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Post by Arla Australis on Sept 7, 2015 22:34:30 GMT -8
The sun was shining was high in the afternoon sky and kissed the skin of the man and his 2 children as the play. Kaine was smiling widely as he spun round and round while laughing a deep booming laugh. His arms were stretched out to their full length and in his tightly balled up fists were the backs of the little romper suits worn by his twin babies, Arla and Vihn. They were no older than 2 and were suspended in his hands and showing no fear as they squealed with laughter as their father spun them round and round. They were safe and secure in their fathers strong grip.
From behind the camera Natasi’s voice calls out to him with deep love, affection and amusement.
Careful, cyar'ika! Hold them tighter! Careful!
Their Father slows and begins to stop the spinning as he playfully taunts their Mother; he looks at the woman behind the camera and winks.
Kaine
I think we are scaring Buir, perhaps we should stop.
The loud squeal of the twins can be heard more loudly this time as their little arms and legs begins waving around.
Gain, Gain, Gain.
Kaine winks at the woman behind the camera as he chuckles.
Kaine
Did you say Gain? Well, if my babies say gain then gain it shall be. Sorry Buir, but the babies say gain.
Already he is beginning to spin once more and the twins begin to squeal with laughter, the camera begins to shake as Natasi’s laughter can be heard from behind it.
I do not know who is more childlike, you or the babies!
Kaine begins to slow down.
Kaine
I am getting dizzy, Buir needs a break.
He releases the babies onto the ground who are already calling “Gain, gain!” up at him, and then in perfect synchronisation, they run and grip his legs while chuckling loudly.
He strides over to Natasi as the camera remains focused upon him with the twins still clinging to his legs but not slowly his pace. The cameras vision becomes obscured as he sweeps her into his arms but the audio can still be heard.
When I get back from this little trip, we need to make more of these. I want an army of them.
What do you think, Vihn…Arla, do you want more brothers and sisters?
They little voices call out again.
Gain! Gain!
The laughter of their parents can be heard as the recording cuts out.
Ad had watched this video so many times; her mother had explained over and over that this was the very last day that she and the twins had seen him. He left later that day and never returned. She would analyse it constantly repeating that those were not the actions of a man who was abandoning his family, but then her Uncle would say that people can act anyway well enough if they do not want to their secret to be discovered.
Every night when tucking the children into bed Natasi would play this video, she wanted them to know how much their father loved them, she would then kiss and hug them saying the same thing every time.
She would stroke Vihn’s dark hair.
You look so much like your Buir. You will grow into a big strong leader just like him, handsome boy.
She would kiss him on the forehead and then sit beside Arla (Ad) and chuckle.
And I am sorry my darling girl, but you look just like me but in every other way you are your Buir.
All this had played within her mind at high speed, but often she had wondered if she was like him, Ad hated the thought.
Finally he had revealed his identity and did not seem to question her. She was playing her part better than she had thought.
I am Ad’Atin, but you may call me Ade…Her voice was firm, maybe a little too abrupt, but not rude. It was however a little colder than Ad had wanted it to be…like I said, I hear you are recruiting and I am available.
She took emptied the rest of her glass and looked over at the barman. Her eyes rolled as inwardly she cursed him. If that oaf did not stop staring he was going to make this very difficult. She cast him a cold and steely glare.
I will have what he is having; send one of the girls over with it, will you!
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Ka'ra Ordo
The Mandalorian Assembly
Posts: 61
Affiliation: Clan Ordo
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Ka'ra Ordo on Sept 9, 2015 16:37:29 GMT -8
*The Oyu'baat was a busy place, as to be expected of the most famous tavern in the galaxy. At least, among the Mando'ade, but theirs was the only opinion that mattered to Ka'ra. There were a particular set of newcomers however that gained her attention... mostly because he had announced that drinks were on the house.
Ka'ra's eyes widened. Was Kad smiling upon her? Not only was she here in the storied Oyu'baat, but drinks were on the house?! ... no. She couldn't. She was here to represent Ordo; a drink was fine, but an intoxicated child would not look good on the part of her aliit.* "Gar dinuir bal hiibi..."* *she lamented, taking a slow sip of her current tihaar.
She looked over towards the table where her fellow clansmen discussed, overhearing something about aliit'alor taking a heavy blow to the head once. That was news to Ka'ra, and briefly she was concerned, but of course he was fine! He was sitting there right now, wasn't he? Maybe she already had too much to drink...* "Kriff that thought," *she muttered as she brought her mug to her lips again.*
*You give and take...
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Kaine Australis
The Vegemite Enclave
Consuming Copious Coopers
Posts: 1,036 
Affiliation: Vegemite and Mandalore
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Kaine Australis on Sept 11, 2015 18:40:39 GMT -8
Kaine nodded while the young woman spoke, and ordered her drink. He caught the look she gave the barman and shuddered inwardly, he wouldn't want to be on her bad side, he decided. The harried barman scampered over to Kaine and thumped the flagon of tihaar down, scrambling to serve both drinks before anyone took exception to his service. Kaine grinned, and had a swig of the fiery spirit.
Kad! That's the good stuff. Setting the flagon down, he fixed the-girl-he-had-no-idea-was-actually-Arla with a penetrating but quizzical expression.
I am always happy to recruit capable and willing vode into the Clan. If you are prepared to commit yourself fully to Clan Australis, then you are welcome. He saluted her with the flagon. OYA! And took another swig. This time he coughed slightly, unable to help it. It was good tihaar. So what do you bring to the Clan, Ad'Atin?
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Post by Arla Australis on Sept 12, 2015 0:20:32 GMT -8
Ade’s eyes remained focused upon the barman as he arrived and watched him, with a little satisfaction, as he scurried around them serving their drinks. She would not put it past the fool to try and signal to Kaine in some way to follow him and share his suspicions.
With her drink now ready she sat down at the table to the right of Kaine and took hold of her drink lifting the glass to her lips and took a sip. Mmmm, now that was Tihaar, this was what her Uncle drank. This was her very first drink and was what had caused her a 5 minute coughing fit with her first taste; it had caused her very first hangover. Now she was able to drink her Uncle under the table, something that horrified her Aunt who wished she would be more ladylike when ‘off duty’ as she referred to it. But Natasi had always been so close to her Uncle, he was the man who was like a father to her, who had stepped up in the absence of Kaine.
Her eyes fell upon Kaines and returned his gaze, inwardly she shivered. It was as if his eyes were looking deep into her soul, irrationally it felt as if he were about to read all her secrets, something Vihn was able to do. He had those very same eyes and when he fixed you with that very same look, he was able to read your fears, your desires and your secrets.
But this was not Vihn, this was Kaine and she needed to keep focus and see him as nothing more but a job.
With relief and pleasure at her plan working, when Kaine offered her a place in the clan she gave a small grin. She raised her glass with his.
OYA!
She took in a large mouthful and enjoyed the burn as it slid down.
What can I bring to the clan? Well, I am a genius when it comes to tech. I can access almost any system that you would wish, access it, disarm it and take full control of it. I have yet to come across a security system I have not been able to bypass. Tech is my speciality yet I am a more than capable with a blaster.
She chuckled, she had yet to meet a brother or sister who was not handy with a blaster, it was in their blood.
I can dismantle and reassemble a blaster quicker than you can yell “barkeep”. Lifting her glass to take another mouthful she raises her eyebrows and grins, she was confident enough in her own abilities but was curious, was his own as good as her mother had told her? Well? I can commit but the question is, can your boys handle being outdone by a girl?
She leant back in her seat and drank some more, her eyes remained on Kaine as a cocky little smile began to settle upon her face. She knew she was being cocky but could not stop it, it was becoming a little game for her now, she was toying with him and she was enjoying it. The rage she had been feeling was now dissipating, it was not that she no longer hated him, it was that she was now finding a better way of dealing with it and taking him down by destroying everything he held dear first was to become her new way of venting it.
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Kaine Australis
The Vegemite Enclave
Consuming Copious Coopers
Posts: 1,036
Affiliation: Vegemite and Mandalore
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Kaine Australis on Sept 12, 2015 14:35:26 GMT -8
Kaine nodded slowly as Arla spoke. Inwardly he was taking notes. She was confident to the point of bragging, but seemed to handle herself well. If she was acting, she had a skill in that, at least, he considered.
Any of my boys who was raised with a Mando mother, sister, or has been married or had daughters knows what it's like to be outdone by a girl. I think my lads are secure in their masculinity, vod'ika.
Slicing skills are at a premium, if you're half as good as you say, you'll be in demand. I can promise you'll get opportunities to prove the truth of your boasts. He let the last sentence tack itself on as a reminder that while she might be capable, she was young, and unproven. He wondered if she yet had the wisdom to realise that experience was not to be discounted completely. To accept that it came with time, and to assume one knew everything was a recipe for failure. Perhaps, perhaps not. They'd find out soon enough.
He was about to take another swig of the tihaar when his attention, along with much of the rest of the Oyu'baat, fixed on three new arrivals, in full beskar'gam. Tall and proud, the three approached Kaine. I'll be buggered, thought Kaine. Two Wookiees, and a Barabel. A quick glance toward Darzeka and a return nod told him these three were expected. Kaine greeted them before they could speak. Welcome, vode. Have a drink with us!
The three halted before Kaine, and the Barabel removed her buy'ce. Her reptilian eyes met Kaine's without a hint of apprehension. This one and her companionsss do not partake, General. This one is Jhala, her companions are Bairbaak and Bakdoor, of Clan Australis. We salute you, our aliit alor.
The three snapped their fists against their breastplates, a salute which after a moment, Kaine returned. Honoured to meet you, vode.
Sensing these three weren't here for pleasantries, Kaine kept things formal and businesslike. Colonel Darzeka will have your assignments. I look forward to working with you. Dismissed.
There was another exchange of salutes, and the three hulking Mando'ade went off toward where Darzeka sat. After a brief confab, the four of them left Oyu'baat together. Kaine, meanwhile, turned back to Arla.
As you can see, no matter the gender, no matter the species, we all work as one in Clan Australis. And when it's time to use that blaster of yours, you will see what a united Clan is capable of. As he spoke, Kaine watched her studying him. Her attention seemed more than just a younger vod sizing up an older more experienced one. But he couldn't quite put his finger on it yet.
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Post by Arla Australis on Sept 13, 2015 2:28:58 GMT -8
Boasts. It was an interesting choice of word and one with which the hidden meaning was not missed by Ade, he was making a point and she knew it. It was her reaction to it that was interesting, inwardly at least, it had made her angry. Would she have been so angered by it had it been made by any other than her own Buir? Most likely not, if she was to be honest with herself she would most likely have laughed it off with a point well made, though she would not have been so antagonistic in the first place had it been anyone else.
The hand on her lap balled into a fist as she took another sip of her Tihaar. Thankfully she was given the opportunity to calm herself with the appearance of others.
She could not hide the grin that spread over her face as they slapped their fists to their chests as she had to wonder if they would have been so respectful if they knew what kind of man this was? They were pledging their loyalty to man who was likely to abandon them without a moments thought when something more attractive came along. What kind of self respecting Mando’ade would not do their research before offering themselves to a general? Dini'la!
Though she would not admit it, she was curious and wanted to know more about him, it was not just to destroy him but she wanted to know what it was her Mother had seen in him. She wanted to know her Buir. Before he had finished his interaction with the others, she found herself studying him, looking over his face closely and looking at each line, the shape of his jawbone, the shape of his eyes and nose and the colour of his hair, she was studying the tone and depth of his voice. All was being committed to memory. Her focus was broken as he began speaking to her once more. Though she was startled she felt she hid it well.
And when it's time to use that blaster of yours, you will see what a united Clan is capable of.
She wanted to laugh out loud. He really was a joke! Perhaps her Aunt was right, perhaps this was a big mistake for she was unable to keep her mouth shut and hide the sarcastic smile upon her face.
We will see. I have never known what it was like to be part of a united clan. I have always thought of such a thing to be an illusion for really the leader always seems to focus upon his own agenda and abandon his people.
She was blowing it and she knew it. The words were out before she could stop them. Perhaps she needed to stop drinking for that was only going to loosen her tongue further. She needed to recover the situation and she needed to do it quickly. The anger grew with each word spoken as if fuel were being poured onto a ball of fire within the pit of her stomach. She swallowed it down and held her glass up and forced a smile upon her face that she hoped would reach her eyes.
But here is to you proving me wrong.
She emptied her glass and placed it on the table without refilling it but her eyes never left his face.
Now tell me, how do you plan on maintaining unity? For instance, what would make you the leader that I would wish to follow and fight for? To risk death for?
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Kaine Australis
The Vegemite Enclave
Consuming Copious Coopers
Posts: 1,036
Affiliation: Vegemite and Mandalore
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Kaine Australis on Sept 13, 2015 14:52:48 GMT -8
Kaine considered her words carefully. There was something in them, a glimpse of rage, anger, directed at him, but he couldn't work out why. She was too young to have been with the Clan on Myrkr, but he couldn't think of another reason. He made a note that he would investigate this further. Kaine's eyes never left hers as she stared at him, meeting his gaze unflinchingly.
I could tell you stories of the battles i've fought, the victories, i've won. But really, if you're looking for convincing, that won't cut it. Look to my aliit, the men and women who choose to follow me. Ask them where I was when the clan went to war? They'll tell you. In the front lines.
Kaine leaned forward, still with his eyes on hers, now with a fire burning in them of his pride and passion for his Mandalorian brothers and sisters.
At Myrkr, I walked the forests with the commandos when we fought the Sith of the Eye. At Korriban, I led the landing force that captured the Sith Academy. At Onderon, I flew lead for the attack squadron in the days before this clan even had a name. Whenever our vode stand in harm's way, that's where you'll find me. I will not ask anything of my people that I am not willing to do myself. He leaned back.
Almost as an afterthought, he threw in a little verbal bait, to see if he could provoke any reaction from her that would give him a clue as to where her combative attitude came from. He'd gathered she had abandonment issues, but wanted to know if his hunch was on the money.
I have never abandoned my aliit, or my people. The only agenda I have is to make this clan and Mandalore as strong as I can before I die. That, to me, is a goal worth fighting every damn day for. As he said the last sentence, he brought his right hand up and made a fist to emphasize the point, all the time watching her face for any telltales...
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Post by Arla Australis on Sept 13, 2015 22:56:27 GMT -8
Her Uncle, who she loved and treated like her Buir, for in the absence of this man here, he had taken the role upon himself. He had treated her as his own daughter. In the absence of her parents both her Aunt and her Uncle had stepped in. The first time she held a blaster, it was under her Uncles guidance. To teach her how to hunt whilst remaining undetected, her Uncle had taken her on a trip, by day she was made to track and hunt Shatual and by night the Shriek-hawk.
She was made to repeat hunt over and over again until she was able to take the Shatual down without her presence behind detected. During training and trips she would repeatedly ask questions about her true Buir and to her Uncles credit, he would tell her honestly. He would tell her stories about his bravery, such as the battles he had lead and his part in them, about his humour. He had told her all she had asked, he had also told her of his reputation among his men before her mother had come along. So as Kaine told her about his fighting alongside his men on the front line, she knew it to be true.
Had she not known what she knew about him, the moment he leant forward and spoke with the passion and fire with which he was speaking. She would have been swept up in the moment and given her blaster to him. She would have signed up immediately without a moments doubt.
He was making this difficult for her; the passion he was showing was mirroring that of Vihn. His mannerisms, the fire in the eyes, it was all Vihn.
Leaning forward in her chair so as better to hear him over the thrum of the bar, she rests her elbows upon the table and entwined her fingers together as she clasped her hands. With the tips of her thumbs she slowly ran them across the base of her bottom lip, it was an un-conscious move she had inherited from her mother and was something they both did when anxious or deep in thought.
Just as she was beginning to calm herself and take control of her anger, his last sentence unravelled her work in an instant. Her eyes hardened immediately as her pupils dilated and her knuckled whitened as her grip constricted tightly. Her breath was stuck in her throat as she looked upon him silently.
In her head it was as if a movie were playing. She had left her seat and within an instance had him pinned to the very seat he occupied and had the nuzzle of her blaster sat in his mouth, with the tip pushed against the roof of his mouth. But in reality, she hooked her feet around the legs of the chair she were sat upon, another unconscious effort that held her firmly in her seat. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she released the grip of her hands and leant back in her seat. She wanted distance from him.
She swallowed and smiled awkwardly.
Okay. Good answer…She turned away from him for a moment and signalled for the bar to bring over more drinks, she was going to need them…I shall be honoured to serve alongside you.
Her gaze scanned the bar briefly, she needed just a moment to bring herself back and reign herself in.
Please excuse me. I am not a very social person. I find situations such as this very un-nerving. It puts me on edge. I think that is why I like computers so much. They are easier to get along with. They do not judge, they are predictable and they are reliable. Whenever you need them, they are there.
Inwardly she was giving herself a round of applause. She had surprised herself with the speed of which she had come up with the reasoning for her behaviour. She watched as a serving wench bought over their drinks. This time she had fresh glasses and a bottle which she placed in the centre of the table. She looked to Kaine to watch his reaction to the girl. She was young, older than she was, Ade would have guessed in her mid 20s. She had a good figure and her chest, well, that was ample and displayed well. Ade noted that she could probably carry a couple of flagons on them for they were pushed up to the point of creating a shelf!
The girl gave Kaine a long lingering look.
Is there anything else I can do for you?
Despite it being Ade that had made the order, it was Kaine that the woman was asking and drooling over. She wondered and waited to see how he was going to react.
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Kaine Australis
The Vegemite Enclave
Consuming Copious Coopers
Posts: 1,036
Affiliation: Vegemite and Mandalore
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Kaine Australis on Sept 14, 2015 15:17:29 GMT -8
Kaine noted the reaction to his jab, and wasn't fooled for a moment by her attempt to mask her slip. There was something there, something she obviously didn't want him to see. It would keep, he decided, it wasn't as if she was going to leap at him and jam a blaster down his throat. The way she held herself, so familiar, but he knew he hadn't met her before. The way she held herself, her gestures, they reminded him of someone, but he couldn't put his finger on who.
Kaine nodded as if accepting her explanation at face value, and took little notice of the serving girl, his attention was on Arla, watching her watch him. He acknowledged the girl with a nod. No thanks, love. That'll be all. He turned his attention fully back to Arla.
You don't like social situations, I get that. He paused, leaning toward her again, lowering his voice.
Remember, we're all family in Clan Australis. Every member of this clan would give his or her life for yours. While we might be a bit rough and ready, you couldn't ask for a finer group of people to associate with. You can come to me, or any other vod with anything, anytime. Clan Australis is above all, a family. We look after our own.
It didn't even occur to Kaine that such was the change since his years away, that he had not even given the serving girl a second glance. He barely recalled, if at all, that there was a time where he'd have taken her onto his lap and gotten her to pour his tihaar, or given her rump a quick pat on the way past. That man had died with his family. This man barely noticed her beyond noting her age, the lack of any visible tokens of marriage, and a quick consideration that she might make a suitable bride for one of his young warriors. Even then, he only thought of her in terms of providing future Mandalorians, not even considering that there was another reason for males and females to interact.
Kaine Australis had truly loved just one woman. And Natasi was gone. Damnit, he thought, why was his mind turning constantly to his wife. Why did this young woman keep making his thoughts drift back towards his lost love? Perhaps, he considered, it was just being back on Mandalore. Returning home after being away had a way of making you take stock. Maybe that was it, and this Ad'Atin was just the trigger. He pushed the thoughts from his mind before they continued to distract him. He'd mourned his loss, and accepted the pain would never truly go away. His work was his life now. Young warriors like Ad'Atin were his reason for living. He brought his thoughts back to business.
If you're going to be working for a living, ad'ika, you're going to need a ship.
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Post by Arla Australis on Sept 15, 2015 23:44:15 GMT -8
Ade was watching his reactions to the serving girl closely, scrutinising every move of his eyes, expressions and body language. And she was deeply shocked when she saw that although he noticed her, he had not actually seen her, not really. She had waited for his eyes to fall to her chest or a lingering look, some flirting or even throw away comments but there had been nothing. Even when he had dismissed her he had not watched her leave. Though she knew that had he done so it would have fuelled her anger, she was relieved while at the same time being frustrated. She had wanted him to have lived up to the reputation that her Uncle had told her of.
While he leant into her, she took she took a mouthful of Tihaar, again they had been given the good stock. She listened closely while his words almost took her breath away. It was the manner with which he spoke along with the words that caught her off guard. It was fatherly advice, she was being given the advice that a Buir would give…by her Buir. Not a substitute, her own flesh and blood.
She was suddenly flooded with doubt. She did was no longer confident that she could do this, that she could pretend to be one of his, that she could become one of his most trusted, get into his circle and then kill him. She couldn’t. She wanted to kill him yes, to avenge her mother, to avenge Vihn and herself, but she could not do it this way. He was causing reactions within her that had not anticipated. Her ability to perform under pressure, to remain cool and calm, to lock her feelings away and focus upon the task at hand. Just him being here in front of her, within her reach had caused her entire being to crumble. She did not even recognise the woman she was now. This was a side of her that she had never known and would most certainly never have believed she could be.
Maybe her Aunt had been right, maybe she should not have come, and maybe she had known how she would have fallen apart.
Again her hand moved to the grip of her blaster, she wanted to get it over and done with, she needed to do it now. Her worry was that if she were to leave it, that she would not be able to do it, that or she would be discovered. Why was she finding it so difficult to maintain stability?
His calling her Ad’ika was breaking of her, he did not get to call her that! He had never been there for her; he had abandoned her and had stolen her mother from her. He had taken her life and had ripped it apart. He had destroyed her mother, he had forced his own children to watch their mother destroy herself, and his abandonment had eaten away at her until it had killed her. All the while he was off doing goodness knows what with goodness knows who, he got to enjoy his life while hers was in tatters. So no, he did not get to call her that!
She rose from her seat and leap at Kaine with her right fist aimed at his jaw.
Do not ever call me that! You have no right to call me that, you gave up that right many many years ago!
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Galaar Vhett
The Mandalorian Assembly
Posts: 356
Affiliation: Mandalorian Assembly
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Galaar Vhett on Sept 17, 2015 19:28:20 GMT -8
Hokaar had been distracted by other matters. The newly accepted Australis left the main bar area for awhile to speak with his senior officers quickly. After much debate with the First Officer and the other members of the senior staff, a list of ships had been drawn up that fitted what they would need in order to make their fleet more flexible. The Mandalorian was indeed pleased with the results himself.
The first agreement were on a pair of Keldabe-class battleships for the much needed firepower and intimidation. Their hangars would remain stocked so that starfighters could have flying fortresses as their carriers. The second agreement involved the addition of a Endurance-class Fleet Carrier. A modification was indicated on the list that would turn the carrier into a massive troop transport carrier which could result in the possible addition of 9,000 more troops, adding up to a grand total of 10,000 soldiers primed for battle and operations. The final agreement was the inclusion of three more Crusader-class Corvettes, adding even more firepower and serving as good escorts for the Endurance. Hokaar had pondered on whether keeping the Spirit of Dxun as his flagship or transferring command to one of the Keldabe-class Battleships. In the end, there was enough space for forty-eight starfighters, which would add onto the firepower and flexibility of the fleet.
The Mandalorian exited a private room and returned to the bar. When he walked in, his visor took note of the female Mandalorian from before, who had a punch aimed right at the jaw of Kaine. Hokaar's first thought was to draw his blaster and shoot first, but looking at the expression upon Kaine's face made the Mandalorian keep himself on standby and remain out of this. For now, the Dxun-born warrior remained in the background, his eyes occasionally glancing between Kaine and Ad'Atin.
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Kaine Australis
The Vegemite Enclave
Consuming Copious Coopers
Posts: 1,036
Affiliation: Vegemite and Mandalore
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Kaine Australis on Sept 23, 2015 13:30:55 GMT -8
Kaine was at first intrigued as to what could possibly have provoked such a violent response. Her words distracted him slightly, as he pondered their possible meaning. These two factors, combined with his curiosity as to how hard she could hit, meant he did nothing to defend himself from her initial attack.
He paid for his nonchalance immediately, as a cracking blow struck the left side of his jaw and rocked him back. Kad, but she packed a punch! Then the triviality of that thought was erased, as a sensation hit him all at once from an unexpected direction; the Force. Like the light escaping from behind a door that's been opened just a crack, bathing him for a moment in its blazing illumination, Kaine felt a disturbance. As a man who's been badly burned avoids touching the burned area long after it has begun to heal, Kaine hadn't even thought about the Force since Belsavis. Being Force tortured did that to a being. When he'd come to associate the Force with nothing but pain, it had been lost to him.
Arla's blow seemed to have knocked him into involuntarily dropping his mental walls, if only for a split second, he'd felt a definitive surge. And then, without a shadow of a doubt, his memories brought him to the only possible conclusion. The pieces all suddenly seemed to fit together, and he had his answer. Floating in his mind, an image of two babies, one male, one female, cradled in his arms. Lives that he and Natasi had made together. Two new lives, theirs to nurture and protect. Feelings of joy and contentment flooded him, and overwhelmed his tight control, his focus, his will, and spilled forth from him, carrying Kaine along in the rushing tide of repressed emotion being released from long confinement.
With eyes moist, from the blow, Arla's words, and the knowledge of who she had to be, Kaine's brimming blue eyes met the angry visage of his long lost daughter. His hands remained at his sides, offering no defence to any follow up attack she might make. He could never, ever, harm her.
You.... A.... Ar.... Can't belie.... His legendary powers of speech had deserted him, and he struggled to form a coherent sentence.
He looked at the floor, and gathered himself with an exertion of what little will remained to him in this shocked state. His eyes again met hers. Full of tears, his vision blurred, uncaring of the dozens of other Mando'ade in the tapcafe watching on, he looked to his little girl.
Forgive me.
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Post by Arla Australis on Sept 23, 2015 23:27:12 GMT -8
So you remember the name you gave me and you remember that you had a daughter? What about a son? His name is Vihn just in case you forgot, do you remember him? What about your wife, Natasi, remember her? She is dead by the way, you killed her!
The words were spilling out laced with venom and malevolence, there was a hysteria overtaking her now for she wanted to laugh in his face while anger and despair had griped her also, so while her eyes over ran with tears that covered her cheeks and dripped off her chin, while her nose ran and caused her to sniff repeatedly, she laughed weakly at him.
You want me to forgive you? She was incredulous at his request. Her eyes widened with shock as she tipped her head back and shook it before looking back at him. That has to be some sick joke! You deserve only death for what you have put us through!
She withdrew her blaster and aimed it toward his forehead. Her eyes fell upon his once more but this time something stopped her finger from squeezing the trigger. Vihn. Each time she had looked at those eyes it was Vihn staring back at her.
The tears caused a whirlpool of emotions within her that left her feeling confused and irrational, she had lost her grip on the control that she clung to and depended upon on a daily basis and she hated him for it. She felt sadness as whether she wanted to admit it or not, she saw pain in his eyes. She felt anger that he dare feel anything for what he done, she felt anger for him abandoning their family and she felt anger that something was stopping her killing him.
The hand that held the blaster aimed at the head of her Buir shook uncontrollably. Tears were flowing uncontrollably down her cheeks; she was continually sniffing and kept wiping her face with her sleeve. She was shaking her head at him now while, with her free hand, she grasped a hand full of her hair and pulled tightly out of frustration.
No, No! You do not get to do this! I am the one who should be upset, not you! You do not get to cry! Do you have any…?
She released the grip on her hair and placed it on the blaster, now gripping it with both hands. She took a deep breath and tried to level her breathing and gain some control but she could not, each time she straightened her face and gained control it was lost in an instant and she was overcome once more.
I will kill you for what you have done to us, what you did to Vihn and me, what you did to Buir. You abandoned us all and killed her!
Having both hands on the blaster did little to stabilise it, it still shook violently as the anger, frustration and grief tightened its hold of her.
The one thing she needed in order to go through with this was for him to close his eyes; she could not do it with those eyes staring back at her for it felt as if she were to be killing her own brother.
Through the tears and whatever clear substance was running from her nose she leant toward him slightly and spoke in a tone that was low and full of hatred and hurt…
I have one question that I want you to answer and no more. Why? Why did you leave us? Did you miss your old life that much that you had to cut us out of your life entirely and not even have the courage to tell your wife? You know she never stopped looking for you? Everyday you were gone she searched for you, looked for you? Made herself ill for you and got herself killed in the process! You destroyed her and then killed her!
There was a part of her, a large part that wanted him to fight back, she wanted that outlet and instead he had given in and accepted it and she hated him for it, but then she knew deep down that however he were to react that he would be doing wrong in her eyes.
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Kaine Australis
The Vegemite Enclave
Consuming Copious Coopers
Posts: 1,036
Affiliation: Vegemite and Mandalore
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Kaine Australis on Sept 27, 2015 14:07:27 GMT -8
Kaine heard her words, but they only barely registered. His mind reeled with the flood of returning memories. As Arla spoke, his consciousness was flooded with the events of the missing years of his life. And they were for the most part, severely unpleasant. First to return was the event that led to the whole unhappy saga. Korriban, and the duel with his father, killing his father, then his father's essence transfer, and his own incarceration in his own body, as his father sought to cast him out, and very nearly succeeded. Kaine had badly underestimated the old Sith, and had very nearly paid with his life, and failed utterly.
His eyes seemed to watch her as she spoke, but in truth, his attention was almost totally distracted, though like a good recording system, he still heard and catalogued her words as his mind raced.
Kaine had, for a time, been an unwilling observer as Darth Vesull adopted his name, identity and took over. The Sith had eventually been brought low by treachery on Belsavis, and during a session of Force torture, Kaine had seen his chance, and retaken control of his body and his mind, and cast out the old Sith for good. Vesull's essence had been completely annihilated in a Force blast that had seared Kaine's mind, and cut him off from the Force entirely for years.
That had been small comfort to Kaine, his memory in tatters, his body and mind battered to the breaking point, and marooned on the horror world of Belsavis. Three years of scraping, stealing, murdering and conniving had eventually led to his escape and return to the shattered remnants of his former life, returning to find his family dead, or so he had believed, he'd known his wife was dead, and had assumed the children had also been killed. He'd been a shell of a man, and had taken long months to return some of his vigor and vitality.
Now, though, he had all the missing pieces put back together, and he now knew with certainty that it had all been worth it. Despite the heavy, dreadful price he and his family had had to pay, they were free and safe from Vesull's machinations for all time to come. His children, and their children, his line, had had the stain of the Dark Lord of the Sith removed and expunged forever.
As Arla asked the question 'Why?', Kaine stood up, and stepped forward, so that the muzzle of Arla's blaster would press into his chest, and made eye contact. His gaze now was unflinching, now in command again, and with the confidence in himself and his cause that he had lost, so long ago. The General was back.
Alright then. You want to know why, and I guess you're old enough to handle the truth. He looked pointedly at the blaster pointed at his chest, then continued.
I left you, your brother, and your mother all those years ago on a mission. To hunt down and destroy my father, your grandfather, the dark lord Vesull. A powerful and dangerous Sith. Your mother knew something of why I left, and she understood why I absolutely had to.
You see, my father has stalked and haunted our family ever since I've known him. You and your brother would have been his playthings, and he would have twisted and warped you both into nightmarish dark side caricatures of yourselves. Nat'ika and I were not prepared to allow that. So, I went to confront and kill him. That's where things went to osik.
I managed to defeat him, but he used a powerful dark side technique to invade my mind, and to take possession of my body. His body was destroyed, and he very nearly succeeded. He won the battle of wills, and I only just managed to retreat to a corner of my mind and hide before he destroyed me permanently. It took years before I found a way to destroy him and regain control. Years of my life when all I could do was watch. Try to imagine what that's like.
He raised an eyebrow at her and paused.
Finally, he was destroyed, and the stain on our family, and the threat to you, your children and their children, was gone. I, however, was still alone on a lost, ravaged, Sith and criminal infested prison planet. It took years more for me to escape alive and come back. By the time I did, everything I knew was gone.
You see, it's easy for you to assume I abandoned you on a whim, or due to boredom, or one of the other stupid and selfish reasons men abandon their families. But that just isn't the case. Even if I had died to destroy him, it would have been worth it. Even though it cost me the chance to be here to protect the love of my life, it was still worth it. Maybe you can't see that, but if you think about it for awhile, I think you will.
Now his voice hardened, and the tone of command was there for all to hear.
You had it tough, a mother and father that loved you, friends and extended family to take care of you. So you lost your mother, and your father wasn't around. That going to be deciding how you live your life for the rest of your life, is it?
He looked her up and down.
You seem to be doing alright for yourself, healthy, well trained. His blue eyes hardened to chips of dark ice. Now grow up.
Life isn't a fairy tale. You had it damn easy, and you're smart enough to know that. So stop feeling sorry for yourself, and act like a Mando'ad. I won't have my beloved daughter crying in public. With the last line, his eyes softened, and moistened once again.
He'd forgiven himself, finally, and he hoped Arla could see that, and find it in herself to forgive him. Now he knew the truth of his missing years, he no longer felt that he'd abandoned his family. He'd gone to protect them, and done his duty. At massive personal cost, he'd put their interests above his own, above everything, and he had paid the price. He owed no one anything further, and hoped Arla had the maturity and good sense to see it.
Slowly, he spread his arms, palms open.
Either come here, or pull that trigger, ad'ika.
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Post by Arla Australis on Sept 28, 2015 6:24:16 GMT -8
Her eyes were stinging and her vision was slightly blurred by the tears in her eyes, but her face was contorted with anger. The anger had gripped her tightly and was causing Arla’s hands to shake, despite both hands gripping the blaster held within them, it too shook.
While Kaine rose to his feet the muzzle of the blaster too rose with him, Arla stood shaking her head at him, wanting him to stay back, had she not been so desperate for an answer, perhaps she would have fired, but she could not, the need for answers was far too great.
As the muzzle pressed into his chest her breath caught in her throat, she looked from the blaster and then up into his face and back down. He was so close, she could reach out and touch him if she had wanted…and she did, she really did.
She squeezed the grip more tightly as she fought the urge back and tried to bury it deep within but it was not that easy.
Her emotions were flitting between venomous anger and grief with each clearly visible on her face.
“Hate is too great a burden to bear, forgiveness takes strength and work, let the light and laughter back into your heart and be free.” These were the words her Aunt and Uncle had told her so many a time, they had worried about her openly, telling her to let go of the hate and the pain for they feared it would consume her and it almost had for she rarely laughed and never allowed anyone in to her heart. Now for the very first time, she was seeing the truth in their words for the source of all of her hatred was stood here within arms reach. The only people she ever allowed close were her family, and those she kept at arms length for she feared love, love bought pain, she had seen that manifest with her mother. She loved her family dearly and this man, whether she wanted it to be true or not, was family. For years she had loved him, while her mother had been alive she had loved him dearly, while her mother had told her stories, showed her the family archives and the holovids she had loved him, and she had believed he had loved her. The day she learnt of her mother’s death that had all changed, she had needed to focus the anger and hurt upon someone and it had been him, the older she got the more the hatred had grown, but it was easier than allowing the grief to surface.
She did not want to let go of that hate, she feared letting it go because then the pain and the grief that it had suppressed all of these years would come to the surface and she would feel and she did not want to feel. She had not grieved over her mother’s death, she had buried it deep under all the anger that she had stored against Kaine, her Buir, but now it seemed that it was not a choice she was able to make consciously. It appeared that it was all out of her control for the longer he spoke, the lower the muzzle of the gun became. It was as if she was defeated for her shoulders began to lower and her breaths became slower and deeper. Her left hand released its grip on the blaster releasing it fully into the grip of her right while her right fell to her side. The blaster was pointing at the floor now with her index finger away from the trigger.
While Kaine asked her to feel what that was like, she shook her head slightly; she was hearing him but was still trying to make sense of it all. He was giving her all the answers she had asked for but it did not make her feel how she had expected to feel. It did not offer her relief instead she found herself softening and she did not want to. Understanding and forgiveness were beginning to creep their way in. She did not want to allow it, how could she let go of something that had been such a vital part of her existence for so long? Who would she be without it?
As his voice hardened she began to hear the voice that her Uncle had spoken of many a time, for although he had hated Kaine for what he had done to Natasi, he had a great amount of respect for Kaine as a leader, as a general and as a former mand’alor. He had spoken many a time of the voice that would bring an army to heel.
Her head snapped up to meet the eyes of her Buir once again but this time his words cut deeply. She felt 3 foot tall and as if she had been chastised like a child. She felt foolish. She recoiled back as if she had been slapped round the face.
She wanted the anger back, it would have made this so much easier but he had beaten down the thick armour she had built around herself and had left her defenceless and unknowing of how to react.
She remembered the time when she had overheard one of the many arguments between her mother and her uncle and later, telling her mother…
Buir is bad! He has gone and left us so he can drink and find some other ladies to play with!”
Though she had not understood the true meaning of the words, she had understood that he must have been a bad man, but her Mothers words had stayed with her.
Your Buir is the best of men. You ignore what others say and offer him the respect he deserves. He is a man to be respected above all else, Ad’ika, he also deserves your love for he gives you his unconditionally, you must do the same. Family above all else, Arla.
No matter how hard she tried she could not shake those words, it was as if her mother were standing right beside her now and trying to bring father and daughter together once more. Her cheeks were burning from the wounded pride and she hung her head.
She swallowed down hard and looked up into his eyes though once her eyes met his and saw the harsh ice blue staring back at her; she wished she had not for it reinforced the feeling of being a child once more with just one look as he told her to grow up.
In one blow all he had chastised her about was lost with just one phrase....’beloved daughter’. His words had obviously had a much deeper impact that she had initially believed for with those 2 key phrases the last pieces of her hatred for him was chipped away.
With his arms open wide for her to walk into she looked down at the blaster in her hand and secured it slowly to her thigh, she looked over at him and wavered for a moment. She was not trying to punish him nor keep him guessing, she just felt strange, firstly, she was not a tactile person, she did not openly display her affections, not even with family, she would now and again, very awkwardly, but not often and never publicly. Secondly, she was in a most public place and felt quite the idiot; her pride had been deeply wounded. Thirdly, she had believed this man dead for many a year and upon finding him to be alive she had come in search of him to kill him and it has all changed within a heartbeat. It was a lot to take in.
She looked him up and down as if committing every feature to memory; she wanted to remember this moment as clearly as she could, for herself, for Vihn and for her mother. She was part of the now and believed her to be here with her.
Slowly Arla began to walk toward her Buir and stopped only inches from him, she arched her neck back and looked up at him reluctantly and smiled shyly before stepping into him while simultaneously wrapping her arms around him and resting her head upon his chest and squeezing him tightly. She closed her eyes and smiled while wishing her Mother was alive to see it, to have them all together. She wished Vihn were here to meet him. Had he been here things would have gone very differently, there would have been no anger, no deception and certainly no rising of the blasters, he would have just introduced himself and sat and talked. One day. One day they would all be together and she could not wait. In the mean time however, she wanted to get to know him. Get to know the real Kaine for her herself.
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Elyia Reign
Member
Posts: 31
Affiliation: Clan Australis
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Post by Elyia Reign on Sept 29, 2015 8:36:45 GMT -8
*After Elyia's ship touches down in Keldabe spaceport, she sets out for Oyu'baat. Though not the official seat of government it was definitely the centre of power. More deals were done over tihaar than were ever done in a government office. So that is exactly where Elyia expects to find either Kaine, or at least word of him. Her personal assistant Gerard stays on the ship, but Elyia doesn't bother asking Kharahk to do the same. The Noghri would be better classed as her friend than her bodyguard, and only seemed to take the orders from her that suited him. The pair stride confidently through the streets of Keldabe towards the Oyu'baat, Elyia in the lead and Kharakh shadowing her as was his norm. Upon reaching it, she pauses for a moment, takes a deep breath, then pushes open the door and walks inside.
Elyia steps out of the doorway and stops, eyes sweeping the room. It was busy, but that was usual. A couple of faces look vaguely familiar; clearly she wasn't the only Australis in the room. Then she sees him. Kaine. He stood out even in a crowd. Whatever the years had done to him, and regardless that he had long since vacated the title of Mand'alor, he still had that presence about him. He was currently engaged with a girl who, even as Elyia watched, wrapped her arms around the much larger man. Elyia did not want to interfere in the seemingly tender moment, so she heads for the bar not far from the two, ready to pay her respects when appropriate. When she gets to the bar, she freezes momentarily.... she had not had a drink in seven months sixteen days. Seven months sixteen days sober. But she had rarely met a Mando'ad who didn't drink - particularly here. It was almost enough to get her treated with suspicion, and in some ways she already felt a fraud. She had not been born to this culture, merely adopted it. And most Mando'ade were nothing if not clear on their disdain for the Force. The fact that her father had been one of the galaxy's most notorious Force users, and that she herself was well-trained in those arts...... But no. It was not your birth that defined you, it was your choices. As the saying went, Gar taldin ni jaonyc; gar sa buir, ori'wadaas'la. Surely the fact that she had chosen this life and Clan, and had shed blood defending it, meant more than the blood in her veins. It had to Kaine all those years ago. She could only hope the years hadn't changed his view, or this was going to be a very short heart-breaking trip. Besides, as different as her father had been from the Mando'ade, they still shared one undeniable quality. Honour was in their blood. It was why the Jen'jidai Sage had kept peace with many a Mand'alor, and why Cassus Fett had officially gifted him with crushgaunts.... one of which Elyia was wearing right now.*
"I'll have water."
*The bartender's eyes flash down to her belly at the request, but he makes no comment as he pours and delivers it. Elyia mentally rolls her eyes. Taking up the water, she drinks the whole thing before setting it down again, glass empty, and turning away from the bar. She glances at Kharakh, who is looking at her with an inscrutable expression that slowly evolves into a toothy grin. She scowls in response, but can't hold it in the face of his calm amusement. She already knew what he thought. The Resol'nare was not far removed from the Noghri's own code of honour. To place one's clan and family above one's self and to contribute to its welfare.... except with the death of Clan Khaba, Kharakh's only family now was those he chose.*
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Kaine Australis
The Vegemite Enclave
Consuming Copious Coopers
Posts: 1,036
Affiliation: Vegemite and Mandalore
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Kaine Australis on Oct 10, 2015 14:15:02 GMT -8
There were moments in one's life where time seemed to stop entirely, and just take a back seat to the moment at hand. Kaine's reconnection with his daughter, and the resolution of their issues, it had been emotional, and for a length of time, Kaine lost himself in joy.
His arms wrapped around his little girl, Kaine held her tight, his eyes squeezed shut, and rested his head gently on top of hers, just holding her close to his chest. He felt his heart banging out a tattoo, and was sure it was pounding hard enough to be felt through his armour plate.
All of his being wanted nothing more than to stand in this spot forever, feeling the waves of joy and true happiness that had been so rare and precious during his lifetime. Slowly, but inexorably, his sense of duty began to get his attention though, and he forced himself to come back to the present.
Kaine, unwillingly, let his arms relax and leaned back to look into his daughter's face.
It's a new beginning for us. Together, we will build the future. And he gave her his best grin, the kind that made his eyes sparkle with a fire of purpose they hadn't held in decades. Certainty and resolve filled him.
Let the rest of the galaxy tremble. Manda'yaim's coming. OYA!
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Non-Com Or'dinii
Member
Posts: 461
Affiliation: Mandalorian Clan Or'dinii
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Non-Com Or'dinii on Oct 10, 2015 19:28:39 GMT -8
NCO, shambled into the infamous center of mandolorian culture and civilization, though formally those were both else where in Keldabe. The place was packed, and that made NCO smile, it had been a long time since he'd seen so many young and old vode mix and mingle, sharing joy and woe alike. He didn't recognize anyone personally, though maybe he should have. It had been a long... decade, two? It had been a long time since NCO was here last and he doubted he'd get a chance to return again after this visit. Or'dinii holdings were just to far from the rest of the mandolorian worlds to make this trip feasible on anything but very special occasions. His smile faded, and he shuffled over to the bar, squeezing in long enough to get a drink, before finding a place to stand against a wall, mostly out of the way of patrons and serving girls alike.
He removed his helmet and let his leathery ears fall down over his breastplate. He was an oddity among oddities, a Gung(singular form of Gungan) mandolorian. Most beings who'd dealt with his species considered him a joke, and for a time that had amused him. Now he was to tired to care, not physically tired, or even mentally tired. No, NCO's weariness was emotional, and it left him little thought or care for anything but the next moment. He sipped his drink, seeing and hearing the world around him but not perceiving it. The Uknown Regions had taken their tole on this mando soul, and it showed for all to see in his belated responses to greetings and queries. He watched and sipped his drink, barely even tasting it, but appearing to savor every sip. The gung didn't cause any trouble, and he let what trouble came his way pass on by. He considered his past, seeing the youth about him, and wondered if he had lived well. He had followed the resol'nare and was satisfied with his contributions to his clan and the empire as a whole. However in thinking back, he tried to remember who he had been, before he was adopted into the mandolorian ranks by Admiral Z'har Dizen Or'dinii.
Only gray mists, met him in his search. He didn't even know his name anymore, though he could probably look it up. He'd been called Non-Com, or NCO ever since he'd been adopted, and he'd forgotten the name his parents had given him. Hmm, he remembered that his mother was dead, and surely his father was too by now, but he could not say for certain that he was in fact deceased. He'd had siblings once, hadn't he? Yes, but how many? At least two, he remembered, or thought he remembered, both a brother and a sister, but maybe one was a friend? It didn't matter now, they'd become as good as dead the day they threw him out. Why had they done that? He couldn't remember, and didn't care enough to puzzle at the reason for long. NCO stood, and watched, and sipped, waiting for something, though he knew not what. Between sips, he absent mindedly muttered the resol'nare in a voice that was little more than a whisper.
Ba'jur... Beskar'gam... Aliit... Ara'nov... Mando'a... bal Mand'alor...
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Galaar Vhett
The Mandalorian Assembly
Posts: 356
Affiliation: Mandalorian Assembly
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Galaar Vhett on Oct 10, 2015 20:53:01 GMT -8
By this point, Hokaar had turned back to the bartender and went back having another drink by himself. The display between Kaine and Ad'Atin seemed like something out of a Coruscanti drama. Deciding to move his sights away from that, the Mandalorian ordered yet another good drink in while he examined the datapad in his hands of the details for his new fleet. His helmet had been set to the side with his drink sitting next to it. His eyes running across the details; cost, labor, and new personnel ranging from crew and pilots to security and soldiers. It was gonna be a big upgrade in terms of everything; officers would need promotion, command structure reformed and new divisions made. It was gonna be a lot of work...
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Post by Arla Australis on Oct 11, 2015 7:55:03 GMT -8
This was a feeling she had not felt since her Mother had left her and Vihn before her death, it was that warmth and feeling of security that a hug from only a parent can provide and it was a feeling that she never had felt she would of never have felt again. After the death of her Mother Arla had refused that close physical contact with anyone else. Vihn and her Aunt and Uncle had tried but it had, on her part, been awkward and stiff to the point where they had all stopped trying.
She squeezed him tightly for part of her was afraid to let him go through fear of losing him once again, while at the same time part of her felt empty. To have carried around all that hate and all that anger for the majority of her life and then to suddenly be left without it left it had left a hole. It had been her identity, it had been the very core of who she was and now she was without it she was lost.
AS his head rested upon hers she closed her eyes and upon her face the corners of her lips curled ever so slightly revealing a smile. She had her Buir back. She was no longer the orphan she had believed herself to be. It was, for Arla and indescribable moment and one she would never forget.
As his grip loosened she leaned back and loosened her own and looked upon him with eyes that were seeing him anew.
First hand she had no knowledge of this man before her, of her Buir, and she was excited to get to know him. It could not be rushed and in time, naturally they would develop that relationship that is unique to only a parent and child.
Already she was beginning to see what her Mother and Uncle had told her of, it was all in that grin and that one statement. It was infectious and passionate. Arla was not comfortable with an open display of her emotions, surprisingly considering her display only moments beforehand, her smile was not broad but it was there, the true extent of her smile, however, was in her eyes which shone brightly.
She lifted her glass of Tihaar and held it up to him.
Let them tremble! OYA!
She threw her head back as she swallowed the contents of the glass, and then drew a deep cleansing breath.
Emotionally she was drained and she was exhausted, she knew that this would not fully sink in until much later, when her head would hit the pillow and she was switched off to the world and alone. Then her mind she would think of the events of the day, remembering every single word that had been spoken, every movement that had been made and each look that had been shared. That is when it would all sink in. She would pray for guidance. It occurred to her then that she had a most difficult message to write, she would not do it now, and she would do it when she was alone. She needed to tell Vihn that their father was not dead.
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