Ask Out Of Retirement

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin was generally left alone by the Order for the most part. He checked in frequently, but he otherwise engaged in covert missions and lookouts to monitor Imperial activity. The Killik threat had him working double time and apparently there had been a rather fiery exchange between the Council and members of the Order. The Sephi returned to Jedi and Alliance space, now tasked with vetting Shadow prospects. He wasn’t entirely thrilled, but he knew it was necessary.

The Sephi took a break from those activities because of an unusual request. The Princess of Onderon, heir to the throne, had requested an audience with a Jedi. This wasn’t surprising considering the Jedi defense of her planet. However, for some reason she specifically wished to meet with a seasoned Jedi that had successfully led invasions against the Sith in the past. Very few Jedi had done that and lived to tell the tale, so Sevrin’s name came up.

The Princess’ mother came from a family that was known to Valtiere, and he felt a sense of duty considering those relationships and the fact that her father had died from a Sith attack. Sevrin made his way over at once, landing in Iziz.

He was adorned in crisp attire without a helmet that was not the usual Jedi rags, but also very distinctly symbolic of his role. His saberhilts were clipped on his hips. Sevrin cut an imposing figure and he overheard more than a few whispers about his slight resemblance to the ISC President as he made his way through the palace. By now, a lot of renovation had been done from the attack and he was led to a hall that was specifically used to entertain guests.

Sevrin arrived at the door, a droid having announced his presence. He quietly waited outside, his silver gaze icy and fixed ahead.

@llamallove

 

[Reyna Vernize]

There was no reason to suffer inhibition. There was a thousand reasons the Princess of Onderon might bade a member of the Jedi Order to the Royal Palace of Iziz, particularly when taking recent events into account. There were a thousands reasons she could give, excuses she could make, and lies she could spoon feed her elder brother, and as for the public—they need never know about this rendezvous, so long as her servants followed the instructions she had given them.

The Jedi the Order had hand-selected stood waiting in the west wing, the long and empty hallway lit only by the natural afternoon light streaming through French doors. Reyna descended the stairs, unhurried, one hand sliding along the hand-carved banister. She wore a light blue dress with bishop sleeves, sashes tied into a bow at the side of her waist. "You're punctual," she stated, eyes flicking to an old clock that hung on the wall, confident that he could perceive each tick of the second hand as clearly as she could.
It wasn't the most gracious welcoming, and certainly not one her mother would have approved of, but she offered the Jedi a practiced smile, solely for his benefit and the preservation of her status. "I didn't expect that from a Jedi." Off hand, it sounded like an insult, but there was no condescension in her voice. She was simply surprised and spoke her mind. From Cassian's description, the Jedi were practically hippies.

Reyna's entire demeanor was still, collected and impersonal as she observed him in the light, wondering if he had the etiquette to bow in greeting, and undecided whether she cared if he did or not. @Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin gave her a formal bow upon spotting her - a greeting he wouldn't have offered if he hadn’t renounced his titles. If he found her words to be insulting, his face certainly didn’t betray it. In fact, he had the bearing of a statue, though his eyes were piercing to an almost striking degree. As someone that no doubt heard countless crying about Emryc Thorne from her lover, she would find the eyes unsettlingly familiar.

“We are full of surprises,” He replied back just as dryly. He extended a hand to shake hers, “Jedi Master Sevrin Valtiere at your service,” Sevrin stated flatly, though inwardly he knew she would recognize the name. An affiliation he usually preferred to keep buried. Realizing that she was standing across from the heir of Thustra would be jarring for anyone, “My condolences for your loss,” He added, his face largely absent of any emotion.

Sevrin stepped back to allow her to lead the way for them to take a seat. He was familiar with palaces and royal residences - having grown up in the lap of luxury himself. He wasn’t intimidated by his surroundings and he carried himself with poise, hints of his past life always lingering with him. Sevrin glanced ahead of himself as he walked.

“May I ask why you requested a combat leading Jedi in particular?”

@llamallove

 

[Reyna Vernize]

Punctuality aside, it was the Jedi's unassuming confidence that was the most surprising. He stroke an imposing figure, standing upright in his dark robes, eyes penetrating and unwavering. They did not bounce, fixed on one inanimate object and then the next, with insecurity. There was an indifference in his manner that she wasn't accustomed to, particularly from men. He didn't fidget, unsure what to do with his arms. The Sephi looked as if he belonged, as if he'd lived within this palace his whole life and not in caves and renovated temples. There was a regal poise in his features that she'd noticed as soon as the sunlight fell on his face, and when he introduced himself, she would understand why.

Valtiere. The surname that had ruled Thustra for centuries. King Dresdien only had one heir, and that heir stood before her now. A prince, the heir to the throne of Thustra, masquerading as a Jedi in religious robes. The idea was more akin to a fairy tale than reality, but if she'd ever doubted the credibility of the scandal that had rocked Thustra, she could not now. It stood staring at her, flesh and bones.

Only another Sephi might pick up on the subtle signs of surprise, faint but evident in her eyes. This was the only sign of emotion she would betray, the only crack in her carefully crafted veil that kept her present but never entirely attainable to the public. Her thoughts swirled, but she said nothing. Only, "Thank you for coming, Master Jedi," her deeply ingrained etiquette kicking in as she allowed her hand to slip away from his.
Then her gaze drifted past him, over his shoulder, to the droid that stood in the doorway at the end of the hall. Weylin had replaced half of the palace's staff with droids since the death of their father. Droids were more efficient. More reliable. Or so he claimed. It was paranoia, most likely. Now there was never a moment that she didn't feel like she was being watched. Scrutinized. Every sound, every sight would be saved to the droid's internal memory and relayed to the King, if he ordered it. Father himself had never been so efficient at keeping tabs on her. "You're dismissed." This was one conversation she didn't want prying ears to listen in on.

Once they were alone, she motioned to the French doors, which led out into the garden. "Walk with me?" It really wasn't a question. They passed through the doorway, bathed in sunlight the moment they stepped outside. "I want someone capable," she then answered. "The best the Jedi have to offer." She never accepted anything less. Looking him up and down, as if challenging him and simultaneously judging for herself, she continued. "And are you? The best?" @Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin was inwardly surprised when Reyna dismissed her droids. It was a pleasant change of pace from the general distrust the public felt towards Jedi these days. The Sephi had to duck as they passed through the doors, a persistent habit from a lifetime of adapting to a galaxy not built for his height. His silver gaze scanned across the garden, always appreciating beauty like this. He was often surrounded by concrete jungles on dreary Imperial worlds.

He didn’t react immediately when Reyna spoke and asked her question, though the slightest hint of amusement danced in his eyes. Sevrin watched her gaze drop and rise as if appraising a toy, but his eyes remained fixed ahead to meet her gaze.

“I am what you get,” He stated curtly, noting she dodged around the question. It was clear he was about as malleable as a mountain. He was here for a purpose, and he would seek out that purpose and execute on it.

“What do you seek?” He asked calmly, his demeanor one of almost unnatural tranquility.

@llamallove

 

[Reyna Vernize]

Gravel path fines shimmered in the heat, the midday sun shining down on the unlikely pair as they rambled through the garden with only one direction in mind—as far away from the palace and prying eyes as they could get. White and blue wisteria on the palace twisted and curled around its supports and crevices. They passed through four golden yews, scrupulously sculpted into spheres to represent Onderon's four moons, and into row after row of burgeoning blue hydrangeas.

The Jedi was direct. Straight forward. He preferred to "get down to business" rather than bask in the warmth of the afternoon. One of autumn's last, before the winter came. That was something she wasn't accustomed to, as most men loved to bend her ear, hoping they might chance to impress her with a clever remark or a witty insight. The Princess wasn't easily impressed, and no amount of oratory could sway her. Neither could reticent.

"I am what you get," didn't instill her with confidence in his abilities, and if she herself hadn't been reticent, she might have frowned. No one ever spoke to her like this—with half answers and indifference. Neither had answered the other's question. Why the Princess of Onderon had sought out a Jedi, experienced in front line combat with the Sith—that she could not tell him until she knew he could be trusted. Trusted to secrecy, to come through for her, to see her through to the end of her goal.

So she deflected, all the while evaluating him. "What do I seek?" she echoed. It was an open ended question, and she could think of one or two amusing answers. None of them were likely to produce the same effect in him. The Princess circled around a sun dial, tracing a finger along its gnomon until they stood opposite of one another, one on each side.
"Before I can tell you what I seek, Master Jedi, I must know than I can trust you," she said bluntly, flinty gaze locked on his for any sign of deviation. "Can I?" @Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin was patient to the point where it could often irritate others. He would perhaps never know it was a quality he shared with his equally aloof half brother that was every bit the clear opposite of everything he stood for. The Sephi kept his gaze on the Princess, his bearing of a carved marble statue poised to accent the garden. His eyes, however, followed her as she walked around the sundial, briefly flicking down to track her languid gestures. She was used to getting everything she wanted on her terms, and every way she carried herself betrayed it. They could play this game forever and he would never tire of it.

“You may trust me to do the right thing,” He answered, his gaze lifting up to meet hers again. Sevrin finally looked away, taking in sight of his surroundings and the beautiful flowers. If she followed his gaze, she would see the flowers suddenly doubling in quantity, the petals all opening up more and vibrant life coursing through them. The entire garden felt alive, buds blossoming and opening, roots moving and churning to give room for entire new rows of flowers. One of the flowers in the far back, a stunning blue orchid, floated over through the air, all without Sevrin ever lifting a finger. The flower serenely came to rest on the sundial by Reyna’s hand. It was all a testament to an ability no one with corruption could ever command.

“And rest assured, Princess,” Sevrin said, maintaining his impassive demeanor in spite of the very skillful display of the Force, “I am one of the good ones.”

@llamallove

 

[Reyna Vernize]

Unabashedly staring, Reyna's gaze followed the Sephi's silver stare. The garden came to life as it never had before and likely never would again, even with Onderon's finest horticulturists caring for it day in and day out. Flowers doubled in quantity and size, taking on a will of their own—taking on the will of the force. That, as she understood it, was the difference between the Jedi and the Sith. The Jedi were one with the force, while the Sith attempted to manipulate it and bend it to their own will.

This was the closest she'd ever come to the living force. She couldn't feel it, but she could see its handiwork, awakening a curiosity in her—to know more about the Jedi and the man in front of her. This was something only seen in dreams, but she knew she wasn't dreaming. She was wide awake. Dark fingers lifted the blue orchid from atop the sundial, careful not to crush or break any of its petals as she raised it to her nose, allowing the honey-vanilla scent that always reminded her of her mother to wash over her.

They'd planted the perennials together, years ago when Reyna was just a little girl. "A princess must know when to get her hands dirty," she'd told her daughter, wiping sweat from her brow as they worked. "And when to keep them clean."

Now was the time for Reyna to get her hands dirty.

She couldn't afford to waist another moment, not when so much was on the line. At that moment, she made a decision. An impulsive decision, perhaps, but she had always known exactly what she wanted, and she'd never been one to shy away from it. "There aren't many of those left," she replied in a small voice, half to herself as she turned, expecting him to follow.
Deeper in the garden, they would stop in front of a lily pool surrounded by hostas, a fountain at the center of the pool, water trickling out of its spouts. Reyna stood underneath the low hanging limb of a tree beside the water, the circumference of its trunk wide enough to hide her from the windows on the second floor of the palace. This spot was secluded and serene. Should the Jedi not instinctively join her behind the tree, she would wait until he did. It was as if they were children, swapping secrets beneath their favorite tree, away from the watchful eyes of their parents. But they weren't children, and the stakes were much higher than any children's game.

Now that Reyna's mind was made up, she didn't hesitate to speak. Slipping the orchid into the brown hair behind her pointed ear, she said, "I need you to train me." @Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Train?

Sevrin stared at her calmly, considering the request.

“Princess,” He began quietly, “If it is combat experience you require, I’m confident you have the resources to obtain such teachings from your elite guard,” She was more privileged than most and could easily access combat training. Why did she need a specialized Jedi for that? Oh yes, this spoke to her privilege to just call up Jedi for her personal whims. He was briefly reminded of the sentiments during the times of the Clone Wars where Jedi acted on the wishes of the Senate.

“Unless you intend to become a Jedi yourself, Princess, I’m afraid we do not offer personalized training,” Sevrin explained politely, “I am sure you are quite safe her-”

His ears began to swivel as he suddenly paused and turned. Seconds later, an explosion erupted from a section of the palace - exactly where they were supposed to be meeting inside. Sevrin quickly shielded Reyna, smoke rising from the site of the damage. He didn’t sense any Force use, but he wouldn’t rule anything out.

“Is there a safe location I may take you to?” Sevrin asked urgently, his saber already in his hand.

@llamallove

 

[Reyna Vernize]

Reyna fumed. Veins pulsing just beneath the surface, an agitating urge to twitch that she resisted in her extremities. All of it imperceptible and unapparent to the naked eye, disguised as detached indifference. The result of twenty-five years of coaching, self-control, and her natural Sephi instincts. A princess, like an expensive wine, should be refined, according to her father. Genteel and not easily provoked. The Jedi had simply declined her request, but Reyna was indignant.

The whole afternoon had been a waste of time. His and hers. Worst of all, she'd divulged too much. Taken a man into her confidence, only for him to say no. And on what? A whim? A flashy display and a fresh blue orchid? "It is not my safety I am concerned for, Master Jedi," she spoke in a carefully controlled tone, etiquette demanding that she still use his proper title. She bristled at the idea of going to the Royal Guard—or even to the Untamed, for that matter. What did he think this was? How she filled her afternoons? The next big diversion to keep her interest when she tired of tea parties, playboys, and dress shopping?
Going to anyone on Onderon was out of the question. Not the Royal Guard, and not the Untamed—both under her elder brother's thumb since their father's passing. She couldn't trust any of them not to report her every move back to her brother. There was no use explaining herself, and she certainly wasn't going to beg. She'd never begged a day in her life, and she wasn't about to start now.

"I see I have wasted your time. Rest assured that your travel expenses will be taken care of." Her lips curled upwards into a smile, just to be polite, but her body posture was closed off. From what Cassian had told her, the Jedi had just enough credits to keep the lights on. There was a tightness around her eyes as she said, as serious as a dead man walking, "I trust our conversation—my request—will stay between us."

Then, before she could swear him to secrecy or have him shown out, an explosion shook the palace to its foundation. Second floor windows rattled and shattered into a thousand pieces. The west wing burst into a blaze, flames lapping at the sides of the palace as black plumes of smoke swelled. The wisteria they had admired only moments ago wilted and burned. Palace alarms blared, and the Jedi said something about getting her to safety, but Reyna was hardly listening. Her only thought was for her younger brother.

Mouth dry and eyes wide, reflecting each flame as they stared on in horror, Reyna charged toward the palace. No training and no plan of action. There was a deafening shriek before she reached the sundial, a self-propelled missile flying directly toward her. @Sreeya