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[Rianna Organa-Ar'klim]

Tia looked up to the heavens, the sky was filled with thousands of stars. Her father came out to stand beside her, "The night grows colder" She sighed, "Yes father, the nights grow colder and longer"

They often had these conversations philosophical, and remorseful. "Is she watching tonight?" Tia asked not taking her eyes from the sky. Her father looked over at her, "She probably is and wondering at how she could of had such a beautiful daughter"

Tia laughed, "I would prefer she be proud of who I am rather than what I look like" Tia looked now at her father he was tall lean, his hair done up, with his regally long ears showing. The purple hue of his skin accented the pure white hair. Tia looked a lot like her mother with flaming red hair, her ears were smaller like a human's instead of long like a sephi but there was something else that seemed to come to her from her mother a strong intuition about the world around them.

Tonight was no different she could feel something getting ready to happen, but what was it and would it bring good fortune or bad.

 

[VlPER]

The sound of a ships engines laboring to stay alive suddenly began to break the silence in the distance. The feint red glow of a fire coming off an object plummeting toward the ground confirmed that it was a ship, and it wasn't doing well. The ship seemed to sway from one side to the next. Viper was fighting to maintain control of his damaged vessel. The best he could do to slow his decent some was this back and forth, falling leaf motion. For if he kept to much pressure up in one direction, the ship would stall, and he truly would lose the last bit of control he had.

Fortunately for Viper, his attackers didn't follow him to the planet below. They had other interests back up in orbit.

Back on the ground, Viper's ship soared overhead and past Tia-ten and her father. A long trail of black smoke, billowing out the back. With a quick bit of last second maneuvering, Viper set his ship down in a field not more than a mile away from Tia-ten. Well as much as a crushing sounding thud was "setting it down".

The loading ramp lowered, and Viper stumbled out of his ship coughing on the smoke that was filling the vessel. "I really need to stop traveling alone." He grumbled to himself as he began to walk around the ship to assess the damage that had been done to her.

[member="Tia-ten"]

 

[Rianna Organa-Ar'klim]

The sound from above was near deafening on her ears something must be wrong with the ship coming in it seemed to rock back and forth rather than drop down land gently. Tia began to walk her father took her arm, "Tia"

She looked back, "I will be careful but it is a stranger so we should meet whoever it is" She walked proudly toward the ship that had landed, well dropped into the field. So odd what was wrong with the ship? And who was this, the design was not familiar to her. Walking slowly and quite in awe of the sight as she drew closer she could see that someone was exiting the ship, the words he muttered she could hear, her hearing was very good.

Getting closer she nodded in greeting, "Welcome it looks like your having problems" The obvious remark since most ships do not spew forth black smoke.

[member="VlPER"]

 

[VlPER]

Viper quickly spun to see who had spoken to him, and dropped into a defensive stance. His sabers had just as immediately found their way into his hands, but he didn't activate them. He regarded the woman standing before him for a few seconds before cocking his head to the side slightly in contemplation. "Was she a friend, or foe?" He wondered to himself. "She seems peaceful enough, given the greeting. But people are rarely what they seemed these days." His thoughts continued as he cautiously eased his stance and lowered his weapons.

With a small, but respectful bow, he gave her a similarly small tentative smile. "Nothing a few hours can't fix." He said confidently, though perhaps a little too optimistically. "And thanks for the welcome. I promise I won't be here for long though. Just need to make a few repairs and I'll be off your land. I apologize for landing here, but it was the best I could do considering the uh....situation." Deciding he had gone long enough with not paying attention to his surroundings, he cast a glance around the area. Reaching out with the force, he could feel the presence of another in the not to far distance. His gaze looked past her to see who it was for a few seconds before he returned his gaze to her. He quite frankly wasn't sure what else to say at the moment, and wasn't really comfortable just walking around to inspect his ship while she remained. So he simply stared, waiting for her next response.

[member="Tia-ten"]

 

[Rianna Organa-Ar'klim]

Her eyes widened as he shifted into a position that indicated he was protecting himself, against..her? She smiled she who could barely hurt anything had caused such a reaction in him. Her gaze swept over his ship quickly she could not see what was wrong. She looked back at him.

"I'm sure if you need repairs my father will not mind that you do them, and then to keep to the proper conventions you are invited to dinner this evening in our home." She took a few more steps peering into the ship.

"How far have you come?" Her words were barely heard and yet it was the thing that this time she would be heard.

[member="VlPER"]

 

[VlPER]

He raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Dinner? Did she really just ask me to dinner? What a strange custom. I mean I guess it's polite....but dangerous considering she doesn't know who I am." He soon realized his moment of reflection had probably gone on a bit too long. "Uh...well I mean, I wouldn't want to intrude...are umm, you sure? I mean you don't even know me." Having just been shot out of the sky, his mind was a little preoccupied. Honestly he wasn't even hungry. But then he didn't want to be rude either. To be quite frank, he was also a little worried his attackers might come looking for him. "Gah! To many variables." He thought to himself and then frowned slightly at her last question.

"If you don't mind, I'd rather not say. As far as repairs go. No need to trouble your father. Rover and I can handle it. But thank you for the offer." Looking down at his somewhat unkept Jedi robes which had gotten just a little dirty from the smoke and debris floating around his ship, he tried smoothing them out a bit. He suddenly wished he had a spare outer robe at least that he could change into to be at least a little more appropriately dressed. Yielding to the fact, that was going to be the best he could do presently, he waited for her conformation. Though he did decide to finally ask. "So. What's your name?"

[member="Tia-ten"]

 

[Rianna Organa-Ar'klim]

[member="VlPER"]

"It is custom for strangers to be taken in and treated well, is it not so with your kind?" She looked at him with genuine curiosity and concern, were surely they were not heathens on other worlds. "It is not an intrusion" Why would he think that if she had invited him, if it were an intrusion then the actions would be something else. How odd.

She listened to him her ear picking up the different tones of his voice, the lilt, the timber, she smiled how interesting and he had a bit of an accent to. Where was he from no place that she had ever heard the accent before. "What is a rover?" Rover, something that moved around a bit some what she knew of the definition. She saw him look down at his clothing, was there something wrong with them.

"Do not worry about clothes my father does not expect those that crash here to be prepared to dress for meeting. What you have is fine." She smiled now at him trying to get him to understand, to relax but something in his eyes said to her that he would not be so.

"I am called Tia" She did not say the whole name it sounded to formal to her too odd. "Who are you, how are called?"

 

[VlPER]

How very quaint, he thought to himself. Viper was surprised to discover there were still places in the galaxy that had such old fashion ideals. Even the Jedi, while being hospitable, were still cautious. But then, he supposed that came with always being a hunted group.

"It is with us as well." He said hesitantly. "Though perhaps quite not so readily. Still, you have my thanks for your hospitality." Their quiet banter was soon broken when a small droid came barreling out of the ship and down the ramp, beeping a chirping loudly. The cloud of smoke that followed him showed the ship was still needing some time to be aired out.

It had been dense enough that Rover didn't see where he was going and plowed right into Vipers leg, causing him to wince some. "And this is Rover." He said through gritted teeth. "This little guy helps me with repairs. Rover, say hello to Tia." The little astromech droid gave a couple beeps as it cast a glance toward her.

"As for me. I am Jedi Knight Viper. It's a pleasure to meet you." Having had more time to focus on her, he could sense she had a sensitivity to the force. Although this didn't necessarily make him nervous. He was now going to be even more alert when meeting her family. For he still had no idea what the culture was like here. Nor the sentiment to force users. Viper found himself half regretting he had mentioned being a knight. But then it wouldn't gain him any points by hiding every relevant bit of detail.

"So...are we to be off now then?"

[member="Tia-ten"]

 

[Rianna Organa-Ar'klim]

Tia looked at the astromech, "how very interesting" she smiled kneeling down to take a better look at it. "you say he helps you" she listened to the chirps and beeps made by the little mech, "how do you know what he's saying?" She tilted her head looking at Rover, how wonderful it would be to know what he said to know if he had thoughts, and do droids dream?

She often wondered about that.

Then she looked up at Viper, "Jedi Viper" she repeated with her accent making the J hard she had a little trouble with the name Viper VIIIIper she said in her mind the V was a little difficult, "I'm sure my father will be glad to see you" Slowly she rose up, "yes we can walk up to my home on the same paths I took to get here, will you tell me things about what it is like to be a Jedi? please." She added making sure she kept to her manners.

[member="VlPER"]

 

[VlPER]

With a simple shrug, he replied, "Meh, you get used to it. Certain sounds are generally assigned to general feelings and such. Otherwise, he could just send me a written message to my datapad if it's more detailed. Speaking of..." Viper turned toward Rover and gave him new orders. "Rover. Make sure the ship is properly ventilated out. The I want you to run a full diagnostic to see what damage we're looking at. When that is finished repair what you can. I will be back to help later. And thanks." Rover gave a couple affirmative type beeps and wheeled away, soon disappearing back into the crippled vessel.

With a small smile, he followed her back to the house. As they walked, he gave her a curious look. "The Jedi? Why so curious? We're just people like you. I mean, what have you heard about us that would make you so curious?" He wasn't completely honest of course. But he wanted to know a little bit more about her and her people before he began to divulge to much information.

[member="Tia-ten"]

 

[Rianna Organa-Ar'klim]

[member="VlPER"]

"I have heard many mystical things that seem near impossible, and it leads me to wonder are the Jedi more myth than real?" She was curious for certain and now that she had a real Jedi in front of her how could she not ask the questions that had long plagued her mind.

Her world was beautiful to her she wondered would he think it also so, was his home very different from this? So many questions she had never really been able to interact with an off worlder before this was such a rare treat and he seemed so very nice, and patient.

 

[VlPER]

[member="Tia-ten"]

"Well." He started simply as he thought on how to answer her question. "We are part of the Galactic Republic. Our task is supposed to be that of peace keepers. Defenders of the weak. Upholders of law and justice. I know, very dramatic. Unfortunately, with the current war mongering everywhere it seems these days. Our order is stretched thin. We do what we can were we can, but even we have limits to our abilities." He finished gesturing to his downed ship behind them.

As they continued to walk, he could see a figure appearing out of the gloom. He hesitated some and gave Tia-ten a quick look for confirmation if this person was friend or foe. Perhaps he wasn't so relaxed just yet after all.

 

[Rianna Organa-Ar'klim]

[member="VlPER"]

"it sounds very important" she caught a look of concern and then looked to where her companion was now looking, "My father do not be concerned" She smiled, "Father, this is Jedi Viper his ship has crashed and in need of repair, and according to custom I have asked him here to see about his comfort and to ensure his ship is fixed and able to carry him where his path is leading."

She made a few long strides to her father, "Jedi Viper, my father Mithdorin"

Mithdorin looked at the young man that his daughter had brought home, "Welcome Jedi, come talk with us. Do you require a mechanic?"

Tia looked at Viper, "No father he has one that is called" she had to think, "Rover to work on the ship" she nodded having given over the answer. she hoped she got it right.

They walked along until they came to the steps leading up the balcony a table was set, Tia did not want Viper to be concerned, "We always eat outside, it is comfortable"

 

[VlPER]

[member="Tia-ten"]

He gave a respectful bow toward Tia-ten's father. "Thank you, no. Like your daughter mentioned, I have my mechanic Rover working on it now. We shouldn't be to long before we are back on our way. But I thank you for the welcome and your hospitality." Following the pair up the steps, he caught sight of a table already set for the evening meal. He glanced around curious if there was to be others joining them. When Tia-ten made her comment about their reason for eating outside, he merely gave her a smile and shrugged his shoulders.

"That sounds wonderful." He wasn't lieing. Truth was, he loved the outdoors. As much as he enjoyed ships and loved his technology. It all was usually used to get him to new and exotic places to explore and help out wherever he could. As he settled in to the pleasant company these fine people offered, his thoughts began to turn back toward Tia-ten herself. As he had felt earlier, the force was strong with her. He began to dabble with the idea of telling her so. Possibly even with the intent to train her. Though he would still like to learn a little bit more about them if at all possible. "So will anyone else be joining us this evening? Or will it be just the three of us?"

 

[Rianna Organa-Ar'klim]

[member="VlPER"]

Tia looked away for a moment, "No, it is just my father and I this evening, please come let me get you a bowl to wash your hands" Tia went inside to the sideboard to retrieve a bowl for Viper to wash his hands in. Walking out her head held high her back straight she offered the bowl, "You need only to dip your hands in and use the towel on my arm to dry them" She smiled as she watched him.

It was very interesting to see someone else.

Tia's father looked on curious, "If your rover cannot fix your ship, Tia is quite adept at fixing mechical things" He moved toward Tia to wait to wash his own hands all while his gaze stayed upon his daughter watching her reactions and wondering what was she thinking.

 

[VlPER]

[member="Tia-ten"]

He nodded his head in understanding, but was then curious by what she meant about the bowl. His curiosity was soon taken care of when she returned, literally with a bowl of water. "Huh." He thought simply to himself. Following her lead, he dipped his hands into the water and withdrew them. Drying his hands off with the towel, he wondered if there was some meaning behind it, or if it really was just as simple as them cleaning up for the evening meal. He found himself growing more and more fond of this place and its little customs and practices. It all seemed very old world and charming. Like it came from a time where evil was a much more rare thing to encounter.

Giving her back the towel he gave her a slight bow of appreciation before turning to hear her father. "Is she now?" He said somewhat surprised. He hadn't noticed any ships or big vehicles nearby. Though they could be put away in some carefully concealed hangar or garage of sorts, he supposed. "What is it you normally work on, if I may ask?" He questioned as he took his seat at the table, after she had sat as well. While he awaited her response he took a quick glance at his datapad just to check the sensors for any company that might have followed him down. Fortunately the skies were still clear. Perhaps they really had been driven off he thought. Refocusing his attention back to the meal and conversation at hand, Viper returned his gaze toward Tia-ten.

 

[Rianna Organa-Ar'klim]

Tia was slightly embarassed by the attention, she smiled hesitantly, "the toaster in the kitchen, sometimes the engine on pod, and then there are other little things they break they need help, I" She shrugged her shoulders, "help" She smiled again, and then retreated with the bowl to put it into the kitchen to be poured out but not before she washed her own hands and rejoined the group.

There was no other company as Tia and her father tended to isolate themselves when at home. Company was usually planned and agreed to unless of course they fell from the sky and had no where else to go. Then it was rude to leave them out there, alone.

The meal was simple too an unleaven bread, served with fruit, cheeses, olives, and strips of a protein which resembled a medium rare bantha steak. They are with their fingers, and dipped the bread into bowls of oil with herbs, as they began to discuss [member="viper"]'s ship, and what he did.

"There is often news that we do not hear of here at home, can you tell us some news of the core worlds?" Tia smiled and dipped another piece of bread.

 

[VlPER]

[member="Tia-ten"]

Viper smiled in a friendly manner as she went on about what she did around the house. Seemed like she may have a good mind for machines. "But what of the force?" A lingering thought in the back of his mind began to nag at him more and more. He looked upon the meal with a satisfied grin. "It all looks very good." He said honestly as he began taking a piece of fruit and popped it into his mouth. "And it tastes better." Viper chuckled lightly.

His cheerful spirit began to darken some as information about the core worlds was requested. "Not much I can tell you this is good news I'm afraid. The Sith Empire appears to be on the verge of cutting the Republic in two. And they seem to be only getting stronger day by day. From what I hear, they are making allies with certain groups across the galaxy that are all gaining influence and power. War seems to be on everyone's mind. I fear it is only a matter of time before the entire galaxy finally succumbs to all the warmongers."

His eyes turned away from them as he dabbed his bread into some of the oils present and took a bit. "And that will not bode well for my order. We are already stretch a bit thin. Wars tend to make the ranks of people like me....thinner. Still, we'll do what we can to keep people safe, and turn back their oppression. It's actually for this reason I have been traveling around the galaxy. I've been looking for force sensitive people who might be willing to volunteer to be trained and help us in our fight to keep our territory safe, and the Sith and all others who would threaten us at bay." His eyes at this point returned to look at Tia-ten to see what she would make of all this.

 

[Rianna Organa-Ar'klim]

[member="VlPER"]

Tia listened to what he said and it was not good news at all. If evil was spreading across the galaxy everyone had a duty to try and stop it. But what could she do, what would her part be in all of this.

"It sounds like your order, as well as those are not force sensitive need to gather their strength and find a way to defeat the Sith." She thought a bit longer, and then her gaze fell on her father. She wasn't sure what he was thinking right now perhaps later he would express his thoughts.

"Do you have many prospects to join your effort?" She reached for a piece of bread to dab into the oil before her.

 

[VlPER]

Viper nodded his head in agreement as he took another bite of the delicious food. "Aye. That we do. I have a feeling that will be happening soon. It's amazing how quickly people can forgive and forget the little things that we currently waste so much effort on when something bigger is coming to crush us." A small sigh escaped his lips as he pondered how ridiculous it was that people could work together as long as there was a bigger common enemy. Then they devolved back to their petty squabbling. His eyes drifted toward her curiously quiet father. Viper began to wonder if talks about the outside galaxy were a common topic between this pair. Possibly a topic he didn't particularly relish.

It was then the woman asked the all important question. Did he have any prospects? He had long since detected the force sensitivity which resided in her. But hadn't been sure if he should bring it up. His eyes had shifted from the father to Tia-ten almost the instant she inquired. But he remained silent for a bit as he let out another sigh. "Presently? Only one. Of late I have been trying to avoid the less savory elements of galactic society." He said pointing in the direction of his ship currently undergoing repairs. "But yes, I do have one prospect that I have found...you."

He paused for a moment to let his words sink in. His eyes moved from her to her father, then back to her. "You posses the ability to harness the power of the force the same as I do. If you would be willing to learn....and help in the defense of the galaxy, I would be willing to train you." Viper wasn't entirely sure how this news would be taken, but simply sat back and eyed the pair to see the reaction.

[member="Tia-ten"]