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 Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:36 pm
Tython, Jedi Temple Courtyard
"What were you looking at?" Master Joelk asked sharply.
Seron turned to meet the Joelk's accusing eyes. She showed no signs of wanting to follow him anywhere, let alone to her private quarters by a Mandalorian commando. She wanted an answer. But what was Seron supposed to say? It was plain as day what Seron was looking at, if she had been watching him. It seemed more like Joelk was looking for a motive.
"Your gift, ma'am," Seron answered in a matter-of-fact. "Where does it come from? Your talents, a Jedi's talents, are so different from the rest of ours. It's nerve-wracking to know that you... That a Sith could dispatch a dozen of us, unarmed. And here you guys have a place where these extraordinary talents are cultivated. I don't understand why you don't share the gift with others."
Seron swallowed. That was a bit more than he wanted to say. That was a bit more than he was expecting to say, but once he opened his mouth, it all just came rolling out. It felt like a weight had been lifted off of him, as though he'd been wanting to ask that question all his life.
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:54 pm
"Really." She said, the word a b*****d marriage between amusement and disbelief. Most of what the mandalorian had just said could be mistaken for child-like wonder, but she'd be an idiot to think he was anything like a child. More like simply naive and that, too, was dangerous. He was too old to be naive if he wanted to learn anything.
"You know nothing." Jaddah said, and it took Sam a moment to realize that it had been spoken out loud. She looked away then, back to the padawan assembling the speeder bike, and then gestured, without looking, for Seron to continue his tour while she continued. Whether it was to soften the blow or to convince herself that she continued at all, she could not say. "The Force is not a gift. "
Call it what one would, but it could never be a gift. It wasn't given, to start with, nor was it a reward for toil or a relief for burden. It was teacher, to those who would listen, and it was fire, to those who would burn. It was fuel for the flame or it was words to the wise; none of those a gift, but all of those things earned, not provided. "The Force is not a milk mother sticking her tit into a crying babe's mouth to appease it; the Force is something you find for yourself or not at all."
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:26 pm
Red Birth -- Hyperspace
Dumbfounded, Malo stared at the man stretched out before her. Had he just told her what she though he told her? Wonderful. She had just been beginning to wonder where it was he could have come from, and if wherever it was could be such a bad thing to get involved in if it meant giving him some help, and he dropped that bomb on her. There was no forgetting the name of the Dark Lady of the Sith, the infamous female who'd succeeded both Validus and Raven in terrorizing the galaxy, and then suddenly disappeared. In that one sentence he'd just told her that Venia was back and that he, no doubt about it now; a Sith, was looking for her.
The desire for murder in his second sentence was a footnote in comparison to the first.
At a loss for words, Malo turned away and replaced the salve in her cabinets while she struggled to think of a course of action. She couldn't allow him to find Venia, could she? Would it entail her to helping him reach there, if she did, or should she leave him to his own means once he was stable? Either way she looked at it she felt sick. He was a Sith, a servant of Venia, and she couldn't let him find her... but that was the Jedi Knight thinking. He was a Sith, too. Of all the crazy, half-alive and murderious creatures in this galaxy the one that she had stumbled upon and taken upon herself to load into her ship, alone, and then proceed to treat medically, he had to be a Sith. She should kill him now while he slept, or find a way to confine him... but if he was strong enough to survive what had happen on Harrin, how would she possible imprison him? She wasn't a hunter, she had no stasis chambers or prison cells on her ship... the logical thing to do would be to kill him if she couldn't arrest him... but that was the Jedi Knight thinking again.
She chewed on her lip as her eyebrows furrowed, frustration at her indecision making it even more difficult for her to think. You can't kill him, she told herself. Jedi or not, she didn't do that anymore. She didn't do it for Eden, she didn't do it for the Jedi, and she sure as hell wouldn't rationalize it by saying she did it for herself. Then she felt even sicker for having considered killing a man in his condition even briefly.
"I need to think!" Malo hissed, grabbing a rag to wipe her hand then throwing it across the room. "I need... I need... " Movement caught her eye then and the girl turned to see the protocol droid watching her. How long he'd been there she couldn't say.
"May I be of service Master? I have limited understanding of human biology, but if Master has instructions I am more than capable of carrying them out."
It took her a moment to realize that he was offering to stay with the unknown man -- Sith -- alone. "No!" She blurted before she could fathom an explanation. "I mean, I need to check your diagnostics. " She did need to go through his metal head and see if there were any left-over surprises Eden had left her and that would be a lot easier than trying to decide what an ex-Jedi should do with a Sith looking for an ex-Sith Lord and his crazy schutta.
"Yes, Master." The droid said without a hint of disappointment. With some relief, Malo followed the droid out of the room and then closed the door behind her. It would do the man some good to rest, and it would probably be better for his health if she didn't try to figure out how to run a nutrient supply into his body while he slept. When he woke she would feed him and, hopefully, know what to do with him.
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:45 pm
Tython, Jedi Temple
"You know nothing."
The Jedi master looked away, leaving her cold, harsh words to linger and fester before Seron. She watched the trio of Jedi in the courtyard, seemingly lost in her own thoughts, or else very interested in what they were interested in doing. Then she motioned for him to go, still without turning her head to face him.
"The Force is not a gift."
Seron was about to keep going, silently begrudging her words, but her words caught him.
"Oh, so it's more like a technical skill to be taught?" Seron asked.
He knew he was baiting her now. He hadn't imagined any conversation about the Force to turn out this way. Here he was, hoping against all odds that this master would accept him as a padawan, and he was arguing with. Seron wasn't sure where he was going with this, but it felt like the right choice of words.
"Like acquired reflexes in pod racing, or the ability of a ship-captain to think laterally...?"
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 10:24 pm
"Do you need to rationalize the idea of the Force in order to understand it; must you understand it?" Sam asked pointedly, glaring now openly at the mandalorian. He was older than her, taller than her, and nearly twice her mass in muscle, but still he lacked that fundamental something that might have made her pause. Or maybe she lacked it, with the way she'd been going on since leaving Ronyo's side. Something about her old padawan must have grounded her for now, surrounded by the Force and alone despite it, she could feel the jagged edges of her broken mind too sharply.
"Why do you want to learn the Force, " She didn't even pause, between speaking the question and reaching into his mind, plucking what she needed, and then continuing, "Seron?" He'd yet to tell her that name, but she didn't need him to give it. With the Force she could take that, and more, without batting an eyelash. Sam wanted him to know that, and not in the simpleton's way of simply being told. If he wanted to learn the first thing about the Force then he'd have to stop rationalizing it.
"You know nothing." She repeated, her voice rising almost to the point of anger. "The Force isn't like the reflexes of a pilot or the instincts of a captain, it is those things. It's this," Her hand snaked out and jabbed his chest, above his heart, "It's this" then tapped the side of his head sharply, "It's these, and these, and this." Sam preceded to point out his eyes, flicked his ear, and then waved around them while she spoke. "The Force isn't something you come to grasp with words..."
A halted pause and then a heavy sigh interrupted her own speech. Quite suddenly she looked as tired as she felt, shoulders sagging and fire dying from her eyes, and Sam decided to forget what she'd been saying. Very briefly she felt guilty for her abrasiveness. "Forget what I say, Seron. I'm just an old woman, and even more tired."
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 11:32 pm
Tython, Jedi Temple
Seron felt startled when Joelk started jabbing him, grabbing at him and poking at him. It stood counter to every stereotype that Jedi weren't the touchy-feely type in any sense of the word; nothing but emotionless monks with supernatural abilities.
"Forget what I say, Seron," Joelk said, the fire beginning to fade from her eyes. "I'm just an old woman, and even more tired."
"With all due respect, ma'am, you're not the first person who's ever yelled at me, and you certainly won't be the last. The same goes for the prodding... I've been hit by much worse than that."
Seron paused, weighing his next words carefully, deciding whether he should even say them.
"...And you don't look a day older than 30."
Seron shifted uncomfortably on his feet. He shouldn't have said that. Deciding to recompose himself, he straightened up and clasped his hands behind his back as best he could with his duffel.
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Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 10:13 am
Sam looked up thoughtfully, trying to remember how old she was at his comment. If she remembered Ossus right, and she wasn't sure that she did, then she would have been in her twentieth year the day that she traded places with Jaddah... but she was Jaddah too, and that made it more difficult to say. She might have been in her mid-twenties now, but she could also claim to have seen over a hundred.
She let the moment to respond to his comments pass. With little desire to correct him on her age and even less to continue the discussion on what he may or may not receive in his past, present, or future, it left only rest that she desired.
"Show me these chambers so that I can rest, Seron." In the morning she would decide what to do with him, with herself, and with everything else.
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Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 8:15 pm
[ Space en route to Nar Shaddaa ]
Mina sits in the cockpit silently staring at the controls, still not keen on speaking with Kennero. She still loves him, obviously, but the knight also still annoyed- no, dissapointed - no, she doesn't know, but she wishes he hadn't given the kill order and wants him to know that. Three silent hours into their flight to Nar Shaddaa, and she's pretty sure he's caught on to her message by now.
Sighing, she finally quits on the silence treatment (it's a little childish anyway). "So how are we planning on getting Whitesun to help us?" Mina asks Kennero, evading the topic of the order.
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:46 am
Naboo
Liesa fa Nadlen swirled her flute of champagne, her full attention focused on the golden carbonated liquid spinning around with the cup and the fact her dress was the same color. But really. Actually. That's how bored she was -- she was watching her champagne instead of drinking it. Oh stars above she was going to die if she had to attend one more state dinner for another politician she didn't know the name of and s**t like this... Which really meant she was going to be equally as bored at tomorrow night's state dinner.
Apparently, the whole week was filled of them. Joy, the sixteen-year-old thought sardonically, though a pleasant smile never left her face. Brushing a strand of brown hair that had escaped the thing called a style on her head behind her ear, she waved at someone who waved at her who she still didn't know the name of. Downing the flute with a groan, Liesa set it on a tray as a server walked by and snagged a second in the same moment.
Stars stars stars she was gonna need as many as she could get.
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 3:36 pm
Point Nadir - Zietta's Palace, 7th floor.
She returned the barrage of laser fire behind her with one of her own, just before rounding the corner and taking a moment to catch her breath. When it remained quiet, she risked a quick peek back into the hallway, just in time to see a thermal detonator roll her way. It seemed they were prepared to bring out more serious measures into stopping her.
She ran as fast as she could, her breath growing heavier as her heartbeat accelerated. She was getting exhausted. If they kept this up, then sooner or later they'd take her down. For a moment, she thought she heard something, but whatever sound it was was overpowered by the explosion going off behind her. The force of it knocked her off her feet and down to the ground.
Her hand tightened on the grip of her saber's hilt, her eyes closing as gathered her strength and forced herself to stand back on her feet and moving forward. Why did she ever think this was a good idea? She'd grown overconfident from getting lucky one too many times.
"Daesha...!"
"Kal!?"
Fumbling to hook her lightsaber back on her belt as she ran, she sought her belt for the source of his voice, finding the small forgotten comm unit. Turning it on, her voice sounded with relieve.
"Kal, I'm so sorry, I..." She paused for a moment, taking a quick glance back behind her before trying to up her tempo. The use of explosions had caused for her purchasers to be delayed, but now wasn;t the times for explanations. "I'm here now, Kal. At the palace." She assured him. "Where are you?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:56 pm
Point Nadir, Outside Zietta's Palace
"Kal, I'm so sorry, I..."
Daesha's voice, apologetic and... Exerted...? Explosions sounded over the comm unit and it was another moment before Daesha spoke again.
"I'm here now, Kal, at the palace," Daesha said. "Where are you?"
If it hadn't been for the excruciating pain in Kal's leg, Kal might have responded sarcastically.
"Let me explain: I was violated, electrocuted, ambushed, mugged and defenestrated!" Kal hissed. "And you were nowhere to be found, Daesha! I was electrocuted and thrown out of a window! By the Force, what were you doing?!"
Kal was doing better at keeping his voice low now. He was still out in the open, and if anyone came to take advantage of him, he wouldn't be able to do much to protect himself, but Kal utilized his anger to fuel his discipline. If Daesha couldn't be there to back him up, then he wanted to at least make clear the gravity of their mistake.
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:26 pm
Point Nadir, Outside Zietta's Palace
The palace had gone literally from royality to recycling. Sticking to the wall for cover, she silently curses the spawn who set her up for a delivery and then never showed. Just like a Troydarian. Caring for their own mottled and flabby skin than a pocket full of cash. Though she admits in retrospect, it wasnt that good of a payoff anyways. he probably felt it wasnt worth it. And if he was dead...the better for her.
Just before turning a corner, she holds out a mirror to check for any signs of life. Of course, it doesnt exactly live up to its usual standards when she hears the somewhat pitiful whines of some female on the ground. A smuggler she might be, but even she has morals...for the most part. Moving quickly to her side, she sets her blaste to stun and holds it to the victims head.
"Dont move a muscle if you want to live."
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:52 pm
Tython
The dropship was packed to the deckhead. Between a speeder, a droid lifter, and a stack of crates, there was barely enough room for the NRIS lackeys to find a space to lean against, let alone sit down. Cole and his entourage were stuffed onto a pre-planned flight, revenge for arriving without warning, he was sure, and Cole was the fortunate one to land a seat in the copilot's chair. The airtight bulkhead sealed behind them and the shuttle maneuvered toward the ramp, then slipped through the parting doors into the blackness of space. Taper, the "Jedi specialist," was wedged in a gap between two coolant pipes, looking uncomfortable.
They approached Tython in silence. Cole caught a glimpse of what he thought was a river ahead of them. It reminded him of the glittering patches of glass that now covered the planet Kinyen. It was a ball of glass, now. How many worlds would come to look like that? Cole wasn't concerned about the billions of Gran that had been slaughtered.
The scale of destruction was so far beyond what Cole could feel that he didn't get instinctively angry about the attack. He just knew it was terrible in a theoretical kind of way. What concerned him was the small-scale concerns. Crying for some general mass of beings wasn't the same as crying for your friends and family. Cole wondered how the Mandalorians felt about it.
They were kidding themselves if they thought the Jedi wouldn't fulfill a request for aid. Even Jedi feel an urge to avenge, Cole thought. You couldn't be blamed for that. The pilot landed east of a valley that sloped down into a lake, and shut down the engines.
"They know we're coming, but they might not have arrived, yet," the pilot said, referring the welcoming party that was supposed to greet them. "Okay, everybody out."
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:57 pm
Point Nadir, Outside Zietta's Palace
"Don't move a muscle, if you want to live."
It was easy to comply with the order. Kal's entire body was quivering from the pain, but the only other thing he was doing was lying on his back with a COM unit in his hand.
"What... What... What's going on?" Kal asked, suddenly frightened that the Force might have it in for him. "Hey..."
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 7:13 pm
Point Nadir, Outside Zietta's Palace
"Whats happening is that you are going to stay still ma'am and hand me that COM unit." Keeping her blaster focused on the victims head, she gets closer, closer enough to see that what originally looked and sounded female...was apparently not. And admittance she was not about to admit outloud.
"Now then, stand up, and stay quiet. Wont do either of us any good if we're found out."
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