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Post by Nikos on Jul 24, 2009 19:32:06 GMT -5
The hooded figure let the wind and sand blow around him as he entered the facsimile of one of his favored planets. His cloak danced in the breeze as he strode towards the abode, his hooded visage not moving along with the tune the wind was playing.
Having showered and changed into a more suitable attire, the man once known as Nikos Reyn grabbed a fizz drink out of the conservator and leaned against the pristine railing of the balcony overlooking the beaches of Naboo. He let out a sigh of relief as he finally started to unwind and relax after so many years of warfare and hiding.
In his mind's eye he opened the smallest of windows and let forth his conscience. Seeking but one person in particular. He noticed old aquaintances and friends alike, but there was but one person he searched for. He found her upon the station, calm as ever and gently let an invisible breath slightly tickle her cheek as he sent her a whisper.
You are as calm as every my dear friend. It has been too long.
He wasn't sure if she had heard him, but he let the window close and slowly stretched his tired taught muscles. He stood amongst the breeze gazing into eternity.
[tag Tal]
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Post by Talau on Jul 24, 2009 20:39:31 GMT -5
Calm?
Yes, calm was the word for her at the moment. That was about all she would allow herself to feel...calm. If she allowed more, she put herself at risk of feeling emotions she just didn't want. Yes, she was thrilled to have seen Jenno again, and she'd recently reunited with her brother, and Zarrish was always around, but the others...two in particular...had her mind now.
Despite this, she allowed her feet to carry her as the force guided her along the turning halls of the station's mid levels. Oddly enough, she found herself stepping into a lift and heading to the level above...the level with the holo-rooms. Vaguely she wondered just why she had decided to go there, then realized that SHE hadn't decided to go anywhere, she had been allowing the force to guide her. Leaning back against the wall of the lift, she closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. A flash of a familiar face had her eyes springing open again.
That...was odd...she thought to herself as she moved along the hall toward the room that called her. A light brush along her mind, translated to the skin of her cheek, brought her to a pause...but the words that followed had her moving again.
Now she knew.
Jogging down the corridor, she practically slid to a stop at the door to the room that had been calling her. The doors slid open...and shut.
The wind whipped her cloak around behind her as she took in the scene before her.
Naboo.
Why Naboo? A pang in her heart made the woman close her eyes for a moment before moving once more. Her feet sank slightly through the sand as she walked, not bothering to try and use the force to make her trek easier. She didn't care...it was only sand after all. The wind rippled through her shirt and pants, making them flutter against her body as she moved, finally reaching the house and leaping up the steps, skipping every other one. Reaching the top, she blinked and a light smile touched her face.
Nikos...
She allowed those restraints to fall away...at least as far as he was concerned. Walking toward him, she smiled brightly. Once within range of the man she wrapped her arms around him and brought him close into a warm hug.
Nikos...where have you been my friend? I worried about you.
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Post by Nikos on Jul 24, 2009 20:46:37 GMT -5
Turning at the sound of footsteps and the familiar presence that bounded up the stairs, Nikos quit gazing into eternity and let one of the most dearest people he knew throw her arms around him. He pulled back after a long, warm affectionate embrace and let slide his signature roguish grin.
Well now, if I told you where I've been that would be telling. It is good to see you my dear. Time has graced you with such beauty as I'd known since you first took me under you're wing.
The silvery orbs of his eyes belayed all that was unsaid, and the grin held all the warmth that he would ever need.
Pray do tell my dear, what have you been up to?
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Post by Talau on Jul 24, 2009 22:17:23 GMT -5
Talau chuckled at him and shook her head, her hands resting on the sides of his shoulders as she gazed at him from out of happy blue eyes, the color having shifted as she hugged him. He looked good. Age hadn't yet caught up to him it seemed...lucky man. His words made her blush slightly, but she didn't make any motion of her feelings or thoughts beside the light tinting of her cheeks.
And what's wrong with telling? I mean about where you've been and what you've been doing? I, unfortunately, don't get the chance to get away from Rilia very often these days.
She replied with a slight sigh as she let go of him and turned toward the ocean, resting against the railing with her forearms. Talau knew what was in his eyes, and she wasn't sure how to feel about it either.
What have I been up to? Hmph...politics, unfortunately.
Some of the happy blue faded from her eyes, replaced by spikes of grey as she gazed out across the rippling waves. Pushing up her sleeves a bit, she sighed and let out a chuckled.
I'm afraid I've been rather busy with the affairs of the planet, and that's about it.
It was fairly obvious that she wasn't too pleased by what she had just said.
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Post by Nikos on Jul 24, 2009 22:52:22 GMT -5
Tal was one that kept her emotions in check a majority of the time, but Nikos could still feel the sadness and longing as if it were his own. He stepped beside her and resting one forearm on the railing, let his other arm embrace her around the shoulders trying to comfort her. He once again gazed off into the distance leaving words unspoken for what seemed like an eternity.
His sight wavered as he stood beside his once master as the darkness the enveloped the edges of the known galaxy came crashing down upon him. The emptiness and solitude wrapped around him like a forlorn blanket and his heart slowed.
I've been away.....He whispered.
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Post by Talau on Jul 24, 2009 23:25:26 GMT -5
The woman glanced over at him, her eyes shifting again, threading through with a more concerned orange. Sighing, she side stepped closer to him and pressed a hand to his chest, allowing the force to flow through her and send comfort to him.
I know, Nikos. I've not always been away from you.
She gave him a soft smile and lowered her mental barriers, wrapping her presence around him in feathery soft waves, allowing her light to flow outward toward him and through the link that she offered him once more.
Nikos, times are tough for everyone. We've all lost people dear to us, seen things that none of us have wanted to see, done things we wished we hadn't...all we can do now is try to find our ways back to each other and to where we want to be as best we can.
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Post by Nikos on Jul 24, 2009 23:34:43 GMT -5
Nikos looked down into some of the most beautiful eyes he'd had the privilege to gaze into and smiled his roguish grin. He let her strength wrap around him and chase away the sorrow. He squeezed her briefly and relaxed once more as their bond flooded through him once more..
I have missed a many things, Tal, but be glad to hear that I have returned once more from the darkness to be embraced by the light.
Once again he left words unsaid as he turned back to gaze off into the timed sunset. It felt strange to him to have been blinded all these years that the one place he belonged was the one place he always walked away from.
Please do not worry anymore Tal, I've come home to stay.
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Post by Talau on Jul 25, 2009 0:07:31 GMT -5
The woman in her felt her heart flutter slightly, the woman in her also reminded her that she was engaged, the jedi in her warned her that this might not be the best idea, the force...was silent on the matter. Looking up into his silvery grey eyes as he gave her a short squeeze, and she felt herself relax, if only for the moment, the tight cords of her muscles releasing finally. That relaxation was soon remedied by his words. There was so much unsaid that was spoken through the force, his body language.
Nikos...I'm not sure that my home can ever truly be your home. It isn't even truly MY home. My home...
She paused and gazed upward toward the stars that she knew were there, beyond the synthesized sky, beyond the levels above them, beyond the durasteel of the station.
...well...my home isn't exactly what you might expect.
The woman chuckled and shook her head. That had to sound so stupid to someone who didn't understand entirely how she felt. Talau kept THAT pain to herself at all times, now was no different. Her left hand touched the area of her chest just below where her cloak was pinned. She pondered for a moment just what she was waiting for...who she was still engaged to? Was Sanariel still alive even? Nikos had "come home to stay" had he? Yes...Sana had said the same thing to her, proposed, then vanished again not long after. Even as the weight on her heart threatened to crush her, she kept it from him. That was another pain that she kept to herself only.
I...still have the tear...the one that you gave to me. It's on a necklace that I had made.
She pulled a styled silver chain from under her shirt and her cloak, the round silver medallion engraved with the looping and flowing Rilan language. "Do not fret and let doubt cloud your thoughts. I will lend you strength when you need it." The tear was set into the center of the medallion, the blue coloring she had put into the setting shining through the tear and coloring it blue as well.
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Post by Nikos on Jul 25, 2009 0:22:46 GMT -5
The man's grin just got wider as he slightly chuckled at having heard what she had said. He knew well what she meant, and knew well enough how it had sounded when he said he was home. But Tal would be Tal.
My dear Tal you must be embarassed. I know not of what has transpired in the galaxy since my last departure, but you partially misunderstand me dear. I have come to stay, my time of wandering is over. I know I mean alot to you as you mean a great deal to me. Home, Tal, is where your heart is, and always will be. I see you still have my gift I left before I last left. That brings me joy more than you could imagine. But I believe I need to meditate on things for awhile.
He let his smile fade as he knew that many things he hoped would not be. Yes, deep within his heart he held a place for her, but knew that her heart was held by another. He could see it in her eyes and sense it in her heart. Yet, at the same time home to him was not off wandering the unknowns, but here where his family and friends were.
You must understand that in my search for answers in the void, I have failed you and the others. I am flawed Tal, and come to seek redemption. I pray you forgive me.
Sorrow filled his eyes once more and he turned from her, sliding out of her arms and stepping back inside of the bungalow. He snatched his cloak from the back of the chair where he left it and sadly smiled at her. He turned to leave, the pain still fresh in his gaze.
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Post by Talau on Jul 25, 2009 1:24:15 GMT -5
She let out a soft, sad chuckle. That was the thing...her heart was no where and everywhere. Her heart was in the stars, helping others, wandering, not unlike himself...not unlike all jedi.
Nikos...several things. I wouldn't say that I'm embarrassed, no. Puzzled and uncertain, but not embarrassed. As for home...I have no home, Nikos, just as you've had no home, and Jenno has had no home, and however many others like us are still alive...
Alive...
Was she even 'alive' any longer? She certainly didn't feel it.
Not any longer.
You haven't failed me, Nikos....
She sighed and lowered her head slightly, gazing at the ring on her hand and shaking her head.
If anything I have failed you, time and again. First as your master, then as a comrade, and also as a friend. We've both done things, hurt each other, but those things are in the past, and cannot be changed. We're older now, and hopefully a bit more wise than we were then.
As for being flawed...who ISN'T flawed? If we were perfect we wouldn't be alive...we wouldn't be breathing...we'd be one with the force. Only then would we not have flaws. You don't need redemption or forgiveness in my eyes, Nikos, but if you feel the need for redemption then I can only help you find it, I can't give it to you. If it helps, however, tell me what you think you need forgiveness for.
He moved away from her and she sighed again, her heart aching as she watched him gather up his cloak and turn to leave. So...she was indeed being left again.
I suppose that's my fate now...to be the rally point, the rock that grounds everyone, the one thing they can come back to for a time and receive comfort and solace before leaving again to go do what I cannot do any longer...but what happens when the rock crumbles of it's own weaknesses and bearing the weakness of others without being mended itself?
Who councils the councilor?
She gave him a little smile, forcing some of the grey from her eyes and back to a more regular golden brown before turning away from him as well and allowing the grey to consume her eyes where he couldn't see it. She drew in on the force and used it as an invisible crutch, a temporary source of comfort to keep herself strong, if only for his sake.
If she was destined by the force to be a rock for those who needed her, she would be as a rock and remain strong until she wasn't needed as a stronghold. At least...until the next time she was needed.
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Post by Nikos on Jul 25, 2009 1:38:51 GMT -5
This wandering man's pain was like a fickle flame compared to the roaring bonfire that he could sense from her. Her word hit him hard and something in him broke. All he had ever wanted to do was to protect the ones he loved, but even then he couldn't do that. He ran. He always ran, and he hated himself for that. But at the same time that something broke deep inside of him a switch was thrown. He didn't quite understand it, but he knew what it meant.
Oh, Tal....
For the first time in his long life, the ineffable man known as Nikos Reyn Strife let go of all of his doubts and fears. His hatred and his sorrow. He opened his hand and let loose the weathered cloak to let it float to the floor on its own accord. He quietly walked over to stand behind the woman who had his heart, and wrapped his arms around her. Not waiting for words or a reaction he fully opened himself to the Force and let all of the love and care and kindness he had denied for so long flow through him and into her. She had been right all along. She had been the one trying to hold everything together at the seams by herself for far too long. He knew his place now.
He leaned closer to the side of her head letting her hair tickle his face, took in her scent and quietly whispered.
Tal, you have never failed anyone, let alone me. We have all made our own mistakes over the years, and you have done it alone for far too long. I'm not asking for your heart, though I would freely give mine. All I ask my dear is to lean on me and let someone share your sorrow, your grief, your loss, and your burden. Let me be here for you.
He leaned down and rested his face at the nape of her neck letting her hair engulf his head as the gentle sea breeze blew across the balcony and yet again whispered.
Just let go, Tal, I'll catch you.
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Post by Talau on Jul 25, 2009 2:45:57 GMT -5
If she had been expecting anything, it was for him to walk away...and she hoped he did it soon, she wasn't sure how much longer she could hold herself together this time around. He didn't leave though, he wasn't moving away, she couldn't feel his presence diminishing as he distanced himself from her...then he said her name. She gripped the railing, her elbows locking and her head lowering as she closed her eyes, hardening her heart against the pain she felt pressing against it, threatening to crush her again. Talau felt him draw nearer to her, his arms wrapping around her, his warmth and love and comfort washing against her, begging entrance, seeking to soothe her and slowly her walls began to crumble away.
His words only added a bitter sweet pain to her heart, both soothing and injuring at once. He felt it wasn't her that had failed, he wanted her to share her pain with him, he knew now that she was feeling the stress of her life bearing down on her. She didn't deserve it...she didn't deserve it, but she needed it. That was what hurt her. She was supposed to be the strong one, the one that others could come to and lay their burdens on and be free to continue their work, and help mend the galaxy again, to right what had gone so horribly wrong. For her to be so weak that she needed help...but she wasn't a foolish woman. Talau knew when it was time to ask for help.
That time was now, it seemed.
Nikos...I'll...
She'd what? Be alright? No.
Turning in his arms, she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her face into his chest. Only once her face was pressed against him did she allow herself to cry, the pain, sorrow, frustration, even her anger at herself...especially the anger and frustration she felt with herself.
Nikos...I...I'm...I'm sorry for all of this...that I'm so week that you feel the need to...
Even her words in the force couldn't continue as she cried onto him, clinging to him like he might slip away, or vanish, if she let go. Her body shook lightly in his arms as she cried.
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Post by Nikos on Jul 25, 2009 14:20:50 GMT -5
Nikos stood there, arms embracing Tal as she clung to him silently shaking as she let the tears fall. He continued to wrap them in a cocoon of love and comfort and he himself let the tears flow.
Do not fret and let doubt cloud your thoughts. Let me be your strength. He whispered gently to her.
He let the last linger in the air around them and gazed out across the sea as the sun dipped below the horizon and bring night to the scenery. The lights of the bungalow came on as the sensors noticed the change in lighting.
After what seemed like an eternity, an eternity he didn't want to end, he slowly brought one hand up and gently raised her chin up so he could gaze into her eyes.
Tal....do not feel as if you do not deserve to let someone let you lean on them. If anything you deserve far much more. Don't be sorry because of all people you are not weak in the least. It's not the need that I feel to do this Tal, its my love that allows me to be here for you.
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Post by Talau on Jul 25, 2009 16:06:36 GMT -5
She had cried for...she honestly didn't know how long she had cried, but by the time her tears slowed, her eyes were sore. Sniffling a bit, the fragile woman kept her face to his chest as she tried to collect herself again. There was still a vault of pain left in her, locked tight, things she never thought of or spoke of, a place even she found difficult to get into she had locked it so tightly, but the overwhelming pain she had felt and had been holding back not long ago was slowly starting to lessen in strength. It still weighed her heart down, had it strapped painfully in its bonds, but at least it wasn't as bad as it had been. At least now she felt she could get through the rest of the day without having her emotions completely under lock and key.
He lifted her chin with one hand, and her eyes slowly slid open as she looked up at him. The irises of her eyes were a stormy grey as he spoke and she sighed heavily, moving her head from his gentle grasp and lowering it again slightly. Jedi were odd that way, she mused distractedly, they tended to hold the blame to themselves, to say they didn't deserve what help they needed and received. They were trained to be able to kill and save alike, they had such power...strength...that could be used to crush objects that no normal person could hope to crush, both physical and mental (a jedi could destroy a mind after all), and yet, they could also be so gentle. Silently she thanked him, her mind reaching out to his and stroking along it gently.
No, Nikos, I don't deserve this. Not after being so...Holt was right...they all were...I was selfish in asking the jedi to help free Rilia.
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Post by Nikos on Jul 25, 2009 16:16:01 GMT -5
The young faced man of many decades let her pull her face away from his touch and didn't feel the rejection he was expecting, but instead let her pain crash into him like the waves against a cliff.
I've been gone far too long Tal and really don't know what's been going on in the galaxy as of late, but if it's one thing I know is that you are not a selfish person. If you asked for assistance from the council to help free your world, I see not that a sign of selfishness. You did what you thought was right. As I've said home is where your heart is and that will always be like that. Tell me Tal, what happened while I was drifting out in the vastness of the void?
He gently wiped the tears from her face and looked down into her red rimmed eyes and smiled. This was where he was meant to be. Another may have held her heart, but he would not let that make him run anymore. Even if he could not be with her in the sense he desired, he would still stand by her until he breathed his last breath.
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Post by Talau on Jul 25, 2009 20:50:55 GMT -5
For once in a very long time Talau didn't know what to say. Most of her knew that what he said was true...she hadn't been doing it for herself, but to help her people, yet....the rest of her remembered their words and thoughts. How they had only seen her wanting to protect her own family. That was also the truth. She sighed as he brushed her stray tears away.
What happened? Hmm...I think that...perhaps we should talk about this over some food. I've...not eaten yet today and you look like you could use a decent meal.
She stated, poking his stomach slightly. Ah no better time for a short diversion than the present...and it was only furthered by a mild gurgle from her stomach. Tal pressed her lips together and blushed a bit at the sound, shrugging ever so slightly.
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Post by Nikos on Jul 25, 2009 21:03:11 GMT -5
Nikos looked down at his dear friend and he smiled even wider. He knew what she was trying to do, but he himself hadn't eaten in awhile either. He'd let her slide on this one, but eventually they'd have to resolve this conversation. But willing the Force it would be in good due time.
Food sounds good right now, I havn't eaten in awhile myself. You seemed to have been on the station longer than me so I hope you know a good place to eat.
He left words unsaid as if it were a new trend, but his eyes belayed what he let slide. He wasn't going to push a woman that was in this much pain.
Know any joint on this bucket of bolts that has any good Twi'lek food?
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Post by Talau on Jul 25, 2009 21:28:23 GMT -5
I promise, Nikos, I'll tell you. But it'll have to wait for a little bit...I need to straighten myself out and get something into my system before I can think properly.
She said and took his arm in hers, wrapping her hand around his upper arm.
Everything here is decent or better...you forget you're talking about zeltrons here dear one. They never do anything half assed when potentially making someone happy is involved.
She chuckled at the thought as she started walking with him out of the room.
...In fact...I'm afraid I might have just sent the more sensitive ones into a tizzy just now with my emotional outburst.
She let out a heavy sigh and shook her head.
Well...as much as I wish it hadn't happened, for their sakes, I'm afraid it was inevitable.
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