Mistress Dizzy

Poem of the Bladed Nightingale [Skull & Mistress Dizzy]

Jin smiled warmly as he finally entered. She couldn't help a faint snicker at Hotaru's comment, even though she knew the boy meant nothing by it.

"You do look very nice, Takumi." He did. Red was a good color on him, and even though it wasn’t the brilliant crimson of their old royal armor, he looked nice all the same.

When he asked if she’d slept, her gaze turned away momentarily. “I slept enough.” She hated to lie to him, but it was necessary. He’d worry otherwise, and she simply didn’t want him to. In truth, she’d managed maybe 2 hours worth of sleep against a tree. Her back was still a bit stiff, and she was exhausted. “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”

After the pot was empty of soup and their bellies were full, Jin went to get dressed herself. Hers was a very simple, pale blue kimono robe that still smelled of tree sap despite many washes. She fluffed her curls and grabbed her leather traveling back, looking back at the both of them.

“I’ll be taking Han out with me once we’re both home. As long as he’s on his best behavior.” She gave him a Look with arched brows.

Hotaru smiled, his innocent eyes alighting. “I promise, I’ll be the best ever!”

“That’s what I like to hear. Now would you like one of us to walk with you?”

“No, I’m fine. Have a good day!” He rushed over and gave them both hugs, leaving Jin grinning. Then he was off. The school was smack dab in the middle of the village, not even a ten minute walk. When they had first arrived, either Ishawari or herself had walked him there. But as they settled into the rhythm of the village, small freedoms were granted. Besides that, no one else walked their child to the school, so they didn’t want poor Hotaru to stick out.

With just the two of them left, Jin looked to Ishawari. “I’ll be off soon myself. I think Kana is up even earlier than we are. Don’t ask me how.”

Hopefully Sanctuary

Devika felt not a flood of emotions from the old couple, but more like a warm blanket of them. The old man was calm and soothing. The old lady less so, she was nervous but that abated when looking at her husband. Both of them seemed like lovely people. She was drawn out of her reverie by Roxy, who asked her to get something.

"Yes, sure." She went up the ladder, looking at several containers of things she didn't know. "Which one do you need?"

Star Wars: A Legend Reborn (Nobodyman123 and Mistress Dizzy)

Kijani tried not to stare as she looked around the cantina. There were being of every shape and size, all packed into this relatively small area. It was actually a little disconcerting. She followed Adam to the bar, and after an exchange of their precious credits, they were handed a pair of beers. At least Kijani hoped it was beer. It had a very interesting, yeasty smell, and it was deeply blue with a head of like-colored foam.

"Well. Bottoms up." She tipped the cup back and took a long sip. The beer tasted as interesting as it looked, and that was saying something. She kept her face very impassive, as if she drank this all the time instead of the fanciest wines. "Well, that is thirst quenching." Part of being a proper diplomat was lying with a straight face.

"So, how does one find a pilot around here?" She whispered into Adam's ear as they left the bar.

Hopefully Sanctuary

Happy new year Kath!

Mysteries of Axiquatol

The royal city was bathed in darkness and fog.

A woman wrapped her chinchilla fur shawl closer around her, listening to the sounds of night gathered around her. The moon was full and high in the sky. It was a rare and perfect night to be alone, and alone she was. The whole of the palace was asleep, yet she could not. There was far too much on her mind.

Father had presented her another suitor today.

He was a noble from the nearly Barony of Eight Borders, a small piece of the whole of Axiquatol. She knew it from her tutoring lessons throughout the years. This Barony focused on hunting and leather producing. The shawl she wore right now probably came from just that area.

The Baron Ahau had been a bit older than she, but kind enough. He was polite, knew all of the dances, and talked endlessly about this year’s production. He could have been made of wood for all the princess cared. She would allow him his traditional week’s stay, but there was nothing that spoke to her of romance or love in him. Just like the last suitor, and the one before that. She would turn him away, and he’d probably find some leather loving maiden to pair up with and that would be that.

Was this really all there was?

Ever since she’d been of marrying age, it was like her life had been stuck in the mud. Man after man vied for her hand, and she had, so far, not felt a thing for all of them. Yet, she was going to have to marry eventually, because no ruler could be without heirs. It was not to say she didn’t know her duty as a woman; but maybe, just maybe, she could have a life before settling down for the rest of existence?

She lifted a hand and drifted it through the thick fog that coated the balcony. Her clothes were getting soaked, but she barely cared.

The crown princess of Axiquatol, her Highness Citlamina, looked into the foggy night as if adventure could sweep her away.
(LOL nevermind its in PMs)

Star Wars: A Legend Reborn (Nobodyman123 and Mistress Dizzy)

Kijani stirred slightly as Adam spoke, and politely stifled a yawn. “We’re here? That’s wonderful. Thank you for getting us all here safely.” She smiled, but she was clearly tense. Even here, the Empire could be readily present. She would be throwing her new allies into danger and she knew it.

“Let’s try and keep a low profile, shall we? Hire a pilot with a good ship that will hopefully keep their mouth shut, and get off of Tattooine.” Unlike Adam, she was eager to leave. Her people needed her; the rebellion needed her, and no matter how much she wanted to turn away from that danger, she did not have a choice. Her parents were going to be worried sick.

“Alright.” She pulled the hood tight over her head, checking herself briefly in the reflection of the speeder’s glass. “...it will have to do. Maybe as long as no one sees my face directly.”

Star Wars: A Legend Reborn (Nobodyman123 and Mistress Dizzy)

Kijani listened, shaking her head with a half smile. "There already is a target on my back, Adam. I might as well make sure I can defend it." There was the barest hint of fire in her gaze. "I'm sure that there are still paths open to you, even being who you are. My mother always said that even the stars do not last forever. She's big on choosing your own path and telling destiny to shove it." She grinned wide. "So who's to say you have to be a Jedi for your entire life?"

She was surprised when he told her to rest. Truthfully she was exhausted, but also paranoid. What if something happened while Adam was driving? Still, she could see the wisdom in it. "I suppose I should try to sleep. Just.. wake me if you get tired, and we can talk some more."

Her eyes slipped closed, and she was snoring in mere minutes.

Star Wars: A Legend Reborn (Nobodyman123 and Mistress Dizzy)

Kijani listened with rapt attention as Adam described the Force. Part of her wondered why she’d never heard of it before, with all her tutors and learning. Then he said that Love could cause darkness, and she frowned slightly.

“I’ve never known love to be anything more than a positive thing. Now if you want to talk darkness – obsession would be the other side of that coin. Loving someone who does not love you back, to the point of desperation. That, I think, would be corruptive.” She looked up at the sky, as she always did when she was thinking. She had a stalker once, a strange noble who sent her messages and videos, and at one point showed up at an event she’d been at to kneel at her feet and propose marriage. She had been about 16, and he had been near twice that. The guards had put a stop to him quite handily, but the experience would likely stay with her for the rest of her life. “But then, obsession is not love, it’s more like passion. Passion is a neutral, I think, and it depends on how one uses it.”

She finally turned to him and nodded, curiosity still in her eyes. “I understand a bit better, now, of this Force. But I still have more questions. How does one learn to harness it? Can anyone learn? Could I?” That would be something, her leading the Rebellion with a gleaming saber in hand. Kijani was at the point where she would take all advantages, and she was never too high-class to learn something new.

Poem of the Bladed Nightingale [Skull & Mistress Dizzy]

Jin poked her head out of the kitchen as she heard the prince’s cries, but did nothing to assist. She was too busy laughing at their antics. She heard the splash as Prince Hotaru was dumped into the bath, and just laughed until her sides hurt.

The soup on the stove was about done, and Hotaru appeared not soon after, clean and smelling of soap. “Good morning, Han. Of course you can help. Please grab the bowls and spoons.”

Hotaru pulled a small step stool from underneath the table, and pulled it over to reach the cabinets. Once he set the table, Jin poured soup into each bowl. A heaping portion for Ishawari, and smaller portions for Hotaru and herself. Fresh tea came next, and then everything was ready.

“Now, my dear Han.” Jin settled at the table, looking slightly sternly at the Prince across the table. “Today you’re going to have to be very good in school. Do it for me and Takumi.” There had been concerns that Han was acting up just a bit recently, and Jin realized quickly that the boy was probably bored.

“Aw...” The Prince pouted. “Do I have to go to school? I know all of that stuff already.” He blew the steam from his soup, trying to cool it.

Jin sighed. This had been the boy’s argument from the beginning, and it was a decent one. The Prince’s tutors had brought his knowledge far beyond what they taught in the little village school. “I know you know. But you must be somewhere while Takumi and I go to work. You need to go to that school, so that we can be sure that you’re safe.” She reached over and gently rubbed his head.

“Besides, you get to see your friends there.” Jin offered him a big smile, hoping the boy would see the good in the experience.

“I guess.” The Prince did not smile back, still looking a bit dimmed.

Jin thought. There had to be something that could cheer him up. “Maybe… if you’re very good… I can take you out after school and teach you something about plants. Would you like that?”

The boy brightened visibly at the thought. “Yes, Akemi-san. I would like that a lot.”

“Good. Now eat up before it gets cold. I’ll go get Takumi.” With that, she got up and called behind the house.

“Takumi, it’s getting late. Come on and eat!”

Hopefully Sanctuary

"You're so unromantic. I think all art requires some measure of love." She smiled a bit.

Watching Roxy go to the door, Devika felt a little flutter of fear. It was just the unknown, calling to her. She hadn't seen another person for weeks, not counting Roxy, and she was praying that this first encounter went smoothly.

She had to talk, to get the fear out of her system. "Where do you get your ideas from? Is it something that comes from your own mind, or do you just bang it out on the metal and see what happens?"