freedomliveson

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

Thoughts are up in Characters tab!

And they have grown a ton! Soooo proud of them both :)

Edit: Yeah...Lysa. Thankfully her relationship with Yerbol soured near the end because of her pursuits, but he still loved her, which I'll make evident in the next post.

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

Alright, so

Act II thoughts:

-Yay for love! I'm going to assume that they're going to be learning how to...well, be a couple, right? I think Taris would be the perfect place for them to go through the initial stages of "teehee, we're in love!" (or something like that xD). Spend some time with parents helping out around the settlement, having time to just...exist. I'd say two or three months of this would be enough? Obviously skip forward in time unless you'd like to slow it down a bit.

-After this recovery period, we talked about Renso contacting them, urging them back deeper into Wild Space to train with him. I'd assume that Renso would do this because he
-Senses he's about to die and wants to pass on his teachings to the youngsters

OR/AND

-Senses a looming threat that Yerbol and Aria will need to be strong enough to face.

Wouldn't mind if we combined the two. Renso's death would precipitate an easier transition into Yerbol and Aria not only attempting to convince the Council of Elders(?) to form a new academy, but also empower them with new knowledge. They would be heralds of a "new era" of using the Force.

Moving on from the training, then, should we introduce that ancient species? If so, I'd love to work on a brand new species...maybe a blend of two? Or humanoid like creatures? Maybe ancient descendants of the Chiss? What do you think?

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

What a 180 degree turn Aria has made since their first encounter in that tomb. I really do love how you had her emphasize how stupid she thought he was for a while(let's be honest, he IS a rather bold idealist), but then it grew on her.

Nyawwww, these two! Got the warm and fuzzies now xD

Also, feeling a LOT of relief. I mean, yes, romantic tension is great to write for a while, but man alive I just wanted them to profess their love already! xD

Now, before I post, I feel like we've reached a "checkpoint" of sorts, which means we have a LOT of room to determine the next Act. I'll post my thoughts in the characters tab in...a bit? Maybe next thirty minutes or so? We can exchange some ideas, then go from there?

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

There we go! :)

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

"Well that's a relief. Stay as long as you'd like. We've got two spare rooms at the end of the hallway that you guys can use."
"Wait, what happened to my room?" Vol whistled guiltily and looked away as Tabitha filled in:
"Your father converted it to a study."
"And Lysa's room?" Tabitha's spine stiffened, sitting up as her tone grew melancholy.
"We...we haven't touched it." So they did know. HOW they knew would be a subject of discussion sooner than later. Vol broke the uncomfortable silence that had come over the table with a jubilant suggestion:
"Right, so dinner and bed? How's that sound? I've got some good stuff in the fridge that Eli harvested a couple days ago. Best potatoes and Nuna you'll find around here."
"Haven't had Nuna in AGES!"
"Well get ready for the stuff that'll have you rejecting any other meat for ages to come."

_____

Dinner and sleep treated the duo well; so well in fact that Yerbol didn't shuffle out of bed and to the kitchen until noon. So that was what, fourteen, fifteen hours of sleep? He wanted to crawl back into bed, but the sight of his parents gazing at him from the kitchen table banished the thought.
"Got some nut milk for you." Vol commented, leaning back in his chair as Yerbol extracted the beverage from the fridge and joined the duo, whose eyes reflected the very opposite range of emotions from yesterday.
"What is it?" Tabitha tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ear as she said softly:
"I felt her death, Yerbol. Felt it all the way from here." Yerbol grimaced, leaning forward on his elbows.
"Were you there, son, when she passed?" Vol asked quietly, hopefulness laced in his tone.
"I was close. She sent me a message to join her on Korriban and-"
"We know." Yerbol's brow shot up in alarm.
"What?!"
"Lysa came here about eight months ago, battered and bruised from what she called her latest 'adventures free from the Jedi'. You know how I feel about the Jedi, the Sith, all of them, but...she was different. Angry. Bitter. Said she was so glad she was liberated from their oppression." Tabitha shook her head, gripping the mug in front of her tightly.
"Did she tell you about the Academy?"
"She mentioned Korriban and-well, your father and I aren't stupid. Korriban plus hatred for the Jedi? We knew what she was trying to do and it was as if...as if..." Tears trickled down her face as Vol drew closer, finishing his wife's thought:
"She told us that whatever happened to her out there would never affect the love she had for us. Now, in hindsight, we think she was saying goodbye, like she knew the path she was on would only end one way." A momentary silence before Vol added:
"She sent that message to you in her old room. We could hear her cause she left the door open. Tried to stop her, tried to reason with her, but we got nowhere." Tabitha leaned into her husband's shoulder, nuzzling into him as he drew his arm around her.
"I almost got to her in time, but...but she was already gone."
"How?" Tabitha asked, straightening up slightly. Yerbol's lips pursed, fully aware that his mother's Force sensitivities might pick up on his hesitancy. He thought for a few moments, then answered confidently:
"A Sith acolyte got her in one of the tombs. I fought with her, but the tomb's supports were unstable and our fight slashed some of the support pillars to pieces. Tried to get Lysa's body out, but couldn't risk it." Another silence dominated the room until Vol nodded.
"We'll choose to remember her the way we see fit. Right, darling?" Tabitha mirrored her husband's reaction, taking strength from his resolve.
"That's right. And we should feel lucky enough to have our son with us...who brings a lady in tow..." Tabitha's brow quirked upwards in a very similar fashion to her son.
"Mom, wait-"
"No, don't you 'Mom, wait' me. You two are adorable together. You ARE together, right?" Yerbol slapped a hand to his forehead.
"No! I mean, well, we're together in the sense of being partners and best friends and-"
"And what else do you need to show you that you love this girl?" Vol's question prompted a slack jaw from his offspring, the former following up his question with:
"Son, are you really that oblivious?"
"Love is a strong term, wouldn't you say?" Tabitha chuckled.
"Baby, what does she mean to you?" Yerbol quickly answered:
"Well, everything."
"Mhhmm. Would you die for her?"
"Of course! Almost did several times."
"Would you be willing to take care of her at her worst and celebrate with her at her best?"
"Yeah! She's my best friend, of course I would!"
"And what did we tell you when you were just a boy? About love?" Yerbol strained to remember, Vol jumping in to remind him:
"Love is when your best friend in the whole world BECOMES your world. Is she that? Is she your world?" Memories flooded into his mind of the past six months that forced him to consider the question. Their endless battles together, their laughter filled walks, their meaningful embraces, their...

He was in love. No, scratch that. He loved her. He loved her so much that it sunk into his bones, consumed his heart.

Tabitha looked to her husband with mischievous eyes.
"I think he just figured it out."
"I love her." He mumbled, eyes sparkling with epiphany.
“I love her!” He nearly shouted, his parents waving for him to lower his voice.
“Don’t want her to find out before she’s ready.” Vol chided gently.
“Right…” He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand nervously.
“So…I need to think. Be back in a few. Are the old walking trails still around?”
“Just out the back through the gate. Actually prettier than you remember.”
“Good.”
He returned about ten minutes before Aria awoke, having set the stage for what might be either his biggest accomplishment or his biggest mistake. In either case, his parents supported him, telling him confidently that love is something that doesn’t wait for an opening, but instead just emerges and forces you to deal with it in whatever way you choose. The way he had decided to handle telling her…well, he thought it would be a fun surprise.
__
Leading her gently up the soft slope, he told her:
“Just a couple more feet…there…we….go!” He unshielded her eyes to display a clearing that ended about two hundred yards north, allowing for spectacular views of mountain peaks in the distance, green valleys below rolling gently into each other, the tops of trees shimmering from the afternoon sun’s light.
“This is what I grew up with. I wanted to show you.” He brought her forward, pointing at the various settlements, sharing a couple of small memories before he faced her, looking into her striking ebony irises. She was beautiful. On so many levels. And he was about to tell her.
He gulped slightly, shifting his feet a bit before he began:
“So…so I brought you out here for more than just the views.” He sighed.
Here we go.
“When we first started out on this journey together, I didn’t think I would gain such an amazing friend.” He reached for her hands, taking them into his own, stroking the tops of them with his thumbs as he continued:
“You are so wonderful. In so many ways. You’re kind, thoughtful, really, REALLY funny, loyal, compassionate(even if you’ll deny it), you put others before yourself and…well, I could keep going, but you get the point. You’re awesome.” He chuckled slightly.
“The past six months have shown me that friends can show up when you never see them coming and that….” He couldn’t contain it anymore.
“Friendship can evolve into so much more.” He paused, but then shook his head, knowing he couldn’t say it any other way than:
“I love you, Aria. I love you with all of my heart, with every fiber of my being…and if you’ll let me, if you feel the same, I will never leave your side. I will always treasure you, defend you, honor you and make you snort milk out of your nose.” A teasing smirk accompanied the last bit.
“And if you don’t feel the same, I’d get it. I’ll never stop loving you, though. I can’t. Not after all we’ve built together.”

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

Oh man, I'm so hyped about this post. About...a third of the way done? Will be done in the next couple of hours

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

I know, right?! I'm going to wait until tomorrow to post because I'll need all the power in my arsenal to make this turning point a worthwhile read. *cracks knuckles*

Thanks for the set up by the way! Saves me some trouble, although I'll still be writing in how nervous of a wreck Yerbol is ALONG with some conversations that Yerbol sneaks in with his parents a couple of hours before Aria awoke(also, good point mentioning that they would sleep for that long. Seriously, when was the last time they got undisturbed rest?) Here in a minute, I'm going to post some character likenesses for the parents, seeing as I feel like I picked the two that best represent them in my mind anyway.

Edit: Posted character likenesses!

Edit edit: So you're good with me just going right into his feelings, then? Or do you want a lead up post? Don't mind either way. Need to know so I can include specific details for either scenario.

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

So feel free to skip to the next morning cause Yerbol is about to share some deep feelings on their date in the next post xD

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

"Well that's good to hear! I tried to teach him how to look out for other people and I thought that the Jedi would only enhance the start I gave him." He clapped his son on the shoulder playfully as he motioned for them to follow him.
"Now come on in. Mom's out back." The home was circular in shape, but had a couple of branching hallways with doors open that revealed rooms of much larger size than normal settlements. It was apparent that Vol had done some work, Yerbol commenting:
"What'd you do, double the square footage of this place? Lysa and I barely had enough room to make it to the kitchen without bumping into stuff."
"Saresh had always been very generous when she was governor of Taris, but even more when Chancellor. A few years ago she mandated a specific line of transport vehicles to bring us whatever we needed, hence-" He motioned to the brushed stainless steel facade of the cabinets in the kitchen, which was further on from the living room that greeted them when they entered.
"Now wait a minute, I want to bring her in." There were two beige couches, one of which had stitching coming out of it, Yerbol chuckling.
"I did that. I think Lysa and I were horsing around and I tried to grab onto the couch and...well, it didn't work out." The seating arrangements were shaped in an "L", a monitor mounted to the wall facing the longer couch. The monitor was on mute, but displayed news coverage with subtitles at the very bottom in Basic. This time there was a feature story on the discovery of gang issues on Quesh and how said gangs were severely hampering the Alliance's efforts in mining resources.
"Always someone there to make others miserable." Yerbol commented sardonically, casually examining the coffee table situated in the center of the room.
"No scholarly magazines? Weird. Must've filed them all away...or Mom made him give them up." He expounded a bit more on the premise:
"Dad was a professor at Coruscant Academy for a long time. Taught Economics and Philosophy before marrying Mom and deciding he wanted to put into practice what he learned. 'Better to die knowing you made a difference than live knowing you never will!' Still kept up with the trade, though." A surprised gasp floated in from the kitchen, Yerbol's throat suddenly filling with what felt like a multitude of frogs. Vol beamed at the duo as he motioned to a woman about ten inches shorter than Vol, her shoulder-length hair a collection of light brown, red and grey, dark, piercing eyes looking over the two before she put a hand over her chest, face crinkling as tears ran down her cheeks.
"My baby boy..." She croaked, approaching him and taking his hands in her own, squeezing them gently before embracing him.
"Hey, Mom." He whispered, the phrase the only thing he could muster as the emotional gravity of what was occurring washed over him. They stood there for a while, silently hugging before she withdrew.
"I'm so happy you're alright." Her voice had a musical lilt to it, as if she were singing every other word.
"Aria made sure of that." The mother hugged Aria as well, drawing her close as she said softly:
"Thank you, my dear." The making of a teasing smirk formed on her lips as she looked to her son.
"It's nice to know someone is watching over him. I'm all too aware of what he can get into."
"Mom, you too?" Volgorl and his wife chuckled, the former placing an arm around his beloved and addressed Aria:
"Names are in order, aren't they? I'm Volgorl and this is my beautiful wife, Tabitha." She playfully slapped him on the chest.
"Don't worry about formalities around here. Life is too short for hierarchy to get in the way, so our first names will do." Vol added, Tabitha slipping away from her husband as she called out:
"You two just made it for tea. Sit down..." She took a backwards glance at her son.
"I think we have a lot to catch up on."

So much was exchanged at the wooden table. Laughs, tears, sentiments, stories, all of it occurring over seemingly endless cups of tea that Tabitha magically synthesized. Much of the initial exchange came from Yerbol and Aria recounting their story, each getting supplemental questions and comments("Really? How did Bracknell manage to do that?!" or "Talking with a dead Sith Lord sounds like a horrifying prospect, but at least he helped you!") They had omitted Lysa's death, but his parents not asking made Yerbol uneasy. Did they know already? Or had they figured it out and they didn't want to talk about it in front of Aria? In either case, their conversation was of a positive tone, seeing as they had conquered "a threat to everyone, not just Force users" (Tabitha shared her theory that mass extinction of one race would only lead to mass extinction of others). His parents shared their expansion of the house, constantly fighting off the waning terrors of Taris and other minor stories that normally had the entire table laughing at one point or another. The dual paned window in the kitchen showed off a setting sun, Tabitha's verdant garden cast in a beautiful orange-red glow visible from the kitchen table thanks to the open back door. A silence came over the room after a quip from Yerbol about his father's hair, Tabitha finishing her tea before asking:
"How long are you two staying for? Surely you're going to have to go back out there." Yerbol shrugged, looking to his companion with a smile.
"I think Ari and I deserve a break...wouldn't you say, partner?"

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

Nice handling of the speech! Thanks for that :)

Haha, yessss. Basically, Vol(or Volgorl) is just Yerbol older. He's ALSO sort of an adaptation of a character I normally play in medieval fantasy/dragon age threads, which means that his wife is also going to be an adaptation of a character that one of my former roleplay buddies came up with(bless her heart, but personal stuff really took a toll on her).

Aww, Ari. Prepare for her to have to deal with humans that greet her warmly...which may or may not disorient her xD