CapnJayde
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Posts posted by CapnJayde
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D'awww! Thats wonderful news, Eric! Congratulations! Happy Birthday and enjoy yourself!. You deserve some time off anyway!
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I am 100% totally down for this. I mean, the letter and some things he says kinda hints towards it. Headcanons abound!
Seriously though, /SIGNED.
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I get to the point in the Shrine where Arcann escapes and the Sith Empire shows up. Lana says some stuff and I choose the first dialogue option, "THey could be useful" and each and every time I get kicked from the game....
Anyone else having this issue or is it just me?
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@CapnJayde: I liked the image of Annyala’s mother coming out of the ocean of the Force. Despite being given to the Jedi as a child, eschewing connections and family, the Force has other plans. For everyone.
I always liked the idea of "force ghosts" as it were since the movies. My apologies on the confusion, Annyala is the mother of all the Rand sisters. I knew i should have gone over it again.
I'm glad you enjoyed though! -
oooooo. I'm loving this. I love your back stories of Ru and Nat and Nik so far. Can't wait to read more!
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Comments and Replies
Bright_Ephemera: Wynston is just awesome. haha I dislike Kaliyo so i think his responses to her are on point.
Frauzet: I've always like the Force Visions in Star Wars.
Alaurin: Daww. You're colors piece was Cute.
AkHadeed: hahhahaha. I loved it. Especially since i love coffee and being out is terrible. What we do for coffee.
Bultitude_Loke: Welcome! Your piece was lovely.
Feldraeth: Buahahahahhhaah. I lol'ed at the "just can't wait to be king thing" Just epic.
I'm still making my way through this thread. Think i've made it to page. 100. only 400+ to go. Someone get Feldraeth an Award! Now for a story! Its also posted in my thread if any of you want a bit less confusion..
Title: What The Force Binds Together...
Prompt: Inheritance
Character: Taya Rand (JK) Annyala Rand (Mother)
Setting: Meditation Chambers in Senate Tower on Coruscant set after her Nightmares/Dreams post.
Spoilers: Jedi Knight Story Missions from Tython and Coruscant, mentioned only.
Jedi Knight Excerpt 5: What The Force Binds Together...
Taya arrived at the Senate Tower only to be told there was nothing more to be done as the tracing of the holocall between Salarr and Lord Tarnis would take a couple of days at best. The anxiety and worry in the room with Agent Galen and General Var Suthra was starting to get to her. Fatigued as she was, she bid them and Kira a good night and headed toward the Jedi Council Chambers area of the Senate. She knew there was a meditation chamber and a small dormitory off the council chambers. Though sleep would be beneficial, she needed to center herself first with meditation. The events of the last few days and as well as that of her mother's death needed to be reflected on and properly processed otherwise her sleep would be plagued.
The meditation chambers were empty and quiet when she stepped in. It was a peacefully adorned room, with little comfortable mats laid out in a half moon pattern in the middle of it. Two benches with beige cushions lined the back wall. Several potted plants were hung or placed at intervals around the room. She could feel peace here almost instantly as she stepped in.
She didn't pick any particular matt, instead she moved to the back wall and sat cross-legged on the bench, her brown robes fanned around and over the bench hiding her white leggings. With a inhaled breath, she closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. Using the breathing technique she was soon in a meditative trance, her mind bringing that which needed to be processed to the front, one at a time. Her trials on Tython leading to capturing Bengel Morr came and passed. The vision she'd had of her mother's murder came to her mind but was strangely taken over by that of Doctor Tarnis really being a Sith Lord. As the day's events on Coruscant that concerned Lord Tarnis played out in her mind, she focused on each one and allowed it to be played over before they were processed in her mind. Then came the tense reunion with her sisters. The news that their twin siblings that had been barely a year old when she'd gone to the Jedi, had been kidnapped the same day their father had gone missing unnerved her. They were still missing according to Nataliea and their mother had never stopped searching.
Taya had sensed that her older sister believed their father had something to do with the kidnapping, however, she only remembered the kind gentle man that would read her and Nataliea bed time stories. Of course what ever happened after she was taken to the Jedi, Taya didn't know. She could sense there was a reason but she couldn't see it.
The vision of her mother come forward in her mind and she was instantly hit with a wave of emotions. Those of her mother as well as her own. The fear, despair, pain and the strong underlying determination to protect her children were from her mother. They mixed with that of Taya's. Sadness, the pain she'd felt as her mother passed on, the strange hole that seemed to be in her heart at the loss of the connection she'd never even realized she'd had with her mother, it was like that of a raging ocean in a storm and she was bobbing around in it.
Just as she had when she'd seen her mother die, she called upon the force and the Jedi code to help calm this tumultuous ocean of strong and powerful emotions. Focusing on each word in the Jedi code as she repeated it as a mantra in her mind, she allowed peace to enter and calm the ocean. Before long she was at peace. In her mind's eye, she saw the ocean calm, still and smooth as glass.
It was within this calm and still ocean, she felt she wasn't alone. A presence, gentle and warm like that of the sunlight upon her skin during a brisk autumn day, was with her. She recognized this presence.
Mother? She said in the Force. The ocean in her mind's eye seemed to become real and vivid as she noticed a bright figure hovering above the still waters. The brightness seemed to dim but it didn't go away, instead it revealed an older woman with long wavy crimson colored hair that fanned out around her. Gentle laugh lines graced the woman's aged face beautifully. A warm smile was on her face, gentle but with traces of sadness. The woman nodded answering Taya, though she'd been aware of the answer.
“My darling daughter,” Annyala Rand said smiling, a glint of tears in her eyes. “Look at you, a beautiful grown woman and a Jedi knight. I am proud of you, honey.”
Taya found herself choked up with emotion.
“Mom,” was all she could say as a tear rolled down her cheek.
“shh,” Annyala cooed comfortingly. “There is no need to cry. Death is not the end.”
“I know,” Taya said stifling a sob. “I have missed you ever since I was taken to the Jedi.”
The vision or..ghost of her mother came forward and the feeling of sun warming her skin increased.
“I missed you, as have your sisters,”Annyala said. “There are many things that have conspired against this family but I will tell you this, had you not been taken to the Jedi, you would have been taken elsewhere.”
The sadness in her mother's ghostly tone caught Taya's attention. She frowned, “What do you mean, elsewhere?”
“You and Nataliea were just children at the time,” Annyala started to explain. “The twins were but babes, and Jayde was still an unborn joy. After Master Kwuin found you and took you to become a Jedi, things greatly started to change. Your father became....well... not the man I married or loved.”
Taya listened and wondered if her older sister had been correct.
“I had believed at the time,” Annyala said, “that your leaving to the Jedi had affected him, that he'd taken it very hard. It wasn't until much much later, just days ago, that I would understand what had happened.”
“Father had something to do with the twins' abduction?” Taya asked the sense of sadness enveloped her mother as her ghostly light nodded.
“I don't know the specifics,” Annyala sighed. “But the Force has always been strong in the Rand bloodline even though not all of our family have been force-sensitive. I had always known that I would have force sensitive children and that never bothered me. For what the force binds together, cannot be broken. Your father knew this as well when we married and knew that if any children we had were found to be force-sensitive they would, like go, go to the Jedi to be trained and protected. To go on and do great things.”
With a sad ghostly sigh, Annyala bowed her head for a moment before looking back at her daughter, “I wish I knew the answers but I do not. Had I seen him for what he truly was, perhaps I could have avoided what has since happened.”
Taya felt confused, “I don't understand, Mother, what happened?”
“Your father took the twins believing them to be force-sensitive like you,” Annyala answered quietly. “What his reasons were, I don't know. Where he took them, I'm not entirely sure. But I know, I've always known that they live. I don't know what lies in store for you or your sisters but I do know that the events that will shape this galaxy will have all of you at the forefront. These events may even put you against your own blood.” The light that was her mother enveloped Taya and she felt like she was a child once again in her mother's arms.
“I am sorry, so very sorry for such an inheritance I have left you and your sisters,” She heard her mother's voice as it faded. “Remember, what the Force binds together, cannot be undone.”
Taya opened her eyes and found herself back in the meditation chambers of the Senate Tower. The feeling of sunlight warming her skin faded and she realized once again she alone in the room even as her mother's words still echoed in her mind.
What the Force binds together, cannot be undone.
For a moment, Taya wept.
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Comments and Replies:
@Bright: just wow! Look at all the stories! I still have lots of reading to do!
I see Jorgan that way, i'm glad it came through properly. believe it or not Taya's vision was rewritten nine times. hahaha@Alauriin: Jax and Ka'van....that was awesome.
Ugh,I am reminded me that i'll doing Taris on ALL of my characters soon. Rakghouls...well Maybe they'll be thinned out a bit thanks to Jax and Ka'van. @Felderath: haha No i wasn't at all offended by the new guy thing. Totally cool with it.
Taya was a bit difficult to write to be honest but i'm glad it's finally enjoyable for you all (well to read. ) As for her mother's killer. haha well, that would be telling. , however to be honest, there isn't a Jedi Consular in this story. at least not that i know of. There are other characters to come however. Mayhem and Righteouse smiting I love that! hahahaon your post. I love the angry birds reference. I lol'ed, and Roan doing research on Vette's people. She's going to be mighty surprised when she finds out what he found. I like the way you write from the first person. Really tells whats going on in the person's mind.
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@Striges: DOH! >_< You're right, i've read so many posts on here i've become confuzzled! My apologies to both you and Bright! There is plenty more to come with the Rand sisters. And the spoilers will start tapering off soon btw.
@BrightEphemera: I didn't read all of your post on Wynston...once i realized it was IA stuff but what i did read i loved it!
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Alrighty, here goes comments and replies!
I'm trying to catch up on this! @Mirdthestrill: She's really the most...grounded, of her sisters i think.
that and her interactions with her son was fun and happy to write. On Eyrie, i haven't gotten fare enough to actually meet doc yet, hahah but i've been beyond spoiled. This was just fun to read!@Frauzet: Cliffhangers! I love it. all of it.
@Kitar: I'm so sorry but i've not done anything with SOR yet or the consular. I'll come back and read this when i do though!
@Feldraeth: heheh the new guy.
the armor cam and new armor was just fun to do.. You're piece with Patrius..Excellent fitting punishment for such a guy. I'm glad you gave some justice for Vette. @Charmedseed: Thank you for the welcome! I'm having loads of fun reading and writing.
Celebrations was and still is so far, my favorite excerpt i've written. Backstories lead me to other things and before i knew it...i have a whole story i'm working on. As for the father...hahah Nataliea hasn't told me yet. @Striges: haha I read one of your posts not paying enough attention to your spoiler warning...i can't read anymore until i level up my Agent. But what i did read, I love Wynston already.
Now for another prompt.. which also happens to pertain to Bound By Ties of Blood and Oath!
Spoiler Note: There are spoilers for the Jedi Knight Story missions on Tython. As well as some violence and implied gore.
Title: Jedi Knight Excerpt 1: Some Bonds Cannot Be Severed
Prompt: Dreams and Nightmares*-I will admit this is more of a....vision than a Nightmare...but it fits i think.
Characters: Taya Rand (JK)
EDIT: I just realized i didn't place where this falls in the timeline of my characters. If you've been following my thread, its posted there. however, on here, this falls After Interesting Surprise and long before Celebrations!
The world of Tython was beautiful, if one could stop fighting Flesh raider's long enough to take in the beauty of the nature that shrouded the planet. Padawan Taya Rand had been fighting Flesh Raiders for the last week since the Flesh Raiders had invaded the Padawan Training Grounds. The rather violent natives had also imprisoned young padawans in cages, killed and wounded several others. She'd found the source, a tunnel that emptied in to a cave. It was there that what had seemed to be had not been the whole story. A young man named Callef who had wielded a blue lightsaber had been directing the flesh raiders to “cleanse” the planet and the Jedi Order. Despit her attempts of getting him to surrender peacefully, she'd had to fight him. She'd defeated him even though he'd had a lightsaber.
That was when she'd met Master Orgus Din, who was now her master for the Final Trials. Her first meeting with the Jedi Council had made her privy to the situation on Tython. Just yesterday she'd helped the “illegal” Twi'lek settlement and even improved relations with their new Matriarch. She and Master Din had disabled an energy shield the Flesh raiders had been using over their camp. That was when they discovered the real culprit behind the violent increase in the Flesh Raiders' activity. Master Din's former Padawan, Bengell Morr, who apparently had given into the dark side, was intent on destroying the Jedi Order.
Today had taken a darker turn however. After placing holorecordings in the Ruins of Kaleth for the Jedi Council to monitor Flesh raider movements in the area, she'd returned to the Twi'lek Village to offer more assistance and meet up with her Master. However she'd been captured and found out that the new Matriarch had handed over her Master to Bengel Morr's forces in exchange for protection of her village. She'd managed to convince the Matriarch to let her go so she could find Master Din and save the twi'lek village.
Taya Rand was now on her way towards the Ancient Forge with the navigation guidance of T7-01 a little astromech droid she'd found in the caves of Kaleth. She'd been fighting through Flesh Raiders and the odd hostile predator ever since.
She was about to enter the series of caves that led to forge when a wave of pain and fear fell over her. It hit her so fast and hard that she staggered. Her vision going cloudy, she leaned heavily against the cave entrance wall. She vaguely heard the concerned beeping of TeeSeven before the scenery of Tython fogged and disappeared to be replaced by a place that seemed vaguely familiar but was blurry...like that of a dream.
An...apartment living area. A presence...a very familiar warm and nurturing presence. One she felt as if she'd known all her life.
Fear was nearly ambushing her. But it wasn't her fear, it was...whoever she felt was in that apartment. She tried to look around and realized she couldn't move the view willingly. Instead she was seeing through someone else's eyes. This someone, this familiar presence was running through the living area as a loud crash sounded from beyond the blurred vision. The vision suddenly tipped and rapidly approached the floor as pain exploded up and down Taya's back. But it wasn't her back.
Cackling laughter sounded close to her ear as she felt rough hands paw her and roughly turn her over so she laid on her back. But it wasn't her.
Through eyes that were not her own, Taya saw the masked face of a man whose hands were roving everywhere.
“Thought you could get away, huh?” he said in a low smug whisper, “Thought you could hide? Thought I wouldn't come back for what is mine?”
“NO!” She heard a woman cry out as she struggled. Fear blossomed again but it wasn't fear for the life she was sure she about to lose, it was fear for her children, her daughters.
Memories flooded Taya's mind.
Her children, her daughters.
Her...daughters.
With a shock, Taya realized she was seeing through the eyes of her mother.
There was a hard object at her right temple. No, not hers, her mother's.
The masked face grew closer, “Where is it?” the voice spat.
“Never,” her mother's voice said, clear and unwavering. A strength, Taya had never felt before reverberated through this....vision, whatever it was.
“Wrong answer,” The masked man said and there was a sound of a trigger mechanism before a white hot agony seared the right side of her head.
Taya came back to Tython with a pained jolt. She opened her eyes to see she was staring up at the sky of Tython. Tears were streaming freely, even as the pain faded she stretched out in the force and felt the presence of her mother fade away.
“Mom,” She whispered on a pained sob as she stared into the sky. Her heart ached painfully as if something had been ripped from her. And something had, violently at that.
Sitting up, she heard the gentle whirring of TeeSeven as he moved to her.
A series of beeps that held a tone of concern told her what the droid meant.
Jedi= okay? TeeSeven asked.
“I'm...” she started but coughed to clear her throat that was suddenly very tight. She wiped away her tears. “I'm okay, TeeSeven,” she finally managed.
The echos of what she'd just experience were still washing over her. She felt like she was suffocating under such tumultous emotions, fear, pain, anger, loss...
Calm your mind, Padawan. Master Orgus Din's voice whispered in her mind.
Taya closed her dark green eyes and focused on reciting the Jedi Code in her mind.
There is no Emotion, There is Peace,
There is no Ignorance, There is Knowledge,
There is no Passion, There is Serenity,
There is no Chaos, there is Harmony,
There is no Death, There is The Force.
She felt a calm peace flow into her, a slow gentle river that started to wash away the feelings of fear, pain and loss.
There is no Death, There is the Force, She repeated in her thoughts. This last line of the code, it gave her a sense of peace. Her mother was now one with the Force.
Taking a steadying breath, she stood up. There was still a dull ache in her chest but she had to push it aside. She had a mission, she needed to save her Master. A new found sense of determination filled her. She didn't wonder where it had come from, didn't speculate. Inside she knew it had come from the connection she'd just had with her blood mother.
She may have been seven when Master Quinn had found her and taken her to the Jedi Order, but that bond with her mother had still been there as she had just discovered. Just as now, her bond with Master Din. He'd told her when he'd first taken her on as a padawan that the Living Force had brought them together as Master and Padawan for a reason.The Living Force had shown her what happened to her mother for a reason.
There was no time to contemplate it just now, however, she needed to move.
Gripping her practice saber in her hands, she entered the caves leading to the Ancient Forge, with TeeSeven following behind her.
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@Striges: Hahaha, I had a bit of fun with the armor bit in my story. I've never actually seen Aric as a complete jerk. Just one who has had to deal with one too many rookies. I served in the military so Nataliea's reaction to him and her paitence stems from my own experiences. hahaha there is always someone in any job that you'd love to mouth off too. Also, love your story! Poor little Cathar. Kothe seems a very interesting jedi master. Like he's getting tired of it almost but still has his heart in the right place. *Hugs T'Kaleni*
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Okay, I could not resist! I love the prompts! Working on more as ideas pop into my head. Like this one! which happened to fit perfectly in the story i have posted in the Bound by ties of Blood and Oath thread i started. I have so many excerpts written that i have found i want to share with you all.
Prompt: Gifts
Characters: Nataliea Rand (Trooper) and Aric Jorgan
Summary:Rough Days happen and sometimes good things come from those you least expect.
Note: THis takes place BEFORE my celebrations piece...way before it.
Spoilers: Mentioned Prologue spoilers for Trooper story.
Trooper Excerpt 2 PT 2: Interesting Surprise
Upon arriving to her barracks room which was naturally small despite having two sets of bunks in it, Nataliea was surprised to see she was alone in the room. Placing her pack on the floor by the bunk closest to the door, she noticed a package on the bed with her name and rank, Sergeant Rand , written on it. Her brow furrowed in curiosity as she picked it up and opened it. Inside was a series of armor plate sections, a chest plate, shoulder and upper arm plates, lower arm plates and even armored gloves all with Havoc squad colors. She was more than a little surprised and wondered who'd sent it.
She had stopped by the med center after Talloran Village, but she didn't even bother mentioning she'd been hit. The wound had been minor after all and was fixed up before she'd stepped into the Command Center. Who even knew about it?
Standing up, Nataliea took her current armor plating off and that was when she noticed the chuck of plate missing right where the sep had shot her. Wearing her under armor, she picked up her pack and pulled out a secondary set of underarmor followed by a set of black shorts and a matching black tank top.
One of the squad must have noticed it, she thought as she placed the new armor plate sections on the under armor. It was nice of whoever it was. She picked up the armor and then set it on the dresser nearest her bunk before turning and grabbing the packaging. It was then a slip of paper fell to the ground.
She picked it up and saw that the same hand that had written her name on the package had actually left a note. Surprise caught her as she read the short note.
Sergeant Rand,
Even Rookies need good gear in the field.
Respectfully, Lieutenant Jorgan
How the hell...Nataliea wondered then it hit her. The armor cam. He must have seen her bandaging her arm when she'd taken the shoulder plate off.
“Well, I'll say this much for him,” she said to herself, “He keeps an eye on his people.” He certainly was a jerk, but he wasn't that Lieutenant Virk. Otherwise she'd not have come back from Talloran alive.
After putting the note in her back, she grabbed her sleeping clothes and toiletries then hit the fresher for a much needed shower.
What a day, she'd hit the ground running from the moment the walker had been taken down, found out there was corruption in the ranks, and a very interesting surprise from the last person she expected. Later as she laid in the slightly hard bunk, she wondered briefly if Jorgan would be a jerk when she thanked him for the armor plating tomorrow.
Oh, more than likely, Nat, more than likely, she thought and with that, she fell asleep.
An hour later and a little ways down the hall in the barracks from Nataliea's room, saw Lieutenant Jorgan entering his own suite after finishing up on looking in to Lieutenant Virk and the bribery scheme the new sergeant had reported. Aric headed for the fresher, yawning. He'd seen pathetic and corrupt officers before that made sure they could continue on extorting soldiers under their commands through fear. It disgusted him. He'd despised bullies all his life. Especially after seeing what it did to one of his littermates growing up. He'd made a point to report every one of the types like Lieutenant Virk every time he'd come across them since starting his military career. Lieutenant Virk was a pathetic officer, thinking he was the main attraction just because he wore the rank Lieutenant. But to make the soldiers under his command literally pay for their lives? That was beyond despicable. How many good soldiers had they lost on this planet just because they had a greedy bastard for a CO?
As he stepped out of the fresher and toweled off, Aric pulled on a pair of boxers and proceeded to get his uniform laid out for the morning which was only a few hours away. He'd heard Private Farn speaking to Sergeant Rand about Lieutenant Virk. Aric was more than a little disappointed and pissed that Virk had made the Private feel he couldn't approach anyone but a sergeant who'd only just arrived on the planet hours earlier. He'd heard most of the Private's concerns and even noted the hard edge to Sergeant Rand's voice as she promised to bring up the matter to her superiors.
He'd been pleased to see the hot shot rookie wasn't about to play nice in the face of any retribution that Lieutenant Virk was bound to shoot at her. He'd be sure not to let it come to that. Especially after seeing her armor today after she returned from Talloran village. He'd made a requisition order for better plating. It might not have been the best, but it would keep her from getting killed from a stray bolt. There was no amount of armor to keep anyone from getting killed from stupidity, but the young rookie was proving to be highly capable in combat. She wouldn't back down from Lieutenant Virk if it came down to it.
Not that one, he thought as he got into his bunk. She's a rookie, but there is a spine there. Before drifting to a few hours of sleep he wondered breifly if Sergeant Rand had received her new armor plating.
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Since I have little excerpts that dont quite fit prompts, I made a thread for my characters! I figured I'd help out with the indexing and finding and stuff like that.
Title: Bound By Ties of Blood and Oath
Link: http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=788412
Author: CapnJayde
Class: Ensemble piece though it will have several excerpts that only show one particular character at a time. As of now that is Nataliea Rand (Republic Trooper), Jayde Lynn Rand (Smuggler) (i'll edit this when the other sister comes up!)
Blurb:
The Rand sisters haven't always been close, but when tragedy strikes the bonds formed between these sisters and those that work with them will be all they have to investigate the mysterious circumstances that surround their mother's murder. Will it be enough? Will the bounds of blood and oath get them through when a distant relative with other loyalties shows up? Or will it break this proud legacy?
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My heart was literally aching for Corso. He's such a teddy bear. He's one of my favorite companions. I really like how you've put so much more to him. He's great ingame already but with Bella....ooh he's a keeper.
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Daww....the warm feels.
Thank you! I have several bits i've written already...hahaha so i'll post more of Nataliea and her sisters. @alaurin: I'll be sure to keep in mind what you need for the indexing. You're stories are awesome by the way.
@bright_ephemera: Nataliea is very compassionate...but as a Trooper she's very professional.
something i decided for Aric to find out as time goes on. There will be more! I have several prompts i picked out! @striges: I wanted something that really pushed her to join the Republic Military. That's Ezekiel.
plus I wanted there to be a wee one in the mix of Nataliea and her sisters. (more on those to come! )I'm grinning from ear to ear atm. Teehee. The feels!
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The Guild is called Imperial Oath. Its empire side atm. Still trying to get people with Republic characters to make a Republic guild. If you want to join, just pm one of us, (I'm Atayla ingame) Snakwarlord is the same and Slagator has posted his ingame name as well. Also you can register at ImperialOath.enjin.com.
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So after reading so many of these great awesome stories. (i'm stil not close to being even halfway through the 500+ pages.
) I decided I would brave these waters. Please bear with me as i'm a bit new to this and I am not entirely sure of all the rules. (aside from the forums ones) If i mucked something up let me know please. This was a tid bit i had running around my head for the longest time when i first wrote excerpts for my trooper. Hope you all like it.
Prompt: Celebrations (i know its not the current one, sorry! first timer here.
)Characters: Nataliea Rand (Trooper) Perspective Character: Aric Jorgan
Summary: Despite all the galaxy is throwing at them, a brief moment of levity to make a young one smile is sometimes all it takes to make the most hardened warriors appreciate the little things.
Spoiler warning: There are slight mentioned spoilers for the trooper storyline. It might be a bit long. Sorry in advanced.
Aric Jorgan was leaning at the doorway from the galley into the rec room of the BT-7 Thunderclap with his arms crossed and a smile on his face. He'd just finished making a decent meal with what supplies they'd bought on Coruscant and Carrick Station. Upon stepping out to tell Nataliea and her young son that food was ready, he'd been struck silent at the sight that greeted his eyes. Lieutenant Nataliea Rand, Commanding Officer of Havoc Squad was currently chasing her young son, Ezekiel Rand around the rec room table with the obvious intent of tickling the giggling boy trying to run from her. Aric watched, seeing the bright happy grin on the young boy's face as he ran from his mother. He couldn't help but smile as he saw Nataliea's radiant smile. One that reached up to her pale green eyes that sparkled with joy as she caught her son and immediately started tickling the laughing and playfully struggling Ezekiel. She'd fallen to her knees to tickle him and then rolled on to her back as struggled to get away. Their laughter rang through the ship causing Aric to chuckle quietly.
As he watched the lighthearted encounter between mother and son, he realized once again that there was an entirely different side to his CO. Back when they'd first arrived on Coruscant and met with General Garza, he'd been concerned and admittedly slightly annoyed when Garza had wanted a private word with the Lieutenant. He'd gone to the barracks suite that had been set up for them in the military installation on the planet. It had been about an hour later when a stormy faced Lieutenant Rand and marched through the door and straight to the fresher. He'd thought then that whatever Garza had told Nataliea had been about the fall out of Tavus's defection. Later that night after they had returned from cutting off Tavus's underworld supply lines, she'd gone to bed. He'd woken up to her crying in her sleep. After several apologies, she'd given him the news she had received. Her mother had been murdered. She hadn't told him then that she had a son. It wasn't until the next morning when they reported to General Garza that he'd found out.
Aric remembered watching with confusion as a little dark haired boy with pale green eyes went running up to a teary eyed but smiling Nataliea. He'd initially thought the boy was possibly her younger brother, then he'd heard the boy cry, “Mommy!”
Having seen the woman he'd only seen stoic or calm, crying as she held her son, Aric had been, to say the least, shocked. He'd then chastised himself, it certainly was not at all uncommon for a soldier to have a family, he'd just not expected at all for such a young woman to have a son who looked to be about six or seven.
After the teary eyed reunion with her son, General Garza had the graciousness to allow the boy to stay with her as they completed missions around Coruscant. The few nights they stayed in the barracks, the boy, who Aric learned was named, Ezekiel, stayed with them in his mother's room. That first evening with Ezekiel, after Nataliea's detour to her mother's ruined home leading to an unexpected and not so happy reuinon with her three sisters, Nataliea had stepped out of their room having just gotten the boy to sleep when she turned to him.
“I'm sorry, Sergeant,” Nataliea had said with a sigh. He'd looked up from the sofa where he'd been sitting watching the huttball match on the holovid, frowning.
“I don't understand, Sir,” Aric had said. She was walking towards the kitchenette behind as she threw up her hands.
“All of this,” she said with resignation in her voice. “I hadn't expected...” Her voice had trailed off as she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. He turned around to look back at her as she approached the sofa.
“I think I owe you an explanation, Sergeant,” She'd said sitting on the other end of the sofa.
“You don't owe me anything, Lieutenant,” he'd said, still a bit confused about why she was apologizing.
“Well, you should know regardless,” She said taking a swig from the water bottle. “Ezekiel is my son, this you already know. I joined the military about a year after he was born. My mother and I thought it best that he was 'officially' left in her care, meaning she was his legal gaurdian while I served. Since she was a bit more financially stable then I was at the time.” She shrugged. “Every opportunity i've had since, i've come home to my son. You see, he doesn't know his father, nor will he for a very long time.” A haunted looked had crossed Nataliea's face before she shook her head.
“My mother is the only other relative I have on this planet,” Sighing, she took another drink. “As of now, the other person who could take him is in the outer rim. So again, I'm sorry for this. I'm not sure how you feel about it, but I felt you should know some of the details.”
“Sir,” Aric said with understanding in his voice. “Nothing about our situation has been ideal lately. You couldn't have expected what happened to your mother. You've nothing at all to apologize for.”
She'd given him a small gratefull smile and nodded, “You surprise me sometimes, Sergeant, you know that?”
Aric had arched an eyebrow. She'd only laughed, “Well back on ord Mantel you hadn't exactly come across as the understanding type. No offense, just being honest.”
He'd had to laugh at that, after all he'd not expected her to be a mother.
“I'll give you that one,” He'd said and they'd discussed their next mission before saying good night and both trying to get some sleep.
Luckily arrangements had been made and they were currently on their way to take Ezekiel to Nataliea's Aunt Marala on a remote outer rim planet.
Aric knew his CO had a lot on her shoulders but he was willing to help and ease that burden. Even if that meant helping her cooking a birthday dinner for her young son who had turned eight today.
The tickling had stopped and Nataliea was still laughing with Ezekiel who lay atop her. Both seeming to need a bit of rest after such a tickle fest. It was amoment of levity, of family. One he'd not been around in quite sometime. It was a refreshing change in atmosphere. A moment not to be taken for granted. This wasn't his family, but in a squad comaraderie sometimes amounted to the same thing. The young hotshot rookie was growing on him.
“Dinner is ready,” Aric said, still smiling over what he'd just witnessed.
“OO, food!” Ezekiel piped and energetically jumped off his mother who chuckled as she got up from the deck
.
“Wash your hands, E,” she said, a motherly tone coloring her voice.
“Aww...okay,” Ezekiel said fiening defeat as he headed off to the fresher. Nataliea was smiling as she shook her head. The joy still in her face, made Aric realize just how beautiful she was.
Oh no, you dont, she's your CO, He chastised himself.
“Sorry if we were a bit too loud,” Nataliea said approaching him as he turned and headed into the galley.
“Not at all,” Aric said as he pulled out three trays while Nataliea pulled out eating utencils. “Its his birthday, every kid needs to laugh and smile loudly on their birthday.”
She glanced sidelong at him, “I bet you raised hell, on your birthdays as a kid,” she said with a smirk.
“You bet I did,” he chuckled as they scooped the food on the trays and set the table in the rec room.
“Moooom,” Came Ezekiel's voice from the fresher
.
“Yes, Honey?” Nataliea called back setting the utencils.
“Um...I think I broke it!” he called back.
Aric was grabbing glasses as he arched an eyebrow, “Uh oh.” was all he said. Nataliea merely pegged him with a look as she moved toward the fresher.
“Broke what?” Aric heard Nataliea say right before her yelp of surprise.
Setting the glasses down, he moved curious as to what was broken that caused the outburst from his usually calm CO.
Once he reached the fresher, he burst out laughing as his gaze caught Ezekiel spraying his mother with water from the fresher's sink's detachable head. Through the water spray, Nataliea grabbed the sink head, turned it off and put it back before turning around to find Aric practically dying of laughter and her young son giggling histerically.
Aric witnessed the roll of her jaw signifying her anger and, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder, he poke in a calm voice that still held traces of amusement. She was standing there, her face and soaked and clinging to her curves.
“You have to admit, Sir,” he said trying not to laugh again. “He got you pretty good.”
Her pale green eyes narrowed at him through wet lashes. “Don't encourage him,” she muttered. She turned to her son who was giggling behind a hand clamped over his mouth. Aric watched as a smile fought and won to break across her face.
“All right, all right,” she said, “You got me this time, little one. You got that idea from your aunt Jayde didn't you?”
“That would be telling, mom,” Ezekiel giggled.
With an amused roll of her eyes, she ushered both of them into the rec room where Aric resumed filling glasses with water and one with milk before they settled down at the table to eat.
After dinner was eaten and cleaned up, Aric and Ezekiel were watching a pod race on the holovid. Aric had to admit the kid was well behaved and certainly had fun with whatever it was he was doing. He wondered if the young boy knew what had happened to his grandmother and hoped that if the kid did know, he would be able to forget about it for atleast today. Ever since he was with them, Aric had seen nothing but smiles and laughter from the boy.
Nataliea came out of the galley with a plate of small circular brown looking things. After placing them on the table, Nataliea called them both over.
“But mom, the race!” Ezekiel protested.
“But E, birthday cookies,” Nataliea said with an amused warm smile.
“OH! Nevermind,” Ezekiel said his face lighting up as he hoped off of the rec room couch and bounded over to the table. Aric had no idea what a “cookie” was and moved over to investigate. He was used to crumbling flat cakes and iced cream for birthdays. Nataliea had apparently noticed his curiosity as she chuckled handing him a 'cookie'.
“Never had a cookie?” she said.
“Uh, no. No I haven't. What is it exactly?” Aric asked taking the cookie and giving it an inspection.
“Only the best most awesome sweet ever,” Ezekiel beamed as he filled his glass with milk and piled his plate with the cookies.
Nataliea laughed, “Chocolate chip cookies are Ezekiel's favorite sweet treat. He's never much cared for cakes. So for his birthday we've always celebrated with chocolate chip cookies.”
“There are bits of chocolate in these?” Aric asked rather fascinated.
Nataliea smiled at him and nodded.
“Okay birthday boy,” she said and started singing Happy Birthday. Aric joined in. Once the song was done, Ezekiel immediately started in on his cookies. Aric was still looking at the cookie when he heard Nataliea chuckle.
“Go ahead and try it,” she said. “If you don't like it, there is ice cream in the freezer compartment.”
Aric hesitated then bit into the cookie. The chocolatey taste exploeded on his tongue and he found the light soft pastry sweet rather delicious. He looked over at Ezekiel who was munching on his third cookie. Catching the boy's eye, he said, “You know Ezekiel, I think you're on to something here.”
Before more than fifteen minutes passed, the cookies had been demolished.
A little while later a more than happy Ezekiel, sitting on the rec room sofa, was opening a wrapped package his mother had handed him. Aric felt a bit bad as he stood leaning against the rec table watching. He hadn't think to get anything for Ezekiel when Nataliea had told him about the young boy's birthday two days ago. Of course they'd been on the ship for 3 days and he wouldn't have been able to get anything anyway. Still, he'd always been one to think of birthdays as celebration especially when it concerned children and after what had happened to this mother and her son.
Ezekiel was staring openly at the gift, his pale green eyes wide when he'd looked up at his mother, “Mom! Do you know what this is?!”
Nataliea, who was sitting next to Ezekiel, chuckled with amusement dancing in her eyes, “Well I would hope so.”
“Aric! Look!” Ezekiel beamed as he ran over to Aric.
Aric got a look in side the package despite the bouncing of Ezekiel unable to hold his joy. Aric smiled.
“Now thats a nice looking piece,” Aric chuckled.
“I know right?!” Beaming he ran back over to his mother and hugged her.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mom!” Ezekiel said. “Now I can dress up like you and Aric!”
Inside the package had been a dress up costume of Republic armor. Nataliea had 'warned' Aric that Ezekiel had a fascination with all things Republic Military. Knowing full well that it was probably due to his mother being in the military, Aric had been genuinely happy to answer any questions the young boy had.
“And you have another gift to open,” Nataliea said handing Ezekiel another slightly smaller package. “This one is from Aric.”
Ezekiel's face lit up, he smiled at Aric who was momentarily confused. He knew he hadn't bought anything. Ezekiel was opening the package and squeeled. “A hologame of pod racing?!” Running over to Aric and promptly wrapped his arms around the big stunned cathar, Ezekiel said, “thanks Aric! How did you know?”
Aric patted the boy on the back and gave a shrug and smile, “Lucky guess.” He looked back at Nataliea who was smiling at them.
“Happy Birthday, Little one,” Nataliea said standing up. “I know its not what we usually do on your birthday but I hope you think its still a good one.”
“Of course I do, Mom,” Ezekieal said stepping away from Aric. “I got to spend it with you this year.”
“Happy Birthday, E,” Aric said as Ezekiel went back and hugged his mother again. He knew that Nataliea had got the gift and said it was from him. It didn't really matter to him after seeing the kid so happy despite what had happened. He caught Nataliea's gaze and nodded his thanks. She smiled back still hugging her son.
Happy Birthday, Kid. He thought with a smile, May it stay that way for years to come.
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Oh wow! Just recently stumbled on to this community of fan fiction. Just wow! Just wanted to drop a line and say you guys are great. Love reading all these. I'm think i might just put up one of the little drabbles i've written. You guys are really awesome bringing these characters to life.
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Sweet!. All right, we can get the Empire side guild set up. I'll need to get an imperial started for this server. (would have done it yesterday but i ended up moving matresses and boxsprings...ugh. ) If anyone has rep chars on this server and would like to get a Rep side guild set up too thats cool. I'll be online ingame in about 20 minutes.
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hahaha. I've recently restarted my characters as well. Like i said in the OP, anyone of any level...even lvl 1. to be honest none of my characters are leveled up. I got tired of being in guilds that exclusively played to the endgame or were full of jerks. Most of my characters on this server are republic but i have no problem making an imperial character to get the guild started, however all sides are welcome. As for the name of the guild...haha i haven't even thought about that yet. Just let me know when you guys are online, we'll get a time date set up and create the guild.
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Just finished your last installment here. Love this story! Please, can we haz some moar?. Great work. Keep it going.
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Just stumbled on to this little forum community of fan fiction, started reading your story and i have to say, i'm loving it! This is a great story and i love how you are mixing the class and general stories together like this. AWESOME. Seriously, you should get a grammy for this
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That was just adorable. Loved it!
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That was great! Loved reading them with my coffee. Cheers!
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Hey all,
All right so we now have the Imperial Oath set up on the Empire side. If you're looking to still join, you're more than welcome. For those with Republic Characters, who'd like a guild just pm me in game (rep trooper: Nataliea) or even (Bounty Hunter: Atayla) and we'll go about getting the Republic Oath set up. Everyone has their preferences, there are some who only play Imperial, some who only play Republic, more than fine with me as I play both.
You can also still reply here or pm me here as well. Happy Gaming.
Hidden Achievement COMPLETE! Can't Recruit ?
in General Discussion
Posted
hahahhaa, thats hilarious. You made him a sneaky pirate and he sneaks out of your "confines" to play. When characters come to life, eh? XD