Ask Raxus New Horizons

[Kalique Baize]

Lightening the mood worked, and so her soft smile soon spread into a genuine grin. "Even after I kicked your ass in archery?" she couldn't help but to tease. She knew the wound was somewhat fresh but she phrased it in the most playful way possible.

"I'm not trying to get rid of you...I was just thinking it would make sense. We would make it work. The commute isn't that long". Even if he said he'd stay on Raxus with her, she wasn't sure whether it made most sense. They could definitely both commute every now and then, but as his stubbornness was bleeding into his answer right here, she didn't push it any further for now.

Instead, she softly reached out to cup his cheek before she leaned in and softly kissed him. It wasn't hard to tell better now that it was off his chest, but she knew it would keep him occupied for a while. Both of them, actually.

For now though, she kept her swirling thoughts in the back of her mind and focused on the presence, on him, instead. She'd only pull back after a moment, her emerald gaze meeting his light brown eyes again. "Are you tired?" she then softly asked, knowing that they both had come from an exhausting week.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

"Especially after you kicked my ass in archery." he said with another laugh.

It did make some sense, but there were other things to consider that just made the most logical sense. He let himself be pulled into the kiss, returning it before resting his forehead on hers. "What about what you want?" he asked.

"Forget what makes the most logistical sense for a minute. Would you even want to live on Spintiir?" he asked. He honestly hadn't thought about them both moving here, just him spending time away to help out here before returning. "Does me retiring interfere with your plans?" he asked. It mattered to him. This would affect her in at least small ways.

Physically, he was tired, but his brain moved through different scenarios. He knew he likely wouldn't sleep much, or at least for a while. "We probably should try to sleep, at least.." he said finally. They were likely in for a long day tomorrow.

 

[Kalique Baize]

She couldn't help but join in on the laughter while it brought back the lightheartedness. He suddenly returned the question though and asked for what she wanted, and at first she simply wanted to avoid the question as she was used to putting other needs first or simply going for the logical choice, but obviously he wasn't going to relent there.

She didn't hesitate with her answer, actually having made up her mind about that already, but maybe she was even a little surprised by how easy it was to answer it:"I do". Even if Raxus was her current home and even if she had grown up on Serenno, Spintir had always felt like a piece of actual home right after her first visit.

She really didn't want to return to Serenno out of several reasons, but Raxus clearly wasn't the forever home either. It made sense when you worked in the headquarter all day, but it was no place to settle. "I can't think of a better place I'd want to settle down in" she truthfully replied, meeting his gaze.

"It doesn't interfere with my plans. We had great years on Raxus, why not starting something anew?" th thought was exciting, yet obviously the unknown and changes always brought about many fears and doubts, too. "As long as I'm with you, I'm ready for whatever. I love it here, so why not?".

Duties would keep bringing her to Raxus, but she had lots of leverage to make it fit even if she wasn't in the Capital so often. Right now, it wasn't work that was mainly on her mind though, it was the prospect of a life on Spintir. "You know...your mom wasn't really subtle in dropping her hints, but that's just another reason why I like the idea. This is a beautiful place to start a family and you know...I'm looking forward to it".

Her warm smile just brightened as she voiced that thought - it was something that recently came up rather often, and perhaps also something they need to discuss, and where, when not here? Change was surely on the horizon, but he raised a valid point with sleep. "Perhaps we should, but I do believe we have some more time...". This here was more important, and despite the serious topics, the conversation was pleasant.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

He nodded his head as she spoke, listening intently. They would have to look into this a bit more, then. "Maybe I could show you some of the possible build sites tomorrow. See what you think," he added. They obviously had a ton of planning ahead of them, regardless of where they lived or what happened.

He sighed, giving her an apologetic look. "I am sorry about that.." he said, apologizing for his mother earlier. "She can be...well..you know her. She means well..." he said. It still wasn't fair to put that pressure on them, specifically Kali, like that.

Emotions swirled inside her to hear her talk about the possibility of having a family. "We haven't really talked about that possibility before, or at least in any real depth," he said. He agreed he wasn't ready to turn in just yet, and now his mind moved even faster. He sat back up, wrapping an arm around her again.

"You know I would never want you to feel pressured into something like that, right?" he asked. It perhaps wasn't the most logical time to even think about such things, but maybe this was a theme of this trip, what they wanted, not what was smart. "Is a family something you really want at some point?" he asked.

 

[Kalique Baize]

"Absolutely...I'd love to" Build sites though...so he had already put some thought into this all. She couldn't help but smile as she wondered what he had in mind already.

She loved the seemingly endless fields around and she was certain he knew the area well. They surely had the finances to afford this, so she was falling in love with the idea more and more, especially because she continously noticed how well it felt to be here.

"Don't be" she dismissively waved of his concern as they both knew her parents were way worse with...everything. He was right about how they had never really settled on a set year or plan, but for her it had been an unspoken truth for quite a while that a family was a future step.

As he once again emphasized that he really didn't want to create any kind of pressure, she shook her head again. "I know, but no, I honestly couldn't imagine something more beautiful". Kalique ten years ago would have given a different answer, but with everything that had changed throughout the years, she was absolutely looking forward to it.

"I've told you already today, but I have to say it again: You'll be an amazing father". She had never met anymore loving, caring or devoted, so she had no doubts about how she'd want this. "It's not that we have to rush it...but I'm loving the prospects of this new start". Perhaps it was what they even needed. Spintir, another move, and whatever else the future held for them. "What about you though?".

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

He knew it would take a lot more than an over-eager grandmother to be fluster the woman, but he was relieved to hear it from her.

The conversation filled him with joy, smothering the dark thoughts from earlier. The moment felt too pivotal for the quiet porch, steady rain continuing to fall, but it was perfect in every way.

He pulled her closer, skin almost vibrating with the prospects of the future. He agreed that they had time, and there was no need to rush into anything, but they had taken the first step in a whole new direction. "I wouldn't even consider with anyone else. With you though? I want nothing more..." he said honestly. She was kind, brave, strong, wise, and an infinite number of other things that would make her the best mother this Galaxy had seen.

The swing slowly creaked as they moved back and forth. "You know...we have come a long way since that mission on Endor..." he said, he said recalling how the feelings of attraction had already started forming there. It felt like looking back on another's life. "Do you ever think about how crazy that is? Meeting on a such a random planet on the literal other side of the Galaxy?" he asked quietly. Their mission had meant almost nothing, the planet had soon been allowed to leave the Empire shortly after, and yet it had been one of the most pivotal moments of his life.

 

[Kalique Baize]

His genuine words literally warmed her heart from the inside. It was an ability of him she had always found hard to grasp, but he had always possessed a way that she found mesmerizing. He always seemed to know exactly what to say to touch her from the inside and even if the atmosphere was filled with so much pleasant positivity, she felt her heartbeat accelerating.

She softly leaned against him, the soft swinging rather soothing, and yet many thoughts swirled through her mind. He mentioned Endor again and she simply loved reveling in those fond memories with him. "I know...it's absolutely crazy that this mission brought us together the first time". He had been just a Lieutenant, she just a Knight. What were the odds of the two of them meeting?

She wasn't superstitious at all, but sometimes she liked to believe the Force had had its part in it. "We've been a great team from day one....but the encounter on Raxus was also such a coincidence. I can't believe we had our first actual date in that restaurant" they had gotten along so well and even if she'd never forget the food out of...well, other reasons, their shared afternoon had been a blast.

Ever since, they had always made it worked, regardless of what challenged they had to face, but after having been somewhat stuck in the same place for a while, the new path ahead was incredibly exciting. "Have you ever wanted to have a boy or a girl specifically? I know that many make up their minds about that eventually...". The question just spontaneously occurred to her and she couldn't help but ask, excited for his answer.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

"Coincidence? I seem to remember someone attacking me in the Gym..." he said lightheartedly as he bumped her slightly. "I mean, it was the perfect date location. The food, the atmosphere...the company?" he said with a smile. "You never stood a chance, Demici." he joked.

Obviously, he was joking; it had been a bit of a disaster, and he had not even really viewed it as a date at that time, but it was clearly their first. He let those fond memories roll over him as they sat together.

Her next question caught him a little off guard. "Hrrm.." he said, thinking it over for a minute. Obviously, when it came down to ti, he didn't care either way. "Why not both..." he said with a quiet chuckle. He had honestly never really thought about it before. "I think I would want a girl first..." he finally said. He didn't offer much further of an explanation, mostly because he didn't have one. That would just felt more...right to him?

"What about you?" he asked. "Is it too early to ask about your favorite name choice?" he added a few seconds later. "...Just so I know what I am getting into. The Demici's don't have some horrendous family name like...Balastifieth or something you are going to try and force on me?" he joked, clearly making the name up by jamming sounds together.

 

[Kalique Baize]

"Hey now! This is only did after I randomly found you there...and also, the look on your face was priceless" she added with a soft chuckle as they kept reminiscing. She had literally fought to keep the food down, but the afternoon had still been amazing.

She then excitedly awaited his reply, but while he took some time to think, she did the same. She wasn't entirely sure as she had always thought girls were more difficult than boys, but the recent past had shown her that wasn't even the case. "I'm...not sure. I can see both...perhaps my tendency says a boy first though" she still truthfully shared her opinion, simply going with her gut feeling without having actual arguments.

As he presented his jokingly concerned question, she obviously couldn't help but join in on it. "Now that sounds horrendous...no, obviously it would have to be classier, like Bartholomew or Archimedes". She triednto keep a straight face, but broke into a chuckle just a few moments later.

Despite the playfulness, it did unavoidably remind her of her family's name and how it had lost every meaning to her. Serenno was dead to her, her family disgraced thanks to her cousin and other nobles over there and for Kalique, the chapter had been long closed anyway. Still, whenever someone adressed her as Knight-Captain Demici, she was somewhat painfully reminded of it all.

"I think we still have enough time to settle on names" she thus added after a moment, kissing his cheek. "How about laying down? I'm afraid we'll loose ourselves in an all night conversation if we were to continue brainstorming". The rainfall still hadn't stopped, but she was optimistic that the next day would bring better weather.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

"Oh yeah?" he said as she said she might like a boy first. "They will be perfect regardless.." he said with a smile.

As she moved to names, he gave a heavy eye roll and sighed. "Maybe you should be off the naming committee." he joked. "I would be so hard choosing between all of those incredibly classy names...I just don't want it to be a burden for you." he continued lightheartedly. Conversation faded after that, Jon assuming it was just another pleasant lull, not realizing the pain her past brought her.

"I suppose so." he agreed as her lips brushed against his beard. The conversation had left him a mix of peaceful and ecstatic for the future. He felt full of energy as she suggested they try to get some rest. He could easily sit out here and talk with her all night, but they had made a commitment to help out the next day, so her suggestion was responsible.

"Alright, you are probably right. " he finally agreed out loud. He moved to stand but stopped himself and placed a hand on her leg. "Thank you." he said quietly, looking over at her. "I love you." he said with a slight smile on his face.

They would make their way back inside to his old room, turned guest room, and begin getting ready for bed. As the lights turned off, he found himself staring at the ceiling, a thousand possibilities running through his head. He couldn't help but smile at all of them.

 

[Kalique Baize]

He was absolutely right. Gender didn't matter, but she did have an idea: "We could always bet on it...but you know...maybe the Force is an unfair advantage". She didn't really know whether that was a thing or not, but she figured she'd learn soon enough...generally experiencing pregnancy through the Force was surely an interesting experience and while she found the thought thrilling, she was also definetely looking forwards to it.

"Wow, that's mean...I was about to suggest I just open the records of all names used in all those generations. I'm sure we'll find some gems". This thought did amuse her...she knew her great-great-aunt had been called Claudette-Erwina-Serafina - a long ass name, but once it was stuck in your head, good luck getting it out. She figured it was funnier to bring it back up in a few days though, basically just out of nowhere confronting him with the name and a straight face. She was looking forward to it.

"A habit of mine" she playfully quipped as he agreed with her, before she was budging to get up, but he stopped her momentarily. "You're very welcome" she softly replied, "and I love you, too". She then pressed her head against his chest as she wrapped her arms around him, briefly enjoying the proximity before they both moved back inside.

It wasn't super late, but they'd get up early, so they stuck to the night time routine and soon laid down. The house was still cozily warm and she snuggled up against him while she tried to quiet her mind. The conversation had been quite throught-provoking and so she reveled in countless scenarios before she actually decided to enter a meditative state to speed up the process of falling asleep. It was pure calmness that radiated off her and she was hoping it would affect him soon enough, before she was drifting off a little while later.

Given that fall was approaching, it wasn't getting light outside that early, so what woke her were a few relatively quiet clattering noises from the kitchen. Undoubtedly, his parents were already up and preparing breakfast so if Jon was still in the bed by then, she'd quickly roll over before she'd softly say, "Good morning".

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

A thousand thoughts ran through his mind as Kali drifted off to sleep. He envied her ability to still herself, but he knew she had earned those skills through years of meditation. Jon was a planner, and he couldn't help but run through scenario after scenario for at least an hour after she fell asleep.

Sometime later, he, too, drifted away into sleep. He awoke when she rolled over, blinking his eyes open, his head turned on the pillow to face her. "Mornin'" he said quietly with a small, tired smile, his voice barely a rumble. He was warm and comfortable; the last thing he wanted to do was get up, but with a groan, he forced himself up.

Splashing some water on his face helped a little as he started to get ready. Sylvia left some clothes out for Kali if she needed work-appropriate clothing. Jon had some clothes here already, changing into shirt, flannel, and jeans.. A few minutes later, they were making their way downstairs towards the kitchen.

"Good Morning." Jon spoke as they entered, seeing both of his parents at the table. "Coffee is hot." his mother said with a smile. "Sleep well?" she asked Kali as she entered.

Jon made his way to the coffee pot and pulled two cups out. He looked back at her, making sure she wanted one, but assumed she did. He would hand her a cup a moment later before sitting down. He took a sip of the hot coffee, finally starting to wake up. "I'm gonna go take a look at that tractor, and then I'll take a look at the fence in the south pasture. It looked [pretty beat up on our way in yesterday," he said, looking at Cal.

"Yeah, one of the bulls decided he didn't like it a few weeks back, and without the tractor..." he said with a sigh. "You know how stuff can just pile up," he said.

 

[Kalique Baize]

Kalique had no issues with getting up when woken, but she couldn't deny laying there with him was oddly comfortable. They had work to do though, and so she immediately rolled out of bed and put on the working clothes Sylvia had put out for her. Kalique's usual working attire wasn't the best for farm work, so she was grateful for the supplied clothes.

Once in the kitchen, Kalique greeted his parents warmly, "Good morning". Coffee was already prepared, as always, and she was grateful for a freshly poured cup. "We did...the rain in the background was a pleasant backdrop". She felt well rested, but the coffee would help shake the tiny rest of the tiredness.

They sat down and discussed plans, so as Cal and Jon got engaged in the tractor conversation, she turned to Sylvia. "Can I assist you with anything?" she asked her curiously. She wouldn't be able to do much with the tractor, but Sylvia knew that Kali could make herself useful in many areas, thanks to the Force.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

Jon glanced over as she offered to help Syliva before turning back to the conversation about the tractor and what exactly was going wrong with it.

"Well..." Sylvia said, her first instinct was to tell her nothing, but she wasn't about to have that argument again. "There is some creature that keeps burrowing in the garden and getting to the plants there. Its already taken out almost an entire row of carrots. You could help flush it out?" she asked.

Jon picked up his cup. "Sounds like y'all have some fun planned. I'll be out in the barn." he said, leaning down and kissing the top of Kali's hair before making for the door. "See you in a bit." he said as he exited.

"So, you ready?" Syl asked her, finishing off her coffee.

 

[Kalique Baize]

Kalique could read those familiar features - there were probably plenty of tasks, but she still wasn't sure about them helping at all, but this time, she didn't argue after all. "Of course! I can track and remove them" she offered, a warm smile crossing her lips.

"All right, good luck you too!" they then said their goodbyes and Kali threw Jon another happy smile before she followed Sylvia into the garden. The morning air was fresh and the sun hung low on the horizon, but they immediately got started.

Kalique soon crossed the fields while she made out a few underground rodents. Sensing them wasn't hard, and their little holes were everywhere, so with the Force she located them, softly knocked them out and then gently levitated them out into the open. She wasn't convinced that killing them was necessary, so she asked for a crate and then drove them far away, onto a wild acre a few miles away.

It was land no one owned and it were mainly weeds and grasses that grew there, so it was the perfect place for them to relocate. By the time she was back, there were a few other tasks she could help Sylvia with while the men were seemingly busy elsewhere. The morning thus passed rather quickly and past noon, they were back in the house for a moment for a snack. Sylvia had assumed the men would return soon enough, so until then they had a pleasant chat in the kitchen.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

Jon took a deep breath as he stepped outside, the cool morning air refreshing in his lungs. The thoughts of the previous night's conversation swirled inside of him. The rain had cleared out; overhead white clouds were pushed along quickly by the autumn breeze.

The barn looked almost identical to when he had left over ten years ago, except it had run into some disrepair. As much as his parents said they were fine, the signs of them falling behind were everywhere. It didn't surprise them they hadn't asked for help; they were prideful people. As he ran a hand along one of the old boards, he made a vow to help get this place back into its original condition. It would take a lot of work, but this was important.

Walking inside, he found the old tractor sitting there, some parts already taken off where his father had likely started and had to stop to move on to other things. He placed a hand on the old machine, scanning it before climbing on and trying to start it. The engine rattled, making a violent clunking sound before Jon stopped. "That doesn't sound good..." he said, scratching at his beard as he thought about what could be causing it.

Picking up the old toolbox, he got to work. He let himself get absorbed in his work, at some point getting warm and shedding the outside flannel shirt. He found his mind working through things as his hands worked on the machine. Perhaps this is a small part of what Kali felt when she meditated.

Time got away from him, and as Kali moved inside, Jon continued to work. Removing pieces, cleaning, and examining them for defects. "Almost there..." he said to himself, totally wrapped up in his work.

 

[Kalique Baize]

Kalique had a pleasant chat with his mom before both women gained the certainty about how Jon was still somewhat swallowed by work. "I'll go have a look" she told Sylvia with a grin after she finished her coffee, grabbing one cup for Jon before she made her way to the barn.

Even she noticed that from the outside, a few renovations could be made. She knew it was likely that it wasn't a financial issue, but more of a time issue, but Kalique had some ideas. They could definitely need help, and even if they would never admit it, perhaps Jon and Kali could offer some.

She didn't have to call him, as she immediately sensed his familiar, now fully calm presence in the back part of the barn, right where the old tractor was parked. She approached him slowly a warm smile on her lips as the sight was surely something to behold. "Look at you...that's kinda hot, I can't deny that" she couldn't help but notice as she squatted down and offered the cup, her lips curling into a smirk before she kissed his cheek.

"Did you make progress?". She had always found his mechanic, crafty skills impressive, and this tractor wasn't a high tech vehicle that could be fixed with a software diagnostic, but it required actual skills. It looked like he had done a lot already, but she wondered whether he was close, knowing that she wasn't the best at assessing such things.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

Jon had rolled up his sleeves, hands, and arms covered in various mechanical fluids from his work. He hadn't heard Kali approach but managed not to jump when she rounded the corner of the tractor. He chuckled at her comment. "Dirt and grease your thing, huh?" he said, reaching up and smudging a thumb across her cheek.

Still sitting on the ground, half underneath the tractor, he picked up a rag and started wiping off his hands before he took the cut from her. "Thank you," he said, taking the cup and taking a drink.

He stood with a bit of groan, not noticing how long he had been at it. "I think so. It needed a good bit of work but I think I got it working again for now. It will probably need a new part or two." he said.

Jon took the keys and tossed them to her. "Want to see if she starts?" he asked. He would climb up behind her, standing on the step beside her chair. "Its pretty easy.." he said, explaining where the gas, break, and movement control were. "Just don't hit the barn...I...definitely have never done that before.." he said, thinking back to a time when he was a kid and had driven through the back wall.

 

[Kalique Baize]

"Well..." she didn't even know it was a thing for her, but apperently, it definitely was. "Heeey" she playfully complained as he just smudged her, but he wiped her cheek soon after as well. She stood back up as he did the same, he'd gaze roaming across the tractor, but from the outside, everything seemed rather fine.

She fully trusted his judgment, but as he mentioned potentially needing new parts and still tossed her the keys, she raised a brow in slight concern. "You think...this is still safe?" there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice, even if the prospect of trying it excited her.

"Alright..." she still climbed in with him and intently listened to his instruction before she let out a soft sigh. "They can't go fast, right?", she wanted to reassure herself before she'd meet his gaze again. Putting the keys in wasn't difficult, and after a moment, it sprang on with quite some noises.

"That's...normal, isn't it?" a slight chuckle escaped her while she confidently grabbed the steering wheel and carefully tested the gas pedal. "Doesn't respooo-woaah". And with that, the tractor started rather aggressive, shooting them forwards a little before she immediately hit the break.

"Okay I found the sweet spot" she amusedly declared before she turned the wheel and tried much more carefully this time. "So you once wrecked this poor barn, huh?" she was certain there was a story to it, so while she tested the old vehicle, she was curious for the story he had to share.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

He raised an eye brow. "I mean, is it safe? I guess that depends. I am sure the esteemed Imperial Knight will be alright, though." he smirked. "Imagine your Order finding out the famous Kalique Demici was done in by a farm tractor." he laughed at the thought. As she started the tractor, it shook several times, backfiring and sending out a small cloud of smoke.

"She was definitely not built for speed." he laughed. "Not to harrr...!!!" he was cut off as she floored it, and the tractor lurched forward, almost throwing him backward before she over-corrected and slammed on the brakes, almost sending him flying in front of them.

He managed to keep ahold of the tractor as he recovered, taking in a deep breath and pushing the hair out of his face. She then slowly started moving again as he glanced at her, trying to figure out if she had done that one purpose or not.

Jon pointed towards the door. "We can drive it around for a bit, make sure it stays running" he said, pointing toward the large door and the open field beyond. He gave her another glare when she brought up him, bringing up him hitting the bar. He let out a sigh; if he didn't tell her, his parents would, so he just decided to be done with it.

"Turn down this path" he said, pointing down a trail that led towards the back of the property. "Well, I forgot to take it out of reverse one time and drove it right through the back wall when I was 11. My dad was furious; I had to work all summer to repair the damages. When we return, you can still see the slightly newer boards where I drove through." he said, shaking his head.

She picked up driving pretty quickly; it was not a complicated machine. He led her down a couple of paths until they came out into a large open field with a massive tree nearby. There was a field here, but they could easily section off plenty of it to build as much as they wanted.

"So there are two spots on the property that would be great for building." he said as he motioned for her to slow down near a large tree. "This one is wide open. We would have a ton of space to build, maybe expand one day..." he said, glancing over at her.

When the tractor came to a stop, he would hop off, offering a hand up to her. "I used to play in this tree all the time when I was a kid, plus, you can't really beat that view" he said as he stared off towards the mountains in the distance.