Their duty complete, Myk and Brink retreated from the kitchen, Callista shooing them away so she could work in relative peace. Brink flung himself onto the sofa in the living area and propped his booted feet up on the low table in front of the holoprojector. He sipped his whiskey and leaned back into the soft confines of the plush couch. "You know, Myk," He said, his eyes closed and a content little smile on his face. "I think you've come back just in time. With all that's been goin' on in the galaxy, with Arie's job eating her alive...there's so much...bad. With you here, I feel like maybe, just maybe, this galaxy isn't quite as dark as I thought it was."
Myk-Ron stared out the plate-glass doors leading onto the balcony. The suns were just beginning to set and the sky was every shade of orange and purple. The Rogue smiled a sad sort of smile. "Thanks, Brink," he said. "No pressure, right?"
Silence answered.
"Right, Brink?"
Myk-Ron turned and suppressed a laugh. The old smuggler had fallen asleep; his glass of whiskey still in his hand and a content expression on his face. Without a word, Myk-Ron slid open the glass doors and stepped out into the fresh air. The sounds and lights of Coruscant at dusk rushed in on him like a tidal wave of sensation. He loved this world. Sure, go deep enough, and Coruscant showed you just how ugly the seedier parts of the galaxy could be, but there was still life. So much life, crammed onto one rock. The Force didn't just exist here, it thrived.
Myk closed the doors, and lit a stick of t'bac. He set his whiskey on the patio table, and went to the railing. He leaned on it and stared out at the sea of activity that was Coruscant at dusk. Yup, He thought. I can sense you out there. I know what you want. I know you aim to plunge this galaxy into your dark utopia. I don't hate you for it, it's just your nature. But, you failed to calculate something into your equations. See, my friends and family call this galaxy home. By setting your goal, you've placed them in harm's way, and that is unforgivable. I will stop you. I'll be here, waiting. So make your move, strike hard and swift. I'm ready for you.
And, my unkown enemy, I can assure you beyond a doubt that you have never, ever come up against anything quite like me...
Arie ran her hand over the sensor plate, and stepped into the past for the, feels like the hundredth time today.
Myk-Ron stood out on the balcony, the sunset casting the Rogue in silohette in a pose that she'd seen a million times before. His hands resting easily on the railing, the varnish worn and smooth beneath his hands from years of doing just that. He had always loved that balcony. He'd said it helped him think. How you could think clearly in the riot of Coruscant's sky, I may never know, Arie thought with a smile. But, I guess that's just you, isn't it Rogue? She swiped at a tear, stifled a laugh when she saw Brink snoring away on the couch, and put her datapad and notes on the hall table. She heard Callista in the kitchen, and could smell the beginnings of dinner. She'd go help the young woman in a moment, but first...
She hurried to her bedroom, and tore out of the military uniform she'd been wearing all day. She cast the clothes on a chair in the corner, and pulled open her wardrobe. She pulled on a pair of loose fitting pants, and a civilian shirt a shade of blue that matched her eyes. She shook her hair out of the tight bun she'd been wearing under her officer's cap, and pulled it back into a loose pony-tail, tied with a piece of blue ribbon. She checked herself in the mirror, and was pleased that age had not softened her figure. She slipped quietly through the living area, Brink still snoring, and out onto the balcony. She closed the doors quietly behind her, and looked at the Rogue. He still had his back to her, and she slowly moved up behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her head on his shoulder, breathing in deeply his scent. Oh, how I've missed that, Rogue!
Myk-Ron chuckled. "And, I was afraid I wouldn't smell that great," He said, turning in her arms to lean back on the railing and wrap his own around her. "I haven't had a chance to hit the 'fresher yet."
"Myk-Ron," Arie looked into his deep brown eyes, traced her hand along the scar on his left cheek. Words left her. She felt something stirring inside her that she hadn't felt in ages. At first, she wasn't sure what was going on, and it scared her for a moment. But, the sensation grew stronger, and she recognized it at last. The Phoenix was awakening. She'd found her mate again, and her joy spread through Arie like fire. It was a sensation she was intimately familiar with, and yet she hadn't felt it in so long that it startled her with its strength. Cautiously, tenatively, she reached out in the Force.
Her presence mingled with Myk's and it was like a maelstrom within the Force. Phoenix and Rogue danced in the cool night air to a tune only they could hear. When they finally parted, the great bird settled inside Arie. Its presence cooled, but did not vanish. The comforting warmth lingered, content within her, and she felt better than she had in...I can't remember the last time I felt like this.
"Hello to you, too, Princess."
"Hey, there," Arie actually blushed. When was the last time I blushed?!
"So...big dinner tonight?"
Arie laughed. "You always did do a lot of thinking with your stomach," She hugged the Rogue closer. "Yes, sweety. And, I should probably help Callista with the food. Poor girl's probably in a state cooking for so many people. Don't stay out here too long, Rogue."
"I'll be in in a minute," Myk-Ron said. "Just collecting my thoughts."
"Okay," Arie slid open the door into the house. "Don't you vanish on me again."
"Never," The Rogue said, his eyes locking with hers. She didn't know how, but somehow she knew without a shadow of doubt that there was never a truer word spoken. Myk-Ron Dinn would never leave her again.
Smiling to herself, she went to the kitchen. Steffan, Ainar, and Andrea would be arriving soon.
Callista had heard Arie enter the apartment, and a soft smiled touched her lips as she watched the General make her way to the bedroom and then the balcony where Myk-ron stood. 'Those two...' She watched them for a moment before turning back to the pot on the stove, adding various spices to the soup she had made from the tubers. The scent of the herbs wafted through the kitchen for a moment as the steam rose from the pot. It would keep for a moment.
Turning from the stove she quietly made her way to the living room and covered Brink with a blanket that had been draped over the couch, setting his glass carefully on the coffee table. Then she returned to the kitchen. As she began spooning the soup into bowls, she hear Arie re-enter from the balcony. A moment later, she entered the kitchen. "Good evening, General..." Callista greeted her, passing her a hot cup of caf that she'd been keeping warm. "The soup is finished. I wasn't sure what else would be good so I made a salad, and some bread to go with it. I know...Ma - Myk-Ron and Commander Cadre prefer whiskey, would you suggest anything else?" she asked politely, brushing her hair from her face.
She let out a breath. "General... I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to invite a friend of mine... a Master Xan Qenadius. He works with Jedi Intelligence. I met him during my recent mission to Rendili..." She flushed then, her stomach flip-flopping nervously. She chewed her lip for a moment. "He's Mandalorian... so don't be surprised if he shows up in his beskar'gam." She grinned slightly, remembering how'd she'd gotten the shock of her life when she met him. She fingered her comlink for a moment, awaiting Arie's answer. She hadn't told Xan of her experiences on Korriban, but her might know anyway, being a Master. Her cheeks flushed again as she remembered. She'd been rash..
Arie shot the younger woman a quizzical look. "You already run this by Myk-Ron?"
Callista nodded, and suppressed a giggle. "He said to ask you."
"Oh, that..." Arie sighed. "He thinks that just because he's back from the dead he can pull the 'go ask your mother' routine? Of course your friend is more than welcome to join us. Having someone from the intelligence division here could prove useful anyway."
Steffan was the first to arrive, with Andrea behind him. Myk was surprised to see the young lady following behind the Jedi Master.
"Of course," Steffan said as he saw the look. "Introductions first. Myk, this is my daughter, Andrea Karrde. Andrea, this is Myk-Ron Dinn."
"Dinn?" she asked as she looked him over, more questions forming. "Daddy, you didn't tell me…."
Myk laughed at the scenario. "I wouldn't have thought that you'd have kept who she was meeting from her."
"You have to expect surprises," Steffan said to him, and to Andrea as well. "Don't worry, angel, something like this, I shouldn't have tested you that way."
"Yes," Myk told her. "Yes, I am Arie's husband from so, so, long ago." Steffan couldn't help but crack a smile, then sniffed the air. "Well, I can see that we arrived close to time," he said to everyone. "I guess we need to start getting acquainted."
"Long story, Kiddo," Myk said to Andrea. "I've got some ideas, and I'll explain once everyone is here."
"Whazzat?" The voice came from the couch in the living area behind Myk.
The Rogue looked over his shoulder at a disheveled Brink. The old smuggler tossed off the blanket, looked around, sniffed the air, and smiled. "Good," he said. "I haven't missed anything important."
Myk-Ron chuckled and motioned for Steffan and Andrea to come in. "Nope," Myk called for Brink. "You're just in time to help me put the extenders in the dining room table."
"Bleh," Brink said as he slowly got up. "I knew I woke up too soon."
Myk and Brink set to the task of setting up the dining room while Steffan and Andrea visited with Arie and Callista in the kitchen. Ainar showed up soon after the Karrdes. He eyed Myk with suspicion before joining the others in the kitchen. Next to arrive was a man Myk-Ron had not yet met.
The door chime rang, and Myk-Ron answered to find a tall man dressed in civilian clothing, and looking particularly uncomfortable about it. Career military? Myk thought. "You must be Callista's friend, Xan," Myk extended a hand to the stranger. He gripped it at the forearm. A warrior's greeting. There's something about this guy...
"Xan Quenadius," He said, releasing his grip. "Intelligence division, Jedi Council."
"Pleased to meet ya," Myk said, stepping aside and allowing Xan to enter. Myk watched his walk, shoulders square, leading with his center, a lightness in his step but a confidence in his gait...couldn't be? I thought they were nearly extinct...
"Kom'rk tsad droten troch nyn ures adenn... (the Gauntlet of the Republic)" Myk said.
Xan stopped in his tracks and turned to regard Myk with open curiosity. He folded his arms before finishing the old Mandalorion proverb, "Dha Werda Verda a'den tratu (They were the wrath of the warrior's shadow). You speak Mando'a...who are you?"
"Myk-Ron Dinn," The Rogue replied with a grin.
"I've heard that name," Xan's eyes unfocused, and Myk could feel the man stretching out to him through the Force. A Mando and a Jedi? "He was a great warrior, but I'd heard he'd fallen long ago."
"Nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la (Not gone, merely marching far away [Mandalorian phrase for the departed])," Myk replied. He allowed the stranger to probe his surface feelings and thoughts, but locked down the rest.
Xan finished his probe, and a smile tried to tug at his lips. It looked like an expression he struggled with often. His brows furrowed, but he simply said, "Su'cuy, Myk-Ron Dinn. I have a feeling this will be a most interesting dinner indeed."
"Buddy, you don't know the half of it," Myk-Ron grinned again and followed Xan into the living area.
Not long after Callista had put her comlink away, she heard Myk answer the door chime, and a familiar voice sounded in the entry way. He was here... She saw Arie give her a sideways look. The older woman obviously was picking up on Callista's emotions. Her stomach flip-flopped nervously before she risked a peek into the living room. 'Yup, he really is here'... biting down on her mental commentary she leaned against the kitchen counter for a moment before she felt steady enough to enter the living room. Smoothing her robe, she entered the room. "Master Qenadius... I'm glad you could make it..." It took every ounce of control she had to keep her voice even. Why was she reacting this way? she hardly knew him...
Xan smiled widely at Callista, not really caring how it seemed to others. "Ahhh Cal'ika, Good to see you as well. Thank you for inviting me. Though I must confess, I feel like I'm standing out like a sore thumb." he said. Mandalorians were known to be blunt even about themselves. Rather then stay silent about feeling uncomfortable he'd rather be open about it and have done with it.
She blushed slightly. "I.. suppose introductions are in order then. You've met Master Dinn already." Her lips quirked as she saw Myk twitch. She then gestured to Steffan and Andrea. "This is Master Staffan Karrde. He's the saber instructor here at the temple. Next to him is his daughter Andrea, and Master Ainar Algeron." She moved around the room, this time to Brink. "Commander Brink Cadre..." He too seemed to twitch, but Callista ignored it for the moment. "And last, but not least, General Arie Luxkhert - Thrawn Dinn. Head of New Republic Military..." She trailed off then, slightly flustered by Xan's attention. With a glance to Arie, she asked. "If you'll excuse me General?" At Arie's nod, she gestured Xan into the kitchen, letting out the breath she'd been holding as the door slid shut behind them.
"Well now, I take it there's something you want to ask me? It's not often I get called by another member of the order." Xan asked, trying to be as polite as he could be. Something was definitely up with Callista. she seemed flushed and off-guard.
"I... uh." She stopped and took a breath. "I'm sorry for that. Guess I'm not used to this kind of thing..." she sighed. A moment of silence passed before she spoke again. "I invited you because you are my friend...and I feel there might be more..." she stopped then, and flushed crimson, wondering if it was merely a case of hero worship.
Xan scowled a bit, not in anger but in thought. "More?" He asked and stood there quietly for a few seconds before the truth hit. "Ohhhh..." Callista blushed crimson then, and turned away slightly. "I...I'm sorry. That was very forward of me..." Her voice was quieter now. Ever since she'd first met him, she'd felt...something. 'Would he think any less of her if he knew of what had happened not long ago?'
Xan smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. "Nayc, actually I prefer forward. It saves trouble. and for me being a Mandalorian and a Jedi feeling and hearing things that don't fit with each other is highly annoying..." He sent her soothing signals throught the Force to ease her mind. "But there is a lot we still don't know about each other. I think we should take time to discover these things. Slowly, that way no feelings are needlessly bruised."
Callista nodded quietly, reaching up to wrap her fingers around his hand. "I've just felt so out of sorts lately, and Rendili..." she broke off, not sure if she was ready to talk about Korriban yet. It was still fresh. Xan continued to send the soothing signals. "Such is the life of the Jedi. And sadly it seems more then ever in the last few years, stability in the galaxy is nearly non-existant. We're going to have to get used to being this active."
Callista nodded. Hesitant at first, she moved to lean her head against his shoulder. "It's not just that. I've done some stupid things..." her voice went even quieter as her thoughts turned to Korriban. She squeezed her eyes shut against the memories. Xan felt her mind shift into a dark place, and she was fighting against whatever she was seeing. "Perhaps you should explain what you mean Callista. The first step to overcoming something is acceptance."
She stiffened slightly. "I..." she hiccuped nervously. "When my Master was killed... I tracked his killer to Korriban..." her voice failed her then and she just stood there, her face buried in his shoulder as she inhaled the faint scents of ship engines. Xan sensed the raw hurt, the sense of abandonment she didn't quite acknowledge to herself yet. "Go on...let's hear it all."
"Master Faulkner was the only family I'd ever known. I was forced to watch him die right in front of me..." She stopped for a moment and wiped at her eyes. "I was captured...tortured..." Her voice was hardly more than a whisper. "I went on my own without backup... Master Algeron came after me, and he fought the Sith Lord... he's ...different now."
Xan scowled again. "You mean he's fallen?" he asked, trying to make sense of the puzzle.
"I don't know... but he's different now than he was...I feel like it's my fault that all of this happened..."
Now that was an remark Xan didn't like hearing so he pressed for an answer. "How so?" Her head dropped, and she refused to look at him. "What I did was stupid, reckless. Master Algeron is how he is now because of what happened when he came to rescue me..."
"If Master Algeron has fallen or not, the condition he is in now is his own choice Callista. His own battle. Not your burden. You didn't bring this on him. You may have been rash and impetuous but you didn't force him to fall."
"Still..." she looked away, ashamed. She'd placed so many people in danger because of her actions.
"Your actions may have been reckless but a Jedi learns from their mistakes, and does not hold on to lingering emotions from the past. You need to accept and let go Callista." She chewed her lip for a moment in thought. "You're right..." she said after a few beats of silence. She wiped self-counsciously at her eyes and took several slow breaths. "I doubt Master Faulkner would want you to hold on to this either." he said smiling a bit more now. A slow chuckle escaped her lips and she sniffled slightly. "You're right. He'd probably be telling me the same thing too." She took some more slow breaths, feeling her shoulders loosen slightly as she did so.
Xan nodded. "That's how insidious the Dark side is Callista. Grief and regret are tools for the sith to mold and twist lives. Just be aware of that." She nodded and flushed slightly, feeling as if she were once again a Padawan. "I suppose we should go see what's going on..." Xan grinned a bit mischievously "Not so fast." He sat down on the kitchen counter. "You should tell me how you developed these...thoughts."
Callista's mouth fell open in surprise. "I..uhm..." She fidgeted nervously with the hem of her robes. After a moment, she leaned back against the counter beside him, turning to face him slightly. "I won't lie when I tell you I was scared to death the first time I saw you... But you were kind to me, even though you didn't know me..." Xan smiled "Well the scaring you to death part I'm used to. Mandalorians have a saying 'Ke nu jurkad sha Mando'ad, burc'ya'. Don't mess with Mandos, mate. and for the lintel field the beskar'gam comes in handy.." he grinned "But also Mandalorians have a code of honor. You never give sloppy treatment to a friend. Since I'm a Jedi that includes the whole Order." he paused and smiled fondly "But you were different from that."
She looked at him quizzically. "How do you mean...?"
"You reacted to me as a Mandalorian would against any enemy, bravely. Prepared to take action if needed, with honor and respect to those bystanders caught in the midst of a battle." Her lips quirked. "I was just doing my job... There's more, isn't there...?" she asked after a moment.
"Well the fact that you argued with me, shows toughness. A characteristic that most Jedi overlook to me. but for the Mandalorians is a desired trait. Toughness of spirit more then anything else." Callista gave him a long searching look. "But I'm not Mandalorian..." she told him with a gentle smile. as she reached over to pour herself a glass of water.
"Not everyone that's a Mando'ad is born into the culture Callista. Jedi training is not the only training and initiation out there. Mandos have another saying 'Aliit Ori'shya Taldin' Family is more then bloodline...meaning we adopt others simply if they wish to be Mando'ad and show the right qualitis to be one. You have those you know." She flushed again, for probably the tenth time that night. 'You mean that...?" Her voice was slightly awed and she took a slow sip of hwe water as she tried to gather her thoughts
"Mandos don't believe in lying or holding back the truth Callista. I wouldn't say this if I didn't mean it."
"I...don't know what to say..." she admitted after a moment of silence. SHe certainly hadn't expected anything like this...
Xan laughed. "Well if you do. don't hold back." Callista smiled, draining her glass before she set it down. "You said people can be adopted into this way of life... sort of like we are as Jedi?" She really was trying to understand. "Elek, Cal'ika." using the intimate name contraction he gave to her. "and like the Jedi there are codes we follow, 99% of them match up to the jedi mindset as well." She tilted her head at him, getting the jist of what he'd said. 'That's the second time you've called me that. What does it mean...?"She moved closer until they were a mere armslength away as she hopped up to sit on the counter beside him, her feet dangling above the tile.
Xan chuckled again "In Mando'a the suffix 'ika added on to the first bit of a person's name usually the first 3 letters if the third is a consonant means little so and so. It intimate term used for fiends and comrades. So Cal'ika is little Callista." She smiled. "I like that... it fits." Letting out a breath, she found herelf leaning on his shoulder. "The Mando'ad culture sounds intriguing." she said the word carefully, trying to pronounce iit correctly.
Xan chuckled. "Mando'ade...plurals usually are an e ant the end. Mando'ad is one Mando."
"Oh..." she giggled and ducked her head slightly. "I'm sorry..."
Xan laughed. "Well you'll learn... that is if you want to learn. "
"I'd like that..." she said quietly. "It seems like the two fit well, if you're any indication," she joked gently, elbowing him in the ribs. Xan flinched, not used to being out of his armor yet still. that was reserved for more private moments or on Manda'yaim. "I do my best, it's hard trying to reconcile our two groups though at times still. "
"I guess it's one of those things you have to approach with an open mind. Much like Jedi training..." she smiled again and dropped her elbow, sensing the contact made him uncomfortable in some way. Then she glanced at the chrono over the stove. "I think we'd better get back out there... they're probably wondering..." This time her eyes seemed to be laughing as she looked at him. Xan held her back one second more "So...you should know. those feelings you have...they're reciprocated." he said somewhat awkwardly. Her stomach flip-flopped again. "They... they are." she said in a tone of slight realization as she carefully reached out to him in the Force, his fingers against her arm.
Xan smiled gently "Come on...let's get this over with. I kind of feel naked right now." She grinned lopsidedly. "You do? I'm studying under the General herself... Talk about no pressure, huh?" she replied, trying to lighten the situation just before they stepped back out into the living room.
They were all seated around the dining room table; Myk at the head of the table with Arie to his right, then Maxell, Ainar, Steffan, Andrea, Brink, Xan, and Callista. I wish Ter-Lon were here, Arie thought to herself. Poor kid is off training and doesn't even know that his grandfather is alive and here on Coruscant...then again, maybe it's best that those two meet somewhere quiet...
"So, Master Dinn," Steffan said as he dished himself some of the delicious-smelling soup Callista had made. Arie and Myk both turned to look at him, and he stifled a laugh. "Sorry," He smiled. "I meant‚Master Myk-Ron. I'm sure you have many questions, but perhaps you would be so kind as to share your story first? If we know what you know, our answers to your questions shall be more...informed.
Myk sipped at some of the soup and nodded. He seemed to take some time gathering his thoughts.
You going to be okay, Love? Arie gave his hand a squeeze under the table.
Sure thing, Princess, Myk sent back. Thanks, though.
"Well, I guess I should start with the Vong," Myk-Ron began. "My squadron, the Silver Blades, were assigned to escort a convoy through Vong Space, and...hey, Arie, did they make it back?"
Arie nodded. "Yes, Love. Duo, and three others made it back to Coruscant. That's how we found out about you. Duo lead the expedition to go back and get you immediately upon reaching Coruscant. By the time we got there though...there was just...nothing left." Reliving that particular memory nearly brought Arie to tears, but she could feel Myk-Ron's reassurance through the Force, and he smiled at her.
It's okay, Arie, He sent. I know you tried. "Good," He said aloud. "Duo was a good man. Anyway, we were ambushed. Long story short, I got tagged pretty bad and had to crash land in what I could only guess was the hangar on one of the Vong cruiser analogs. I fought my way to the bridge, thinking that I could maybe fly the thing out of there. But, when I killed the commander, the ship started to...die. It was some kind of self-destruct sequence. I didn't have a lot of time, and there were no escape pods. I carved myself a little cubby in one of the walls and hoped that it would heal itself around me before the ship broke apart..."
"Smart thinkin', that," Brink said around a mouthful of bread.
Myk threw the smuggler a wink. "Now, this next part is largely speculation because I don't really have any clear memory of what happened. It also requires a bit of explanation. My master, Erb-Whettam Reylas was something of a maverick in the eyes of the old Jedi Council. He had studied things that many of them found to be...questionable. This knowledge, he passed on to me through my training. One such technique is something like the outcome of combining a Jedi Healing trance with a hibernation technique. This advanced state of...well...stasis allows the Jedi to stay asleep for far longer than normal. Years, decades even. The healing process of the technique keeps the Jedi alive, and slows the aging process. Outside myself and Arie, I'm not sure anyone knows about this particular trick."
Steffan shook his head. "I've heard of it, but it's not something that most Jedi know about."
'It sounds...unnatural," Ainar said quietly.
"Perspective," Myk-Ron shrugged. "Well, in that fight with the Vong commander, I had fallen deeper into the Force than ever before. I think, as a sort of knee-jerk survival instinct, I threw myself into this Jedi stasis. But, I never set a wake-point. It's a very important part of the whole technique as a Jedi who didn't know what he was doing could potentially never wake up."
'So I think that's what I did. I think I entered the stasis without a wake-up point. The ship blew, and my little chunk of coral floated away through space with me entombed within. This next part gets a little weird..."
"Because the previous portions have been completely run-of-the-mill," Steffan arched an eyebrow, and Myk-Ron laughed.
"Touche," The Rogue nodded before plunging on. "Somehow, my chunk of rock landed near what I think was the Outbound Flight's final resting place. Someone, something, pulled me out of the wreckage and moved me into the medical facility. That's where I woke up. I found a Jedi Starfighter, did a quick pre-flight, and burned space."
'If you didn't set a 'wake-up point'," Ainar asked. "How did you wake up?"
"Unlike every other time I'd entered stasis," Myk-Ron answered. "This time, I had dreams. But, these dreams were as real to me as though they'd actually happened. I dreamt of you, constantly, Arie. I had a vague idea of what was happening, but I never could break through the fog of that dream-prison. I fought, and I fought, and I fought. It was torture. I re-lived my life in its entirety again and again...but it was always with a strange kind of detachment. I could see you, and I couldn't touch you. You were right there, and you couldn't hear me. I screamed, and thrashed, and tore at the fog around my head, but just couldn't break free... "
"Something changed though. There was a shift in the fog, and it wasn't as thick in one particular spot. I saw you again, Arie, through the fog, and I pushed. I fought harder than I knew I could, and the clouds finally rolled away."
"The R2 unit with the starfighter had kept updating it's star-charts over the years, and had a plot for Coruscant pre-set and ready to go. There was nobody there when I woke up," Myk-Ron decided against telling them about his long conversation with a dead Jedi Master. The story in itself was crazy enough. "I have no idea how I ended up in that medical facility or where the people that pulled me out could have gone. I just knew, somehow, that you needed me. So, here I am."
"Truth be told," The Rogue looked sad. "I think I was dying. Something kept pulling me toward...something. But, then I would see you again, Arie, and I'd fight it off. In a sense, you're the only reason I'm alive, Princess."
The Rogue's dark brown eyes locked with hers, and she could feel his love like a tangible thing. It enveloped her, and caressed her, and she could feel her cheeks flush. All those years, he'd never stopped searching for her. All those years, he'd been out there, fighting to get back to her. And, I just accepted it. I just accepted that he was dead, and moved on. I should have never given up the search. I should have looked harder-
And searched all of space for me? Myk-Ron Dinn interrupted her thoughts. Arie, you did everything you could. You were alive. I'm glad you were able to live without me. It just means you're strong. It's one of the things I always loved about you. Yeah, I want to protect you, but I also know that you can take care of yourself. You're a fighter, like me.
'You two are doing it again," Brink said in a mocking sing-song voice.
'Doing what, Nerfbrains?" Myk asked.
"You're goin' all quiet-like, which means you're talkin' to each other in your heads. You think you're all sneaky, but, well, if you had this many tells when you played cards I'd be rich."
Arie laughed, and Myk-Ron just smirked more. The Rogue took on a contemplative look, and stared at Brink. He then made motions as though he were talking with the smuggler. Brink struggled to 'hear" at first, then flushed when he realized Myk was making fun. He recovered quickly though by feigning shock. "Myk!" he exclaimed. "Such talk! And, at the dinner table? I'm appalled."
Myk said, "Touche." And nodded to his friend.
"Master Dinn," Callista said before hurriedly adding, "Myk-Ron. I've been doing some research on the Aing-Ti art of 'flow walking.' Have you ever heard of it?"
"I have a general idea."
"With your permission, I think it may be something to look into," the young jedi continued. "Under the supervision and guidance of a Master or Masters, we could more fully explore the events regarding your 'death' and return. Perhaps we could even answer some questions that you may have."
"Give me some time to think about that, Kid," Myk seemed more than a little hesitant, and Arie wondered about that.
'Hiding something?" Ainar spoke up again.
Arie sensed Myk's flash of irritation, but he reigned it in. "How would you like me to delve into your mind, into your past, and relive events that you may wish to forget?" The Rogue said, and Arie could sense the Force being drawn through him. 'How would you like it, if, say, we flow-walked with you to...Korriban?"
Ainar stood abruptly from the table, his hands clenched tightly. "You...you-"
"Not very pleasant is it?" Myk cut him off, still seated, but Arie could sense his readiness should Ainar decide to attack.
Myk-Ron, she sent him, but the Rogue plunged on.
"Having a stranger delve into your mind and share such an intimate connection," He said. "It's violating. I'm not asking you to trust me. I'm not asking you to like me. I'm asking you to try to think before casting judgment. And, this will be the only time I ask."
Ainar looked as though he were struggling with his words. Arie wasn't sure what to think. She cared for Ainar, without a doubt. She loved Myk-Ron. Myk did have the slightly higher ground. Ainar had been throwing little jabs at the Rogue, but then again...this is still my house, and I'll not have a brawl over dinner!
"Ainar, sit down," Arie commanded. He paused for a heartbeat, met her eyes, and sat down. She didn't even have to look at Myk to know a smirk was tugging at his lips. "Myk-Ron, darling, I understand, but you won't be thrashing anyone over dinner, so don't gloat. Ainar is a friend. I trust you both. And, if either of you has any respect for me, you'll stop this posturing, and at least be civil to each other." The two men eyed each other for a long moment. Arie could tell they were waiting for the other to crack first, and she feared that nothing she had just said got through. Then, to her utmost surprise, Myk-Ron shook his head, sighed, stood up, and extended a hand to Ainar. "You are not my enemy," the Rogue said.
"Nor are you mine," Ainar replied cautiously. He took the Rogue's hand, shook it, and both men sat down.
Thank you, Rogue.
No, sweety, Myk's voice was slightly subdued within her head. You're right. I do get a bit hot-tempered sometimes, and Ainar is not my enemy.
Steffan cleared his throat. "Well, Master Dinn," he said. "You've answered our question to the best of your ability. It's only fair that we now try to answer yours."
"I've sensed something, Master Karrde," Myk-Ron replied. "I can go to the library to learn the major events that have transpired since I've been away. My concern right now is this...malevolence. This lurking power. So, tell me. What's going on now, and who or what is behind it?"
