Prior...
His peace and meditation from within a bacta tank resting in the medical bay of the Dragon was interrupted when the ship would reach the planet's surface. A protocol droid would arrive then, and pressing a few buttons on the nearby control panel would let out the tank's occupant. The bacta would drain from the tank, and a 6'4 form would drop to the tank's floor. Removing his breathing mask, the Jedi Master would open his eyes, a handful of exhales escaping him as the Jedi would grow accustomed to the air within the ship - different from the air he had been breathing throughout his recovery. His training when he had no company on board aside from his team of droids was intense, perhaps even dangerous. But despite cutting down on his mission time and taking more time to be a civilian man when he was off, he was still as dedicated to his cause as he was all those years ago. The droid that was freeing him from the tank was BL-86... A Saotome P.T.D Droid that generally served as both Josh's protocol and translation droid, personal assistant as well as a training partner when he was alone. Of course, Josh had not trained with the droid's help today... He had gone with far more intense, more automated conditions. Ones that pushed his body to it's absolute limits and beyond.
"We will be arriving on the planet soon, Master DragonsFlame."
Josh would get to his feet, his every scratch, open wound, blemish and bump gone. The advancements in bacta technology over the years had been... Astounding, he thought to himself as he would be freed from the tank. His form was muscular, suiting a man who took his craft so seriously. His build was lean, muscular... Not too bulky, but the work he had put in to keep in shape and keep his strength up was clear just by the looks of his form. Once he had stepped out of the tank, the Jedi Master would nod in response as he would slowly turn his head about the room, gazing around, before rolling his shoulders and stretching out. The healing effects of the bacta tank meant he could come back from the brink no matter what sort of intense training he put himself through... But the tank itself was sort of cramped, and the time he had spent in a deep, medically induced sleep meant that his joints were stiff and sore. Far less sore than before, mind you, but being stuck in the same position for so long would do that. How many hours he had been out... He couldn't say.
"Master, I don't understand why you insisted on training on the way here" The protocol droid would scold as they would bring the Jedi Master a large mug of water, one that he would grab and chug down as though his very life depended on it. His tongue wet and spry once again, the Jedi would wet his lips as he would finally speak, the refreshed feeling that washed through him clear in the fact that a rosy color had returned to his cheeks.
"I'm on the clock either way, can't afford to slack and get rusty."
"Why I never-Master! I say you damn near killed yourself! Why you would train like a life-threatening mission was ahead, is beyond me... And even if there was, even then I wouldn't condone the things you do to your body. Your dedication is admirable, Master DragonsFlame, but very much unnecessary."
"Valae is there. Always need to be on-guard."
"I-I never! Are you still on edge about that assassination attempt, Master? Is that what this is about?"
The Jedi Master stopped to stare at the droid, his expression seeming like he was almost insulted it took the droid this long to figure that out. Though it was hard to take him seriously with his long blonde hair being thick, soaked and dripping everywhere.
"I'd say you've begun to care for the young Grandmaster Kitra, sir. But that's just my opinion, as you have been oh so adamant about having me speak freely" The droid would continue to jipe as the droid would fetch him a set of towels to dry himself off. "She's a friend. And I've been in her position" Josh would answer, as he would nod in thanks as he took the towels, wrapping one around his muscular form and using the other to begin to dry off his hair enough to stop the dripping so he could blowdry it. He didn't normally blowdry it before a mission... But he at least seemed to remember that this was a social gathering, not a mission, for this portion. "Valae has her job to play as Grandmaster, and I have mine. All I'm doing is making sure I'm ready to do that job at a moment's notice. If it inconveniences you, you are free to serve another Jedi. I can have you recommissioned if you wish."
"No, no, Master" The droid would answer as the Jedi would step in front of the mirror, removing the head towel and beginning to blow-dry his hair. "I am not inconvenienced at all by your actions, I have stated this in the past. I simply fail to understand why you push your body past it's limits on a regular basis... Especially when all you're doing is a social occasion. It is my job to care for your well-being, Master. But I cannot fathom why you insist on undergoing such intense training. If not for bacta technology, you would likely be dead as of this moment. And I doubt Master Kitra will appreciate losing a member of her Assembly because he decided to push his body beyond what he can handle."
"It's not beyond what I can handle" The Jedi would answer as he would finish blow-drying his hair and pick up the clothing that the droid had laid out for him. While the droid was meant for protocol and training... It had taken up the habit of working as a personal assistant, of it's own volition. Not that Josh minded the help. If that was what the droid wanted to do... "Turn around, please" He would request. "I say, I don't understand why you always insist on this as well. I have not failed to bear witness to your birthday suit, Master. You wore no clothes when you emerged from the tank" The droid would complain. "And I am a droid, Master. I have no concept of sexual conduct beyond what is informercial."
"You're pretty damn close to a person. And I'm married" Josh would retort as he would pull the clothing on. "As for my training... I can handle it. Besides. It's... Relaxing. In a way. Helps me forget."
"By a Hutt's form... Is that another reason why you did this, Master?" The droid would inquire. "Social anxiety?"
Now...
Bloody sodding hell, he hated crowds.
The place was far busier than he had anticipated. He had come out of formality, and because he felt it good to partake in the celebrations... It helped with morale to have everyone drinking and making merry together. But it didn't help the fact he was a bit socially anxious. He didn't do well in... Crowds of strangers. He wore a casual white dress shirt, with black pants and his combat boots. Not -too- formal... But enough. The Jedi Master took a deep breath as he walked into the establishment, trying to quell his social anxiety as his eyes darted about looking for someone he knew. [member="Valae Kitra"], [member="Stephanie Swail"], anybody. On the surface, he looked calm and confident, as that cheeky smirk remain spread across his face. Overall, he looked neat and tidy. A far cry from the sorry shape he was in just an hour before. But inside, he was far less... Well off.
He wished he'd gone with his wife, [member="Shmi DragonsFlame"]. He definitely needed the company for times like this.