Ask Coruscant Cin Vhetin

[Talak Rand]

Talak just wanted this all to be over, but he knew that wouldn't happen. And now he also knew that Ender and Lilith would come after Trys again. He was glad she'd at least moved, and Jedi worked in close proximity to her, but he still didn't think it wise for him to stray too far from her in the future.

Talak did jump when the doorbell rang, and his lightsaber hilt was already in his hand by the time Trys was pulling out her datapad. He didn't sense violence or malevolence in the Force, but that wasn't a definite. That could be faked and hidden.

When he realized it was just the poor delivery guy, he felt a little bit stupid and slipped the lightsaber away. He had a long history of paranoia, and in some ways it was only getting worse now that he'd left the Sith.

He wasn't sure what she was going to say, and she'd made no comment about his declaration, so when she said that they needed to put their drama on hold and actually smiled, and outright laughed. It was less a laugh of relief and more an outlet of tension, but it was a laugh - even if brief - nonetheless.

We are constant drama, he said with a shake of his head. I swear they could make one of those holomovies about our lives, he said. "A Night with the Enemy" wouldn't have been an inappropriate title at once point, but hopefully not anymore.

You need to stop paying for things for me, he said with a frown, trying to divert his own mind away from the anxiety still gnawing at it. Do Jedi get... paid? Actually, how do the Jedi even make money? Do they have like... old investments gifted by the Republic or something? he asked, completely bewildered suddenly as he'd never given this thought before. He was pretty sure the Sith had some sort of investments that were bolstered by various acts of stealing and pillaging. He didn't imagine the Jedi did the latter... at least he hoped not.

The statements also unintentionally revealed that - more and more - his mind was turning toward the Jedi despite the many, many doubts he still had about himself and, to a lesser extent, them.

 

[Trys Aran]

“Only with you,” Trys said as she popped open her container of noodles, “I’m normally very drama free and avoid it like the plague,” She took a bite and leaned back on the couch. She focused on the Holonet for a moment, thinking about everything he had said. She hoped against hope that was the worst of it, and she was almost afraid to ask him anything else.

When he asked about the Jedi, Trys shrugged, “They are probably poorer than Sith because they have morals,” She grinned at him, taking a few more bites, “If you want to keep doing….this, you’re going to have to find a source of income,” Trys looked away again, “I don’t wanna deal with a deadbeat hobo, you know.”

It felt strange to even say those words - implying that she still wanted him in her life. In many ways it was inevitable, he had been in it for some time now. Despite all the secrets, despite all the lies and difficulties, she found herself back to him.

“I want you to stay this time,” She said after a very long time, glancing up at him, “I don’t want any more secrets. It took us a lot of pain and hurdles to get here. I don’t….want it to be kriffed up.”

 

[Talak Rand]

Talak sat down with his box of noodles and took a bite. He still barely felt like eating from all the tension running through him, but he forced the food into his mouth anyway.

He didn't miss her implication about him staying in her life, and he took that as a good sign. The two of them were always full of fireworks for better or worse.

I guess the galaxy decided you needed some drama in your life, he said jokingly. There was a long silence as they both ate before she said that she wanted him to stick around. It was the first time she'd outright said it, and he recognized the huge step that it was.

I want to stay, too. And I don't want it to be kirffed either. You deserve better than that, he said. She deserved better than him, in reality. And she thought she had baggage...

Besides, if I'm around, then I can stop my students or the Eternal from coming after you, he said. He already knew his students would come for her eventually. There was no better place for him to be than by her side.

He wanted to tell her that he loved her, but he felt in this moment it might put undo pressure on her to say it in return, and that wasn't what he wanted even if it was what he felt.

He was quiet for a moment as he thought about how not to be a deadbeat hobo. I guess I could sell my wine collection and invest it - with the remainder of my funds - somewhere... he said. He didn't know exactly how to go about that, but it was an option.

Jedi must get a stipend, right? he pondered. Hopefully, but he'd certainly have to cut back on the luxuriously life he could live now if he wanted to.

He had a couple of things that still needed sorting if he was going to join the Jedi. He didn't feel quite ready, but... that would be his goal. He decided it now.

Anyway, I think that's what I'll do. Could you stand... uh, keeping a Jedi around for something more than just business? he asked, glancing sideways at her. It was unusual for him to make decisions that took into account someone else as much as himself.

 

[Trys Aran]

“You without your wine?” She asked with a tone of surprise, “Can’t even imagine it,” He was probably the biggest wine connoisseur she had ever met. Everyone had their quirks, and that had been his, and she couldn’t imagine taking that away from him. At the same time, she couldn’t picture him at a desk job. Trys didn’t think Jedi exactly lived luxurious lives, but it was probably step up still from where he was.

She simply shrugged as she ate her noodles at his question about a stipend, “From who? The Jedi Grandmaster? Does that sound like someone that runs a payroll?” Trys couldn’t help but grin at the thought. She guessed Jedi often got paid to do one off jobs here and there by helping civilians out in a crisis. Right? Or could they not profit off their skills?

Trys looked at him after his last question, “We’ve been around one another for pretty much anything but business,” She said bluntly, thinking of their last few encounters. Trys put the box of noodles down for a moment, “However, there are things I could use your help on. I think I need to get over your mind trick crap and understand it can come in handy for situations. With that said, perhaps you can help me with some Ranger business.”

She wasn’t quite sold on the idea of him being a ‘Jedi’ just yet. Trys grimaced for a moment, “The Arcanist thing...you need to make sure that never gets out. The public can never know.”

 

[Talak Rand]

Talak shrugged. He could move to cheaper wines, but it wouldn't be the same. He would certainly miss some things about his current lifestyle if he became a Jedi. It was a shame, really.

As for Jedi payment, he really didn't know. If they were constantly having to worry about making money they'd have no time for actual Jedi-ing. The Order had to maintain their temples and things somehow? Well, he supposed he'd find out - and begin a life of actual poverty - whenever and if ever he decided to join them.

Talak laughed quietly as she mentioned that she'd kept him around for anything other than business.

True, but I think you've got some other Jedi who help you. Hopefully you're not keeping them around for "alternative reasons," he said with a smile, thinking back to how she had kicked him out a window immediately after their first time.

I can be useful, promise, he said jokingly. He was more than capable of helping her with her cases, and he'd be more than willing to help.

I'd love to help, though... I'll still make a terrible Ranger, he said, reiterating what they had once agreed on. How times were changing.

When she mentioned the Arcanist he grimaced. There were only a handful of people who knew he was the Arcanist, but of those people... several wanted him dead or wanted revenge.

Yeah... he said. The Arcanist had partially been created in order to create confusion. He hoped that even if the Sith came out and exposed him, he could... deny it or something? Was lying un-Jedi? Another thing he didn't have the answer to and didn't want to think about. Though, would the Sith really want to point out that one of their more powerful members defected to the Jedi? That had to be poor publicity.

Did you have a particular... business you needed help with? he asked, curious if there was something specific or more general. The mention of her cases and helping her brought him back to the memory of the flower killer and he wondered what had ever become of the man. And the politician on Serenno.

For what it's worth, I'm glad we're... not on opposite sides anymore, he said. It was still difficult for him to wrap his head around even now.