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[Ryden Stone]

The pencil danced over the page as the artist's eyes glanced up from his work to glance at his subject for only a few seconds before looking down and continuing his work. His breathing was calm and his body still as his hand glided over the page to fill in every detail he captured in his eyes. It was perfect everything in perfect harmony as he went about his work, then with a disheartening snap the edge of the pencil cracked off and the tip scampered across the page. A look of frustration etched into the artists face as he reached across the small table to collect the sharpener.

His eyes glanced from the page to his subject and then glanced downward as he began to shave away the tip to make a new point. He worked quietly as a few people passed him by and glanced at the almost finished work in front of him. He failed to acknowledge them as he worked steadily on repairing his pencil to finish his art. He wanted full concentration and could be afforded no distractions, it was how he was trained in his years of learning and practice. A moment or two after he finished fixing his tool he placed the sharpener back where it belonged and he once again went to work.

Fifteen minutes passed and still his work remained unfinished, ever the perfectionist he needed everything to line up. Everything needed to be perfect or else all his work would have been for nothing. Some were amazed that such a task couple be enjoyable with how strict his standards had been for his work but they did not know him. Few things could possibly make him feel more fulfilled. Another couple of minutes passed and finally he had completed his work. He placed his pencil down and with a deep breath he cleared the page of all debris leaving the picture just as it was.

"Perfect," he said to himself.

[Selina Vadcasta]

In the gardens of the palace, Selina sat in quiet meditation. It was a rare occurrence for her to find such peace in the middle of the day. But on this day, the sun bathed her skin and hair and she almost looked as though she were asleep. Unconscious was no where near the case. In fact, she was more than conscious. In this state, everything was clear. Selina could drink in the life she felt all around her, from the planted flowers, to the many people within the palace grounds, to the countless lifeforms on the planet. Normally she focused on the emotions of the many, but in this state she could simply feel them.

There were even a few familiar presences nearby, but Selina hadn't been a particularly social creature as of late. Since the wedding it had been simply awkward to be amongst those she knew. None of them had approached her either, which suited her just fine. Evidently her training had been effective in reconnecting her with the dark side. Perhaps others could sense that about her. It didn't matter. Her path had been forged long before and there were no detours now. Selina would simply roll with the punches as always, and take each situation and day as it came.

[Ryden Stone]

He hastily scribbled his name down onto the bottom of the page. His work complete, he silently flipped through the pages of the leather bound sketch book. Images of people, animals, plants and the horizon adorned it's pages. It was one of many, his private quarters alone had a bookshelf of organized untitled volumes. Some sketch books he had filled out over his long life, some where small leather bound books of stories he had written of a fictional character that mirrored himself. A man destined to walk the galaxy assured as long as he remained careful the cold hand of death would stay away, but those he knew would grow old and eventually pass from existence.

He slipped his tools into a small case for safe keeping. He slipped the small case into his pocket and then closed the sketch book. Yet another person passed by and waved to him. He smiled warmly and waved his hand, he didn't know the person as well as he knew others but he was always one to be nice and show proper etiquette. He checked his watch, he wasn't late he still had a good amount of time left on his hands before he would have to attend to a few duties around the Palace. He pushed in the chair he had been using and slid his sketch book into his opposite hand before walking down the path way. His brown eyes caught a glance of Selina and he thought to keep walking but a deep inhale later and he had moved towards her at a slow pace.

"Hello Selina," he said in a calm voice. "Lovely day is it not?"

[Selina Vadcasta]

Selina could feel Ryden nearby, but made no effort to contact him. Last they’d spoken, it had gone rather badly. He asked for time, and that much she could give him, for she needed it as well. It was a lot for him to take in after all. Her healing process was still in the early stages, but she had long accepted that the man she loved did not love her. While she didn’t know if her feelings for Revan would change, she had to try and move on.

Ryden was drawing closer to her, and she was sure that he could see her but still she did not move. It wasn’t until he spoke that she opened her eyes. She smiled. “Hello Ryden. It is, very nice. I am enjoying it as you can probably tell.” If nothing else, she was getting a little sun on her skin. She wasn't going to push him into conversation, so she'd simply let him lead. That way he could speak his mind freely, or ask her questions or whatever she wanted to do.

[Ryden Stone]

"How have you been?" he asked.

The man known as Ryden Stone had always been one for small talk, it was practically in his job description. Roaming the galaxy for 100 plus years had taught the Shi'ido the ins and outs of etiquette, negotiations, and people skills. Though this one he wasn't sure about. He figured he would just do his best to keep things in a good light. He gently leaned against of of the stone columns nearby and shifted his sketch book to his other hand.

"Well I hope," he added in.

[Selina Vadcasta]

Selina offered a small smile to him. “I've been better but my job keeps me busy.” While she liked her job, as of late it had become a constant remind of what she could never obtain. Things were getting easier, but still, it was difficult to be reminded. “What about you Ryden? How are you doing? And the princess is well I trust.” She knew that Aurielle was in good hands. As for Ryden, she didn't know what his state of mind was. Rather than invade his thoughts, she left him to communicate them to her.

She did however touch his mind gently ~Have you thought much since we've spoken last?~ Selina was of course referring to their conversation at the wedding. Whatever Ryden had decided, Selina would accept, for she'd left it in his hands. She did want an answer however, so she could have some sense of direction.

[Ryden Stone]

"I'm fine, the Princess as well," he said with a smile. Her voice rang pleasantly in his ears and his thoughts of the night of the wedding came back. ~Yeah I have thought of it.~

Selina tilted her head slightly ~care to share? or shall I help myself to them?~

~ Depends, if you want to beat me to the chase ~ he thought lowering himself down to the ground and taking a seat across from her. ~I can accept that you love him, there isn't much more I can say~

Selina allowed him to share his thoughts at his own pace. She nodded ~It's getting easier if it makes you feel better.~ She offered a small smile.

~That's good to hear~ he thought sure she would catch on to his thoughts. Surprisingly he had been alright with everything after he thought it all through. "What's funny is I have actually been able to draw some good sketches lately."

Selina smiled "Feeling inspired then?" She could sense his relief.

"Surprisingly yes," he flipped open to the sketch he had just finished only minutes ago. "I just did this a few minutes ago I think it's really good if I say so myself,"

Selina tilted her head slightly as she looked at it, evaluating it "very good indeed." She smiled.

"Thank you," he said. "I think that my portraits are a little better though," he said as he gazed into her eyes. "How about I do one of you? If you have the time of course, it wouldn't take too long,"

Selina smirked "You mean you can't draw me from memory?" After a moment she chuckled "If you'd like. I'm already comfortable, so feel free."

He chuckled to himself. "I could if I wanted to, but I usually like using live models," he pulled up his sketch pad and then pulled his drawing utensils. "Just relax and try not to move," he said with a smile as he took a long look and began the sketch.

Selina shifted slightly back to her original position and closed her eyes. While he was busy, she allowed her thoughts and presence to stretch.

His eyes sharpened as he went to work. What he knew from memory coupled with the live model. Several times he was reminded of her beauty as he finished the face and moved onto the hair. Minutes passed as he moved through each section with percision and skill.

Selina looked rather peaceful and her mind was clear. For the moment she was the picture of calm.

The minutes continued to tick by, Ryden was practically a machine, with the look of someone possessed as he went about capturing her image on the page. He had just finished her clothing and was moving around to her surroundings and finally he was finished "Done," he said quietly as scribbled his name on the bottom of the page.

Selina smiled "That was quick." It was a moment before she opened her eyes again.

"Not really, took quite a bit of time. But I don't know I just go into this mode of concentration, I can't think of anything else. Makes for some good drawings," he said holding out the book for her to see.

Selina smiled "very nice."

"Thank you," he said as he pulled the page out of his book and handed it to her. "I'd like you to have it,"

Selina smiled "Are you sure you don't want to keep this one?" She took it for a closer look at least.

"Yeah, if I want another one," he said with a smile as he returned his pencil to his pocket and closing his book. " Then I know where to find you," he said with a smile.

Selina smirked "I suppose that is true."

"Are you going to be doing anything later?" he asked. "I don't believe I have to much to do and I don't see why we can't go do something," he said.

Selina smiled "Only whatever you have in mind."