A Jedi and His Apprentice Episode II: Attack on Sewer Clown

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Joza Perl"] @Z'Zharen

On Illum:

The winds blew fiercely in yet another blizzard on Illum. Joza and Dune couldn't see further than their arm could stretch in the white out. However, they didn't need to see where they were going. It could be felt strongly anywhere on this world.

They were heading to the crystal caves where a Jedi Temple also lay. A focus for the Light Side, it helped strengthen their resolve against the stinging, bitter cold wind. Just ahead lay the stone which would open the sealed cavern. Unable to speak over the howling wind, the Bith touched Joza's arm and pointed ahead.

Reaching the plinth of grey stone, Dune retrieved a small gem from within his robes and placed it in an indent. Then a line appeared in the seemingly whole rock face and a portal opened. The Jedi beckoned his Padawan to follow into the entrance. They stepped through....

 

[Joza Perl]

[member="Dune Rhur"] @Z'Zharen

Joza clenched the hood of her heavy fur-lined cloak closer to her face, the other hand tightened into a fist as the pair made their way through the bitter snowstorm. Even though only a small portion of her skin was exposed, the cold still seeped through and chilled the young Zeltron. My face is going to need a good exfoliation after this… In the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but think how bad these blistering cold winds were for her skin.

She had been to Illum once before, very early on in her apprenticeship while she was still with the Alliance. Frankly, she didn’t have many memories of the place, what with everything and everyone being so new and all. Now that she was more attuned to the force, she was able to feel the pull of the crystal caves. Glancing over at her Master as he touched her arm and gestured onward, the Apprentice gave a quick nod and continued to follow.

She watched with interest as he summoned an opening in the portal, following him inside eagerly to escape the biting winds.

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Joza Perl"] @Z'Zharen

Once inside, several small yet important things happened. For one, it was substantially less cold. For another, Dune could hear again thanks to the rock walls. Lastly, they could remove hoods of heavy cloaks and gloves.

Substantially more comfortable, surroundings were taken in by the pair. Both had been here and it was as he recalled. Stone arches in a light grey rock, stacked upon each other. At the top, natural light streamed through and lit the surroundings. There had been a large crystal suspended above, once, but it had been removed by the Emperor centuries ago.

Removing things and damaging others couldn't diminish the Light here. Sidious had known this but he'd tried anyway. In the end, he'd failed and the Jedi standing here now proved that. Dune soaked in the energies as he tilted his head back....

 

[Z'Zharen]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi8c4A5Vkw8

[member="Joza Perl"]
[member="Dune Rhur"]

The harsh icy winds hit the Whipid with full force, but the lumbering woolly being marched on through the snow. It had been years since Zhar had experienced true cold. It was refreshing and welcomed fond memories of his migrations with his tribe. Those warm memories started to flicker out quickly, as his thoughts matched the environment around him. Cold and alone.

The Whipid had traveled quite far from his homeworld. When he was outcasted from his tribe he sought a new one on Kashyyk, the Wookiees were kind to him and for a few months he felt that he found the belonging he sought. That fond memory now flashed to the harsh realty of his life so far, that whenever he found a place he felt comfortable with it was taken away from him one way or another. His tribe warned him of this, he was resisting his people's most instinctive nomadic nature. More of a curse than an instinct, the young Whipid thought.

Zhar heard a loud rumbling, thinking it was the wind only intensifying, but it was actually the small transport that brought him here and was now taking off. The old eccentric pilot was reliable, he brought Zhar from Lothal to Bfphaash to now....Illum. Zhar did not presume to ask the old pilot to wait for him on this icy world, the damage to his old ship could strand them both here. If the pilot could not pick up the Whipid's transmission, Zhar gave him permission to leave and continue on with his life. This world was similar to Toola and Zhar was a natural born survivor. The small transport was gone, once again alone in the cold save for his fleeting thoughts.

On the worlds Zhar visited he had sought out knowledge and direction, now realizing he was sensitive to the Force. He felt an inner calling, to the path of a Jedi perhaps? Zhar did not know, for the last few years after his capture on Kashyyk, he was sold into slavery on Nar Shadda. There he was tested to survive every day from a cruel master who forced the Whipid to fight in his arena battles. Zhar won each match, but was punished each time he refused to kill an opponent. When Zhar escaped...

The Whipid paused his trek in the snow, his loose vest and thick hair blowing around in all directions he felt something thud against his neck. It was the electrostaff he carried strapped to his back, he had taken a direct surge of it's electrical current from the droid guard he fought against when he escaped Nar Shadda. The staff was a symbol and another reminder of who he was. A survivor.

The young Whipid marched on in search for another Jedi ruin he heard rumors about. The caves on Lothal had offered very little, but hopefully because Illum was so isolated it would hold greater knowledge. Zhar closed his eyes and stood once more in the snow, trying to connect with the Force to sense....anything. He felt something, almost like a warm memory...something similar to what he felt during his time on Kashyyk.

The Whipid opened his eyes and stood before him looked to be a large stone mountain with a giant door way opened. At last the Whipid thought, he could find something of value here he knew it. He felt the thud of the electrostaff slide against his neck, again reminding of him of what adversity he had endured. He recited the old Jedi proverb he once heard passed down in legend. "My chains are broken, the Force shall free me." This mantra served Zhar to regain his focus and determination, he entered through the doorway and eventually finding the mountain to be....warmer. He stripped off his long sleeveless vest and let it drop to the stone floor. Thousands of tiny crystals glimmered all around him. "Beautiful" the Whipid said aloud, but grunted when he was taken aback by two figures were in front of him. A Bith and a Zeltron female. The Whipid was silent, but he reached his right arm back to grip the staff strapped against his back....instincts he thought while sneering at the irony of his tribe's wisdom.

 

[Dune Rhur]

@Z'Zharen [member="Joza Perl"]

The Bith's reverie was broken, turning to face the entrance as the presence entered. The Whiphid, a huge and hairy male, was taken aback at their being there. Strange that he'd not sensed two Forceful beings so close. Dune had felt him approaching as he'd drew nearer.

The newcomer reached for a staff strapped onto his broad back. The Jedi lifted a hand in response, pinning the hand with something not even a Whiphid's natural strength could overcome. For several long seconds, they stood that way. Dune dropped his hand and the invisible iron grip was gone.

"You don't need that, traveller. We will not harm you," he spoke as if nothing could've just happened.

 

[Joza Perl]

[member="Z'Zharen"] [member="Dune Rhur"]

The Zeltron let out a sigh of relief as the cave offered protection from the bitter storm, pulling down her hood and shaking the snow that clung to the loose strands of hair that had made their way outside of her cloak. Even gazing at the clusters of crystals that decked the walls surrounding them gave her a warming sensation from within. Embracing the serenity of the cave, Joza let her eyes fall closed and steadied her breathing.

A faint presence emerged from the whipping winds of the blizzard, and the Padawan tilted her head to the side, her face beginning to scrunch in concentration. It was another force user, she’d realized as the being drew near, just outside the rocky face that served as the entrance to the crystal caves. Strong, but untrained.

“We’ve got company.” She muttered lowly, though she was certain that the Knight had felt it as well. Shortly after she spoke, a large hairy alien the likes of which she’d never seen appeared before them. Instinctively, her mind perceived him as a threat before it even registered that he’d reached for his weapon, and her hand brushed the hilt of her saber. No. She scolded herself, letting her hand fall to the side as she immersed herself deeper into the Force. He has no ill intent.

As Dune spoke, Joza reached out to the newcomer, feeling his emotions briefly with her natural empathetic abilities, sensing some deeper tension. In response, the pink-skinned girl released some of her calming pheromones, hoping to put the Whipid at ease.

 

[Z'Zharen]

[member="Joza Perl"]
[member="Dune Rhur"]

The Bith had turned and just as Zhar was about to unsheathed his staff, he felt an unexplainable force compelling him to not move his hand. The young Whipid was caught off guard, this would mark his first physical encounter with the Force. With his hand frozen, Zhar was cautious to make any sudden movement. For all he knew this Bith could paralyze him despite the massive size of the Whipid.

His eyes darted to the pink skinned woman, she looked young for her race, but the lightsaber on her hilt marked as one not to be underestimated. The young woman seemed a bit shocked by the sight of Zhar, that wasnt something new. Her hand he noticed made the slightest gesture to the ancient weapon she carried. She did not use it though, instead she did something else...more Force tricks? He suddenly felt a bit more relaxed as if he inhaled some herb like substance. No this was something instinctive, she was excreting something from her skin pheromones most likely. Zhar had heard certain races could do that....he wondered if that was a defense mechanism or perhaps she found the young muscular Whipid attractive? He stared at the pink woman, she looked pretty for someone with so little hair.

Zhar could regained control of his hand again and kept it at his side, knowing what we was up against now. He took a deep breath and released it, "I came here to seek knowledge in the Force and the path of the Jedi of old." The Whipid eyed them both still, perhaps more at ease, but still suspicious. This would not be the first time he ran in to a Force User and a Zeltron follower, both were admirers of the dark side. The Whipid asked bluntly, "Who are you? What are you?" He said to both beings.

 

[Dune Rhur]

@Z'Zharen [member="Joza Perl"]

Dune nodded and gestured to Joza.

"This is Joza, my Padawan learner. I am Dune Rhur, Jedi of the Silver Sanctum."

He walked to the steps and up, taking a seat whilst leaving room for Joza and the Whiphid to do likewise. Dune indicated for the others to join him. Joza had an intuitive empathic skill which set her ability in that field above his own. The Jedi would've been glad of such gifts now. Alas, he would work with what he had.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Ilum was the site of the Crystal Cave, where every Jedi apprentice went to forge his or her own lightsaber. It was sacred to the Jedi. At least once upon a time. Sorel was going in part because she hadn’t been to Ilum before and she made it her duty to visit every significant Jedi site in the galaxy. And in part because she knew others were travelling there and preferred to experience the site with the company of other Jedi.

She stepped out of her ship. Ilum was an ice planet, and the snow was as smooth as glass, with an outer layer of permafrost. The air was so cold that if she wasn’t wearing the bracelet her Master gifted her, she'd freeze her lungs with every breath. She was wearing her usual robes but the environmental bracelet could not compensate for the treacherous footing and she had to take small steps and use her liquid cable to haul herself up the cliffs.

It was an exhausting climb, and she tried to pace herself despite her eagerness to reach the top. She shot her liquid cable and it pulled her up the remaining hundred metres to the next crag. Thick undulating curtains of ice coated the mountain. She closed her eyes for a moment. She felt in the air the vibrations of the ice, the rock, the molecules of the sky, her own body. They all existed together in one seamless hum of energy, and from them rose what linked him to everything in the galaxy: the Force.

She felt it gather, and she opened her eyes. Immediately she saw that what she thought was a thick impenetrable curtain of ice was actually a constructed wall – and she saw the doorway too. And beyond it she sensed others. It was odd that there was an opening in the wall, yet it was impossible to see even if one were looking carefully. Only the Force allowed her to identify it. She walked towards it and enetered, wondering who was already here.

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Z'Zharen"] [member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Sorel Crieff"] @Z'Zharen [member="Joza Perl"]

This was rapidly becoming a spaceport, Dune thought whilst looking at the newcomer. He vaguely recalled seeing her on Voss. Sorel, he thought, remembering what he could of her. He motioned for her to come and sit with them.

"Welcome, Padawan. Join us."

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza kept her eyes on the Whipid, partially out of curiosity and partially out of wariness. As she tried to put the creature at ease, she also reminded herself to outwardly appear peaceful. Her emotions often surfaced on her face or in her body language when she didn’t mean for them to, often in the form of a scowl or a glare. As the large alien spoke, Joza adjusted her posture to appear less hostile and more open. Not completely open though—she was still obviously a bit guarded.

The Zeltron gave a slight bow of her head in greeting as she was introduced before following Dune and seating herself beside him. “If you’re seeking knowledge of the Jedi path, you’re in luck. This guy’s brain is full of it.” She pointed toward her mentor’s head big green head, a slight smile beginning to curve her lips.

As they settled in, another presence was felt near the mouth of the cave. It was trained, and Joza recognized it as familiar but couldn’t identify who it belonged to. She didn’t have to wait long for the young Epicanthix Jedi to show herself and offered her a more formed smile as she searched her head for the young woman’s name. She’d seen her on Voss before, most notably training with dual sabers she wielded with ease. “Sorel, is it?” The pink Padawan would scooch over, making room for her their new arrival.

[member="Dune Rhur"]/[member=Z'Zharen"]/[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Z'Zharen]

[member="Joza Perl"]
[member="Dune Rhur"]
[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Zhar gestured his head to a polite bow before the Bith and his padawan. "I would be very grateful to learn from both of you..." The Whipid hesitated to say whats been on his mind ever since he left Nar Shadda. "I have heard...rumors the Jedi Order has split into separate factions, that some have gone so far as to conquer worlds in the name of their organizations. Are you those sort of Jedi?"

Behind him, he picked up a familiar scent, he recalled it before turning around to face another apprentice. He had briefly met her on Bpfaash not too long ago. There too she wandered the Jedi ruins with him and other apprentices. He gave a slight grunt and a polite nod, a simple greeting among his people.

 

[Dune Rhur]

@Z'Zharen [member="Joza Perl"] [member="Sorel Crieff"]

"The rumours hold some truth," Dune replied "Politics have played a role in those things."

"The Sanctum has claimed worlds once held by Dark Siders. Reasons why should be self-evident." He shrugged out of his heavier robe and neatly folded it, placing it beside him before continuing. "The Galactic Alliance is more politically motivated but I can't speak for them. Not every Jedi is alike."

He regarded the Whiphid, studying him for a long moment. "You said you wanted to learn. Fair enough, but what's your name before we go on."

 

[Z'Zharen]

[member="Dune Rhur"]

The Whipid grunted, and brought his hand up, but not his weapon again, instead he brushed large fingers through his grey-brown mane. "I am Z'zharen...Zhar if it suits you."

"What can you and your apprentice teach me, Dune Rhar? Your apprentice speaks...highly of your knowledge."

Zhar looked around, still standing tall and firm just like some of the crystalline structures in this holy place. He wondered if there were other levels, other rooms and facilities.

 

[Dune Rhur]

@Z'Zharen [member="Joza Perl"] [member="Sorel Crieff"]

"It doesn't work like that, Z'Zharen," said Dune "I'm not just going to teach you without knowing more about you." The Bith paused and considered for a moment before speaking again. "Well, maybe I can teach you something."

Standing, the much smaller being walked over to Z'Zharen, stopping about a meter away. The Whiphid was at least 30 centimetres taller, forcing him to look up to meet his eyes. "I'll tell you a few important things to start. 'There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force.'"

"That is the Jedi Code. Even more than our lightsaber and our robes, it defines us. Even more than the Force itself. There have been those who couldn't touch the Force and yet followed our guiding principles. Could you follow them, Z'Zharen? Think carefully before you answer."

 

[Joza Perl]

[member="Dune Rhur"]/[member="Z'Zharen"]/[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Joza watched the pair interact carefully, noting how the Whipid seemed to calm down once they began speaking. She was mildly surprised by how much he appeared to know about the Jedi already, then again the dissolution of the Jedi Order wasn’t exactly a secret.

“The Sanctum is more…peaceable than the Alliance.” She tilted her head to the side, face scrunched in thought on how to compare the two, having spent time in both. “Though, neither are a bad choice for a light sider. As Dune said, the Alliance is more involved in galaxy politics, while the Sanctum tends toward isolation. It depends on how you view things.”

Joza fell into silence after adding her piece, remaining seated as Dune stood to address Zhar. As the Bith recited the Jedi Code, the Padawan let her eyes fall closed. It was an ancient code, one that was often twisted by various Jedi to suit their needs. Even now she found herself questioning it. The code was not followed as strictly, she’d been informed by some of her fellow Jedi. Even within the Sanctum, love was allowed to be open.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel nodded a polite bow to them all when they greeted her and stood slightly away from the group. She felt like an intruder of sorts, as if she were gate-crashing their party. She knew it wasn't true but there was an underwhelming undercurrent of awkwardness she was feeling. She knew of a couple of those present but did not yet actually know them. She she stood close by and listened. If she felt the need to add something, she would, but she was not someone who spoke just to hear their own voice, so she was quote content to listen, watch and learn.

[member="Joza Perl"] [member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Z'Zharen"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Joza Perl"] [member="Sorel Crieff"] @Z'Zharen

Turning away from Z'Zharen, Dune strode over to Sorel and acknowledged her bow with a nod. "Padawan Crieff, you're far from Voss. What brings you to Illum?". Unlike the much taller Whiphid, the Bith saw eye to eye with the near-human Sorel. It was nice to to have to crane his neck, he thought. He studied her feeling the awkwardness and tension from her in the Force.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

"I am, at heart, a student of the Jedi and their ways. I have visited many ancient temples and historic sites over the past few years - only avoiding the more dangerous ones like Coruscant and Tython. I seek knowledge but also revel in the connection to where so many Jedi have been before, over what must be millennia. For now, well I realised I had not visited these caves. The ones so many famous Jedi have come to in order to find their crystals. I wanted to see it, I guess. And company just makes it better somehow."

"But I did not want to disturb you and your conversation, so I took the liberty of listening and learning."

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Joza Perl"] [member="Z'Zharen"]

 

[Z'Zharen]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]
[member="Joza Perl"]
[member="Dune Rhur"]

Zhar pondered a moment when the Bith had recited the code of the Jedi...it sounded incomplete. When the Bith asked what it was exactly that he wanted to learn, the young Whipid had not considered any one particular subject, as naive as it might have sounded he murmured "Everything..."

The Whipid turned to Joza, she seemed to be the sort of person who was always beaming and optimistic. Might as well be the opposite of Zhar, not so much that he was pessimistic, in fact he was a very hopeful being, but he was very skeptical and trust did not come easy with him. Zhar pondered on the Zeltron's answer for the two Jedi factions. "What happen to the true Jedi Order? There was a time where all Jedi were united no? Not this...civil war of politics and ideologies."

"Dune," The Whipid called out, his deep voicing echoing off the crystal chambers. "When you spoke the code of the Jedi you did not recite the one part I know by heart." The Whipid stood proudly as he took a step forward towards Dune and Sorel, towering over them. "My chains are broken...The Force shall free me."