.

His hand lowered, and she raised her own to trace his jawline lightly. A touch that sent some shivers through her body and settled in the pit of her stomach. Eventually, she let it fall and they're hands met again. With his tug, they started walking again.

"I grew up on Coruscant; the sight of flowers was almost unheard of. For color? I guess brown, red, and blue. That's the color of my lightsaber. I can draw, maybe I'll draw a picture of you."

Her statement brought a smile to her face; she didn't even know she was wearing it. It remained in place as she thought about his other questions.

"Music, I didn't give much thought to either. I suppose growing up as I did didn't allow for many frivolous entertainments. Music isn't bad, and I think it speaks on a deep level. I don't understand it. I will eat anything that's set in front of me and can also cook.

"What about you?"

The conversation distracted her from the flutters in her stomach, and it allowed her to focus on Caelan.

"Actually, I like Saylor Twift."

Admitting that might have brought a bit of a blush to her face, but she told him one of the types of music she liked.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

"My only expectation for us at the moment is that we enjoy each others company," he said.

Her hand traced his jawline and he smiled at that, but then they were walking again. She explained that, given her upbringing, flowers were something she wasn't all that familiar with. A sad thing, but he wasn't feeling sorry for her, just sad that she hadn't had the chance to be around flowers; see them, smell them. There was a calming effect on the body that came from flowers, he felt. Fields of them made a great place to just sit and relax and let the troubles that plagued you wash away.

Of course he took note of the colors she said she liked. That would come in handy in the future. And she apparently wasn't picky about music or food. The fact she could cook was a nice surprise. He wasn't the best at it, though he could certainly roast meat over a fire. When she said she liked Saylor Twift he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Lot of people like her. I'm probably in the minority who don't, not that I hold it against you for doing so. I prefer more classical music than anything mordern. Music helps me to relax and think."

It also seemed to help keep the children calm. Both of them appeared to have a taste for classical, at least for the moment. He knew that tastes changed over time and theirs would likely adapt based on what they were exposed to.

"For colors I prefer green or purple. Flowers, I like lilies. Food, I'm partial to fish. I always liked going fishing and eating what I caught, but in general we eat a lot of fish on lazerian because of the abundance of waters to catch them from. There's a particularly nice eel dish I'll have to share with you sometime."

They continued to walk and he plucked a white flower from the field as they drew nearer to the trees. He spun it around in the fingers of the hand that wasn't holding hers, just enjoying his time with her.

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

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

"I can agree with that, Caelan."

Tilting her head down, she smiled at the ground for a moment and looked up again to see where they were walking. The bits of information in the talk she would do her best to remember. Letting out a small huff of amusement when he said he didn't like Saylor Twift, she hadn't expected him to.

"I think she's more attuned to females anyway. So I'm not surprised. I promise I won't blast her music when you're around. I'll have to give yours a listen and see if I can understand the language it speaks."

Glancing up at him as he spoke of his likes, she decided she would have to look into getting more clothing that featured greens and purples. Tilting her face to look at the field, she wondered if any of these flowers were lilies. Deciding they probably weren't, she would look them up when she got back to Bastion.

"I'll admit I haven't had much fish, probably had more when I lived on Castell by myself. The diner I worked at had a fish dish I liked. Have you ever been there?"

It was along one of the major trade routes, but she certainly didn't think he had visited her small diner. Shaking her head a little, she allowed him to finish before speaking again.

"I've never been fishing either. I'd be happy to try that eel dish. It'll be a new experience for me. Both of them will be."

Just this brief conversation brought the realization to Xian that she hadn't really had a life of adventure. Yeah, she had been with the Jedi for a few years, but she'd never found a home there. Her return to Castell had given her some sense of being home, but then Rellik had found her. That single encounter had changed her life. Now she was hand in hand with a king. A situation she had never thought about or considered.

"It's sometimes funny how some things that are so minor can change your life so dramatically. One morning I woke up working at that diner and Rellik walked in. He changed my life, and now I'm walking with you. And you are changing my life too."

Her voice grew quite soft as she finished, but it was still loud enough for him to hear.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

"The language varies depending on the composer, fair warning," he said as they walked. "Some are more violent than others."

He twirled the flower in his fingers and contemplated who he should introduce her to first. Sykovsky maybe? Long as it wasn't the 14 Overture. No, that was too violent for introducing someone to a genre. Probably Dance of the Ice Fae or something like that. That was always a good choice and it was calm, pleasant on the ears. It wasn't too soft as to put one to sleep.

When she asked about Castell he shook his head.

"Can't say I've been to Castell, no. Though since it's where you're from I suppose I should visit it at some point."

They walked for a few moments longer and she commented on how she hadn't been fishing, but that she was willing to try the eel dish. Then she talked about how things had been and how Rellik coming along had changed her life, and that now he was changing her life. The way her voice grew softer at the end of what she said drew a smile from him. Realization was starting to set in for her, he was certain, that she felt for him as he did for her. It was going to come as a freight train, though, bowl her over as it had him, but it would be alright. He wasn't in a rush to get married or anything.

One day at a time.

"You've changed my life, too. The way you look at me, how it feels to be around you. I've not felt that in years. Not since I was fourteen, actually. I didn't realize how much I missed that feeling."

He reached over and tucked the white flower into her hair as they entered the tree line.

"Fits well with your hair."

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

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

"I know the Alliance is huge, but it is part of it. I haven't been there since Rellik found me. I'd be happy to visit the diner where I worked. The owner there seemed to understand my coming and going. Remember how I said more than one Jedi had offered to take and train me? She took me back twice and let me go the third time when he came in. I haven't been back, and I don't intend to return to reclaim my job.

"I realized after I left with him, I wasn't meant to be a simple server. Though it probably did help me grow up a bit. Learn to be understanding of others and lengthened my fuse. That used to be very short. Even rather recently, but then...well, it was almost like a light switch. I was suddenly more patient and less fiery."

Shrugging a little, she didn't let go of his hand and liked the feel of their fingers entwined. Listening as he spoke of his past and how she's changed his life, she looked at him with slight disbelief on her face. Narrowing her eyes and lowering her brows, it only lasted a few seconds, but he probably wouldn't miss it. When she spoke, it would be as clear as the sky was blue.

"Really?"

The flutter happened again, and she gave him half of a smile when he placed the flower in her hair. Following that with a small breath of laughter, she lifted her free hand to feel the flower.

"Thank you, Caelan."

Turning her head to watch where she was walking, a sense of serenity came over her. Her stomach was fluttering, but her heart was steady.

Caelan Valoren