Farmville [SJO Dominion of Balamak Hex AD-29]

[Srina Talon]

Location: Market
Post Count: 5

“That was one time Cassius Droma. One time!”, Srina shot back to her Jedi friend with a barely hidden smile. It was unfathomable to her, that they could make light of the situation with Jairus Starvald, but there they were. It was easy to do when the sun was shining down and they were literally standing on the newly made armistice of two factions. It was a small event that could appear in historical documents one day. At least, it felt like one. “I’ll be on my best behavior. I swear it.”

Her friend signaled that it was time to go and she smiled in response, lifting her bag as she stood fluidly, before tossing a few credits on the table. They hadn’t made much of a mess but the sign did expressly say to tip well. Srina danced after the taller man, white-gold hair flowing behind her in a moonlit wave. He never did take into account that between the two of them his legs were longer.

She eventually fell into step beside him and let him lead the way. He grabbed a basket and asked if she liked soup. Srina wasn’t sure, exactly, but nodded her head in the affirmative. It couldn’t be that bad. Coming from a woman that didn’t cook much anything would probably be palatable. “I like spice.”, she added in, assuming he would realize she meant flavoring and not the illicit substance. “And tea. Hot tea from the Cassius tree—”, she trailed off, blinking a little, as she realized that her favorite blend also shared the name with her friend. “It’s good for your health. But any sort is fine…Just not the fizzy kind. I can try and find it. What do you prefer to drink?”

Specifically, Srina liked spicy tea as well, and often added other things to it. Tarine tea was made for breakfast, Moogan Tea was made for squalling children, and anything from Gatalenta was overpriced. Eyeing the copious amounts of credits that her master had provided made her relax a little. He had given her strict instructions to spend it, but she didn’t know how, unlike some of his estranged daughters.

Srina remained close enough to her friend not to get lost in the throngs of people but drifted this way and that to see what the stalls had to offer in the way of food. Some things she recognized, somethings she didn’t, and occasionally the vendors spoke something far from basic. Even still, she managed to find most of what she was looking for before she turned back to Cassius with a soft smile. “Is there anything I can help you find?”

If so, she hoped it was simple. The Echani had been trained in many things but culinary arts eluded her entirely. The endlessly graceful woman was more likely to burn down a kitchen versus make anything edible. It was a sad world in which she could force an enemy to die slowly seven different ways but couldn’t manage to make a sandwich.

[member="Cassius Droma"]

 

[Reggie Faayare]

Reggie tried to remember if he had saw this Ranger Captain, but couldn't recall. He wasn't paying much attention to who came through the area, so he felt bad for not keeping track of the people who came by.

"I'm afraid that I have not seen the person you are looking for. I can help you search for them if you would like me to."

As always, he was willing to help, especially since he assumed that it was important for [member="Jessica Matthews"] to find this Captain Ramada.

 

[WelshPsych]

Yuroic grinned to her and brought a couple of the farmer's freshest stock. Carrying the basket in his only usuable arm did cause an annoyance to flicker across his face. However, it vanished as fast as it came. The farmer shook their head, pointing to a seller several stores down being the one that sells seeds apparently. Yuroic was curious as to why she wanted the seeds.

"Why do you want seeds love?" He asked curious as he wandered forward towards the farmer, looking back at her for an answer.

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Kurenai Yumi]

Location: Farmers Market, on way to capital
Objective: Conversation and make way to capital
Near by: @ Lady Psyona @Yuroic Xeraic [member="Jairdain"]
Post: 3

Kurenai noted how [member="Jairdain"] blushed at the compliment, did she not get praised much.. "Err, yes she has been putting it to use from what I know, she is a quick learner, alright a little to headstrong at some time, as for the Jedi order, I remember it a bit differently, but to each their own, well I will bit you two love birds a good day, I have a date with the planets security forces".

She gave the two a slight bow before continuing on her way towards the capital, keeping an eye out for anything of interest to herself or family, smirking slightly at the continued banter between the two Jedi, 'times sure have changed'.

 

[Cassius Droma]

The young Jedi raised his eyebrow at the mention of a tree that had his namesake, and bore leaves that apparently made delicious tea. In his younger years, a juvenile joke would have escaped him, but he was much more mature than that. Instead, he decided to address her more pertinent question. “A big case of meiloorun nectar would be great,” he said, remembering just then that he’d recently run out of it on the Stardust. That would have to be remedied, certainly.

It was a drink that he’d recently taken a liking to, having explored various worlds now that were much warmer than his native Rinn. On the ice planet he’d called home, the only other beverage that people drank other than water was something warm, whether it be broth, tea, or coffee. Now that he spent a lot more time on Deneba, what could be described as the opposite of Rinn, Cassius had found himself trying more and more colder drinks – meiloorun nectar his favorite among them.

When Srina asked if there was anything else she could help him find, he said, “We’ll need spices. Your basic stuff – salt, pepper… and really, if there’s any type of spice you like, go ahead and get it. Nothing sweet, though. I’ll take care of everything else.” The recipe was simple, really. It was a noodle soup that always had some type of diced poultry, as well as a few vegetables, if they were handy. A common meal back on Rinn, as it was again, something warm, and helped keep body temperature up. On long patrols, he’d make it in the galley for the rest of his squad mates – a taste of home.

Surprisingly, it didn’t take long for him to find what he needed. Within less than an hour’s time, his basket was full of the organic ingredients he’d need. Now all that was left to do was head back to the Stardust, fire up the galley, and get to work.

Turning to Srina, who had her own groceries by this point, he asked, “Got everything you need?”

[member="Srina Talon"]

 

[Jairdain]

Location: Farmers Market
Objective: Conversation and shopping
Companion: [member="Yuroic Xeraic"]
Nearby: [member="Kurenai Yumi"]
Post: 5

Smiling in thanks at the words Kurenai said that her daughter was using the skills Jairdain had taught her, she nodded in farewell when she mentioned she had other business to attend to. Turning her full attention back to Yuroic, he had asked why she wanted the seeds.

"Well, I have a home set up on Iridonia..."

It had been arranged ​when she was with the Sith. While it wasn't something she had kept secret, only one other person within the Jedi knew of her home. So it was time her love learned of this home as well as the one she had built on Voss.

"I also didn't move to Kashyyk with the Jedi. Voss is too much of a home for me and I stayed there. However, the seeds are for Iridonia and the small plot of land I made there to try and make a farm of sorts."

 

[Srina Talon]

Location: Market
Post Count: 6

Srina added what Cassius had asked for to her list. The little Echani remained completely unaware of anything that could be said about her preferred source for hot tea and the raised eyebrow went entirely over her head. It was likely for the best. “That’s easy enough…”, she trailed off, trying to remember where she’d seen a vendor selling beverages. Maybe they’d be willing to part with a case of meiloorun nectar for enough credits.

She’d never had that particular drink, and while she was ever curious, the white-haired beauty remained ever on task. Cassius ran through a list of things they might need and the slender woman took mental notes, entirely forgoing the fact that she didn’t really know what ‘basic stuff’ consisted of. Nothing sweet. She could handle that. Probably. “See you back here soon.”

Srina headed toward the south and eventually crossed a stall that seemed to have a variety of things to offer. She haggled a fair deal on the nectar but the vendor would only sell her an entire unit. Not just one, small case. She paid half for him to hold it so that she could go collect the other items her Jedi had requested. Salt, pink in color, and ground black hole pepper were easy enough to gather. She also picked up some rather overpriced lill for her own dish—Just in case. Srina tended to enjoy things with a much higher heat content than most and this spice would do the trick. It was hot, spicy, and generally made most people gulp down water afterwards.

She also picked up a small bag of emerald grapes and namana candy. The vendor warned her not to eat all of the namana in one sitting and she smiled, not realizing that it was made of slightly addictive exotic fruit. They were yellow-orange in color and the package had a tag that claimed, ‘sweetest candy this side of the Taldot sector’. Afterall, her friend had requested no sweet spices. That didn’t mean they couldn’t have something sugary later.

Around an hour later she returned to the place where she’d left Cassius, a repulsor cart in tow, the case almost hiding her white-gold hair from view, unless she was seen from the right angle. He turned around right on queue and her lips curved into a smile when he asked if she had what she needed. “Yes. I’m ready.”

An elegant hand gestured toward the cart and she danced ahead toward the designated landing zones. It was his beverage, ergo, he could deal with the shuffling it to his ship. “Come my Jedi—I’m starving.”

“I don’t want to spoil my appetite and it's torture to look at all this and not eat anything.”

[member="Cassius Droma"]

 

[Cassius Droma]

As Cassius turned to see Srina’s hall, his mouth fell slightly agape. His little basket was nothing compared to the large case of presumably meiloorun nectar she brought up in a repulsor cart. He hardly even acknowledged her other statements as Cassius started to link the repulsor cart to his datapad so that it would follow him back to his ship without much effort.

He had to actually use the cargo elevator to get the unit of nectar into the Stardust. In his head, he calculated just how much he’d have to drink in the next week or so before it went bad or he’d have to find a way to maybe carbon freeze it. It would have to be his beverage for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for probably a month – and he didn’t like the drink that much.

Once they had everything in the cabinets of the galley, Cassius got out a large stock pot and fired up the stove. He started to prepare all of the ingredients while water he’d put in the pot began to heat up to eventually come to a boil. The poultry was, of course, the most hazardous and arduous thing to deal with, but once it was in the pot, the rest was easy.

“So… I’m guessing hanging out with the CIS affords you a certain amount of protection against the Echani who might come after you,” Cassius said as he started to throw some spices in the pot in order to flavor up the poultry.

[member="Srina Talon"]

 

[Srina Talon]

Location: Market
Post Count: 7

Srina laughed sweetly at Cassius’s expression when he arrived back at the meeting point. The sound was high, eloquent and lilting, before it melted down into girlish giggling. Only this particular human could make her laugh like that, without really doing, or saying anything at all. “You said you wanted it and he wouldn’t sell it any other way. Besides, you said a case.”

“This—“, she pointed cheekily toward the cart, “Is a case.”

The silvery apprentice was still snickering to herself when they arrived at the Stardust and her eyes were filled with mirth. The little Echani had no idea when the tea went bad, or how long it would take him to get through it. Confederate droids passed by, hauling something back toward the Ferocity, and Srina made sure to scuttle toward the entrance of the Stardust quickly. They would respond to her, just as they responded to Darth Metus, and she wasn’t ready to open that can of worms yet.

Curious, the slender woman looked around the interior of the Stardust that she could see while Cassius began getting things ready. She liked ships. The Ferocity was her favorite—a home away from home. After that the pale woman settled in to watch her Jedi begin cooking. He hadn’t done anything that looked particularly difficult but she still felt it appropriate to keep her distance.

Remembering the few things she had found she set the salt and pepper on the counter nearest to him and set the package of emerald grapes and yellow candies near the chiller. She kept the lill in her bag so it wouldn’t be used by mistake. Her satchel, she sat by the door. “I figured something sweet after a meal would be nice. Emerald grapes are supposed to be wonderful.”

And what human didn’t like candy?

His question about the Confederacy caught her by surprise. She hadn’t expected him to return to the discussion of the faction so quickly. “I’m not sure I’d call it that.”

Did one merely ‘hang out’ with an organization and find themselves attending diplomatic meetings? Speaking at these meetings, making terms, supplying information and brokering terms? To Srina, it felt like more than that, but she didn’t know how to explain without dumping everything in the Jedi’s lap. Her hesitance was born of concern. Not shame. “But you’re right. It does. My mentor is formidable.”

“I’ve only had one other incident since Coruscant. It was on Islyrr II a little while ago. I was picking up something delicate and alchemical at the request of the Confederate Vicelord and got cornered. Just my people this time. No Sith.”, she amended slowly, eyes averting, despite the fact that Cassius wasn’t looking at her. Her voice was bare when it escaped her next, unfeeling, as echoing tones did their best to hide a dull ache. “They sent Helia. She is my mother’s sister. She married into the clan trying to find me before I was born. Her loyalties will lay with her husband. Both out of duty, and because she doesn’t know the truth.”

“It was most unpleasant.”, Srina trailed off quietly, her arms crossing behind her back as she leaned against an empty wall. Her tone alone should have clued the Jedi in that the situation had been a little worse than ‘unpleasant’. The small apprentice was gaining a reputation for sending warriors back to Eshan with less body mass than they’d started with. It had been a bloody, angry, emotional mess.

[member="Cassius Droma"]

 

[Cassius Droma]

His eyebrow rose as she recounted her most recent clash with those from her home planet. She might have been able to see his expression, but he was turned to the stove and counter, chopping up the vegetables and other ingredients he’d need and throwing them into the pot. “You know,” Cassius began, sprinkling some salt into the pot and stirring it, “eventually, we’re going to have to go back to Eshan and end all of this. You can’t spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder, formidable master or no.”

She might have questioned just what he meant by ‘we’, but it was simple. He’d helped her on Coruscant, and he would help her again. “What would make them stop, do you think?” he asked, as casual as a man could be. He quickly chopped up some onion and put it in, stirring so it would cook evenly. “From what you’ve told me, these traditions run deep. They’re more important than the life of any one person. So how do you convince them to let you go?”

He picked up the knife from the counter, inspecting it, watching the light glint off of it. “Killing them won’t do you much good – only more vengeance will be sworn against you.” Picking up a ladle, he poured a small amount of broth into a bowl, steam wafting from the golden brown liquid. “You also can’t not address the issue. Eventually, one day, they’ll catch you when you’re not ready.”

Taking a spoon, he tested the broth after blowing on it to cool it down. It was very good – he’d have to remember to program the recipe into the autochef so he could have the meal more conveniently.

Once the stew had sufficiently cooked down and the meat was tender, he took the ladle and filled up a bowl for his white-haired friend. He handed her the bowl and motioned over to the lounge area, just across the hallway. He slid into the circular booth around the dejarik table.

“I understand if it’s hard for you to talk about it,” Cassius muttered as he waited for his own bowl of soup to cool down.

[member="Srina Talon"]

 

[Srina Talon]

“That’s what my teacher said.”, Srina breathed out with a puff of air. She’d been holding her breath, biting her tongue, in order to bury the last memory of bleeding her fellow Seekers. The pale woman didn’t have the physical strength of some of her peers but she was incredibly fast. She had been trained not to hesitate. Every blow should deal critical damage or it was considered a wasted effort. It took concentrated focus not to act on that and to leave the Echani that pursued her alive.

That which duty demanded and survival required was splitting her in two.

She was astute enough to notice that much like Darth Metus, Cassius was willing to help, even if it meant going all the way to Eshan. He asked what would end the conflict and liquid silver eyes swept the floor behind him. She hesitated, because of what he was, and because he was mostly incorrect. “Marriage contracts are considered archaic. I haven’t heard of one being approved or enforced except in old datacrons. If Eshan wasn’t in a state of chaos, if the Queen weren’t in hiding, and if I could gather the required proof…”

“There is a possibility that it could be handled within the law. As it stands…That isn’t an option. The Clan is moving now. It can’t wait the six months, year, or however long it takes Eshan to stabilize.”

Srina watched the Jedi before her move about the galley. He seemed to know where everything was without looking. The small woman would be lost in a kitchen if left to her own devices. She used the silence that filled the area to hide in. Even when he passed her a bowl of piping hot soup her, which she held gingerly, her voice was soft when she thanked him. “It smells lovely.”

She followed Cassius—though not before picking up the loaf of fresh crusted bread she’d found in the marketplace. She might have been hopeless as a cook, but she could handle setting bread on flatstone, while holding silverware. Srina set her bowl down first and placed the bread between them. She sat down smoothly, her legs resting at a neat, lady-like slant. Her Jedi was gracious and seemed to realize that this particular subject left her feeling mute. There was too much emotion involved that she didn’t know what to do with. “It’s just...Complicated.”

“You…”, she trailed off, silvery eyes turning to the soup as steam rose from the bowl. “You were half right. I can’t simply kill him or have him killed. I could challenge Dalantus Eägon to a formal duel. We would make a list of demands. The winner would have their demands met to the letter.”

The one who failed would die with honor no matter the horrible things they’d done in life. It wasn’t murder, not to Echani, it was a conversation coming to a close coupled with justice. For Srina, it would be little more than revenge. She wasn’t fool enough to think that there wasn’t a moment where she might actually feel thrilled to drive her blades through the entitled warlord that had made her life a living hell. “I would fight Dalantus in this very moment if I knew there was a chance I could win.”

As skilled as she was, Dalantus himself had at least two decades of experience on her. He had a better grasp of any extra ‘gifts’ that the Goddess felt to bestow upon them. Plainly put, years of fighting Thyrsians to the death had honed his Force abilities in a way that her own were not.

“As I am now…I would lose. It is not fear that binds me but fact. I've seen him in combat. I'm not strong enough. Not yet.”

[member="Cassius Droma"]

 

[Cassius Droma]

Cassius mostly remained silent as Srina explained some more intricacies of the Echani. He was an aspiring archaeologist, after all – he was supposed to learn more about different cultures, and the Echani were certainly a fascinating one. They weren’t brute warriors like Mandalorians, or scholars like the Jedi… there was an elegance and politic to their fighting that made everything seem high-class and yet brutish all at the same time.

As he handed her the portioned out meal, she complimented the scent. He cracked a smile as he poured his own bowl and headed towards the lounge. “Olfactory can be deceiving,” he said, tapping his nose. “Just wait until you eat it. You might have a different opinion.” Of course, he’d been tasting the broth throughout his preparation of the meal, so he knew it was tasty, and his mouth was salivating lightly just thinking about taking the first full bite.

They slid into their seats, and Cassius got to eating as Srina laid out a possible solution to her dilemma. He dipped the bread into the soup, the action making the broth somewhat cooler and provided him with a sort of appetizer as the rest of the stew lowered in temperature. As he bit into the bread, he sighed in contentment, only just then realizing how hungry he’d been. All that cargo hauling had really stirred up his appetite, and eating something he’d actually spent time to cook made it all the more satisfying.

“That’s good for you, in a sense,” Cassius said, knowing that his statement might not make a lot of sense at first. “You have something to strive towards. Every time you train, learn a new skill, perfect a new move… his image will be in the back of your mind. That kind of determination can help you – but it can also hurt you.” He began to stir his soup, watching as more steam rolled out.

“You must learn to control your anger, your emotions… or they will destroy you.”

He took a bite of the soup, a perfect blend of spicy and salty; the chicken, noodles, and other vegetables providing a nice texture and variation in tastes to make it interesting. The mental note to program it into the autochef was just made top priority.

“One day, you will be strong enough to best Eägon,” he said, looking at her dead in the eye. “And when you are, I will be there to support you.”

Turning back to his soup, his tone became lighter. “For now though, let’s just enjoy each other’s company. Who knows when I’ll be able to see you again?”

[member="Srina Talon"]

 

[Srina Talon]

Srina smiled, briefly, when Cassius make a joke about his own culinary prowess. It lingered at the kiss of her mouth as she accepted the bowl and gathered up any additional items. “I have faith in you, silly Jedi.”, she responded lightly, despite the topic of conversation. He smiled and she couldn’t stop herself from returning it. She was safe here, hidden in the walls of the Stardust, and surrounded by garrisons of Confederate droids that would cease their current functions to defend her at a moment’s notice.

She almost loathed to explain the situation with the Clans, and ultimately, the state of Eshan. The fact that her homeworld was in dire straits made her want to go back. Yet, her presence would only complicate things, especially, if the Clans got involved. She reached for a piece of bread and nibbled on it carefully, like a little bird, while she waited for the soup to cool. Her friend seemed happy. Either with his meal, his day, or her presence, she couldn’t be sure. Perhaps it was a combination of the three.

Srina had the spoon halfway to her mouth when Cassius claimed that her situation might be ‘good’ for her and a finely arched eyebrow rose as she waited for him to continue. There was no world in which she could believe what had happened to her, to her family, was for the best. He continued to explain and the silvery woman finished her movements. The soup was quite good—even on such a hot day. It wasn’t quite as spicy as she might have preferred it but for human taste buds doing the testing, there was no room for complaint. “I can’t say I want him in my mind…But I see your point.”

He went on to explain that she needed to control her emotions and the young woman frowned. He believed that her anger could destroy her. There was so much more to it than anger, hate, or any sentiment that was plebian enough to be put into words. Srina set her utensil down in her bowl for a moment, a memory returning, and felt a vision of the past tug at her core.

​

“This crystal is very much alive, and so you must break it. You must pour your heart into it - your pain, your fears, your struggles, until it bleeds.”​

The Echani blinked. For a moment she could feel Darth Metus. His presence was always there, in the back of her mind, but this was a little different. She was caught in a state in which the words of her Master were in complete opposition to the words of her friend.

“Do I seem so full of wrath?”, she questioned after a moment of silence, watching Cassius eat, and perhaps not expecting a full answer. How could he make such a judgment in the limited time he spent in her presence? Truthfully, Srina wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Not really.

The sandy-haired man met her gaze and promised to be there when she finally dealt with Dalantus Eägon. Once more, he sounded like her Master, and a grateful smile tugged at the corners of her lips. He was right in that respect. One day, she would win against the man that had taken everything from her, and she would do the same to him. With interest. “Thank you, Cassius.”

Srina would have elaborated on her gratitude but she had a feeling that the Jedi knew. They moved on from serious topics for the time being and the Echani held her hand out, waited for a moment, and in floated the emerald grapes and candies she’d purchased. Her nose crinkled in delight, and she set the bowl down rather carefully, before plucking one from the vine. “You’re right. Although, in the future, you could just visit. Or holo-call. We can program my information before I leave.”

The little Echani didn’t hide as much as she used to. Or at all, not really. Her Master’s presence ensured that there were a precious few willing to even upset her—let alone attack her. Her expression changed then, becoming mischievous, as she picked another grape, but this time threw it playfully at the Jedi versus eating it.

[member="Cassius Droma"]

 

[Jsc]

Obj 2: p2: Farms. *Exit​

​

Jessica nodded and looked back again at the shack nearer Reggie Faayare , Stephanie Swail , and the mysterious Aidan Moonrunner .

"Quite alright Reggie. I'm sure she'll turn up."

She smiled and gazed harder at the villas against the horizon. Perhaps what she sought was further away than she knew.

"Well. Thank you gents and ladies. May the Force be with you."

Jessica bowed and took her leave of the group. Turning tightly to return to the trail from whence she'd come. A white jeep awaiting her return against the soft soiled street. She boarded it with a squint and a clever gaze.

"Oh my dear Ranger. Where ever have you gone?"

She turned over the engine and fastened her safety belt. Time to hit the trail. Perhaps the city would hold more answers.

 

[Cassius Droma]

Cassius frowned and shook his head as the young Echani asked if she was so full of anger. “Determination, maybe, but not wrath, per se.” He stared down at his bowl of soup for a second. “I just know what it’s like to want to get revenge. Before I was a Jedi… I lost someone. Someone very important to me. And I wanted nothing more than to get back at them. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was my first brush with the dark side… and it scared me.”

He reaffirmed his own determination to be at her side during her most trying times, and she of course expressed her appreciation. In that moment, he could feel why he was so drawn to her. There was some sort of dark cloud, a presence, always hovering over her. Perhaps the Force was telling him to reach out to her, to brush away the darkness that plagued her. Did she even know that this was the case?

Luckily, the conversation turned to more light-hearted things, and she mentioned how he had the ability to visit her. This was true – he was very close to the Confederate capital, relatively speaking. Holo-calls would have great reception, as well, due to the close proximity. “I’ll make sure we have a way to get in touch,” he said, dusting bread crumbs off of his hands as he went back to his soup.

When she threw the grape at him, his Force-imbued instincts reacted, and his head snapped in her direction. His teeth clamped down on the grape as it came to him, and he raised his eyebrows at his somewhat impressive accomplishment. Of course, he sort of cheated with the Force, but who would know? He bit into the grape and chewed, his eyebrows raising once again at the taste. “Wow, that’s really good,” he said.

The rest of the evening was spent catching up and talking, while avoiding the more serious or somber matters that had transpired since their last meeting. He regaled her of the story of the time he infiltrated a cave full of smugglers and retrieved a precious artifact – none of which he had to elaborate to make interesting.

[member="Srina Talon"]