Jack Pine
Well-Known Member
- RP Date
- 9/10/YE41
- RP Location
- Sirris VI - Obsidian City - Sanctuary Park
Sirris VI
In orbit above Obsidian City
In the time since his arrival with Kessler at Sirris VI, Alex had been transferred over to an NDC military ship, so as to protect Kessler's identity. On that ship, he had been kept in a comfortable room for a day or two while Araxie was brought to NDC territory to finally be reunited. A knock on the door of the cabin that he was staying in caused Alex's head to perk up slightly, though he was still mostly silent.
"Mr. Patton, visitor." came the voice of man outside, it was tinged with accent slightly. Familiar to that of someone who had lived on Osman for a while, long enough to adopt it. The door would open after a couple minutes, in courtesy to allow Alex to be presentable if needed. In stepped an old face, if albeit long since last seen.
"It's been a long time Alex, good to see you still kicking. I hope that everything from here is far more peaceful for you. We sent a transport to pick up Araxie, she should be here soon. Until then, please, rest easy." Jack said giving the younger man a nod, before taking a nearby chair, "I can answer any questions if you have them. Things......are very different now since last we saw each other."
Alex sat down in a chair. His voice was raspy, like a man who had been stuck in the desert. "...Jack... Where are we now?" The voice did seem to fit the body it was coming out from, but it was a far cry from what most people would remember him as.
"Sanctum star system, in orbit of Sirris VI. We're on the other side of the sector, northeastern corner of the map. You're safe within the nation I govern with my brother, the New Dusk Conclave. The man who helped rescue you, was an agent of mine, one of my best." Jack offered in answer, sending a neural message to have something to drink brought for Alex. When he heard the voice, his experssion took on a tinge of sadness to see the state he was in.
===== Shortly afterwards, as the ship Araxie is on is arriving =====
The door to Alex's current living space opened, with a tan-and-blue-and-grey mass bursting through with desperate purpose. Its voice was immediately familiar, "Alex!" His name was all Araxie needed to say as she nearly slammed into him, hugging him tightly. She weighed a lot less than usual - it was pretty clear that the past near-year had been rough on her, even if she'd gotten some help on the way over to the ship.
"I don't want you to leave me again, Alex..."
A tackle had been the last thing that Alex was expecting, and Araxie almost bowled him over. He barely managed to stay upright as he returned the hug. His voice had recovered somewhat since he had spoken to Jack, though it still wasn't the same as normal. "Araxie..."
The bundle of haphazard feathers and bones took a few seconds to just.. Revel in the moment. Took time to feel again. "I'm so glad you're alive, Alex. It was..." She trailed off, just going back to squeezing the rescued man. Once the second round of accidentally-crushing love passed, Arx gave Alex a kiss on the cheek and loosened up, one arm still around his back - massaging his shoulder and keeping him close, just like old times. When things were... More straightforward, less muddy.
Alex seemed overwhelmed by the occasion. It had been so long since he had been taken away, so long since he had felt someone touch him for any purpose other than to keep him in submission. He sat down on a nearby chair, pulling Araxie onto his lap while he hugged her. He began to tear up. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..."
"Shhhhh... You're okay now, Alex," the Elysian woman whispered with a kiss, her lightweight body resting on his lap. Alex's world became warmer as his girlfriend's tarnished wings - stress and poor health habits caused quite a deterioration of her appearance - surrounded him comfortingly. "I'll be here for you, forever... Okay? I'm not going to leave you again." Her voice was soft and weak on the surface, but even with the time that split them apart Alex could recognize that Araxie was serious - that special, subtle seriousness that meant she'd do what she said, hell or high water.
"How long... How long has it been?" Alex had, over the months, slowly lost track of time during his imprisonment. Having no external reference for time caused it to seem to distort. Hours had seemed like days, and days like hours. Only recently had he begun restoring some semblance of an internal clock.
"A year. It's been a year since they took you." The angel took a moment to look over at Jack. He'd seen her a few times, as his contacts were keeping tabs on her - there was something in her eyes that hadn't been there for a long time, and she simply mouthed, "Thank you."
He remained silent, only offering a small nod, but even he seemed haggard when one really looked at him. Though it brought a small smile to see that things were looking up for the couple. There was a small knock on the door, to which he rose from his chair. Opening the door, a woman with golden hair and blue eyes stood there, "The ship will be docking soon. The port has been cleared still after the mass of refugees came through, so it should make things quiet until an announcement can be properly setup."
"Thank you. Go rest Seraphina, I know you're still recovering, don't need Talih being angry for not telling you to rest." he whispered back before the what seemed human left again. Returning to the chair, Jack gave them several minutes longer before speaking, "We'll be landing soon."
"Refugees?" Araxie asked, unaware of current events in the political spectrum - almost as unknowing as Alex was right now.
"The Monarchy of Dovania was recently wiped out by Kuvexian forces. Seeing the coming force and knowing they had no chance to win, they loaded up their fleet with as many as possible, and came here. We've since been trying to help them integrate into the NDC. But things are beginning to be strained from the sudden jump in population, therefore we're expanding into two new systems once held by the Star Army as satelite outposts. But with our alliance with them, we've been handed both, as well as the abandoned base said to be in one of them," came his reply, finding it another reason that he felt so tired of late. To say this is the life he had imagined living twenty years, or even ten, he would have thought it crazy.
Araxie nodded in a mix of acceptance and sadness. "I see, thank you. Jack... you've done so much for the both of us-" At this, the angel squeezed her boyfriend's shoulder again, pulling him into another, tighter embrace. "What... Could we do to ever come close to helping you in return?"
Jack gave a pained bow, "I have no right to ask this, or even much of either of you. But,....I need your help, not as soldiers, but as people who have suffered at those who have done wrong. I know I was a prideful and stubborn man in the past, and there are decisions along the way that I now regret. But please, I must ask for your help. We are trying to run this nation, and do right by the people, but there have been those who have died along the way, or lost something dear to them."
He seemed hurt to recall everything from along the way, everything that had happened in the last two years. He had been born to be a soldier, made to wage war, and not lead a nation. And even after learning all that, he still tried, but he knew there were things he even lacked. And then there was his own loss along the way... "My eldest son, Amit, has been one of them. My brother lost his wife, the woman who I just spoke with, lost her son and her wings. My mother, is among those lost as well, as well many many more. Over 1,000 lives lost since the day we began the journey here, and we will lose more along the way without help. These people only want to be free and live peaceful lives, and I am doing my best to give that to them. But I need help please," he said as his eyes moistened, breaking free of any ounce of pride he had left in him that the journey had not already tore from the man.
Oh, thank the light... It's not more fighting, Araxie thought, the relief making itself apparent across her whole body. She didn't even compose herself before she spoke next. The overall crushing weight of the news was, to her, not much more than what she'd alreadybeen through. She looked over at Alex's dulled eyes, her own glimmering with a tiny bit of hope she wanted to spread to him. "Okay... I think we can do that. Yes, we can help you, Jack."
==== Some time later, at the park in Obsidian city ====
The park formed the very center of Obsidian city, as well as the main gathering place for its citizens. The park was green and lush, a very colored contrast to the orange plant life of this world, but even those here had begun to slowly adopt the color. In the very center was the memorial wall that held the orbs of those hundreds lost in the exodus to this world. Around that were a few pavilions, pathways lined by trees and stone benches placed near the wall. The other benches throughout the park were made of locally acquired wood, the same used to make the pavilions.
Today was a bit different though, a small stage had been set up in one quadrant of the circle shaped park, people having gathered for a surprise celebration. There were those of many races and cultures here, even some of the local Tsumi and Gunja. The smell of food wafted through the air, along with the smell of nature the park offered.
In orbit above Obsidian City
In the time since his arrival with Kessler at Sirris VI, Alex had been transferred over to an NDC military ship, so as to protect Kessler's identity. On that ship, he had been kept in a comfortable room for a day or two while Araxie was brought to NDC territory to finally be reunited. A knock on the door of the cabin that he was staying in caused Alex's head to perk up slightly, though he was still mostly silent.
"Mr. Patton, visitor." came the voice of man outside, it was tinged with accent slightly. Familiar to that of someone who had lived on Osman for a while, long enough to adopt it. The door would open after a couple minutes, in courtesy to allow Alex to be presentable if needed. In stepped an old face, if albeit long since last seen.
"It's been a long time Alex, good to see you still kicking. I hope that everything from here is far more peaceful for you. We sent a transport to pick up Araxie, she should be here soon. Until then, please, rest easy." Jack said giving the younger man a nod, before taking a nearby chair, "I can answer any questions if you have them. Things......are very different now since last we saw each other."
Alex sat down in a chair. His voice was raspy, like a man who had been stuck in the desert. "...Jack... Where are we now?" The voice did seem to fit the body it was coming out from, but it was a far cry from what most people would remember him as.
"Sanctum star system, in orbit of Sirris VI. We're on the other side of the sector, northeastern corner of the map. You're safe within the nation I govern with my brother, the New Dusk Conclave. The man who helped rescue you, was an agent of mine, one of my best." Jack offered in answer, sending a neural message to have something to drink brought for Alex. When he heard the voice, his experssion took on a tinge of sadness to see the state he was in.
===== Shortly afterwards, as the ship Araxie is on is arriving =====
The door to Alex's current living space opened, with a tan-and-blue-and-grey mass bursting through with desperate purpose. Its voice was immediately familiar, "Alex!" His name was all Araxie needed to say as she nearly slammed into him, hugging him tightly. She weighed a lot less than usual - it was pretty clear that the past near-year had been rough on her, even if she'd gotten some help on the way over to the ship.
"I don't want you to leave me again, Alex..."
A tackle had been the last thing that Alex was expecting, and Araxie almost bowled him over. He barely managed to stay upright as he returned the hug. His voice had recovered somewhat since he had spoken to Jack, though it still wasn't the same as normal. "Araxie..."
The bundle of haphazard feathers and bones took a few seconds to just.. Revel in the moment. Took time to feel again. "I'm so glad you're alive, Alex. It was..." She trailed off, just going back to squeezing the rescued man. Once the second round of accidentally-crushing love passed, Arx gave Alex a kiss on the cheek and loosened up, one arm still around his back - massaging his shoulder and keeping him close, just like old times. When things were... More straightforward, less muddy.
Alex seemed overwhelmed by the occasion. It had been so long since he had been taken away, so long since he had felt someone touch him for any purpose other than to keep him in submission. He sat down on a nearby chair, pulling Araxie onto his lap while he hugged her. He began to tear up. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..."
"Shhhhh... You're okay now, Alex," the Elysian woman whispered with a kiss, her lightweight body resting on his lap. Alex's world became warmer as his girlfriend's tarnished wings - stress and poor health habits caused quite a deterioration of her appearance - surrounded him comfortingly. "I'll be here for you, forever... Okay? I'm not going to leave you again." Her voice was soft and weak on the surface, but even with the time that split them apart Alex could recognize that Araxie was serious - that special, subtle seriousness that meant she'd do what she said, hell or high water.
"How long... How long has it been?" Alex had, over the months, slowly lost track of time during his imprisonment. Having no external reference for time caused it to seem to distort. Hours had seemed like days, and days like hours. Only recently had he begun restoring some semblance of an internal clock.
"A year. It's been a year since they took you." The angel took a moment to look over at Jack. He'd seen her a few times, as his contacts were keeping tabs on her - there was something in her eyes that hadn't been there for a long time, and she simply mouthed, "Thank you."
He remained silent, only offering a small nod, but even he seemed haggard when one really looked at him. Though it brought a small smile to see that things were looking up for the couple. There was a small knock on the door, to which he rose from his chair. Opening the door, a woman with golden hair and blue eyes stood there, "The ship will be docking soon. The port has been cleared still after the mass of refugees came through, so it should make things quiet until an announcement can be properly setup."
"Thank you. Go rest Seraphina, I know you're still recovering, don't need Talih being angry for not telling you to rest." he whispered back before the what seemed human left again. Returning to the chair, Jack gave them several minutes longer before speaking, "We'll be landing soon."
"Refugees?" Araxie asked, unaware of current events in the political spectrum - almost as unknowing as Alex was right now.
"The Monarchy of Dovania was recently wiped out by Kuvexian forces. Seeing the coming force and knowing they had no chance to win, they loaded up their fleet with as many as possible, and came here. We've since been trying to help them integrate into the NDC. But things are beginning to be strained from the sudden jump in population, therefore we're expanding into two new systems once held by the Star Army as satelite outposts. But with our alliance with them, we've been handed both, as well as the abandoned base said to be in one of them," came his reply, finding it another reason that he felt so tired of late. To say this is the life he had imagined living twenty years, or even ten, he would have thought it crazy.
Araxie nodded in a mix of acceptance and sadness. "I see, thank you. Jack... you've done so much for the both of us-" At this, the angel squeezed her boyfriend's shoulder again, pulling him into another, tighter embrace. "What... Could we do to ever come close to helping you in return?"
Jack gave a pained bow, "I have no right to ask this, or even much of either of you. But,....I need your help, not as soldiers, but as people who have suffered at those who have done wrong. I know I was a prideful and stubborn man in the past, and there are decisions along the way that I now regret. But please, I must ask for your help. We are trying to run this nation, and do right by the people, but there have been those who have died along the way, or lost something dear to them."
He seemed hurt to recall everything from along the way, everything that had happened in the last two years. He had been born to be a soldier, made to wage war, and not lead a nation. And even after learning all that, he still tried, but he knew there were things he even lacked. And then there was his own loss along the way... "My eldest son, Amit, has been one of them. My brother lost his wife, the woman who I just spoke with, lost her son and her wings. My mother, is among those lost as well, as well many many more. Over 1,000 lives lost since the day we began the journey here, and we will lose more along the way without help. These people only want to be free and live peaceful lives, and I am doing my best to give that to them. But I need help please," he said as his eyes moistened, breaking free of any ounce of pride he had left in him that the journey had not already tore from the man.
Oh, thank the light... It's not more fighting, Araxie thought, the relief making itself apparent across her whole body. She didn't even compose herself before she spoke next. The overall crushing weight of the news was, to her, not much more than what she'd alreadybeen through. She looked over at Alex's dulled eyes, her own glimmering with a tiny bit of hope she wanted to spread to him. "Okay... I think we can do that. Yes, we can help you, Jack."
==== Some time later, at the park in Obsidian city ====
The park formed the very center of Obsidian city, as well as the main gathering place for its citizens. The park was green and lush, a very colored contrast to the orange plant life of this world, but even those here had begun to slowly adopt the color. In the very center was the memorial wall that held the orbs of those hundreds lost in the exodus to this world. Around that were a few pavilions, pathways lined by trees and stone benches placed near the wall. The other benches throughout the park were made of locally acquired wood, the same used to make the pavilions.
Today was a bit different though, a small stage had been set up in one quadrant of the circle shaped park, people having gathered for a surprise celebration. There were those of many races and cultures here, even some of the local Tsumi and Gunja. The smell of food wafted through the air, along with the smell of nature the park offered.
