After a quick little ceremony for a few members who had recently been promoted in the Azorian Citadel on the ocean floor of the moon of Congrion, Kalen reminded those present about his house warming party at his and Corra’s place in Aliso City.
Before he departed the small ante chamber off to the side of the House’s Operations Centre, Tahiri called him over. She mentioned wanting to reassign him from his part-time role overseeing the Gozanti Home Guard patrol group and appoint him as Minister Plenipotentiary at large, for Diplomatic Relations. It was a big sounding title, but in reality Tahiri was playing off the good will that having a walking mild mannered Jedi billboard(referring to Kalen oft worn attire) would provide.
Kalen had done well during their mission on Arx last month. Since Karracca was officially a member of the Brotherhood Envoy Corps, giving Kalen this new role and title and pairing them together would allow them to apply diplomatic pressure from multiple angles if needed.The recent apathy being expressed by the Confederacy could become a concern, so that would become Kalen and Karracca’s primary focus over the coming weeks and months.
“It would be an honour ma'am.”
<@375384499770359819>
As he Kalen walked past his pal Blackhawk on the way out he nodded “Congratulations Battlemaster…now lets go have some fun on a beach for an afternoon.” He patted the Clawdite on the shoulder.
<@280930981983289345>
The Elder was honored to have been able to give them the promotions due to them, and was proud of the achievements both of them had accomplished so far, and looking forward to the many things yet ahead to do. Nodding, she dismissed both Blackhawk and Kalen.
Vacant lot next to the property
Kalen put the new, mint condition and recently refitted Corra IV down for a gentle landing in the undeveloped lot next to his new acreage. He had offered Hawk and Tahiri and a few others a ride down to Aliso before leaving the Citadel, but as usual they all made excuses as to why they needed to bring their own rides.
‘Like, two of those crashes clearly were not even my fault…’ He thought to himself as he could see a few people already mingling on the large timber framed back deck of the house. He even saw his golden protocol droid awkwardly filling a makeshift cooler with ice.
“Lets get this party started.” Kalen grunted as he swung his pilots chair around.
“Are we giving those smelly birds to Miss Corra now kiddo?” Karracca grumbled from his station, referring to the two corvuns they had bought and hidden aboard the ship for nearly a week.
“Yep, and they’re actually taxonomically Owls, not birds.” Kalen left the small bridge and started whistling to attract the force sensitive corvuns who were usually mulling around the central lounge area.
“Lil karkers will be taxonomically in my stomach if they don’t stop eating my Taanaban Cashew stash is what they’ll be.” The massive wookie muttered to himself as he powered the ship down and placed it on standby mode before following his Co-Captain out to join the party.
As he walked up to the party Kalen noticed that it was a few of Corras friends who had arrived. They were all children of CP ‘citizens’ and could be trusted with basic Brotherhood secrets as a matter of course. One, Telja, was even the daughter of one of the frigate Captains in the First Mobile Fleet of the Ascendant Navy.
They were drinking clear liqour cocktails with fresh Pantalomin peach juice as a mix on the back porch/deck of the house and Karra and Kalen walked up with the bird cage.
“Oh hey hun, wait what’s that?” Corra said as they appeared infront of her and her friends on the deck.
“Hey Kal, dad says hi” Telja said from on the comfy padded outdoor chairs Corra had bought.
Kalen waved and pulled the cloak off the cage revealing the 2 Corvuns he had named Roger and Sandy.
“Tada, I got us some pets as a house warming to…us. the gold one is Sandy, the big is named Roger. They’ll just hang out and eat voles and insects apparently is what I was told. They’re really nice too actual…” Kalen stopped as Corra ran to edge of the deck and jumped up and hugged him
D-3PO came scuttling down the speederway/driveway infront of the house with a repulsor loaded with all the pet supplies.
Kalen then opened the cage and the two Corvuns jumped up, as if sensing it was safe for them to do so. They hoped around for a few seconds before they both lept and flew off. Flying around the mid sized peaches trees, then with a few flaps of your their 5 foot wingspans they soared over the evergreens that lined the edge of the creek and were soon out of sight.
Karracca laughed “Well, they were pets.”
10 minutes later
Kalen had taken Corra and her friends down past the peach trees to the the large sand bar at the creekside edge.
“Nice little beach eh?” Kalen thumped his commlink amd asked D to bring some of the fold up chairs down to the creek. Being only about 90 feet from the deck, they could see D recieve the comm, sink his head, turn around, and head to the shed to grab the chairs. He had been ever so eager to clean the table on the deck, but that would have to wait.
As D was retrieving the lawn chairs from the shed be noticed a speeder taxi show up outside and a ship land in the vacant lot across the street. The occupants of both came walking onto the property.
“Oh more guests, lovely. I am D-3PO, human cyborg relations, its a pleasure to meet you. Master Joss is over by the creek entertain I’m sure he’d be pleased if you would join him.” The goldenrod said to the newcomers.
“The fun has arrived!”
Such simple words, yet they carried so much. Intent, declaration, hype. It was the herald of something great. Something pure. Something…orange?
Nejj’s tight, sleeveless pale lavender top did little to conceal his modesty as the Zeltron’s golden eyes flit around. His face held a constant grin and he chuckled while running his fingers through curly, purple hair.
“Eh!” Nejj exclaimed and pointed excitedly at D-3P0. “Loving the plating, my guy. My Droid? My dude! Gold is the way to be. A path to greatness!”
“Did someone say keggers?” boomed another voice from around the corner. “Well, if not, I brought them!”
In came a burly Lonto man with two massive kegs hoisted onto his shoulders. He was dressed in his usual attire, a tailored set of robes made of breathable black and dark green fabrics the color of seaweed or moss. After spotting a nearby table that looked sturdy enough, Arlo placed each keg on either side of it before turning to greet the others present.
“Who’s ready to have a good time?”
“Oh, yes, thank you sir. Master Joss is quite dutiful about offering frequent oil baths for” D replied to the Zeltron.
As the Lonto came in and made his way to the front porch and set his kegs down, D greeted him aswell.
“Oh indeed, the merriment and celebrations have already begun…could I inquire as to your identities for security reasons sirs? I assure you no records will be kept about your attendance.” The protocol droid asked in his sing song voice.
<@1056685516441006091>
The Zeltron looked hurt. It was a travesty! A crime!
He flipped his hair back and adopted a smolder as he stared down the Droid. “I…am Nejj Ithurinos. Researcher of ancient mysteries. Student of philosophers long past. Speaker of truths most profound.”
Did…did his teeth just sheen?
“And those look like kegs! The ancient masters taught us: to waste offered libations is to place shame upon yourself and your honoured guests.”
“No problem, little metal dude,” he said, “Arlo Larosh.”
He turned on his heels, producing a large mug he’d tucked into his robes, which he used to pour himself a cup of Otto’s Rancor Rye Whiskey. The alcohol was dark, and smelled of spiced figs and speeder bike fuel. Just how he liked it.
Looking over to the zeltron who had just dropped some timeless wisdom, Arlo raised his pitcher. “Frakk yeah, brother. I can drink to that. Come, have a flagon or three!”
<@185936112441622529>
Kalen was so busy talking about his little beach he didnt even notice the new arrivals. To be fair to him though, it was a pretty nice beach, though Kalen hadn’t lived on Aliso long enough to realize that the current Fall weather they were experiencing was the only season. With a only a small axial tilt, and an even smaller rotational wobble, the summer weather he was looking forward enjoying with his new beach would never come.
After thoroughly explaining the beach, how he is technically only the leasee of the sand that is above the high water mark, and a bunch of factoids about the single species of small fish that inhabit the creek, he turned around.
Only then did he notice D returning with the lawn chairs awkwardly slung under his arms, and the 2 unknown new arrivals.
Who the frack are those two? he thought to himself before quickly remembering he had advertised the party on a Brotherhood wide noticeboard.
“Thanks D. Made some new friends I see.”
“Yes sir, Masters Arlo and Nejj have arrived. Very gregarious and affable fellows too I might add sir.”
“Right on. Well, I guess I should go and be a good host and introduce myself.”
“Grab another drink for each of us while you’re up there please babe” Corra said as she began setting the chairs up on the beach, officially repurposing them from lawn into beach chairs.
“Sure thing, back in a bit” Kalen said with a wave as he started making the 80ish yard walk back up the gently slopping property towards the house.
“Why limit ourselves!?” Nejj exclaimed whilst helping himself to the libations on offer. He had already downed an entire serving of the golden liquid as Kalen arrived to greet them, stopping himself with a loud swallow of satisfaction. Droplets worked down his chin like rivers down a mountain before settling onto his shirt as dark circles. The Zeltron quickly wiped at his chin with his tattooed forearm and offered Kalen his best award winning smile.
“You must be the master of the house! Congratulations on the digs and the—” Nejj paused to check something written on the palm of his hand. “—promotion! ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!”
“Oh thanks, names Kalen, and yeah, figured I’d out down some roots instead of living outta my ship. Thanks for coming…so feel free to make yourselves at home. Gonna fire up the BBQ in about an hour. If you empty that(pointing at the keg), help yourself to whatevers in the cooler or the 2 crates of vodka over there by the shed. A bunch of us are down by the beach if you wanna come hang out. Help yourselves to as many peaches as you want” he said pointing at the small orchard in the corner of the property. “Apparently they produce like 6 crops a year, so I’ll have more peaches then I’ll know what to do with.”
Kalen then went over to the cooler on the porch and grabbed an armful of drinks for beach crew.
As Kalen directed the shouting guests, the front door swung open, and onto the porch (re)emerged an extremely colorful figure. They were bare of feet, with dirt on their willow-thin knees and caked in their toes, though the bottoms of them had been wiped on the welcome mat that saw much sand from the beach. Shorts and a loose white, billowing top tied up along with a large straw sunhat competed the look, save an apron tied on the front that held gardening tools and was yet swiped in more dirt. A waterfall of sunset hair was bunched and tied and flying all about a scaled and freckled face, and saffron eyes widened upon seeing the new arrivals.
The delicately pretty individual carried a weave basket, and on his heels was a small Mott, cronching through a whole apple in one bite. He seemed startled by the guests, but quickly made himself ready, tucking a long tail close and dipping in a combination bow-curtsey.
“Masters, Mistresses,” he greeted, long lashes falling demurely. “Welcome, yes. Oh, apologies. This one lost track of the time…”
It was evident he had been working on the garden beds in the front of the house and starting to ring around the back. To Rue, they were a bit of a joint project with Corra after the pair’s campfire discussion, bringing some variety of life to Aliso in pots and beds while exploring the soil itself.
“That’s a lot of peaches,” he said, “can make a killer cider with that.”
Arlo extended his hand to the event’s host to introduce himself. Then, when Kalen mentioned the barbecue, Arlo’s eyes lit up. “That’s what I’m talking about, man. Cooking up a couple of chooks on the barbie?”
Kalen smiled brightly when hearing the peach cider comment. He hadn’t considered that, but now would. He’d have to chat with Furios what it takes to brewing cider, as he was decidedly a subject matter expert on all things alcohol.
“Oh hey Rue, I didn’t realize you were here. Corra said you were coming though. Thank you so much for all the plants, they look great”, as Kalens attention was drawn to colourful plants he had been planting.
After shaking hands with Arlo he replied, “Yeah got a great deal on a half a nerf and a couple of bantha ribs.” The bantha ribs, aside from what the name implied, didnt have any bones. It was just the large piece of meat from inbetween 2 of the ribs, and each weighed about 5 pounds.
The low rumble and high wine of a swoop bike engine could be heard, as a shiny well kept vehicle pulled up to the front of the property. There were two riders, one a tall sky orange skinned male Togruta and the other was a little girl with slightly darker sunset orange skin. Once the bike was fully parked and turned off, did the older male unclip the safety harness between the two of them and then dismount, turning to quickly help the clearly excited girl down from the seat.
“Zeva, could you help me by carrying in this plant for me?” Ro asked, as he turned to unpack the saddlebags, before his daughter could run off. “While I grab the extra drinks and meat.”
“Of course, father,” the tiny hybrid smiled, gently and carefully taking the flowering plant from her father’s hands. Waiting for him, she looked around and could see the beautiful flower beds that were already done at the front of the house.
“Father, do you think they’ll like this plant? They have so many pretty plants already.”
“I’m sure they will, sweety.” Glancing around at the fresh beds, he smiled down at her.
A sharp chirping trill sound came from the special homemade hover sled attached with a special hitch to the swoop bike.
“Oh right, can’t forget about the fluff ball.” Ro sighed, setting down what he had already pulled out of the bags and going to unlock the kennel door. “Zeva, you did put his harness on before we left right?”
“Yes papa, and I put his leash right here,” quickly reaching into one of the outside pouches of the saddlebags, producing the three meter long fibercord leash, while cradling the plant.
“Good. We don’t need him running off.”
Zoko, sensing this was a new place waited till his leash was clipped on, before bounding out of the kennel. Sniffing the ground and then air, his bright dark eyes looked inquisitively around at everything. He wanted to explore, though the small tug from his tiny friend, was enough to make him wait by her side.
Before either of them could go further, a warbling chirp split the air. As a brightly colorful Varactyl appeared on the crest of a small hill from the direction of the Koroda Monastery. A familiar crimson skinned Togruta riding atop the creature. It didn’t take long for the Varactyl to come to sliding halt right near the swoop bike.
“Wow, Hiri, you gonna be warm enough?” Teased Ro as he watched his older sister dismount. Tahiri was in traditional Togrutan tribal garb, no doubt with some weapons stowed away… somewhere.
“I’ll be fine, beside the grasslands on Shili got chiller nights than here on Aliso. And this is the standard temperature for most of the year,” Tahiri waved off the fact that Ro was smirking. Normally she’d be much more covered up, except for her mid torso and upper chest. However with the tribal gard, her legs, arms, feet, and moat of her upper body was uncovered, the decorative chest wrappings and the small skirt, plus the traditional sash of her tribe was the main pieces of the garb. She had even gone barefoot. The only other thing Ro-Tahn saw that was garb was the cloak, rolled up and tied to the saddle.
“Hi Aunt Tahiri!” The excited girl run to her aunt, and being careful not to crush the plant, hugged her torso.
The Elder shot at him that could’ve curdled blue milk, but that stupid cocky grin spread across his face.
“Hello Zeva dear.”
Before Tahiri could say or ask anything else, Ro quickly gathered the drinks and extra meat, before starting to head for the backyard.
“Well, since we’re all here, let’s go see Kalen and get the party started.”
Tahiri wanted to smack her brother upside the head and tell him that Zeva shouldn’t have been brought to an adult party, but she simply sighed knowing and was too late for her niece to be taken back now. She nodded to Zeva for her to follow her father to the backyard.
“Hey, hey Kalen! I brought extra drinks and meat. Plus I brought my daughter for you to meet. And look who showed up at the same time.”
Kalen was just returning to the house intent on firing up the cooker and the BBQ when he saw Tahiri and Ro and their troupe showing up.
“Hey guys! Thanks for coming. Come on over to the deck here i got coolers and I’m about to start cooking.” He waved them over to the deck.
“Nice place, how did you afford this place if you dont mind me asking, how bignisnthis property like 3, 4 acres?” Ro asked.
“Enh, the downward slope to the creek makes it look bigger then it is, its 2.1 acres I think. And my secret is, I got a 10 year lease on the property, cheap yearly payments, and I bought the house as a prefab kit from a megacorp, its was an older model that was on clearance sale… coolers are right there, one of left is drink the right is meat…” Kalen laughed. Then remembered his manners, he hadn’t come into contact with many kids since he’d gotten back to this galaxy, but he had taught younglings at their makeshift academy for years before that.
He squatted infront of the Togruta/Twi'lek child.
“Hi, I’m Kalen its very nice to meet you. What’s your name?”
Zeva looked up at the man who was trying to be at eye level with her. Smiling brightly, she carefully cradled the plant and Zoko’s leash in the crook of her left, while she used her right to lift the edge of her skort in a curtsy.
“Hello Mr Joss, sir. It’s a pleasure to meet you too,” she glanced down at her Tuggle and nodded. Zoko looked between her and Kalen, before also doing a little bow as well. “My name is Zev'aven Drakon, but you call me Zeva. And this is Zoko, my Tuggle.”
“Well Zeva’s got better manners than you do, little brother,” Tahiri chuckled, while flashing a coy fanged smile at her Ro-Tahn.
The tall Togruta was putting the meat and drink away in the respective coolers, only glancing at his sister, and then at Zeva, before laughing heartily out loud.
“Well, that goes to show that she got more from her mother, than from me,” he grinned and beamed, rather than being embarrassed. “And thank the ancestor’s she did, cause I couldn’t be prouder of her.”
“Well then, you’d probably be remiss if you don’t learn a thing or two from Zeva,” the petite Togruta teased again. “She’ll go far.”
Above an unsuspecting beach party
“Really?” “How else would I show up?” Show off!“ "Guilty as charged. Feel free to join us when you land this thing.” Tazi stuck her tongue out at Blackhawk. The Clawdite smirked as he leapt from the ship, leaving a trail of fire as he plummeted toward the beach.
Aboard Tarentum Taziadu'ku has no problem landing the ship. She preferred it that way, in fact. What she didn’t understand, was why Blackhawk felt the need to casually jump out of a perfectly good spacecraft. Especially one he owned. Show off. She chuckled.
Falling with style Blackhawk continued leaving a firey trail as he plummeted to the beach, throwing in some flips and whirls as he went. He had to let the pyro fade as he got close, reversing gravity for a second to completely arrest his momentum, before floating down to the beach in front of the cabin.
Without standing back up Kalen look to his Quaester and said “Better manners and better diction to.”
He turned back to Zeva. “Well Miss Zeva its a pleasure to meet you and Zoko. You can call me Uncle Kalen.” Mr. Joss is what everyone called his father and grandfather.
Zeva looked to her dad and Aunt for approval and they smiled and nodded.
Back at the beach 60 Yards away
Yelja had a seat on the beach chair and stretched her arms out and looked skyward at the exact moment the Blackhawk was flamingly falling with style towards the small group.
“Holy Sith! Oh my gods!” She panicked and jumped out of her chair, and began scrambling away as she thought she was about to be vapourized by a meteor with her friends.
As Blackhawk extinguished himself and slowed himself down as he came in for a gentle landing, Yelja looked back with amazement and saw the Clawdite come and land on the beach.
“Oh hey Blackhawk. That’s got to be the flashiest entrance of the party so far…want a drink?” Corra chuckled. <@280930981983289345>
Back at the house
Zeva then saw Rue and within seconds they were ensconced in conversation and heading off towards the ¼ acres large L shaped gardens that surrounded the back half of the house.
After copping the nerf tenderloin in thin cutlets and firing them on the BBQ, he working on the tip sirloin of the succulent beast. The butcher he had bought it from had told him he would have to ‘dress’ the large pieces himself. At first Kalen thought dressing meant that he either had to wrap it in something or pour dressing on it on some such. But after looking it up on the holonet, he discovered that it mean he would have to remove the extraneous grissle and fat from the larfe hunks of meat himself.
Arlo and Nejj were still on the deck aswell as Ro and Tahiri as Kalen place the first large piece of meat on the cutting board that Corra had apparently spent 58 credits on. The Plagueian jedi then pulled out his lightsaber and ignited it.
He’d never used the lightsaber to cut edible meats before. But he knew from experience it did cut flesh quite well.
<@1056685516441006091> <@375384499770359819> <@185936112441622529> <@244244163002892288>
“Litlun!” cried Rue happily, all but ignoring the adults present as the pair reunited with a spinning embrace as he swept her up in his arm(s) and nuzzled her forehead. He war carerful not to overly disturb her Tuggle.
<@375384499770359819>
“Rue!” Zeva had set the little potted plant down and ran to her friend, Zoko cocked his head curiously at his young masters sudden display of excitement. She hugged him gently and tightly, nuzzling him back.
“It’s good to see you, Rue.” the tiny hybrid gleefully smiled and then turned slightly in the bigger hybrids arm(s). “Papa, Aunt Hiri, look who’s here. Oh Rue! You haven’t met Zoko yet, he’s my Tuggle. I adopted him.”
She pointed over at Zoko, who cheerly chirped and bounced over sideways to the two of them.
“Hullo, Zoko! It is my honor to meet you, Blessed Day and Night. And you as well, Beastmistress.” The latter was directed to Tahiri as he tried to bow while hugging and holding Zeva. The two were a smiling, matching pair of strangeness and joy. Rue offered one foot towards Zoko for sniffs and possible rubs.
After the first round of meats was done cooking, Kalen grabbed another Peach Vodka beverage and walked down to the creek with a plate of food for those that were down there. He also thought he might go for a walk and look for his MIA corvuns.
“Peach cider hmm? I could see it working out for, great tasting peaches, but you’d need more then the 6 trees you got to make a viable business out of it. You’re crops from you’re little orchard will make, what, 10 cases of cider every, what, 2 months?” Yelja said as they sat at the beach.
“Yeah, I see you’re point. The trees themselves cost over 1000 credits each.”
“Exactly, so you’re getting like 50 credits a case. 500 credits every 2 months, and it’ll take you a fear to even get your money back. And then sure, you’re getting 500 credits of net profits once you recoup your investment. But you can’t live off of 500 credits ever 2 months.”
“Thats not my only income source.” Kalen replied as he sipped his peach vodka.
“Thats not the point. You said a business, so if you want to make a strong, viable and profitable business you need more land. If you just want a side hissed, yeah stick your half dozen trees and just have fun with it.” Yelja countered.
“That’s fair. So how much kand do you think I’d need to make a self sufficient peach orchard that could sustain a craft peach cider brewery?”
“Ah, I’d say, about…that much much.” She pointed to the large field across the creek, about 25 acres in size.
“What, the whole thing?”
“Yep, can fit about 200 full size trees on that plot. 100 grand every 2 months, sounds a bit better doesn’t it. Im going to get more of those nerf cutlets, those are great by the way” Yelja said as she stood and patted Kalen on shoulder before walking back up to the house, leaving Kalen alone looking out at the large field infront of him. The plan war forming already.
“Frack it, I’m gonna go find those little bastards.” Kalen said after pondering the new oeach orchard idea. He was a bit over extended with the new laundry shuttle, but in a few months, he might be able to swing it. ‘The KC Brewery’ had a real nice ring to it in Kalens opinion.
But now, he was on a mission to find him his runaway(flyaway?) Corvuns.
“Who wants to head find some corvuns with me?” Kalen said as he got back ti the party.
Arlo and Neff and Yelja all volunteered, not knowing Kalen history of crashing ships.
Blackhawk even tried to give a few hints to Arlo and Neff, but they well well onto their upteenth drink at this point. After grabbing D, they all made their way to the Corra IV
Whether a weird twist of fate, or through Corvun intent, what happened next was a bit surreal for all. On their way back having not found the corvuns they were all drinking and chatting while they flew back to the house.
Right when they were overtop of the peach orchard area that Yelja had proposed to Kalen earlier. The 2 Corvuns flew infront of the ship as if on and unintentional intercept course. Kalen noticed at the last minute, and being a good, quick, instinctual pilot he immediately dipped the nose and throttle down to avoid the collision. But at that exact time, Yelja was making an expressive gesture while telling a story about her dad, and when Kalen had altered course and throttle back, she lost her balance and accidentally reach to the control panel. She was in Karraccas usual seat and had accident hit the main engine shut off button. The repulsors that keep the ship used power diverted from the main engines.
Though Kalen still had control of his maneuvering thrusters, and when in the atmosphere without repulsors running. The best Kalen was able to achieve, was a mostly gentle crash landing right in the middle of the orchard area.
10 monutes, everyone was fine and they had begun walking back. Karracca and Blackhawk and even Tahiris laughter could be heard by Kalen as they got back towards the house.