Theed

Well, I've not yet been even shot at before... So I appear to be doing a good job of that.

*She smiled warmly up at him. He seemed to be looking better after a drink. She didn't know much of what he actually was, but it seemed that water was very nessassary for his kind. She made sure that his glass was refilled if he needed it, before insisting that he at least sit and rest a moment. She looked at the people who were still around and smiled again.*

Well, I have yet to speak to... the short woman over there? Your friend the...agent one? Seems to be nice. And That man talking to the short woman, he just paid me credits for being nice to him... So. I would say they have been?

*She paused a moment. Her stomach again alerting her that she was hungry and she looked down at the credit chip she still held clasped in her hand. She looks around and thinks, that she should put it to its use and order the food that Adi had mentioned.*

Actually.... Raven said, taking another drink of her tea and relaxing somewhat. It felt good to talk to someone about anything other than serious life changing dark matters. She could already tell this conversation would be much more pleasant than the previous one she'd had- though she wished deeply that the Count and she could have talked about something else- other than her mistake. They kind of did pick up a job....here? They're all going after Jashin. I don't know much about that one but he seems to be a magnet for trouble...and he yells a lot.

She shook her head and closed her eyes. I'm glad we came back to Naboo. Even though there has been some tension here- for the most part, it's very pleasant.

She looked off in the distance for a moment. Deep down- she missed Felucia. Though it wasn't her home world, it had become a part of her with the many many years she'd spend there. But she'd never say that. She wasn't sure she could return right now and face all those people she'd abandoned to fight a war she'd completely missed.

What ever the case, she hoped Sinina and Zalor were alright. She felt a strange twinge of responsibility for Sinina she couldn't quote explain. Adi, do you know anything about the Echani girl- Sinina? I'm curious.

*Lavi nods knowingly as Farris spoke.*

Mean? Why would he think you were mean? You've always seemed so nice to me..

*She frowned at him a moment, the woman glancing over at Adi again, she shakes her head gently, her green and black hair bouncing on her head gently, her eyes not leaving the Arkannian as she spoke back to Farris.*

Trouble... Like Daed... You seem to remember me.. Then you'd know those that Trouble follows.. only makes me want to help them more.

*Upon mentioning Daed, her eyes soften and her shoulders dropped slightly. She lets out a long sigh as she looked back at Farris. She had though rolled her eyes at Farris' at his "joke."*

I have lacked direction for a long time. Since before I was even at the RDMC... I don't really have a plan..

*Atton looked up from his plate, glad that the rather awkward silence between them had been broken, but wondering why Thea would want to leave so soon after getting back home. He quickly finished his slice and got up to go and find her, not a difficult task.*"Er...everything all right? Why don't you want to stay?"

The sleek form of an Ambassador-class shuttle slipped through the clouds of Naboo, before gently lighting on a landing pad at one of the many buildings in Theed city. With a gentle hiss of coolant and steam, its ramp lowered to the ground - and a small procession of some-odd fifteen sentients filed out neatly, accompanied by twenty high grade battle droids. Slowly, methodically, the procession made its way to the interior of the domed building; their arrival and presence on the planet going nearly unnoticed by all on the planet...

Unnoticed by all but one, however. Arcturus, still resting in the dingy motel, was awakened rather rudely by an insistent beep on his comlink. His eyes opening, a mild curse on his lips, he checked the caller on the comlink before silencing it. "They are early. Much too early." He muttered under his breath, his bones creaking and popping noisily as he rose from the bed and grabbed his cane (Jakk thankfully being well repaired with replacement canes). Shaking his head, steadying his hands, he dusted himself odd and made himself presentable in the hotel room's refresher - before departing the hotel altogether, making his way slowly down the block.

His body hurt. His muscles ached, his bones grated against each other sharply, and his head pounded with a persistent migraine. He was not as young as he once had been: gathering so much force energy (and still he gathered it) was taking its toll on his body, exacerbating his diseases and maladies. "This endeavor will be the death of me. This is a certainty." He muttered darkly to himself, his cane gently tapping against the ground. He tried to push that thought from his mind. There were more pressing issues at the moment. Setting his jaw, his strides grew longer - and he made his way to the domed auxiliary council building, typically used by the local government of Theed for small meetings, but appropriated by Arcturus; for today at least.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Silently, grim faced, Arcturus Utan Sorrows walked into the domed meeting hall of the auxiliary council building, pausing only for the barest of seconds to take in the sight before him. Marble tile, cool and glossy, sent Arcturus' footsteps echoing through the chamber. The ceiling high above, towering some twenty meters overhead, a perfect dome of wood, bronzium, and occasional transparisteel slits for light - sending hazy rays through the chamber, just enough to see by. Around the circumference of the dome, ten wooden seats, with a single eleventh seat prominently situated at the head of the circle. Above this eleventh seat was a red banner, patterned with a single golden flower in its centre. Across the arm of this chair, a matching red jacket, patterned with a similar flower. Behind the seat, on a pedestal, a sheathed sword: its hilt, yet again, patterned after the same flower.

It was, of course, the occupants of these various seats who were far more interesting.

In each seat, ten Firrerreo of various ages sat patiently. Several, three to be exact, were elderly - easily as old as the Count - while the rest were a collection of middle aged men and women. Only two where as young as Jashin, in their twenties. All wore robes of various colors, embroidered with designs and filigree; obviously of nobility and aristocracy. Behind each seated Firrerreo, two high grade battle droids, and, occasionally, an aide or attendant.

Silently, all waited for Arcturus to cross the breadth of the hall, don the jacket on the eleventh seat, and then to take his place at the head of the assembly. To Arcturus' right, a meek looking (nearly sickly) Firrerreo leaned forward to whisper in Arcturus' ear. Listening intently to the Firrerreo's words, Arcturus nodded his head after several seconds, waving the attendant away. Clearing his throat, the attendant stepped forward, addressing those gathered - his booming voice not fitting his mild appearance.

"Presenting the Patriarch of clan Rau, Arcturus Utan Sorrows." Intoned the attendant, gesturing to the cross looking Arcturus. "Now opening the floor to -"

"Enough of this ridiculousness! Explain yourself, now!" Interrupted one of the younger Firrerreo from his seat - his outburst drawing looks ranging from anger to amusement.

"Branch head Thanton, protocol must be obser -" Began the attendant, before being cut off yet again, this time by one of the elderly FIrrerreo.

"No. I agree with the young one; an immediate explanation is warranted - demanded even." Said the elderly Firrerreo, his fellow elders nodding in agreement.

"There was a situation. It required my immediate attention. Even now, the minor noble Jakk Ryder has remedied the situation." Explained Arcturus tiredly, waving a hand at the assembly's concerns.

“Tsalah!” Cursed the young Firrerreo, Thanton.

“Peace, Thanton. Allow someone with more tact - and more patience - to address the Patriarch.” Soothed the older Firrerreo, Airon. Shaking his head, bowing slightly to Arcturus, Airon continued onward. “Forgive the young one, he has yet to learn the arts of grace and tact. Our issue is not with the mobilization of one of our assassins, or the remedy of the situation…but of the future of the Heir Apparent himself. We, the heads of the family branches have overlooked the…conduct…of this self proclaimed “Jashin”. We ask, and even demand, that he brought into alignment with the rest of the clan. He has rejected us at every turn. Thus we implore you. Such is only natural of individuals in our position: we can, by tradition and right, make only a singular claim to force a Patriarch’s hand. Which is -“

“To ensure the Clan’s continuation.” Finished Arcturus, still very tired. For a long time, silence reigned as Arcturus closed his eyes, and pondered the whole of it. The fact his death was imminent wasn’t lost on him, or anyone else in the room. Eventually he raised his hand, and those gathered leaned forward slightly, to take in his proclamation. “I will address the Clan, and self-named “Jashin” simultaneously. He arrives soon, and all matters will be addressed at once. This…will likely be my last address.” Rising, Arcturus and his aide slowly walked out of the hall; amidst whispers that flurried back and forth between those seated. All, of course, expected him to abdicate, but so soon? And to such a rash and ill-suited heir? Arcturus only walked forward, his mouth set into a grim line, contemplating what he would say once the recess was concluded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Stalwart-class freighter slowly slid down from the grasp of the clouds, circling several times before gently alighting on a landing pad of one of the auxiliary council buildings in Theed. The ramp lowering, coolant hissing, Arcturus himself, his aide, and two deadly looking battle droid guards waited on the pad for the occupants to disembark. Jakk, sitting back in his seat in the cockpit, pinching the bride of his nose, only shook his head. "This will be extremely unpleasant." He muttered, in his signature deadpan.

It had been four days, and in that time Jashin had awoken, and had done his best to get out of his restraints, incapacitate Jakk, and take control of the ship. This had largely ended in failure, due to Jakk continuing to stun Jashin when he wasn't aware: Jashin seeming to have a wide blind spot for Jakk's ambushes. Now, approaching Jashin in the cargo hold, a wide smile on his face, Jakk held his hands up in surrender. "Ok, Jashy boy...I'm just going to let you out of these binders...can we not have any violence? Maybe a nice little talk?"

The second the binders were off, a fist landed squarely in Jakk's face. Unceremoniously, the force of the punch sent Jakk reeling backward, and tumbling down the ramp to the feet of Arcturus and aide - Ryder clutching his broken nose as blood streamed down between his fingers.

"Son of a Kath Hound! You stinking little karking weasel, I'll skin you and use your skin as a condom while I -" The curses flowed then, as Jashin walked down the ramp, rather intent to stomp or punch the life out of Jakk. He paused, though, when he saw the man at the bottom of the ramp. Feeble looking, old, the Weeping Lord looked nothing like he had imagined. Only the saber at his belt and his gleaming silver cane hinted at the man's identity. For a long moment the two stared at each other, before Jashin smirked, and gestured widely. "Hiya grandpa, aren't you going to give me a hug? URK -" Jashin's words were cut short, as he was forcibly dragged forward by the collar - the elderly Firrerreo's force grip still rather potent, even in his advanced age.

Held aloft before the passive face of Arcturus, the elderly Firrerreo slowly brought his cane up, resting the tip of it between Jashin's eyes. "Drago, son of Dante, grandson to me, Arcturus. You have much to explain." Hissed Arcturus, before slowly lowering the cane.

"That's not, my name!" Gurgled Jashin, his feet trying to find purchase on the ground.

"Be that as it may, you will give an explanation. And you will attend the Clan meet." Said Arcturus mildly, dropping Jashin to the ground.

"I don't fear you, old man!" Jashin grated out hoarsely, rubbing his throat. "I'll go where I please. I'm exile, and you can't tell me what to do."

"I figured you would say as much. Which is why I brought Shizune along." Replied Arctuus impassively, tapping his cane on the ground impatiently.

"I...you...what? She's here? Good GODS man, what have you done!?" Spluttered Jashin, scrabbling backward on the ground, attempting to get up and run.

"I did what was necessary. Reuniting you with your wife seemed the best way to...motivate you. You'll be safe as long as you quickly and promptly sequester yourself in the meeting room, where she can't reach you. Otherwise..." Arcturus trailed off, before chuckling to himself, shaking his head. "Well...you know first hand what will happen. Or do you need more scars?"

With that , Arcturus turned on his heel, attendant trailing, leaving only the battledroids to watch over Jashin. Not that Jashin was very coherent at the moment. Eyes darting about, his hand on his weapon, he clamored to his feet, before spinning around in circles, practically gibbering. "Where is she? In the trees? In the sky? She's watching us this very second. I know it. I can smell the sulfur rising from Bogan!"

*Sin had done what she could in attempts to calm Jashin and be as reassuring as she could. But there was alot of cursing, and alot of other things done and said that she thought would happen at this point. It was a long trip, and she hoped things would be cleared up when they got back to Naboo. She was weary, hadn't slept much and was frustrated by Jashin's refusal to just calm down for a while.

When the last fight broke out on the ramp, she shakes her head and starts to follow. Maybe just maybe he would listen and not kill Jakk. She jumped between Jashin and Jakk, but nothing ever came of the two's words, as Arctucus was there. And Jashin's focus switched to that of his Grandpa. She breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe at last an explanation would be given to Jashin. Maybe at last all of this could be over and things could finally calm down. She leaned against the base of the ramp and breathed a large sigh of relief.

She looked up to Jashin and Artucus watching and listening to their exchange. So far nothing had come up, then he mentions some name, that she'd never heard. But it was clear it meant something to Jashin. Then he said it. "Wife" Wife? It was like a fire exploded inside her. She felt hotter then she ever had, pushing off the hydraclic ramp cylinder she'd been leaning on, the runes on her skin flared to life. Her vision narrowed, and darkness roiled off her stronger then her own Aura ever before. But before she even took two steps, Zalor was between her and them.*

Out. Of. My. Way. I will skin the Sheb'la myself. Feed him piece by piece to Te'oma's Rancor. Then burn the pile of poodoo it turns him into.

*Through the rage she felt, and the powers of the runes she didn't understand, she felt like she couldn't even control her own body, taking another step forwards, her hands reached to her opposite shoulders to grab at the hilts of her and starts to draw them the sound of metal sliding along the sheaths ring in her ears. But before she can even do that... binders latched to her wrists. Jakk. The bastard. Her voice an animalistic snarl.*

Let me go. Now!

"No can do princess." Princess. It only served to feed the rage building inside her. She spun, moving to kick her left leg right at Jakk's face, they would not stop her. She would give him what for for leaving out such an important piece of information. Stringing her along. She would fight anyone who got in her way. And right now that was Jakk and Zalor.*

After finally reaching and landing again in Theed, the lethan twi'lek decided to stay behind in the cockpit to guide the ship through the rest of the landing procedure. She flushed the coolant system, cycled the 02 cylinders, vented out the thrusters and slowly drained the power system. As she did so, she took two copies of the navigational charts. The first she altered to remove all the previous flight paths the freighter had taken, while leaving the overall information regarding the astral drifts of celestial bodies intact. This copy she would upload to the holonet to update the publicly accessible astronavigational charts. The second copy she left unaltered, for her own personal records. She was curious as to what this ship had been previously used for. Most people would just see a normal freighter, but she knew better. She had recognized all the upgrades and modifications. This freighter was sporting some serious tech. Of course, she wouldn't mention this to anyone. She knew better than that.

Finally, once the ship had been properly shut down, she stood up and grabbed her pack as she headed toward the boarding ramp to join with the others. By the time she got there, Jakk was on the ground clutching a bleeding nose, Sin was handcuffed and fuming with hatred, Zalor was doing his best to keep her under control, and Jashin was laughing at Jakk. Clearly, she had missed something. Fortunately, Jashin made it pretty clear why Sinina was practically boiling over with rage. He had neglected to tell her that he was married. That scumbag. Even as flirty as her own fiancée was, he at least didn't lead girls on. Tanara walked up to the Echani woman and gently put a hand on her shoulder.

"Easy girlfriend, now's not the time to flay him, and since he's stronger than he looks, an indirect approach would work better. Plus, I doubt that wife of his would be thrilled to hear he's been less than honourable with his intentions and actions. What do you say you and me go find her, and then the three of us can make Jashin regret his decisions. Us girls gotta stick together."

She could feel Zalor's eyes locking onto her and giving her a scolding gaze. She turned to face him and shrugged. "Don't give me that look Zalor, if this were Vincent we were talking about, I'd probably cut off his manbits. You can't toy with a girl's heart and not expect retribution. If Sayra were here, you think she'd tell you any different?"

*Sin did not enjoy having her hands binded behind her head and crossed over each other as they were, but at the same time, hearing the satisfying crunch of Jakks nose beneath her boot made her lips curl into a feral smile, maybe he wouldn't think she was such a princess now. The young woman settling into a lower stance, ready to pounce again a low guttural growl emanating from her throat. Then she heard laugher, and she spun on Jashin, he was laughing, which only made her angrier. She still wanted to skin him alive, but between him and her, there was still a Zalor firmly in the way, and her hands behind her.

She doubted she could face a jedi on a good day no less bound, but her rage clouded mind couldn't see that fact. It was ready to charge through Zalor to Jashin behind. She could feel herself sinking deeper and deeper into the storm inside and she couldn't seem to stop herself, her body sank lower, every muscle in her body preparing for the pounce and strike to kill, much akin to a lioness about to strike the unsuspecting gazelle. And just as her body was about to spring into action,
a hand gently falls onto her shoulder, all attention departed from Zalor as her body spins, the coiled energy in her legs releasing, her body coming back upwards,
as if to headbutt the Twi'lek woman.

"Easy Girlfriend..."

The words catching her off guard, and for some unknown reason the errent headbutt never finished, the energy that was releasing sort of just fizzles out and Sin comes to a stop staring into Tanara's, her silver eyes almost seemed to look murky as though a cloud had drifted over them, and she stared, for a long moment.
Her eyes closed, and she shakes her head slowly and the sound of metal is again heard, her hands still on the hilts, not really able to let go, lets them slide down back into the sheaths instead of their partly unsheathed state.

She turns on a heel, and walks towards Jashin, the high regal stride that he'd have first seen when they met on Naboo, as would the tone of her voice carry the accent of a High Nubian Noble, she rattled off the long title of her Guardians, and the last several generations as well.*

But, given such title as my Guardians carried. I am not considered a true noble, being not of a direct blood relation to them, thus marrying me off would not gain them any social advantage in the Court. So instead I was sent only to boring drabble of courses on Diplomatic Strategy. Diplomatic Camps. And such related boring sleep through it all and go home nonsense. Married...

*She turned back away from him again, her shoulders falling, her eyes closing again as she walked back towards Tanara, hips rolling,
and her movements changed back down to more of a pirates stance then a Noble, and from her lips proceeded to spill a long list of insults that would make the slimiest of Hutts blush in embarassment, ending in one of her most common retorts.*

...Di'kut.

*Her head turns to fall on Zalor again. A silver eyebrow raised.*

I do believe you underestimate the things I can conjure.

Jashin was somewhat befuddled as to why this was exactly an issue. The Twi'lek woman, and then Sinina herself, acting rather strangely - though the Jedi, Zalor, seemed more amicable to it all. No doubt he had the training needed to understand alien cultures and customs. Oddly enough, this endeared the man to him, if only by the most minute amount. In the end, it was tiring not being around his own species; and it looked like whatever potential for pleasurable company there was in Sinina, had faded in the realization that he was married.

"...Di'kut."

"Tsalah beht." Jashin replied without pause, shrugging in response. Roughly translated, it equated to "foolish woman." They were, after all, in his eyes, being rather humanocentric. Why did he have to conform to their ideas of normalcy? His wife, no doubt, was even now galavanting around with some lower class Firrerreo laborer. The very idea that they were going to go and find her and inform her of his dalliances - it was laughable. Indeed, the greatest amount of consternation would be that he was attempting to consort with an outworlder. Even so, Jashin suddenly found himself...wearied. He had spent many years trying to avoid this particular fate, and now, for better or for worse, he was trapped. The will of his family wouldn't be ignored.

"Speaking of which...here it comes now."

A pair of V-2 Commando battle droids steadily made their way towards the landing pad. Gilded in chromium and electrum, the regal-looking droids were nonetheless sporting thick armor and what looked to be nasty looking heavy blaster rifles. Between the droids, the same meek looking attendant from earlier; the second individual was a woman - a woman who instantly had Jashin backing up. Lean, sleek, the woman had the toned form of a predator, and didn't so much as walk, but stalked across to the landing pads. Armed with a pistol and blade, similar to Jashin, she was dressed in tightly fitted robes, modest in construction and color, and, though they highlighted her femininity in cut, were still functional garments - allowing for a full range of motion in conjunction with her durasteel plated combat boots and bracers. Functional, precise, with no more and no less than what the job required - as was expected of Shizune Deo, one of the Carta's top assassins. More than her dress, though, was her presence. Silver eyes narrowed, fists clenched, her short raven and silver duo-toned hair billowing, the curses streaming from her lips were audible even from this distance.

"You! Whoring with alien women? I mean really, Jashin! Outworlders? Why don't you just fornicate with a Jawa, and get it over with. Disgusting! Who knows what diseases they have." Spat Shizune, a would be soft and highborn voice twisted in Firrerreo rage. At her side, the aide cringed visibly, the distinctly un-ladylike barrage of insults seeming to physically distress him.

"That's all you've got? You're slipping in the insults department sweetheart." Replied Jashin, voice dripping with acid. "And you're one to talk; it was some kind of trick you pulled explaining how a Zygerrian wound up in your closet!"

"Trick? Trick? Here's a trick for you: put a baby in me! Or do you not have the Thalas to make it with your own species!" Shizune retorted, making a rather rude and widely known gesture for impotency.

"Tsalah bethorev nesset!" Hissed Jashin in response. The aide at Shizeune's side seemed to grow pale at the words, and Shizune herself went deep silver, beginning to reach for the pistol at her side - Jashin simultaneously doing the same - before all involved were interrupted by Jakk, his nose having healed due to his healing factor.

Inserting himself between the two, he laughed nervously, patting the air. "Ahah, well, isn't this pleasant? Jedi, may I present Baroness Shizune Deo, would be wife of Rau Drago. If he were to, uh, consummate their union. You can imagine the strain that puts on a marriage. Please excuse their less than noble behavior. I'm sure Lord Sorreaux would be most displeased." Spoke Jakk hurriedly, emphasizing the last part to the angry couple. Slowly, the two holstered their respective weapons, though it was obvious to a Gammorean that tensions still ran high. Clearing his throat, Jakk inclined his head to the aide at Shizune's side, who quickly came forward.

"I, ah, eh, heh...yes, quite. That is to say, Patriarch of Clan Rau, the Lord Sorreaux, wishes for the Jedi Zalor to bear witness and give testament, if he is so willing. The presence of the Echani and Twi'lek is not permissible by our laws. The Baron, Baroness, and the Jedi shall proceed swiftly to the main chamber. Such deliberations are delicate - and we have already taken steps not to be disturbed by holding them here on Naboo, a fellow neutral world." The aide trailed off, his stream of words, though to a bumpy start, seemed to restore a fair amount of confidence in the man. "Will the Jedi be willing?'