Dodging Nomaani's Arrow

[Kes Akiena]

He sat alone.

It was a rare time, truth be told. He'd allowed himself the chance to leave his office during the lunch hour, and make the trip to Dawenna Garden. It was a decent enough restaurant, but what had always drawn him in was the arguably small Rodian section of their menu. Kuwatta over steamed greens, Inatara, and most importantly, Le'yuann. That delicious concoction of melted cheese that one could dip all sorts of delectable foods into.

He'd been given a table mostly toward the back, which he found far more preferable to anything out in front. Where everyone could see.

All things considered, Jovan's Commander seemed to enjoy a small amount of privacy when indulging in his likes, and this was no different.

The waitress was a tall woman, brunette hair and with a thick Caridan accent. Her smile seemed effortless, as though it was a natural extension of her delicate features, and Kes couldn't help but return the expression with upturned lips of his own. She laughed a few times, an airy sound that seemed weightless and soft.

And with his order taken, she was off again.

Only after she'd turned about and moved away did his features freeze. He stared after her as though the act of doing so would bring her back into his presence. She looked so much like... he blinked, then let his smile fade as his gaze went back to the table and his lone glass of water.

Leaning back in the small, two-person booth, Kes closed his eyes, his head dipping low.

[Kalleeiha Maillanaarro]

At Reisso'aneei Tiia'haa'ko Restaurant

As they said, it was all over but the crying (and paying the bill).

Madame Kalleeiha Maillanaarro lounged upon a collection of pillows at the edge of the feeding pit in sated repose. Her ample contours lay nude and content from the extended meal shared among her dozen friends attending the midday serving. She could feel a nap coming on, but that would be handled in it's own time. Her mirthful belly - quite more ample than before - burbled happily as her tail lazily flopped in lethargic throes behind her.

The beast was called a kujbok, so the menu said, from the planet Ratatak. An animal of stubborn and independent spirit. It had taken the slaughter-matron a good five minutes to tire the stoutly-built wild deer out, and three attempts to wrangle it down before the killing bite was applied. Struggle makes the taste more sweet, so the saying went. Exotic and foreign prey like that were the domain of only spendthrifts and the Baroness class on most occasions. When splurging for Tiia'haa'ko, common people normally ate the modestly-priced domestic beasts of the mother worlds. However, the spirit of fiscal wisdom normally left the room during a holiday. Solstice naturally demanded the best prey a matron could afford. If there was any other holiday that opened a wallet, then it was certainly C'saa e Nomaani'suurra - the Moon God's revelry.

This was the season for romance. The time when matrons put on a little more effort to woo their lovers. When their lovers showed their eager appreciation in turn. It was the season for flowers, for poetry, for tokens of affection great and small. And for expensive meals of prey creatures like a Ratataki kujbok.

Kalleeiha pulled at the rib bone in her grasp, the last decent bite of venison shearing from the bone in a stringy release. The portly tea house owner gave a hearty belch, then let the cleaned bone fall to the pile of five others in front of her.

"Thank jyou forr thjiss loveljy djinnerr, Madame Maillanaarro." Zaa'itaali Praaussellaa raised her wine goblet in an appreciative salute. "We arre pleassed to have the Cizeri bussjinesss communjitjy on Jovan Sstatjion togetherr to plan eventss forr C'saa e Nomaani'suurra."

At that, all the wine glasses raised, and voices in unison said "Hau'e" in agreement. Madame Maillanaarro's smile brought dimples to her round face as she cleaned the blood from her hands with raking passes of her tongue.

"Would jit be posssjible to hold a larrge event on the concourrsse wjith the blesssjing of the Commanderr?" asked Torraari Naaianeya, a curious pique to her upturned ears.

The Madame finished another pass with her tongue, addressing the question with an amenable expression.

"Oh, jI am cerrtajin that Commanderr Akjiena jiss rreceptjive to the rrequesstss of ourr communjitjy. Asss a matterrr of fact, jI have ssent hjim a token gjift. Ssomethjing to help hjim ssharre jin ourr apprrecjiatjion forr the sseasson."

Even as she spoke, one of the Madame's boys was already delivering a very large gift basket to Commander Akiena's office, with all the good cheer and hospitality as the Tea Shop Madame could offer to a friend.

[Kes Akiena]

His meal had arrived, and in a rather timely fashion, at that. A plate with an artful arrangement of thinly seared umaa steak bits, yatu'gata bites, steamed tuber strips, and a few raw vegetables paired with a ceramic bowl filled half-way with wonderfully melted white otaunga cheese. Lightly spiced with a gentle 'house blend' of seasonings, Kes gave a nod of thanks to the waitress. She smiled at him, and he smiled back.

"I think that's everything, Commander."

He nodded.

"Looks to be."

"Well, you just call me over if you need anything."

"I'll be sure to."

Again he watched her depart, and again he seemed to somber up as he turned back to his meal, the once-easy smile vanishing. He picked up his fork with one hand while the other shifted his napkin to his lap. Spearing a piece of the yatu'gata, he was in the process of dredging it through the cheese when his comm chirped like the evil, interrupting demon that it was.

A sigh, and Kes held his intended bite in limbo over the pot as he answered.

"I'm at lunch, you know."

"I know, Sir. But you've got a delivery."

Not altogether a strange occurrence. It all depended on the sender, though. He'd learned long ago to always ask who it was that saw fit to send something his way. One experience without reading a card had been enough.

"Who's it from?"

A pause from the other end.

"Madame Maillanaarro, Sir."

His eyes went to his waiting forkful of food.

"Is it leaking?"

"No Sir... ?"

"Good. I'll have a look at it when I get back."

Without waiting for an acknowledgement, he killed the line, and finally indulged himself in his lunch.

[Kalleeiha Maillanaarro]

Madame Maillanaarro took her job seriously. Seriously enough that she'd opted not to take quarters in the residential decks like most people. In lieu of that, she reserved a modest room in the back of the Maillanaarro Tea House as her own private space. It allowed her to never be far from her clients and the community she served. The one luxury she afforded herself in her private space was a queen-sized bed imported from Naboo, complete with down pillows and comforters and nine thousand thread count sheets. It made for a divine resting experience.

Another bit of home that the Madame reserved for herself was an electronic kettle on her small desk. This was the only place in the Maillanaarro Tea House where one could drink tea, and it was for personal use at home. The Madame applied a few pinches of herbal, leafy remedy to a reusable basket, easing it into a steaming cup for a quick steep. Tea was good for the digestion, and with the decadent nature of her lunch, Kalleeiha needed all the help she could get.

[Kes Akiena]

He'd paid his bill, said his goodbye's and gave his thanks. The relatively short trip back tot he hub was made mostly in silence, disturbed only by the nods sent his way. A few salutes were thrown in, which he returned without fuss. His features were a neutral mask, giving no real glimpse into his current thoughts. Which was all the better.

The lift ride up was spent in quietly, his eyes downcast as his thoughts took him back so long ago to a time before the Rebels. Before the safehouse that he'd latched on to keeping with his uncle. He remembered his first months at university, hours spent in class with a host of other students. But it was one that always held his attentions.

The lift slowed, then stopped, and the doors opened. Stepping into the hub, Kes was almost immediately beset upon by his assistant.

"It's on your desk, and last I checked it still wasn't leaking."

Nathaniel Ran was a good man. He was young and eager to make his mark. Kes had warned him early on that life on Jovan wouldn't be a gravy posting. If the dangers of the galaxy didn't make that clear, often enough the very residents themselves did a fine job of it.

"Thank you, Ran."

He moved along the familiar path to his office, ascending the shallow stairway that led through the opening door and on inside.

The parcel that awaited him was sat upon his desk like some sort of trophy, and Kes halted in his tracks, very nearly run over by the following Ran.

It was a giftbasket, that much was apparent. Overfilled almost, with crinkled cellophane paper holding it all barely in place.

"There's a lot in there," Ran offered. He'd been the one to have to set it on the desk after all, and the contents he couldn't help but take note of.

"Looks like it," came the sighed answer as Kes started forward once more. He approached his desk with all of the caution of a man worried about what he'd find wrapped up in such a gift. Who it came from was forefront on his mind as well. In fact, it was the reason he was carefully skirting his desk and slowly lowering himself to sit. He looked to Ran, giving a shooing wave to the man.

"I think I'll manage, Ran."

Nathaniel actually looked disappointed, but he nodded regardless and left the Commander's office.

Alone, Kes let out a long breath while pulling a decidedly careful face. One hand came up, fingers peeling away at the crinkly, clear wrapping and the silk ribbons. He fished from the top, pulling out a thin, compact book. Following that, a small assortment of bottles with artful Cizeri text. It was lost on him, and for a few moments he stared at the bottles.

Blinking, his free hand reached over to the built-in comm unit in his desk, and he dialed a number that was starting to become somewhat familiar.

[Kalleeiha Maillanaarro]

Her tea nearly consumed save for the last sip she'd have to disassociate from the dregs, Madame Maillanaarro set aside her cup as she yawned deeply, taking down her hair and letting her brown wavy tresses down over the tapering neckline of her sleeping gown. Two hours to nap. Perhaps three if matters in the tea house didn't require her immediate touch. Her boys were remarkably talented and self-sufficient. They could handle nearly any situation, and they did so while looking beautiful to her clientele who could appreciate masculine charms.

beep-beepdee-beep

Kalleeiha's ears focused to the sound of her desk comm, her nearby hand opening the line after one ring.

"Ja irra korra'nai..."

It was on audio only. The Madame paused to switch to a holographic feed, and the space above her desk lit up. So too did her smile.

"...ahh, Commanderr! A grreat manjy good forrtuness to jyou!"

[Kes Akiena]

"It certainly seems that way."

Kes at least afforded a smile to match hers. It wasn't very difficult, all things considered.

"To that end, I'd like to extend my thanks for your gift," one hand plucked out a card, and he briefly turned his attention to pulling it from the envelope.

It was a simple card, with red lettering in flourishing Aurebesh.

"C'saa e Nomaani'suurra?"

It was something he wasn't exactly acquainted with, and Kes turned a questioning look to the Madame.

[Kalleeiha Maillanaarro]

"jYou arre mosst welcome, of courrsse." Kalleeiha purred, her practiced patrician tones as luxuriant as the gifts she'd extended to her human friend.

He asked of the meaning, which was a good sign that he wasn't simply dismissing the good will as provincial, oriental nonsense. He, just like her, knew what it meant to listen.

"The Rrevelrrjy of the Moon God jiss an jimporrtant holjidajy forr mjy people. Do jyou know of Nomaani?"

[Kes Akiena]

The card was set down, and Kes continued to pull out other small gifts still contained within the basket. A clear plastic case of what looked like deep burgundy pearls, the label also in Cizeri. A folded, ribbon wrapped silk article of clothing soon followed, and the redhead couldn't help the confused look fall over him. His suspicions were slowly forming, but the question still remained. He set what he'd liberated a bit further back on his desk, knowing that there was more to be pulled from the depths of the Madame's gift.

"Honestly?" The next thing to come out was a bottle. Unmistakably champagne. It wasn't a cheap brand either, and Kes' brow knit as he bit his lower lip in the first sign of worry.

"Never heard of the guy."

[Kalleeiha Maillanaarro]

It was uttered out of ignorance and with no offense meant. The Madame put a hand over her heart, her eyes widening slightly as she chided politely.

"Rresspect, Commanderr. He jiss Djivjinjitjy. The God of the Moon, conssorrt to Holjy Saanjarra, Goddesss of the Ssun."

An education was forthcoming, and Madame Maillanaarro was patient in her explanation.

"He jiss the God of manjy thjingss. The God of the Moon, of courrsse. The tjidess and the sseass. The hunt. And He jiss alsso the God of Love."

[Kes Akiena]

"Oh."

Well, that clinched it, and Kes slowly pulled out a larger, hardbound book. It was thick, and surprisingly heavy, and the redhead angled from the Madame to look at the cover. Less than a moment later the book was flipped over and hastily put on his desk. It was not what he'd expected to see; though he certainly wasn't all of that surprised.

"I see... "

The redhead put a hold on unpacking anything else for the moment.

"Madame Maillanaarro, I truly appreciate the gesture, but I'm not so sure I'm the right recipient."

[Kalleeiha Maillanaarro]

The Madame's smile warmed like hearth fire, full lips and dimples and cherubic cheeks leaving not a space for anything less than a good feeling for the recipient.

"Au cojintrré, asss the Carrjidanss ssajy. jI can thjink of no morre fjittjing rrecjipjient forr Nomaani's favorr than jyou. Do jyou know whjy we celebrrate Nomaani?"

[Kes Akiena]

A furtive look to the face-down book, then back to her.

"Well," he was probably going to regret this.

"... I'm afraid that I don't."

[Kalleeiha Maillanaarro]

An education was forthcoming.

"Accorrdjing to the bookss, Saanjarra commanded the twelve natjionss of Carshoulis to obejy Herr. When thejy rrefussed Herr, the Goddesss ussed the powerr of Herr Djivjine Law. Fourr queenss bent thejirr kneess to Herr, sseejing the grreat wjissdom Sshe held. When the otherrss rrefussed Herr, Saanjarra ussed Herr Wrrath. Fjire, warr, and the ssworrd. Sshe brroke the wallss of thejirr cjitjiesss, desstrrojyed the unfajithful arrmjiess wjith the brreath frrom Herr lungss. Fourr more queenss ssurrenderred to Herr Mjight."

[Kes Akiena]

It was an unexpected and very impromptu education into the basics of Cizerack religion, and with patience he listened. Kes allowed his attentions to be held by the Madame, and when she'd reached a natural stopping point, the redhead dipped his head in respect.

But, there was more he knew. She'd not finished; at least, there was more that she'd held back.

"And the other four?"

[Kalleeiha Maillanaarro]

Kalleeiha's expression lost some of it's warmth, replaced with something more somber.

"Thejy jyjielded nejitherr to Law norr Wrrath. Saanjarra could not ssubdue them wjith thesse gjiftss. Sshe would have to desstrrojy the worrld Sshe loved, and all Herr chjildrren wjith jit."

And then, a small and hopeful smile.

"jIt wass then that the God Nomaani rreturrned frrom Hjiss huntjing grroundss. He brrought Hjiss Mjisstrresss the bountjy of the worrld, but Sshe wass sstrrjicken wjith grrjief and knew not what to do. To pleasse Herr, Nomaani lajy Hjiss bow and eterrnal qujiverr of arrowss at Herr feet, pledgjing that He would do what Law and Wrrath could not.

'jYou arre onljy mjy loverr and the hunterr of mjy fjieldss,' Sshe sscolded Hjim. 'jYou have not the forrtjitude forr conquesst norr the temerrjitjy to lead.' But Nomaani wass not djisscourraged. He told Hjiss Mjisstrresss that Law majy rrule the mjind and Wrrath could tearr the flessh, but nejitherr could conquerr the hearrt. Onljy loverrss and hunterrss know the wajy. Wjith an arrrow."

[Kes Akiena]

It certainly was intriguing, he had to admit. The gift basket all but forgotten, Kes let himself lean back in his chair as his arms crossed over his chest. He maintained eye contact with the Madame.

"And... ?"

[Kalleeiha Maillanaarro]

The hopeful smile returned to it's original warmth as the Madame brought the parable home.

"Nomaani drrew fourr arrrowss frrom Hjiss qujiverr. He annojinted them wjith honejy, and ssealed the ssweetnesss wjith a kjisss to each barrb. Now, jyou musst underrsstand therre wass no hunterr asss ssurre jin hjiss ajim asss Nomaani. He could tjie jyarrn to an arrrow, loosse jit, and thrread a needle a contjinent awajy. Nothjing esscaped Hjiss ssjight. And jyet asss He drrew all fourr arrrowss at once, the Moon God clossed Hjiss ejyess."

Kalleeiha paused, pressing a hand to her breast as her smile broadened to show the whites of teeth behind lips.

"jYou ssee? An arrow majy rreach the hearrt, but onljy anotherr hearrt can gujide jit therre. Nomaani let Hjiss arrowss fljy. Overr the mountajinss, the desserrtss, the plajinss and the sseass. Overr the cloudss, agajinsst the sstarrss. Bejyond the hjighesst wallss of the sstrrongesst casstless. Everrjy defjiant queen wass sstrruck ssurreljy and cleanljy. Everrjy hearrt wass touched. A wound that wass not morrtal, but that caussed an ache and a jyearrnjing to fjill jit."

The Madame clasped her hands together.

"Thjiss jiss how the worrld wass unjited, and jit'ss a lessson to learrn. A leaderr majy be jusst and thejy majy be sstrrong, but wjithout love thejy wjill wjin nothjing."

[Kes Akiena]

He was no fool. He could see the trajectory of the Madame's arrow easily enough.

Still though, Kes played the part of the ignorant. He knew that she would be able to see through such outward appearance, but he did it out of necessity despite it all.

"A lesson in opening up then," he spoke carefully.

He had no wishes to disparage the Madame's cultural leanings and religious bent, and walked the fine line with a degree of control that he'd cultivated over so many years.

"Nomaani was a man transcendent."

The redhead gave a courteous nod as the corners of his lips turned up in a gracious smile.

"It takes a singular bent to understand the intricacies of the heart, Madame. Nomaani was beyond his time."

[Kalleeiha Maillanaarro]

A scoffing smile formed tight and small on her chubby face, framed by the added definition of her dimples.

"Ohh, jI don't thjink He wass. Beljieve jin the sstorrjiess orr not, but Nomaani'ss feat wass onljy parrtljy ssuperrnaturral. Everrjy hearrt knowss wherre to ajim, Kess Akjiena. All jI've done jiss to gjive jyou the bow and the arrow."

Her shoulders rose and fell with a gentle and ponderous sigh.

"jI trruljy and deepljy hope jyou usse them."