Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 351
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on May 15, 2023 1:29:00 GMT -8
It didn't take Harnan long to get to his point, as crudely as he ever did in such matters. His own prejudices creeping out as he spoke of Octavian and the positions her Brother now held. A part of her couldn't help but wonder if perhaps Harnan was imagining double-standards where none existed but his own. However, she would be naive to say that she didn't agree with his reasoning to some extent. There had been subtle things over the years that her brother had said and done which, at the time, had seemed harmless enough. However, in the greater context of current events, they did throw some shade over his impartiality where the Ren were concerned.
Perhaps he might be able to be impartial, but if Harnan was convinced the Imperial Knights or some wayward Imperial Faction within the First Order was behind this and Octavian did not agree... Well... that would mean strife. She let out a resigned sigh
I wish I could say you were wrong, that Octavian is not what you think he is... But being cautious can't really hurt us too much...
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Harnan Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 601
Affiliation: Knights of Ren
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Post by Harnan Ren on May 17, 2023 23:46:42 GMT -8
He let his head hang a little, his gaze slowly rising back to meet hers
I take no pleasure in casting doubt upon him Fiora... I hope that I am wrong...
He straightened up and took a couple steps back to give her some more space
You should head to Empress Teta, the people will need their Queen-to-be to help them weather this moment...
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 351
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on May 26, 2023 0:50:57 GMT -8
It was hard to tell whether he was being genuine or not regarding his regret about the doubts he cast. Part of her was pretty certain he did not feel remorse about it. But another part of her wanted to believe he was in fact being honest, that his concern and actions were merely an overabundance of caution. It was the more comforting explanation. As he stepped back, she was snapped from her conundrumI suppose you're right... Tread lightly Master. With a swish of her cloak as she turned, Fiora headed back out of the training room and back through the Citadel to her quarters. She would need to pack some things for the trip, since her stay on Empress Teta was bound to not be a quick one. She hoped to find Jin Song there, otherwise she would need to track her Bodyguard-turned-Girlfriend down. It was becoming a trend of the Delvardus family to fall in love with the person they trusted most with their protection, it was perhaps the most prominent trait she had inherited from the former Emperor. Not that she was complaining.
Upon her arrival back to her quarters, she'd head inside and get to work packing, keeping her attention out for Jin
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Jin Song
Member
Posts: 196 
Affiliation: First Order- Fiora Delvardus
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Post by Jin Song on May 26, 2023 6:14:53 GMT -8
Jin arrived shortly after drenched in sweat. She was wearing her training attire and sported a couple new bruises to her abdomen and a black eye. Perhaps it was a bit much to think she could easily take 4 purge trooper recruits at once. But in the end, they had been the ones to tap out, though not before scoring some solid hits in themselves. It was rare that Jin got to get a good sparring match in like that. She was usually too worried about Fiora and keeping an eye on her. The Palace on Coruscant and this Citadel were really the only two places she felt safe leaving Fiora on her own. But even here was starting to feel more sinister... more than usual anyway. The Force was trying to tell Jin something, but the rebellious woman rarely listened to her superiors, let alone some disembodied cosmic power. But what ever it was this time, made Jin unusually uneasy. She was pleased to find Fiora back, she had been upset when she went to speak to Harnan, a man that progressively made Jin more and more uncomfortable. She was happy to see her girlfriend packing, it meant they would be away from this place soon. Are you okay? How'd it go?
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 351
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on May 26, 2023 22:19:58 GMT -8
She sensed Jin's approach moments before smelling the scent of sweat on the air. Her girlfriends two favourite hobbies seemed to be drawing art or putting the new batch of purge troopers, or even the Tribune Guards, through their paces. The latter helped keep Jin busy, but also served a dual purpose of better preparing both groups for the opponents they would one day face. It also always served a much more fun purpose of allowing Fiora to check Jin out in her training outfit. Something she was in the middle of turning around to do when she noticed the new injuries Jin had acquired
Am I okay? Have you looked in a mirror?
she discarded the top she had been holding and moved over to the small bar fridge she had gotten installed previously. She extracted a cold pack and grabbed a couple bacta patches before heading over to Jin, directing her girlfriend over then to a chair as she pressed the cold pack to the black eye
Keep that held there...
She fussed about, using a rag to clean up the sweat before placing gentle kisses on the bruises and then covering them with the bacta patches to help accelerate the healing. While the bruises were minor, it gave her a chance to fuss over her girlfriend for a moment and try distract herself from what the next few days would hold. She knelt there, and took Jin's hands in her own to return back to the questions asked before
The King and Queen of Empress Teta are dead, killed in a speeder accident. He claims to know nothing of it, but...
She let out a sigh and lifted her gaze to Jin's face
He does not think it a simple accident. And I am very inclined to agree, but... I just wanted the truth to be that he had been behind it. To blame him for it, because the alternatives... well...
The alternatives were that someone in her family was orchestrating a purge of the Ren and their loyalists, or there was a faction in the First Order that held no loyalty to Octavian. Neither one was particularly comforting. But at least the latter was more within the realms of the Ren to deal with. Fiora gave Jin's hands a squeeze to comfort herself
Best left alone for now... We need to head for Empress Teta. The funeral for Otara and Antoran will be in a few days and I... I will...
She struggled with what would come next. She knew Jin's feelings about such things all too well, and so made a conscious effort to not force discussion about them
I will be proclaimed Queen of Empress Teta a few days after that...
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Jin Song
Member
Posts: 196
Affiliation: First Order- Fiora Delvardus
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Post by Jin Song on May 27, 2023 6:41:07 GMT -8
Jin wanted to stop Fiora from fussing over her, but knew better. And it seemed like Fiora needed something she could fix right now, so if Jin had to be that, she would. I'm fine, it's what I get for thinking I could handle four cadets with no problem. She smiled to show Fiora that she truly was fine. I'm just going to be a little sore tomorrow. As Jin then listened to the response she got to her own question her face fell. Royal speeders didn't just "crash." None of the alternatives were good though. And yet another funeral in what felt like as many months. But then the real bomb shell dropped, and Jin's mouth went slightly ajar as she processed. Oh- I see. Jin despised the institutions of monarchies and empires, but she loved Fiora more. Up until now it had been pretty clear to her that Fiora wouldn't be ruling and so Jin would still be able to keep an arms length from the Throne. But now Fiora would be sitting in the Throne and, at best, Jin would be expected to stand beside her. I- uh. I'm sorry for your loss. I guess I need to get packed then?
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 351
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on May 28, 2023 4:17:20 GMT -8
Fiora had no doubt Jin would be fine, but that was not what was important right now and thankfully her girlfriend was receptive to the gesture she needed to make. It was nice to have something she could fix here and now, cause the bigger problem she had to deal with was going to take a lot longer to sort through and fix. She smiled as Jin joked about being sore in the morning from it. But then the expected reaction came at the news regarding Empress Teta.
She gave her friends hands another squeeze as Jin seemed to recover from her slight shock and just took the news in stride. She put on a slight smile as her friend asked about packing
I would like you to join me, yes please. And I promise you won't also have to sit on a Throne.
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Jin Song
Member
Posts: 196
Affiliation: First Order- Fiora Delvardus
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Post by Jin Song on May 28, 2023 7:11:31 GMT -8
Jin returned the hand squeeze as she continued to attempt to maintain her footing within the realm of conversation. Even not needing to sit upon the throne, it was closer both physically and metaphorically than she had expected to get. Yet she didn't want to give Fiora something else to worry about over the course of the next several days. Of course I'll join you, though I won't be the best at dealing with court politics... I could be a net-negative for you. Jin was only half joking here, but it was still something she felt she needed to reiterate.
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 351
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on May 28, 2023 7:46:15 GMT -8
She stood up slightly and sat herself on Jin's lap, she pressed a kiss against her girlfriend's forehead. She was very familiar with Jin's protests and warnings, but they would not change anything
Leave the court politics to me, that's kind of my job as Queen... I just need my bodyguard to keep me safe. You'll never be a negative to me Jin, you're the best thing that has ever happened to me...
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Jin Song
Member
Posts: 196
Affiliation: First Order- Fiora Delvardus
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Post by Jin Song on May 28, 2023 16:44:55 GMT -8
Jin knew that the politics of courts always drug the ruler's partner into things, but Jin wasn't going to fight Fiora on this. And with Fiora's affirmation that she was the best thing to ever happen to her, the former urchin turned a deep scarlet. She grabbed her girlfriend's face and kissed her passionately. After pulling away she looked into Fiora's eyes and got lost there for a while before speaking again. I love you, Fiora. And I'd go with you to Chaos and back. I'm beside you, no matter what. Now, we should get packed... I can't quite place it, but this Citadel isn't feeling as welcoming anymore...
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 351
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on May 28, 2023 20:31:52 GMT -8
Her own face turned a deep red as Jin pulled her into a passionate kiss, her hands grabbing at her girlfriend desperately before Jin pulled away, leaving Fiora a little short of breath. She pouted a little as she was forced to contain herself, but knowing there would be plenty of time later to continue what Jin had just started
Fiiiiine...
She brought her finger up and booped it upon Jin's nose before unmounting her girlfriend's lap and offering a hand out to help her stand up.She was unsurprised Jin felt the way she did about the Citadel, given her nature
I don't think you've ever thought this place was welcoming, so that's nothing new... I've got a transport waiting in the hangar to head up to the Magistra. Meet you there in thirty? Should be more than enough time for you to pack, and you can take a shower on the way over.
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Jin Song
Member
Posts: 196
Affiliation: First Order- Fiora Delvardus
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Post by Jin Song on May 28, 2023 20:53:01 GMT -8
Jin gave a small laugh that was more of a sigh to cover up how uncomfortable she was being here and where they were going. She just hoped Empress Teta would have a better vibe to it yet somehow she doubted it. She got up and squeezed Fiora's shoulder. I'll be there. But once we get to Empress Teta, until we know for sure what happened, I'm not leaving your side. As romantic as it may have sounded, Jin's face was anything but. Stone serious. Jin was worried about the whole prospect too.
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 351
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on May 29, 2023 6:16:14 GMT -8
Fiora had a good idea of what Jin was going to say moments before she said it. But it was comforting all the same to hear such words spoken aloud, causing a small smile to form
I wouldn't have it any other way... Now get going, that's an order!
Once Jin was gone to attend to her own packing, Fiora returned to her progress she had abandoned moments ago and got back to work tossing clothes into cases. In truth there wasn't a whole lot she owned or needed to take. A couple dozen different dresses and formal outfits, undersuits for her armour to be worn over. Once that was packed, she would be ready to go...
A Purge Trooper of the 19th Company pushed along the trolley containing Fiora's personal affects that she was taking with her and got to work loading it up onto the Trillizo-class Assault Shuttle. Fiora and the Tribune Guard arrived a few moments later and waited for Jin. Although Fiora had dispatched another Purge Trooper to assist Jin with transporting her personal belongings, the Princess just hoped her girlfriend would accept the offered help
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Jin Song
Member
Posts: 196
Affiliation: First Order- Fiora Delvardus
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Post by Jin Song on May 29, 2023 7:35:32 GMT -8
Jin showered, changed, and was packed by the time the purgetrooper arrived. Jin traveled light, a minor benefit to growing up poor in Courcant's undercity. A few changes of cloths and her art supplies were really all that traveled with her. She couldn't help but to laugh when the purgetrooper entered her room to offer his assistance in carrying her luggage. One of the Empire's best, reduced to being a bellhop! Jin simple laughed as she walked past him carrying her belongings herself. Soon, she arrived at the hangar and loaded her single suitcase into the storage compartment and kept her backpack on her. Jin told the trooper to hold out his hand and then dropped a single credit chit into it, laughing to herself all the while before dismissing him.
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 351
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on May 30, 2023 8:46:20 GMT -8
Sure enough, as if on cue, Jin arrived with the Purge Trooper in tow. Her girlfriends light method of travel certainly on full display with a single suitcase and backpack. With his credit chit tip, the Purge Trooper headed up into the Shuttle, while Fiora held her helmet beneath her arm as she moved closer to Jin
Ready to go?
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Jin Song
Member
Posts: 196
Affiliation: First Order- Fiora Delvardus
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Post by Jin Song on May 30, 2023 10:19:21 GMT -8
Jin hesitated for a moment before answering. Yes... yes I am. She held out a hand to take Fiora's free one before climbing aboard.
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 351
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on May 30, 2023 16:07:58 GMT -8
She took Jin's offered hand and headed into the Assault Shuttle before it took off up to the Magistra. Within the hour, the Rastreador-class Pursuit Frigate moved away from Prakith and made the jump to Empress Teta
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 351
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on Apr 18, 2024 20:58:21 GMT -8
First Order Civil War
Fiora pushed open the doors to Jin's old room within the Citadel, the gust of fresh air sweeping across the untouched room and disturbing the thin layer of dust that had accumulated. Despite Harnan's promise that their rooms had remained untouched since they had left, she had held her doubts. She activated the light controls and stepped a little further in, scanning the walls before finding the mural that adorned the wall. If there was one thing that marked Jin's extended stay in any given place, it was always a well decorated wall.
A similar such piece had been started within the royal bed chambers on Teta, for which many a complaint had been raised by the staff. But Fiora would hear nothing of it and had even signed a decree that the artwork remained as it was. Though, given what was going on, it was likely such an order would soon be ignored and a fresh coat of paint applied over the spot for the next ruler of the world.
As her thoughts returned to the piece before her, Fiora found herself looking up at it through blurry vision. She tore at her mask and tossed it across the room before wiping at her eyes with her sleeves upon realising it was not the helmet obstructing her vision. As soon as she had laid eyes on the artwork, she'd fallen to her knees and started crying from the long absence of her best friend and love of her life. It was like the great weight of a blanket was dropped upon her in that moment
Jin... P-Please... P-Please come back... to me...
Her head fell forward, her strength failing in that moment
I... I don't know if I can do this alone... I-I need you... Where are you...
She closed her eyes, trying to draw on the Force to guide her way along the ethereal currents of the time ways. Typically her visions came to her as they pleased, not necessarily showing her what she wanted to try and see but what ever was perhaps relevant. She'd seen so much so often, but never had she tried to find something, or rather someone, in particular. But today she was trying hard as she forced her way through the currents of the timeline.
Wave after wave crashed upon her, draining her strength as she tried to find some hint of Jin. But ever as always, her friends fate remained elusive. But she kept trying, hoping for some glimpse or hint that might give her hope. However, such persistence was not considered favourably and soon Fiora found the waves growing higher and higher, sapping her strength until she pulled back
ARGH!
She let out the frustrated scream, causing a wave of energy to fly out from her and slam the doors closed. She groaned as she slumped forward again, the feel of defeat growing stronger
Why... WHY WON'T YOU LET ME SEE HER!
She rose to her feet and gripped the desk with the Force before sending it crashing across the room and shattering it into several pieces. She slumped backwards then, landing on the bed
ARRRRRR!!!!
Her fists slammed against the mattress before she let herself fall backward and sprawled out, her gaze now fixed up at the roof where another art piece was located. This one was of just her from the shoulders up, her long flowing red hair sprawled across the roof and seemed to fade away around the edges. She huffed angrily before curling up onto the bed and laying on her side
I'm so sorry Jin... I tried... I... I really did, but... I miss you so much... Jin...
She buried her face into her arm and started crying again
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Neith Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 65
Affiliation: Knights of Ren
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Post by Neith Ren on Apr 19, 2024 18:59:05 GMT -8
Neith grabbed the handle of one half of the door before leaning her body against it, gently inching it open quietly so as not to disturb the occupant within. The view that greeted her as the door silently swung open was one of destruction and chaos. If she hadn't understood well enough why Harnan had asked her to check in on Fiora, this would have made it all the more abundantly clear. This was not the Master's forte and his presence would likely have just only made the situation worse.
Once the gap was wide enough, Neith slipped through inside and gently closed the door again to better survey the scene before her. It was a good thing Jin did not have any sentimental connections to the desk that had once sat here given it was now in several pieces. But the art on the wall and roof had remained unscathed. And there, laying on the bed and sobbing at the centre of it all was the culprit of the room's current state of disorder
Fi...
She stopped herself, certain that what Fiora needed right now was not a masked protector. She reached up and activated the disengagement controls, with the helmet giving a slight hiss as the seal was broken. She set the helmet down on the bed side table before calmly moving around the bed and sitting down behind Fiora's curled up form. Her left gloved hand reached out and touched the younger Ren's shoulder before moving down to stroke her long flowing red hair
Hmmm.... You have made quite the mess of Jin's room, haven't you... little sister...
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Fiora Ren
Knights of Ren
Posts: 351
Affiliation: The First Order - The Knights of Ren
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Post by Fiora Ren on Apr 20, 2024 0:51:55 GMT -8
Given her current state of grief, Fiora was only peripherally aware of the Force flowing around her. She felt someone approaching the room, but paid the matter no mind, presuming it to be Harnan come to try and console her once more. Although he had managed to do so over Empress Teta, being back here reminded her of who was missing and the bond that they shared.
She remained curled up and sobbing, hoping that by ignoring his presence he would take the hint and just leave her alone. But the sound of a helmet being placed on a cabinet seemed to indicate that he was not going to do as she wished. So she started planning: she would wait until he was close enough and then pounce and strike at him. Perhaps then he would listen and leave. Yes it was a good plan... But then she felt a hand on her shoulder that certainly did not feel like Harnan, which moved to her hair and suddenly a voice spoke. One that most definitely did not belong to Harnan. No, only one person would call her little sister. Of all the Ren, Neith was the only one that would only ever address them as brother or sister when in private.
She twitched a little, but remained curled up as she was whilst trying to relax a little. She'd never heard Neith's voice without the slight modification afforded by the woman's helmet. In fact, she wasn't even sure what Neith looked like since she almost exclusively seemed to don the helmet no matter the occasion. But before her thoughts could run away from her too much, Fiora snapped herself back to reality, peeping out from beneath her red strands of hair to examine the devastation she had caused
You know you s-shouldn't call me that... I'm... I am the Empress... Someone might hear and have a fit...
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