“Hello one and all and welcome to the first edition of the Port Kasiya Open!” The scarred Rodian face of **Dirk Shankur, a local legend on the podracing circuit, appeared on the many screens positioned around the City Center, his gravely voice also booming out from the loudspeakers all along the track. “The crowds are densely packed in the streets of the Holmes district and the music is bumping! I know I speak for everyone here today in saying how excited we are to see what these adrenaline junkies from around the system can do! The racers are still gathering at the starting line, but it won’t be long until we get underway!”
She was happy to hear the war was over, seeing the city in celebration and full of events. It had increased the general active population by hundreds of thousands as people from the various worlds all came to Port Kasiya for this time.
Cassandra herself, at the begrudging suggestion of some new friends of hers, came to the city herself. She had wanted to remain in Caleria where she had been hiding out following her abrupt return from the war when she abandoned the front lines. No one really knew what had happened to her. If she had fallen on the front lines, or where she had gone.
After what had occured on those lines…she did not feel worthy to be a Jedi. She did not even feel worthy to stand among the Taldrya, much less even call herself a Taldryanite. Now she was just a common civilian, a Republic citizen.
“Hey Ashe, you coming?” a grey haired Ewok waved to Cassandra as four others stood next to him entering into the City Center from the Starport.
Cassandra herself was quite different. Her hair had been cut short, just above her neckline. It was black with a bright green interior layering. Contacts in that made her eyes a brighter green color.
Her clothes were black as well, athletic style with a top and leggings, along with a black jacket. Everything had bright green highlights.
“Yeah Im coming.” ‘Ashe’ called as she followed behind carrying a large instrument case on her back. She had also taken a new name…Ashella Treis.
A trandoshan male who walked with them beamed with excitement. “This is my first time being in the capital…can’t believe we’re playing here tonight.”
“I know, right?” A red-skinned Twi'lek female said. “At the playground of all places.”
“Think…we could do some freelance playing at the waterfront?” The Ewok asked the Twi'lek.
“I don’t see why not. I kinda wanted to roam the city, hit a few bars, have some fun before we did.” she replied.
She took an odd notice of how quiet Ashe was being. “Hey. You alright?”
Ashe nodded. “Yeah…I’m alright, Fei. Its just strange being here.”
The Trandoshan smiled and patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t you worry. We get some Tsiraki downed from that distillery ran by Tenama, everything will be golden!”
The Ewok glared. “Why is it always alcohol that makes everything golden?”
He boomed in laughter. “It just does!”
“Alright, alright…let’s go.” the Twi'lek said as she lead the way into the city center towards the waterfront.
Maeva leaned against one of the buildings’ walls as she watched the people walked by. They were laughing. The kids were playing. The food and drinks had filled the air with different aroma. She had already ordered a drink and took a sip. She heard shuffling behind her as she glanced slightly towards the side. Dressed more like a bounty hunter with their vibrosword and blaster at the ready, it was one of her summit guards.
Maeva internally scoffed.
She glanced back down the street and let out a heavy sigh. She understood why but they needed to be careful with the Kriz Crime Syndicate still at large. At least until the traps were set to inflict enough damage that they have to lick their wounds for some time.
She stepped forward out of the shadows and threw away her drink. She got out her comm device for a moment to see any updates from any of her friends. None yet. She started to patrol down the street, deep in her thoughts about the war but clear enough to keep an eye on her surroundings.
Near the planned finish line, a small plaza dotted with decorative trees has gained one more. The former Supreme Chancellor is not certain whether or not he is a fugitive still but wanting to view the race, he’s found a good hiding place, approving the city beautification project all that time ago sure came in handy to let him hide. Carrying the big planter to make it look like he belongs, now that was quite the challenge…
Port Kasiya, it was not Korvyn’s first time here. Part of being Thran’s Praetor was that he was the de facto representative of Arx Capital Exchange to the clans. It wasn’t all bad, lots of good meals usually. A modest spending account for incurred expenses and it beats sitting in the office all day. The trip was the usual after action visit. See if they needed repairs to their capital ships, arrange payment and contracts and thankfully a little downtime. The official business had been delayed by the Pod Races and Korvyn found it a good time to catch the local beers and food.
He was dressed as he normally was. His long overcoat had served him well earlier that day but the temperatures were rising a little now. He walked the main through fare with a light beer in one hand and some roasted meat on a stick in the other. It didn’t ask what the meat came from. He had learned that things like that are best left unasked. Most street vendors would lie anyway and it tasted good. Not to mention it was cheap. He might even grab more if he passed this way again later.
As Ashe and the group traveled into the city center proper, there was so many people. Fireworks were going off, and screens showed the podrace as it was still preparing for its launch.
On the screen it began to show some of the pilots, the next one up was an Ewok with black and white fur wearing goggles. The screen showed his name, it was the Research Director from the Arx Capital Exchange and one of Thran’s Magistrates; Teebu Rundlek. He raised his hands into the air amidst cheers as he stood inside of his podracer’s cockpit.
“What the heck is this?” the Trandoshan asked, catching Ashe’s attention. He was holding a split bun that had a round piece of meat inside of it, looking at it with an extremely confused expression. “Is…this a taco?”
Fei the Twi'lek shook her head as the Ewok with them started to laugh out loud.
“No, Nar'ru.” Fei calmly stated as she kicked the Ewok’s side to shut him up. “That is called a hot dog.”
Nar'ru looked at it curiously for a moment and sniffed it. “A…hot dog? But its meat nestled inbetween a single piece of bread.”
“And?” Fei continued. “Meat nestled between bread does not a taco always make. Plus tacos have other toppings too, cheese, lettuce, tomato and-”
Before she could even continue, Ashe tapped her shoulder and pointed at the hot dog that Nar'ru was holding. He had added cheese…and lettuce…and even tomato to the top.
Looking straight at Fei, he gestured with his other hand towards it with a blank mocking face before saying his next words so matter-of-factly. “So, taco.”
Ashe couldn’t help but lightly chuckle with her hand up to her mouth in an effort to suppress it, with the Ewok was now on his back on the ground just laughing as Fei facepalmed herself.
She truly was lucky to have come across this group in Caleria. They didn’t care who she was, her past or her history, they just saw her as a person who loved music like they did. And even in the deepest of the darkness she had fallen into, they were able to bring about smiles from time to time.
“Hey, Ashe. You want something before I take this food cart and smash it over Nar'ru’s head?” Fei asked before acting as if she were going to pick it up.
Ashe shook her head. “I appreciate the offer Fei, but I think you need to feed Kowe before he bursts his gut open from continuous laughing.”
The Ewok was still on the ground laughing and the trio just sighed at him. “Alright, alright…”
“Hey, lets head down to the waterfront before we catch the shuttle to the Playground. I heard there’s an exhibit with all of the Chancellors there, the First through the Fourth.” Nar'ru stated as he gulped the ‘taco’ down in one bite.
Kowe stopped laughing and sat up, looking at Nar'ru.
“Oh yeah. They finished the Lord Fourth’s statue didn’t they? I think that’d be cool to see.” he said.
“To the waterfront!” Fei cheered with Kowe and Nar'ru. As usual, Ashe was unusually hesitant but nodded affirmatively with a forced smile.
“Yeah. To the waterfront.”
“Come on Ken, keep up!” Itzo Maelemi called over his shoulder to his companion B2 droid, who struggled to keep up with the Zabrak weaving through the crowd. Itzo wore a simple brown long-sleeve overshirt with the sleeves bunched up around his elbows, baggy black trousers, and heavy boots. Both of them had novely podracing goggles on that he had swiped from one of the many vendors around the City Center, though they struck a sharp contrast to Ken’s formal suit and bowtie paint job. A particularly attractive Twi'lek in a short dress caught Itzo’s attention, turning his gaze and causing him to crash directly into Korvyn, sending his beer to the ground in a spraying explosion.
“Hey, buddy, pay attention! I’m walking here!”
Genuine elation and deep sorrow, separated by a thick layer of drinks and drugs flooded the senses, a celebration of survival and a wake for the dead, moving to the tune of bread and circuses.
Every war had a marker just like this. Jorm had become accustomed to it, and while he would have partied hard among all the other revelers just a decade ago, now he just drifted through the crowds, skimming through superficial emotions.
Most people he ignored. Some he tripped or choked out. He really didn’t need some freelance predators stopping innocent marks from blowing all their money at the many opportunities he Playground provided out on the streets for this special occasion.
His comm chirped for his attention, and he answered. “How’s the party coming, B-Man?” “Eerily familiar, like every time,” the Zeltron on the other end answered. “Sound system’s expanded and all golden, and the staff actually managed to get some extra supplies last minute on top of the triple stock they brought in after doubling everything. There’s enough booze to fishtank Zeltros and food for at least twenty Hutts,” the DJ reported further. “The band is on their way too. You wanna come back in, Boss? Barkeep’s just mixed a fresh batch of your fuel. Stuff doesn’t just glow in the dark alone.”
Jorm snatched a pickpocket’s hand before it went ito a foreign pocket and broke two fingers, then sent the amateur home with a shove. “You know what? Yeah. Be there in a few.”
It wasn’t long until the four had made their way to the Ektrosis Waterfront. Memories came flooding back as they reached the main plaza where the four statues were and she looked up at hers.
It was hard to believe so much had changed since then. Without a doubt, that was the pinnacle of her life. Kowe and Nar'ru were taking selfies with Appius’ statue while Fey stood over at Ood’s tree-tatue. Ashe sat down on a nearby bench in front of some trees deep in thought as the three then moved over to her statue and started talking.
She tried to listen in, briefly tapping into her sense power, only to suddenly lean forward with her hand on her chest in excrutiating pain. The pain radiated throughout her entire body, her voice just enough to squeak a pained cry. Fey immediately looked over and sprinted to her side, knelt down with her hand on Ashe’s shoulder.
“Are you ok? Is it your chest again?” Fey asked comfortingly. Ashe gave a subtle nod as the pain slowly subsided and she gradually sat back up again. “I swear something is definitely wrong and the doctors are just idiots not finding anything. Maybe we should visit the ones here in Port Kasiya before we leave.”
Ashe just gave a slight nod, still trying to find energy to speak. Fey placed her finger over Ashe’s lips. “Just take your time and get your bearings back, don’t speak.”
She motioned over to Nar'ru who walked over to the two.
“Is she hurting again?” Nar'ru asked, to which Fey nodded. He turned his back towards Ashe and knelt down in front of her. “Here, climb on.”
Ashe shook her head negatively as instead she slowly brought herself up to her feet with Fey supporting her arm. She was lucky Fey did that, as her legs started to give out a couple seconds later. Fey directed her onto Nar'ru’s back who immediately gripped her legs and stood back up.
“Let’s get to the Playground so she can rest a bit.” Nar'ru said before giving a whistle noise to Kowe. Kowe glanced over at him and started stomping angrily and shouting. “Stupid dog, never seen one that can’t listen.”
Fey started laughing as Kowe made his way over, arms crossed. The four started moving back towards the city to head into Holmes. Ashe laid her head on Nar'ru’s back and closed her eyes as she continued to recover. She knew even if they visited the doctors it wouldn’t matter, as she knew exactly what it was. The force had abandoned her. Every single time she tapped into it, it was as if the force was punishing her. Regardless of how little she did, the pain was almost fully debilitating and brought her low. If she tried anything advanced…she worried it might kill her.
At this point she had no choice but to distance herself from the force. Something she never once even considered being forced to do, but she understood why. After what she did, she had no business using the force and it was telling her as much.
It wouldn’t be long before the four of the eventually would reach the Playground, and Fey would begin to hunt for the host that invited them there…
Aylin watches the small group as she absentmindedly poked her CafPow drink with her straw. So much had changed and she hardly knew any of the new people around her.
Looking up at Appius she sighed softly. Sparky knew how to cheer her up, but since the accident he hasn’t been himself at all, nor has Ankira.
“Maybe I should find new friends,” she said to herself and then glanced over towards the group that was leaving.
Getting up she decided to follow them, not sure why, but something was interesting about the small group
Narman Losa Taldrya strolled down the promenade along the Ektrosis Waterfront slowly and quietly, trying to absorb as much of the jovial laughter and energy that radiated around him. It had been a tough, stressful war, the first he was involved in that kept him behind a desk or holoscreen as opposed to being in the field. That was a different kind of stress altogether. Though the two Summit Guards who directly flanked him (as well as the several positioned around the Waterfront already) were clad in plain clothes, the Supreme Chancellor made no effort to disguise his identity, instead opting for his cleanly pressed dress uniform.
In a short time he would make his way over to the start of the podrace, but there was something he needed to examine in person first. He held up for a moment and allowed the crowd to clear out a bit before approaching the four statues directly, passing his three predecessors to stop in front of his own. He turned his head to the side and squinted. The artist who had designed it was certainly skilled, but the longer Narman stared at his own effigy the more he wondered if they had gotten the nose right.
There’s a bird on his shoulder
There’s a bird on his shoulder and he’s not allowed to move since that’ll give away his hiding position.
There’s a bird on his shoulder, he’s not allowed to move, and it’s just started twitching its tail as if it’s going to relieve itself.
Something filthy falls from the branches and onto an ice-cream on a little table on the terrace set up under his leaves. The shouting and disgusted voices erupt a little later but luckily the parent noticed before the kid took another bite. As chaos ensues, the tree that provides them with shade is lecturing a slightly freaked out bird about it not spreading disharmony in future.
On screens around the plaza, scenes from the city are interspersed with interviews with experts and team pundits in the runup to the podrace.
Maeva dodged between the crowds and noticed Narman standing by the newly erected statue. She raised an eyebrow as she looked at the statue herself and tilted her head slightly.
Something seemed… off. But she wasn’t sure what it was.
“Narman,” Maeva called out to announce her arrival. She glanced at the two summit guards that was dressed normally and it was a bit odd to see them as such. Maeva moved to stand by Narman and it was evident there was something on her mind. It weighed her heavily since they had returned home from war.
“Was the Collective rea-”
-# “Achoo”
Maeva’s head snapped to the direction, one of Narman’s summit guard. A new one, an Echani guard. It was the tiniest and cutest sneezed she had ever heard coming out of a humanoid. Almost sounded like a cat sneeze. The side of her lip cracked a smile as she looked to Narman as if saying, ‘really?’ while the Echani gave them both apologetic look before she looked around their surroundings.
But this helped Maeva realize something. Too many ears. There was something she wanted to say but this was not the place to do it.
“What do you think of becoming a commemorative?” She finally spoke.
“Clearly. You’re walking here, your eyes are over there, and my beer is now everywhere. Brilliant execution.”
Korvyn tried his best to stifle his anger. This was not his turf and he really didn’t want an incident. But, he wasn’t about to just apologize and let it slide. Obviously this guy thought he was someone or important, or that Korvyn was just another random citizen.
Since the idea was to avoid a physical altercation and a dead Zabrak the the Praetor just continued to move on past in search of another beer. A sarcastic comment enough to satisfy his annoyance.
It was only a short time later that the four, with <@417336769181122562> in tow a little ways behind, made it to the Playground. Fey waved at the bouncer that stood outside of the side door marked Stage Crew and flashed the paper that <@414705077484257280> had sent.
The bouncer looked at it for a second before waving them inside. Kowe and Nar'ru trailed behind her, with Ashella still on his back taking a short nap. One of Jorm’s staff waved to them and welcomed them.
“Hello there! I trust you are…uhh…” he said, flipping through some papers trying to recall their name. He seemed to panic for a moment as he looked and looked.
“Star Ewok.” Kowe said with a mischevious grin. Fay proceeded to kick him between the legs by sending her leg backwards to where he was standing. He fell to his knees, then forward onto his head as he groaned.
“Apologies for our pet, we’re Stardust Waiting Room.” Nar'ru said. The man looked back several pages and spotted it. The odd name was what threw him off.
“Oh yes.” the man said.
Fey bowed her head forward. “Thank you for having us. We never expected to be invited to an establishment of this caliber, given we are lesser known than most and still fairly new.”
This also is why the man had trouble finding them. Usually Jorm always brought in the biggest names, the biggest bands and headliners…this was rare that he brought in newcomers to the scene. He had never even heard their music, aside from a song Jorm showed him in passing called ‘Tattooine Sunset’.
“Is there a place our comrade can rest?” Nar'ru asked, turning a bit to show himself holding Ashe. “She’s having some medical issues and just needs to recover.”
The man nodded and directed them to follow. The four did just that, with Fey dragging the Ewok by his paw. The four not noticing if <@417336769181122562> was still behind them or not. He brought them to a large staging room with large mirrors, ample lighting, changing rooms, bedrooms, couches, and a massive bar. Kowe’s eyes lit up as he lept to his feet and bolted to the bar. “BEER! YAY BEER!”
“Kowe, god kriffing darn it!” Fey said as he chased after him. Last thing she needed was an enebriated Ewok. Nar'ru bowed to the man as he proceeded to lay Ashella down in one of the rooms where it would be quiet for her. He turned the light off and came back out.
“Our proprietor will be here to greet you shortly and go over more details. Until then, feel free to relax.” the man said before he left.
“I’m not sure yet.” Narman replied, head still slightly turned to the side, examining the statue. He withdrew a small handkerchief from within his jacket and held it out for the guard, who slowly reached forward and pulled it from his hand. “I wonder how my predecessors felt standing here looking at their own faces.” After another few moments he turned to address Maeva directly.
“I can tell there’s something you wish to discuss with me, Vice Chancellor. Is that accurate?”
Jorm moved through the crowds nearing the Playground, taking a few moments to check on the extra stages erected throughout the district.
Today’s celebrations would not be entertained by a big name or two in some giant stadium. No stadium would be big enough for this crowd, and none of the usual headliners were intimately relateable, or so Beat had insisted. They just weren’t native, or even neighbors of the people celebrating today.
Hence, the Zeltron had organized the dispersed festivities, and hired dozens of local acts, rooted in these communities,genuinely sharing in the peoples’ emotions. Jorm had the good sense to not interfere, and had given the selection of artists only a cursory glance - which was when one holo, or rather, one person in it, had drawn his curiosity. And thus, Stardust Waiting Room had been invited to perform at the legal-ish part of the Playground, so its proprietor could follow up on a hunch.
Exchanging a fist bump with the bouncer and descending the seven steps, he went to get a drink and do just that.
A short time later back downstairs, Kowe was tied up with rope and a gag above the bar, Nar'ru was sitting on the couch watching the opening ceremonies of the upcoming podrace while tuning his bass. Fey was sipping on a brown colored drink while reading a local paper. Ashella was still in the room resting, occasional notes being heard from her Hallikset.
There was a knock on the door.
“Yes?” Fei called out in response. Kowe started squirming with beaming hope in his eyes that he would be rescued.
<@414705077484257280>
“Yes, and I believe there’s too many ears. It may be an upsetting comment at a time like this.” Maeva then tilted her head towards a direction so they could walk together with the summit guards following.
Maeva found herself a bit nervous. There was a risk that he may not like what she says but she felt that she could possibly trust him to what had been on her mind as of late. What the Collective did was wrong but to an extent.
Once they reached to a quiet alley, the chattering of the crowd in passing as Maeva crossed her arms. She glanced over to her guard before the guard gave her a single nod.
“I get… what the Collective did was wrong. But were they really wrong in what they think of Force Users? A lot I have met play god.”
A Zeltron with a crystal blue shock of spiky hair and smiley face contact lenses, known to all but a few and the tax office as Captain Beat, stuck his head in.
“Hi there, folks. You’re up in fifteen. Is Ashe better?”
Before Fei could say anything, the room door opened up and out came Ashelle. She was tidied up from earlier, Hallikset in hand. “I’m doing much better. Let’s do this.”
Fei smiled and Kowe was swinging back and forth, still tied up. Ashe looked over at him and sighed before making her way over and untying the poor Ewok. There were quiet angry and…very inappropriate…gestures towards the Trandoshan.
Nar'ru was just chuckling as he picked up his bass. The four of them followed the Zeltron up to the main level.
It was only a short time later they were on stage, with Fei on vocals, Ashe on Hallikset, Kowe on drums, and Nar'ru on bass. The first song was a slightly softer start, almost haunting, before transitioning into a heavier rock style with Fey shifting her voice to a darker tone along with the lyrics.
Initially the crowd was uncertain, but as the music continued song after song, it was almost like a story. The one that Jorm wanted to watch was heavily focused on the music, playing her Hallikset, not even giving a glance or distraction. By the end of it, the crowd was cheering as the curtain drew closed.
“That…was awesome.” Kowe remarked with an exhausted voice. “I never expected that level of energy.”
Fei patted him on the head. “That’s what it means to be in the big leagues, and on the big stage.”
“Hopefully this is just the start, yeah? No more little rundown corner bars and cantinas?” Nar'ru asked Fei curiously. She shrugged.
“Hard to say. Might still have some there, but maybe we’ll be invited back here again. Did you enjoy yourself, Ashe?”
“I did. That was…fun.” Ashe said with a soft smile.
“Vice Chancellor.” Narman replied with a stern tone, lowering his gaze at the Evereni before scanning around the alley. Even though they had moved away from the populated areas, the paranoia that came with being in his position kept him alert and conscious at all times of the power his words carried. “Rath Oligard and The Collective were a scourge on this galaxy and they had to be eliminated. Their ideologies were wrong, there is no interpreting them any other way.” The Supreme Chancellor weighed his next words carefully. He turned to face Maeva directly, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“I understand your concern, trust me. I have felt the same way at times in my life. However, if my time alongside Force Users in the Republic has taught me anything, it’s that they are not any different than you or I. You don’t need the Force to think you are a god.”
It wasn’t much after that the four were inside the main bar, drinking and talking with different patrons and some signing autographs. Ashe was off by herself at the bar, swirling a glass of Tsiraki.
She hadn’t had it in quite a while, so it was quite the pleasant surprise to have it again. Especially so since Jorm wasn’t one to usually stock it, but for some reason had now. Was it Erin that furnished it out more in general, or was it Jorm expanding his flavor base? Hard to say. She hadn’t talked to anyone in well over a month and a half now, save for the other three with her.
The taste was bittersweet as she brought it up to her lips. Usually she would let the flavor pallet be augmented by her sense abilities, but now it was just the raw flavor of the Tsiraki by itself. She didn’t dare try and do like she used to, unless she wanted to wind up in pain again. Which did nothing but remind her of everything…and that, just like her new friends, she was but a common non-force user now.
<@414705077484257280>
That was how Jorm found her after the gig. A touch to Beat’s shoulder and a few whispered words, and the Zeltron went off to occupy the rest of the band. A pointed look and subtle gesture at the barkeep, and a mix of bar personnel and off-duty Embers shuffled seats, subtly isolating Cassandra from view in the time it took him to walk up on silent soles.
“Damn girl,” he said by way of greeting and tossed a small privacy field generator on the counter as he slid on a stool to her right, “I’ve known for a looong time you were one for moping, but you went pro this time.”
A slight amused sigh left her nostrils as she took a larger gulp this time.
“I had a feeling you had something to do with getting them a gig here…all for getting me back here to Port Kasiya.” she remarked. “Have to say, your detective skills are as on point as always. How are you, Jorm?”
Jorm snorted and tapped on the bar, where he found a glass of his favorite drink and the bottle to boot passed into his hands.
“Blame Beat. He thought he recognized you in some underground music bulletin and suggested to offer the gig. You could’ve declined.”
The first shot of the glowing green liquid disappeared in the Kiffar’s gullet.
“As you can see, I’m back from vacation. Spent weeks running Decimators and light fleet assets into Collective ships for boarding actions and applied lessons on the worth of trained crew,” he said through his statisfied shark smile, then narrowed his citrine eyes.
“You? Don’t get me wrong, I like the new style, but when your kind feels the need to dress black… tantrum’s a safe bet.”
“Not my band, not my call. Plus that damned Ewok was far too excited for it where Fei had no choice but to accept.” she said as she twirled her glass. “And…it’s less tantrum, just more…I don’t know. I committed a grave sin, one from which the force itself is punishing me.”
She looked down at her left hand, which was turned palm up towards her with fingers extended. Slowly she closed it into a fist before bringing her glass to her lips and downing the nearly sixty percent that still remained in a single go. After getting past that moment, she looked at him with a feigned smile. “My life as a Jedi has ended without the force. It’s been the core on which my guiding principles were based, literally the majority of my life. If only I hadn’t done what I did, or let Oligard escape our grasp…”
Another snort.
“So what, somebody else got the spotlight.”
Another shot of fluorescent green.
“‘Grave sin,’ huh? If there was any such thing and it took the Force away, I’d be a mundane, hundred times over. What'cha do?”
She sighed and sat there quietly for a moment. This was the one time she wished her glass wasn’t empty.
It felt like forever. She hadn’t nearly put it behind her enough to avoid the sudden heart rate increase and the shiver that ran through her body, prompting goosebumps on her skin. She was, at least, thankful that Jorm had the barrier around them for sound.
“During the battles, I killed people. Which isn’t usually a problem, I’ve had to do that before and it’s never phased me. But…” she said with a lump in her throat, knowing she had to get to the point. “…I killed children with my lightsaber. Not just one, but many.”
She reached over and stole the bottle from Jorm to fill her glass, upon which she slammed the liquid down in one go. “I can’t get the moment out of my head either, no matter what I do.”
It was haunting her, that was for sure. She leaned forward and rested her forehead on her hands, which held the glass between them.
“And it’s because of that, anytime I try to use the force at all the pain is severely overwhelming. Even just basic usage.”
“So that is why you accepted the gig,” he grinned. “You needed facetime with a monster to screw your head back on straight.”
Cassandra turned and glared at Jorm. If looks could kill, this glare absolutely would have burned through his skull like she were projecting beams of energy from her eyes. He had never seen this look from her before.
It did, at least, afford her a momentary distraction. “If only it were that easy. And no…I accepted it because of that karking Ewok, who I want to strangle now. I’d come to you if I wanted to fall to the dark side, which I’m sure would willingly accept me into its fold.”
While the glare was good, it only placed ninth in his personal memory of deadly stares. Maybe eighth if I allow the height advantage.
“Cassie. Big girl. You didn’t come here to fall, you came here to remember what you don’t want to become,” he smiled and refilled his glass.
“And because it wouldn’t be the first time I unscrew your head. Now tell me about those children. You creep into their cribs and slaughter them sleeping, or what’s gotten you into a twist?”
It took a while, but she explained what happened - in detail. The manipulation on her kinder side, the surprise attack, and the position she was left in after a large group of them took the offensive. The girl that was dying in her arms, as well that she ultimately had no idea what happened to her in the end as she was missing when she returned to bury the dead over the next days.
Some tears fell from her eyes as she did, her drinking increasing exponentially as the story went on, doing what little she could to maintain her composure.
“First time with child soldiers, huh?”
Jorm downed another drink, watching Cass nod from the corner of his eye.
“They’re rather common in shitholes. Those rules and ethics that make a civilized adult? Haven’t learned them yet.”
A fresh bottle was rotated in front of them.
“Truth is, kids are pretty damn amoral until taught morals. And the same frakkers who mass produced bionic shock trooper zombies and suicide bomb tugs clearly didn’t share yours,” he mused and poured another round.
Aylin had snuck to one of the tables at the side and ordered a load of CafPow drinks. As she was drinking her second drink she glanced around to see the different people coming and going. Nothing had caught her eye yet, but there was still time so who knows, someone cute might still pass by or she would pass out.
“It wasn’t just that. If they were typical kids, I could probably have gotten away and let them be. But similar to his other soldiers, they were…augmented.” she continued. “Every time I tried to escape, they were on me in not even seconds because of their speed and killing instinct. If not for the force, I would have fallen without a doubt.”
She raised her glass once again and took another drink after Jorm filled it, downing the entire thing at once again. “Hell…several times, I swore I tasted the metal of their blades on my skin their attacks were so close.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Aylin had shown up. That brought back memories, it had been an extremely long time since they last saw each other. Thinking back…at least since the end of the Great Jedi War several years ago prior to the assault on the Senate Complex. That actually brought a slight smile to her face, thinking of the good times.
“If Rath and the other frakkers as you call them are the immoral ones, then why am I the one being punished? Why is the force forsaking me?”
As she drank, it seemed she was becoming more open than she had been initially.
Maeva’s shoulders dropped slightly as she listened to him. Her piercing eyes watched him for a moment before back to their surroundings. He wasn’t wrong. Though, his words had gave her some thoughts that she’ll have to mull over later.
She gave him a small reassuring nod, “thank you Chancellor.” She took a step to returned to the celebration before turning back to look at him.
“It is an honor to serve under you and to continue doing so.”
Amara felt uneasy. It felt so loud here and so crowded. She could not imagine what the actual noises are and was so grateful that she can’t hear it. She already felt exhausted just hopping on her feet trying to avoid bumping into anyone. It didn’t take long for the hybrid to find a small respite.
But then she had noticed someone drinking something. Her brows furrowed.
‘Caf…. pow’? Amara had have caf and wasn’t a fan of it but what in the blazes was CafPow?
Amara approached Aylin and communicated with her through telepathy, “What exactly, is CafPow?”
The Nautolan looked up at her and tilted her head.
“Uh… A mix of loads of energy drinks, coffee and if needed some strong drinks.”
Siky chirped and moved back and forth between the cups.
“Oh, Siky says hi and also to be careful with the drinks”
Amara winced as she saw the mouth moving.
Right.
The pantoran hybrid patted herself down, looking for her datapad, specifically made for this situation. Once she found it, she pulled it out and started to rapidly type and showed it to the Nautolan as well handed it to her for her to type on.
“Sorry, I forgot not everyone can do telepathy… so what is it that you are drinking? I’m Amara.”
She noticed the droid and gave it a sheepish wave.
Aylin grinned and her fingers flew over the datapad, writing a quick reply back.
“I’m Aylin and I am drinking CafPow. It’s a mix of energy drink, coffee and if needed strong drinks. My little droid is Siky and he says you have to be careful of my drinks. Couldn’t you hear what I was saying? I could hear what you were, though”
She held out the datapad to the Pantoran again.
Podracing on its own was an alluring event. Even if Eilen hadn’t been on Kasiya to drop off a shipment, she might have flown this way with a little advanced notice. A good seat in the stands was obviously too pricy for an impulse buy, but there were plenty of good spots to stand at the fringes for enough excitement. Alas, starting delays and a hot sun made for a bad time in her flight suit, and even after shrugging the top half down to be a waist-wrap, a growing desperation for water sent her looking for the nearest place to get some cold water.
She didn’t look at the name of the place before stepping in - just saw that the sign showed a drink. Surely good enough! In she slipped, her head turning every which way to gather the feel and layout of the public space. The bar was obvious, of course, and probably her fastest bet. There was even a holovid live-streaming a race cam overhead! Excellent. This would do.
For all the available seats, too many looked too close to strangers, but at least two of those strangers were a couple of ladies busy typing at something. Maybe the spots next to them were her best bet.
Eilen caught herself twiddling her fingers and parted her hands. No need for anything but water and a good show, right? Right. She brushed back her tangled mess of hair - only for most of it to fall right back over her face - and gently scooted to a seat.
“Water, please,” she quietly ordered, eyes darting from the tender to the two ladies and finally back up to the holovid.
“Ain’t. It’s you, jeedai”
Jorm held up a quieting finger and wet his throat with another shot. He allowed the potent alcohol to induce a tingle of numbness before he neutralized it in his Force-enhanced metabolism. Then he turned towards Cassandra and looked her up and down.
“You look like a lot of the hot shots I cut down to size when they realized I could take their powers away. Not to the eyes, but in the Force,” he clarified.
“The weave and threads that connect us all? Flensed away from you, again and again, every second, and not from without. But kinda like fighting a snowstorm with a flamethrower. Some flakes get through.”
Another round of refills. Cassandra looked increasingly affected by the alcohol, which wasn’t surprising at over sixty percent.
“Yeah, from within. I ended up having to cut myself off from the force to avoid using it even inadvertently.” she continued.
Cass turned to look at Jorm.
“Granted, I still use it from time to time by accident, but…the outcome is severe. So Im having to consistently concentrate to keep my force connection tapered away. Even now, I can’t read you or anyone else here much less sense dangers or anything. You could have a bouncer holding a blaster to the back of my head and I would be none the wiser.”
Aylin arched a brow as she heard the order from next to them.
“Are you sure you just want water? It doesn’t taste as fresh as it should…” she whispered towards her as the tender walked off.
Eilen slid her cup closer and glanced to her side, ears raising in curiosity. “Oh, uh…” She figured she should know as an aquatic mammal herself, but good water had always been a luxury. “…Well, I hate to say, but… I’m kinda used to it that way, eheh.”
More hesitantly than before, Eilen picked up the cup and tried a sip. She was suddenly far too aware of how much like tap it tasted. Darn.
With a frown, she glanced back. “Still gets me hydrated, right?”
“It sure will,” Aylin said with a chuckle. “Haven’t I seen you around before?”
“Maybe?” Eilen shrugged with a sheepish grin. “I kinda fly everywhere.” She gestured down to her flight suit, legs still worn but the rest rolled up around her waist. “Independent freight hauling. A little free-floating salvage work on the side.”
She frowned, “Hmm… interesting. I work with droids most of the times… or things that go boom.” The Nautolan gestured over towards Amara, “We just got here. She can’t hear you though, so if you want to say hi you need to use the datapad or your mind.”
Much as Eilen wanted to comment on droids, the last note caught her attention. Using a mind to talk? “…You mean like the Force,” she figured aloud.
Glancing over at Amara, Eilen tried to smile and wave, for starters.
“That sounds like a ton of fun,” she added back to the nautolan. “I love making friends with droids.”
Aylin sat up sharply. “You do? I have Siky with me here. He is my best friend and helps me with a lot of things.”
The little insect droid skittered out from between the CafPow cups and chirped happily towards Eilen.
The little mechanical critter drew Eilen’s attention close. “Aww.”
Her head tilted as she lifted a finger to its head. One way or another, she couldn’t quite match a model she knew to it. “That must be a custom chassis,” she thought out loud. “Did you modify him yourself?”
The Nautolan grinned with pride, “I did indeed, he has had many changes and updates, but this has been the best version so far.”
Amara gave the Nautolan a small grin as she looked at the datapad and blinked. Did she try to communicate with her in her mind? Oh no, was she accidentally blocking?
Did I … block you from communicating with me? I am so sorry- Hold on, I want to try this… CafPow.
She gave them a nod, swiped her datapad to a new page and typed that she wanted one.
In a slushie.
The server stared at her for a moment. Amara waited and while she waited, she saw that someone else had joined the Natuolan. They even gave her a wave?
Oh did they know each other? Amara returned the wave. The slushie was done as she paid them, thanked them in Pantoran Sign Language and made her way back to the duo, hoping she will still be invited to hang out with them.
She took one big slurp-
“Ah!” The Hybrid yelped, intense pain went to her brain as she squinted her eyes, it was even behind her eyes!
Brainfreeze!
-# <@417336769181122562> <@152256842473406464>
The moment they had returned from the battlefields, Celevon had been confronted — not exactly the best term, but it suitably described how it had felt — by his eldest son, who essentially explained that his wanderlust had become stronger whilst they had been away.
Thus, they had returned to the Raven’s Nest and the situation was quickly explained to Jade. Only a short time later, the Seeker’s brows had risen in surprise as Marius had gestured to a spot on the galactic map that was familiar to him, having lived there for a time.
Marius tended to avoid getting involved with the Clans, especially their internal politics. Instead, the Sentinel preferred to go wherever the Force took him in the journey that was life.
That it was taking him right into the midst of Clan Taldryan was a surprise.
As a result, with his Aunt behind the controls of the ship, they were off to the Caelus System.
“Maeva, wait a moment.” Narman called out to her before she turned away, closing the gap between them swiftly. He could hear the announcer on the loudspeakers nearby discussing the podrace about to begin, and the rising thrum of celebrations to accompany it. He looked his Evereni peer in her deep purple eyes, holding her gaze for a moment before he spoke.
“I do not say it enough, but you have performed exceptionally in your role and continue to do so. I knew I made the right choice when I selected you as Vice Chancellor, but it is still validating to see you truly excel at it.” Narman put his arm around Maeva gently and turned her back toward the street, walking beside her until they re-emerged amongst the crowds.
“Please, take some time here and enjoy yourself. You’ve earned some rest and relaxation.“
All admiration for the droid slipped aside as the nautolan’s friend seemed to be struggling with something. Crap, was she in pain? Eilen slid off her bar stool to get closer.
“Hey, a-are you okay? What’s–” Her darting eyes noticed the drink. “…wrong.” That was probably the culprit. Eilen’s head lowered with a shy grin as her hovering hands came together and twiddled. “That… should pass shortly, eheh…”
<@216702440140046336> <@417336769181122562>
“Oh Cassie, you wound me. I’d never delegate that pleasure,” he grinned back at her.
“Got no reason to, though. Woulnd’t be half as fun as our past spats either. Speaking of, did you and Zu enjoy that cabin-in-the-woods vacay?”
If this was at any other time, Maeva would’ve taken a step back. She always had trust issues but as time went on, she had came to respect and admire Narman.
Her eyes widen in shock the moment the word had left his mouth. She had never heard of those words before. She could feel warmth went to her cheeks as her brows furrowed in confusion. Her new training helped her catch herself as she quickly cleared her throat and adjusted her own shirt as a way of moving her emotions elsewhere.
His arm went around her and she was grateful to be led back into the streets. A distraction.
Maeva chuckled softly as she sighed, “and do you follow your own advice?”
She pushed the compliments back into the depths.
Amara let out a small gasp as she waved to the pair showing that she’s okay.
When the pain from her eyes had vanished, she was able to send a telepathic message to them both.
‘Sorry… brainfreeze, I haven’t had slushie in almost a decade. My mom even advice against caf and energy drinks so this is my first time trying them both. Have you had one?’
Amara asked as her bright yellow eyes glanced to Eilen’s gaze.
“Hmph.” she snorted as she spun her glass some. “No sooner than you left were the divorce papers there and her departing. After what you did revealing the truth about Binks, then that, it was an abysmal night. So, screw you Na'trej.”
That feeling in her head, the sensation of someone else’s thoughts brushing her mind - Eilen tensed at first, even if it was harmless. It had been a long time.
In any case, the words were clear and carried a friendly tone. Eilen shook off her moment of shock and grinned back, though she could feel the hint of nerves apparent in her fidgeting fingertips.
“I have. They… will totally get you like that, eheh. Um.” Her head turned to the nautolan again and back. “Don’t let me keep you from your friend, or your seat.”
Which reminded her. Her feet backpedaled to her own stool. “I, uh, didn’t get your name,” she muttered to the nautolan with a shy grin.
|| <@216702440140046336> <@417336769181122562> ||
Aylin chuckled, “Don’t worry about it, my name is Aylin and I guess you could join our table if you like.”
The Nautolan fingers flew over the datapad again. *“You will get used to it, just don’t take large sips when there is still ice in it.”
Amara grinned and nodded. She blinked in small confusion
She decided to type back on the datapad in case the pair didn’t like communicating through minds and she wanted to respect that.
“Yea, it’s been awhile so I sorta forgot how much brainfreeze sucks. Dad’s the one that usually takes me to different locations off the planet to explore and learn while mom keeps me home. Oh, I’m Amara.”
She made sure the datapad was exactly (or as best as it can be) in the middle so both of them can read it.
She took in another big drink and winced.
-# <@417336769181122562> <@152256842473406464>
Did she just do it again, already? Eilen couldn’t quite tell whether to giggle or cringe for her. While Amara was busy recovering, Eilen reached for the datapad to write something back.
I'm Eilen!
SLOW DOWN, SILLY
The Supreme Chancellor looked around the crowds streaming by the alleyway, all jostling for the best position to watch the race from. He was pleased to see the populace in such a jovial mood, but he would be lying if he said that this was the environment he would choose for relaxation. He turned to look at Maeva again and could tell from her expression that he had a look of distaste on his face.
“Not exactly.” He shifted his frown into a warm smile. “I would much prefer a quiet dining room and a glass of wine, but I was a soldier for a long time and I have enjoyed my share of rowdy celebrations.”
Jorm erupted in roaring laughter. Between breaths, he bit back.
“What, you’re not offering?”
In his second sight, never averted, he saw a wave of emotion wash through Cass. Mild shock was chased by disgust, then quiet outrage, a surge of pain that made her shift slightly, then sheer if muddled willpower washing away the blurry threads of Force permeating her once more. And those last details…
There’s a pattern, he mused. On impulse, he drove his left index and middle fingers into Cassandras side, about as gently as a stonemason put a chisel to granite, and watched her oncoming response get drowned out in nausea.
“Cassie, I know - well, hope, really - you’re all grown up, but listen to Uncle Jorm anyway and get that checked out.”
He poured her another double shot.
Amara puffed her cheeks for a moment then deeply sighed.
Sorry. I'm trying to figure out to why this drink tasted like flavored water. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing? I don't feel energized yet.
The Lonto hybrid suspiciously poked her large slushie.
She seemed surprised, albiet regretful she briefly tapped into her power.
Though she wanted to know. How did he know about her injury? It was well bandaged and hidden, mostly healed at this point.
“You mean my injury? Its already been taken care of, should be all but back to normal at this point. How did you…?”
“Eyes,” he cut her off, “and as much as the relevation would ruin my image within, functional mental faculties.”
He dipped his index into his glass and directed some focus into the liquid.
“Bacta being a thing and you being a Forcie, that should’ve healed long ago. Instead, you protect it, physically and mentally.”
When he withdrew his finger, a luminiscent viridian crystal hung on his fingertip by a wet sheen. He quickly pinched it between thumb and index under Cass’ gaze.
“I’m no expert,” Jorm stated somewhat less than truthfully, “but we’ve seen quite some nasty kark thrown at us from all directions. Have you checked for cross-pollination?”
He popped the crystal between his molars and crushed it, breaking the unnatural bonds he had instilled and filling his mouth with another shot of booze.
She began to think deeper, partially coming to a realization. Oligard hated force users. So much so, that he would go to any lengths to get rid of them.
Even if that meant using shadier tactics…
“Wait…you suspect my inability to use the force without being injured, is somehow connected to the war?” she asked as she twisted some and raised her top to reveal a slightly red, dagger-shaped wound.
It had indeed healed completely, the puncture location all but sealed over and done. However, it still had a red irritation color to it.
“Du-uh” was the Kiffar’s response, “just gotta find out if it’s all in your head or stuck in your ribs.”
He grinned up at her.
“So, are you boozed up enough to put some Jedi Juice to use, against possibly better judgement? I’ll keep all three eyes and two sights on you. Worst case, I’ll be entertained.”
She was going to regret this…indulging in something that Jorm wants? She really must have drank a bit more than she usually does.
“Fine.” she said as she downed the freshly poured glass and slammed it onto the bar. With a quick turn, she lead the way off to a side room out of everyone’s view.
That room was the playground storehouse, where all of Jorm’s most expensive drinks sat resting carefully in crates.
“Your funeral.” she murmured to herself as she closed her eyes and reached out with her arm. Almost immediately her muscles began to tighten up, her other arm balled in a fist as the crates began to rise into the air.
Her breathing greatly intensified, her balance wavering as she did so. She began to lose control of the force and fell to one knee, the crates dropping to the ground with a harsh thud and the shattering of glass inside.
Liquid poured from the corners and openings of the crates.
Cass breathed hard, barely able to keep herself conscious but reached out again and pushed herself further. This time, the crates barely moved and she slumped down onto a pillar to rest.
“Cant…continue…” she said between severe bouts of pain and nausea. Looking around with her eyes, her vision was a blur of colors and the dizziness nearly overwhelmed her.
Whatever it was that Jorm saw…it was now more intensified passively, as if it had spread beyond where it initially was.
“Now that is no everyday view,” he whistled.
“Not sure what it is, but it just swallowed every ounce of Force you channeled. Outright Huttese appetite, too,” he went on as he knelt down by the seeping crate and sniffed.
“Boga noga. Fitting. Anyway, have you ever considered a cyborg body? Pretty sure ol’ Lord First Appius can hook you up with some bionics your size.”
After landing in a docking bay in Port Kasiya, Celevon Werd'a and his son Marius were preparing to disembark. Jade had elected to remain with the ship the moment the Seeker mentioned where they were going.
As she had put it, “I’m going to oversee the refueling and handle some routine maintenance. Going to the Playground and having to shoot someone for trying to cop a feel… or trying to pick my pockets is not something I want to indulge in today.”
The duo made their way off of the Raven’s Nest, Marius’ electro-staff providing a staccato rhythm with every other step.
“What’s the ‘Playground’? And why did Jade think someone would try to pick her pockets?” The Shadow queried in an undertone as he walked alongside his father.
“The easiest way to describe it in one word would be that of a club,” Celevon replied after a moment of thought, then explained further. “Once you enter it’s doors, you’re in an area where a majority of the laws of most of the galaxy are ignored. It’s a bar, gambling den, drug haven, strip club and brothel all at once. Thieves also tend to practice their craft there. What Jade was referring to was the fact that you also have to keep an eye on the club’s employees. If you’re not paying attention, they’ll steal from you.”
Marius was quiet for a few moments as he pondered this. “And thievery is allowed by the employees?”
The Seeker gave a snort of amusement. “I know the owner. He’s a mischievous sort, a Trickster in every sense of the word. It’s meant to be a type of game to teach situational awareness and a reminder that no one is truly trustworthy in the galaxy.”
A wry smirk crossed the Shadow’s lips. “Sort of like you, then?”
“In a way, yes.”
As they approached the entrance, Marius halted in his tracks, head snapping up. “Father, I sense something… strange. A Force anomaly around an individual.”
Celevon’s own senses were nowhere near as attuned as Marius’, but he trusted his son. “Then let’s check it out.”
-# <@414705077484257280>
The Nightfall Prism III slowly descended towards the port city, Edema looked out the viewport at the City that was going to be her new home. Her decision to make a stand against corruption in her former clan had forced her to leave and find new freinds and allies, and with luck, they were down there.
The ship settled into it’s docking bay and the crew disembarked, all 3 mandalorian looked visibly uncomfortable wearing their new livery, it was a distinct change to their old one, but one that had to happen and one they would get used to with time. With KC left in charge of the ship, they wandered into the port, in search of a bar… A bar who’s location they still didn’t know.
Walking over to a local, they attempted to make conversation, but the man looked at them in terror and ran screaming, the three turned to look at each other confused, maybe they could find someone else.
Eventually after making eleven people run in terror, they found one person, who, shaking, pointed them in the direction of the bar, as to why people were terrified of three mandalorian, they had no idea.
Eventually they saw a large holo add, it showed a wanted poster highlighting a group of mandalorians that had been terrorising the locals… That would explain the issue.
Edema’s helmet coms lit up “E, did you notice the armour?” it was Jor “Yes I did, they are no mandalorians, that’s that group of pirates that we were hunting last month, now we know where they are hiding, let’s go get a drink first and after that, go have some fun” Jor nodded and the party made for the bar.
“Yeah…no.” she said over panted breaths, borderline about to pass out as she gripped her chest tightly. The pain, as usual, was extremely severe and seemed to take a bit longer to subside this time for some reason. As it did, she slowly dragged herself up to her feet with high difficulty in doing it. “So…there’s something there then. That, is honestly a relief. The feeling that the light side of the force had abandoned me was all but…”
Just at that moment, she abruptly lost conciousness and started to fall forward.
They followed the sound of laughter and glasses, their location target confirmed when a former patron was thrown out by security, bumbling something drunkenly, suddenly they could hear shouting behind them
“it’s them, call security, someone call security!”
Suddenly Edema sensed danger, bringing one of her blades to bear, she deflected a sudden incoming blaster bolt.
“You Bastards, you killed my family, my whole family, I will have your heads”
The trio turned to find an angry and armed mob behind them, clearly out for blood, their blood, simply because of their armour and how the looked.
Jor spoke over the intercom “Cousin, it wouldn’t look good if we murdered a dozen citizens on arrival”
“yes, but it also would not be great to be killed on day one in our new home”
……..
From the shadows of a nearby alley, there was a tapping noise that could be heard almost like footsteps.
-# Tap.
-# Tap.
-# Tap.
It grew closer.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
A brown haired Kushiban stepped from the shadows into the light, the tapping noise revealed to be his cane as he walked forward using it. He was extremely well dressed, which was strange compared to the rest of the people. His attention was not on the three mandalorians, but instead on the crowd as he turned to face them after positioning himself between the groups.
“Out of the way, fuzzball.” one of the crowd yelled. Before they could react, another was tapping that person on the shoulder.
“Hang on,” the person said. “that one…looks familiar.”
“…isn’t that the…”
“…it’s the Lightning Admiral.” another said, this time with an air of concern in his voice.
The Kushiban simply smiled, both of his hands rested on the top of his cane. “You know who I am. This pleases me. Why don’t we amicably let this issue go, and I will escort them from the area? They are simply newcomers unaware of this area’s history with Taldryan.”
There were murmurs between people as they talked. The main person nodded their head in agreement. “Fine. Just get them, and yourself, out of here.”
The Kushiban nodded. “Of course. We will take our leave then. Thank you.”
He turned and looked at the three as he stepped past them before briefly pausing to tilt his head to the side as a signal to start walking.
And Jorm let it happen.
In fact, he enjoyed the view of the giant woman falling over like a felled tree. The noise and quake of her impact, face-first, weren’t too dissimilar either.
He let the tremors settle, then looked up towards the security holocam in the corner, got his comm out and lifted it to his ear. It rang even before it had made half the way.
“Please tell me you got that in crystal clear resolution,” Jorm purred into the device.
“Visual, infrared, MagRes, pheromone print… and of course sound,” a silken mezzo replied - Mica Vres, also known as Jormica, Spider Queen of the Comm Web and Foretold Bane of Dasha Talus. “Let me guess, you want the recording? Life sized?”
“And one for my desk,” he agreed, “and her face right before impact as her caller profile. And the impact as my ringtone.”
“Sure thing, coz. You’ll have the ID and tone in half an hour, the rest by tomorrow. Anything else?”
“Yeah. Get her situated in one of the decent rooms above, slap a Bacta patch on her nose, and tell Beat to lose the band.”
“Gotcha, Jorm. Any particular words for the band if they ask?”
“Of course,” Jorm grinned into the camera. “Have them told that ‘Ashe’ got all boozy and cozy with the boss and decided to spend the night.”
A slow exhale escaped from Maeva as her shoulders relaxed a little.
“I much rather be at home reading as well. Or working at the morgue.” She glanced to the celebrations.
“And I haven’t been a soldier as long as you. But…. I’ll try. I may contact Jaz to see if he can keep me from being-” She stopped in her footsteps to let a group of dancing bystanders pass, “-overstimulated.”
It wasn’t long before Jorm’s crew had Cassandra upstairs, and her bandmates left frustrated. They had wanted to meet the guy, hang out at the Playground for a while, but now they were suddenly on the outside looking in. Kowe murmured things about Ashe being the reason they even got here, which earned him a head-bop from Nar'ru.
They called a physician that Jorm knew from a small town in the mountains called Spanish where he ran a doctor’s office out of an Inn. He was someone who specialized in force-related objects and their effects on people. His name, was Inquisit (Pronounced Inn-Quisst to most who knew him.).
Celevon and Marius had entered the Playground, the latter having led the way until Marius started to head to the back rooms.
“We can’t go back there,” the Seeker spoke up sharply, halting the younger of the two in his tracks.
Marius pivoted in place, staring at his father and starting to say something, only to be cut off with an explanation.
“Remember my saying that very little is illegal here? Those are the private areas for the owner and staff; anyone else that enters without an escort is shot on sight,” Celevon clarified, only for the Shadow to stare at him blankly. “There are a lot of expensive things in there, for one…”
The younger male’s expression changed at his father’s trailing off, a hint of a smirk growing on his lips. “Considering your sticky fingers, I take it you were given a similar warning?” At his father’s wry smile and nod, Marius shifted topic to the reason he had attempted to go through those doors. “But what about the Anomaly I sensed?”
“If you can explain it better than ‘an anomaly in the Force’, I’m certain the owner will take your concerns in mind,” Celevon replied, steering Marius out of the way as a group of people made their way to the door in question.
-# <@414705077484257280>
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed that you’ve yet to refer to him by name. Are you going to tell me who ‘the owner’ is?” The Shadow asked, his electro-staff tapping along the wood floor as he was directed toward the bar.
Celevon smirked. “I rather think I will let him introduce himself, son. For now, let’s get a drink and I’ll let the staff know to pass along a message to the owner.”
“What message?” Marius asked in turn, having not noticed the cameras they passed due to them being blank shapes in the Force to his sight. As he was born blind, the Shadow had learned to see in the way a Miraluka did.
The Seeker looked up and smiled into the camera, well-aware that someone was always watching. “Jesters protect their own.”
The very moment in which the small, rotund man with the thinning tousled hair arrived, Jorm got an updated dossier on him. He’d finished 69th of 71 graduates in his class, and apparently the girl that would have been his greatfather’s aunt had been surrendered to the Jedi Order about a century and a half ago.
No wonder he’s more interested in being a Jedi historian than a sawbones, Jorm thought to himself as he laid eyes upon the man in his red coat. *Though if I just needed someone to slap on a bandage, any assistant EMT washed out of the Foreign Legion would do.“
"Inky,” he greeted the resident backroom physician at the inn in Spanish with a shoulder clap, avoiding the stained fingers responsible for the nickname, “I’ve got someone in need of your particular expertise. Head to the elevator and ask the Ember there for Room 34.”
“Very well, Mister Na'trej,” the doctor acknowledged, “how great is their need?”
“Don’t start cutting without my express order and presence.”
“This must be quite a need if you insist on personal oversight,” Inky giggled. “I will reach out to you when my preliminary examination is concluded.” Without further ado, he hurried towards the elevator.
Meanwhile, Jorm turned to meet the next unexpected guest, a particular manager of mischief who had somehow found his way to Kasiya.
<@248237225202941964>
Celevon and Marius were sitting at the bar, having been served their drinks: Caf with a shot of whiskey and a layer of whipped cream on top for the former, and a Spiced Caf for the latter. Whilst Marius chatted up the bartender that had served them, both flirting and getting actual information on the surrounding area, the Twi'lek bartender himself was watching the older man deftly roll a pile of green flower with hints of purple into a cylindrical tube of paper.
As the Seeker had been here a number of times before, he knew how to get on the good side of the employees. Namely, sharing the wealth.
Thus, while the Twi'lek was explaining the landmarks and areas of interest in the six districts, Celevon had put the tube in his mouth. The bartender stopped speaking and stared as the Force Disciple conjured a ball of emerald flame above his palm and stuck the tip in. The eldritch blaze vanished from existence as the Shaevalian-Umbaran released his hold on the energy and inhaled.
“Father, what have I said about breaking people’s minds? Not many are accustomed to seeing others summon Witchflames on a whim,” Marius reproved, glaring at his father for distracting the handsome bartender.
Celevon pulled the joint from his lips, exhaling a plume of smoke into the air with a smirk. He winked playfully at the Twi'lek and passed it to him. “I think he might’ve been more shocked that they were green.”
His son spluttered indignantly as the bartender looked between the two, shook his head and took a drag. Internally was another matter. ‘The Sithspit I see here… Need to warn the boss that the older one is a Firedancer.’
A warning that would have been as appreciated as redundant, already whispered to Jorm by someone with more eyes. Well, if he’s into fire shows…
The Kiffar stepped behind the bar from the side and popped the cork off a bottle full of a potent orange spirit. He beckoned the contents out in a single long snake that orbited his head for a moment before it struck out and grazed Celevon’s burning joint mid-pull, igniting itself in the process and burning in a clear blue color as it closely spiraled up and down along Jorm’s arm, tracing his tattoo.
Jorm slid three glasses on the counter in front of his newest guests and raised a fourth to the barkeep with an eyebrow raised, but the man shook his head and bowed out, still on shift. Jorm split the burning stream into three and guided them into the glasses as he finally reached the newcomers.
“Celly,” he opened up, pronouncing the c suspiciously softly, “so good to see you! You never call, you never write… What brings you here?”
The Shaevalian-Umbaran chuckled as he flicked the additional ash off into the ashtray. “Nice to see you too, Jorm. And communication is a two-way street. Originally, I was here to escort my son to his new domescile… then, naturally, we stumbled on something that was somehow interesting to his senses. But he’ll likely explain it better. Jorm Na'trej, meet my eldest son, Marius Apollo Edraven.”
“I hate the middle name. Call me Marius,” the former Force Cultist nodded his greeting, lifting the glass Jorm had given him in a clear salute.
“We kept that name out of respect for your mother,” Celevon lightly reminded the Rogue, then flicked his gaze back to Jorm as he held out the joint in an offer. “He’s Artemis’ twin. Younger by five or six minutes.”
“Originally, Dad brought me here to meet you. I felt a calling in the Force to come to this system. Then, when we arrived here and were approaching the bar, I sensed an… Anomaly. Definitely dangerous, leeching Force energy from someone,” the Shadow explained, ignoring any and all references to his other parent.
“Well, that’s just another tuesday at the Playground for you, ‘pollo,” Jorm shrugged the inquiry off and grinned into the youth’s grimace while he took the joint.
“Taste the hate. Explore, feel, remember it. Can’t sneak up to puppet you if you know it that well,” he offered and clinked his glass first to Marius’, then Celevon’s.
“New residence, eh? What'cha planning around these parts?”
“Whatever it is, it could certainly prove lethal. I sensed that much before it seemed to vanish where It was located in your back rooms,” was all the youth stated on that topic, not noticing the narrowing of his father’s lone organic eye as he took a sip of the drink and hummed appreciatively.
“As for what I’m planning… I go wherever the Force calls me and eventually find my way to whatever or whomever it is that requires my intervention. Usually it’s some kind of trouble where someone requires my aid, or that of my Ichor potions,” Marius explained, ignoring his father’s muttered ‘trouble magnet’. “Though there are occasions where I’m just sent to relax and have fun, however rare they are. The last time I felt the Calling, some mir'osik (Mando'a: shit for brains) Senator had gotten his hands on a crystalline skull that some ancient Sith had attached their spirit to. Damn fool was being possessed and just assumed he was having black outs, so I stole it from under him.”
“It’s now locked in The Vault, with the other dangerous artifacts we’ve both found,” Celevon interjected, taking a swig from his own glass. “What Marius isn’t saying is that he works as a freelance Mercenary and Thief when he isn’t sampling hallucinogens or aimlessly wandering in what he refers to as a ‘Force Calling’.”
“It’s a real thing!” the Rogue protested angrily. It was clearly a topic that his father teased him on occasionally. He then sighed. “I was raised by Force Cultists after my mother gave me up because I was blind. They taught us the Force techniques and philosophies of many cults… Jedi, Sith, Nightsisters, etc. Following the Calling of the Force is something the Jedi of Old did before they essentially became a sub-committee of the Republic Senate pre-purges. When they weren’t Mind Tricking children away from their parents, anyway.”
“Sofia told me he was stillborn. It wasn’t until about seven or eight years ago that I learned he was still alive,” Celevon added.
“Bright side, that absolutely cut out any sibling rivalry Bantha shit,” Jorm commented.
“Don’t look so dour, ‘pollo. Ever been to Scholae Palatinae’s old turf? Decade ago, Emperor Xen'mordin Vismorsus got possessed by a dead fella named Darth Fallax. Ultimately got busted out, but it took a civil war,” the Kiffar reminisced. “You ever want to challenge yourself, try getting that old diary from Xennybunny. And don’t be shy to shoot his girlfriend. She’s so far removed from reality that you couldn’t be legally tried for murder.”
While his rank was low, and practically he was considered a quack by many people, if there was one thing Inky was good at…it was force-related ailments. He looked Cassandra over, took notes, and re-opened her previous wound. Deep inside of it, he had found a red crystalline shard covered in hundreds of small growths that extended beyond where it originally had formed.
Breaking off a piece of it, he tested it chemically over a short time and was surprised by the discovery. He had seen this before, but only in far far more advanced stages. He went back again, taking blood samples from several different areas of her body, and in testing that…his findings were the same. It had already contaminated her blood stream and most likely was spreading to all of her body.
If it had been caught earlier, that would have been one thing. But this had spread so far already that the methods that the Brotherhood had come up with to purify the ascendant crystals would be lethal. Surely he could think of something though.
He raised his commlink to his mouth and keyed it on, tuned to Jorm’s channel. “Hey, Na'trej. You might want to come up here.”
<@414705077484257280>