From The Ashes, A Phoenix Will Rise (Tef's Farewell)

[Darron Wraith]

Tython


It should be raining today, the thought was harmless yet it resonated deep in his soul. The world before him was bright and beautiful, he could feel like all around him. The birds were singing, yet on the inside all he wanted was for the weather to at least match what he felt. Would it be too much to ask for a brutal storm on this day? It almost felt blasphemous to wish for bad weather, but the beauty of the day didn't match with the news he knew was to come. Guess not every moment can be like a story book, life does truly go on, he mused.

Blue eyes looked at the transport as it made it's way from the heavens, growing larger by the second. He had been standing on the landing platform for hours after arriving from Onderon earlier in the day. The Jedi had sent everyone to the med-bay to get worked on after that hellacious ordeal, except for himself. It had taken much convincing to the medics, but the Jedi Master had been allowed to stay out on the landing pad for most of the afternoon waiting for the transport that was making it's way to him now. Within a few moments, he knew deep in his heart he would see something his senses had told him long ago just a day earlier. Please be wrong Wraith, please be wrong. His inner voice pleading with him to be wrong about what that ripple in the Force. Yet there was a problem with his inner voices pleading.

What he had felt couldn't be wrong or faked.

Warm liquid ran down his face, and Darron couldn't help but raise his durasteel hand to touch the blood running down his forehead. It stained his blonde hair, and was still flowing pretty good even though he wound had been inflicted a day earlier. Burn marks were littered over his arms, and multiple abrasions and cuts were all over his chiseled frame. The breastplate and greaves he wore with his standard Jedi clothing had done little against all the fire power and local fauna they had faced off with. The man's vision was still a little blurry from one particular knock to the head he had taken, and he was pretty sure he had a mild concussion. Yet despite his injuries, the Jedi Master stood in place watching intently as the transport closed the distance.

"Heal all wounds, the Force can Padawan Wraith."

It took all of the Jedi Master's resolve to keep his face composed at the memory of Teferi telling him that when he had been but only a teenager. I'm still using your lesson's now Grand Master, I had to have been wrong in what I felt. Yet deep in his heart he knew he hadn't, the Grand Master's other lesson's only confirmed that to Darron as the minutes ticked by. He swayed slightly as he tried to keep his knees from buckling, the dread within his stomach kept building as the ship started to go through it's landing cycle. Again though, here he was in a moment of weakness and the Grand Master's techniques for calming were coming into play again and seconds later the broken man was whole again in the Force.

Can I just for a moment, not be the Jedi you taught me to be?

Not even a second later and he was mentally kicking himself for such a thought, as it was an insult to the man he was hoping against all odds would calmly walk down the ramp of the ship that had just landed. Hope momentarily threatened to awaken in the beaten down Jedi, but he allowed his emotions to flow out of him with each breath. Instead he returned his focus to the blood running down his beaten body, his mission had been successful, yet he felt only failure as the ramp descended from the transport. Behind him he could feel more people joining him as those on the vessel in front of him started to make their way down. Darron had already felt what had happened, and he alone had seen the mission report from those who had been sent to aid the Mandolorians.

Gingerly making his way to the foot of the ramp, he weakly managed a greeting as his blue eyes mournfully searched them for the cargo he knew was with them. "Welcome back Jedi Ravos and Master Vondiranach, where is Grand Master Teferi? Let me carry him to those who can attend to his body." The Jedi forcing himself to not choke up on the last words as he stood slumped over in defeat before his fellow brothers in arms. Every inch of his body ached as he awaited to see the inevitable, all the while forcing himself to stay together for the Jedi that were around him.

 

[Kamon's OOC]

It was a solemn flight home. At least they'd managed to procure a gravsled to transport the Grandmaster's body on. It would have been terrible if they'd had to physically carry the little Jedi out of the vessel upon their arrival. Reports had already been filed as to what had happened, and it was likely common knowledge already that things had gone sour for the few Jedi that went to help the Mando's. It was not a good turn of events.

When they landed, there were many Jedi waiting, as expected. Kamon sighed and ran his hand through his hair. He was a wreck and he knew it. On top of that, he still had a broken rib and a lightsaber wound to his side. Not to mention the countless lightning burns across his body. He was not weak, though. He would show no pain as he moved, just as he felt no pain because he allowed the Force to take those feelings of pain and consume them, driving them away. Pain was a path to the darkside.

Walking down the ramp, he approached Darron. Jaxton would be bringing up the rear with the gravsled holding Master Efreet's body. He stopped in front of Darron and nodded to him.

"Master Wraith. Padawan Ravos has taken personal responsibility for seeing to the Grandmaster's body. They were, seemingly, close."

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

It had been a horrible ride to Tython, to say the least. The mandalorian’s had been able to give Jaxton some bacta to help heal his burnt back, but not enough. It was painful to sleep, sit, touch the wall, move his arms and his shoulder around, or do pretty much anything but just stand at attention, an impossible task with Jaxton’s being two inches taller than the ship’s ceiling. But all in all, the physical pain honestly meant next to nothing to Jaxton compared to the pains of the mind and the soul.

He knew he had been selected to fight on Junction because his battle meditation and saber prowess, yet he didn’t manage set the Sith back at all, only duel a Twi’Lek woman to a standstill. He was told by Grandmaster Efreet to come with him and help guard the Mandalore, and yet Mandalore was taken to be seduced by a plantae sith woman and then left to fend for himself against the Sith Emperor. He fought near the Grandmaster Teferi, and yet his battle meditation offered him no help. He heard the Grandmaster’s call for help, yet was not fast enough to stop his death. Jaxton had replayed his part in the battle hundreds of times on the ride back to Tython, and everytime felt himself more powerless and weak than before. He felt unfitting of the honor of “Jedi”.

Despite Jedi Master Vondiranach’s pleadings, Jaxton remained by the side of the former Jedi Grandmaster for nearly the entire ride, only leaving to sleep. The alien’s small body always reminding him of what dangers he should have been prepared for, how he should have beaten the Twi’lek and helped Teferi. How maybe if he would good for anything but a sword-arm, perhaps Teferi would not have left him. Jaxton tried to think of the hope Teferi sent him, but was unable. Such happiness were not meant for men of his failings. As they landed on Tython Jaxton vaguely heard the words “Jedi Ravos”, how strange the words seemed. He kept staring at the Grandmaster’s body, still waiting for some the Grandmaster to rise up and say it was all a trick, a lesson to show Jaxton not to doubt the Force. But Jaxton knew no such thing would happen. He had taken his time over the flight to prepare Teferi for his funeral. He had cleaned the blood stains, wiped dirt, and did his best to make the alien look peaceful, and in doing this the Grandmaster’s death became more and more apparent to him.

“Padawan Ravos has taken personal responsibility for taking care of the Grandmaster’s Body.” He heard his name mentioned again, and figured it was time. He stood up, his burnt back protesting his movement, and put a hand on the gravsled and pulled the body of Teferi Efreet out of the ship and on to the Jedi Homeworld. He looked up and saw Master Wraith, the man he had met when the Sith invaded the temple. He fought back his tears, but sorrow still showed clear in his face.

“I have failed the Jedi twice now.” Jaxton said, his words heavy in regret, remorse, and apology, as he referenced his inability to save the Grandmaster, as well as how Sith snuck onto Coruscant under Jaxton’s own nose. “And for that I am truly sorry.” He said, and presented the body then began to turn away, unable to look Master Wraith in the eyes any longer. Then he remembered the pin that Teferi presented him with before his death, then turned back, and forced himself to look at Master Wraith once more.

“He told me to give this to you. I don’t know what it means, but I think you will.” Jaxton said and handed Master Wraith the pin, then turned around and began to walk away. Every Jedi would know what happened, and Jaxton’s part in it, how he couldn’t stop it, how he was powerless to do anything, and Jaxton knew he couldn’t stay and give an explanation to why he couldn’t do anything, mainly because he knew he couldn’t give an explanation to himself.

 

[Teynara Jeralyr]

The mission report had already come back, stating that there was at least one Jedi casualty and likely a fair number of injured now making a return to the Temple. Although she hadn't made a habit of staying on Tython, Teynara had been here for the past few weeks to work with the other Jedi Healers, making herself useful in little ways as she studied their methods and techniques, aspiring towards ranking among their number. Naturally, when the shuttle was en route from orbit, she was one of those on duty, so it was her job to take a medikit out to the landing bay and see to any more immediate medical needs - and to triage, if need be.

She watched the shuttle descend from the clouds with slight feelings of apprehension. The blonde woman had never been fond of violence, nor the bloodshed that resulted, so to stand there waiting a little nervously knowing that those aboard the small craft had most certainly encountered that was, well, not a pleasant thought. And it'll be more than their physical hurts that will need attending to, she knew. A mission like theirs would have to generate a fair amount of psychological damage, too. Jedi were all trained to deal with that sort of thing, but even so, you could just ignore trauma like that. They do say that heightened emotions can lead a person to do all sorts of dark things... She could only imagine the problems that might arise with untreated grief.

The shuttle landed, and after a pause that seemed near eternal, the boarding ramp of the small vessel descended in a loud hiss of hydraulics, touching down firmly against the flat stone surface of the landing pad. Several Jedi immediately walked down the ramp, lacking the confident stride that might have been expected, instead disgorging Jedi who looked both weary, grieved and in pain. The blonde woman turned a critical eye upon the first two down: a Jedi she wasn't overly familiar, looking as though he was finding it a challenge merely to stay upright, followed by Jaxton, the large and normally cheerful-looking Zeltron. He's not looking at all cheerful for the moment.

A gravsled followed them, whatever was lying on it covered in a shroud that concealed the body she knew to be lying atop it. So this is how a Jedi Grandmaster returns from missions when things don't go to plan, she thought sadly, her own expression solemn but calm nonetheless. She hadn't known the Grandmaster, so her grief here was the same that she would feel for any who had fallen in pursuit of their duty: heartfelt, but not as deep as it might have been otherwise. And my duty is to the living, not to the dead, she thought with a soft sigh escaping her lips.

She stayed back while the two of them addressed the Jedi Master at the front of the small gathering on the landing pad, the one she recognised as Master Wraith, the one she had berated for his casual attitude towards creating a mess and using violence as a means to resolve problems. She didn't know him much better than she had, but it was clear his own feelings were much closer to the surface now than she'd seen them before. Perhaps, for him, this is personal. She couldn't say for sure, and she certainly wasn't about to ask.

Edging forward, brushing a stray hair back over one ear, the blonde woman approached the Jedi Master and placed a slender hand against his well-muscled arm, her expression one of concern, though her pale-blue eyes were fixed not upon him, but upon the Jedi that had just emerged from the shuttle.

"Apologies for interrupting you, Master," she said softly, a little more respectfully than she'd spoken to him the last time they'd had any reason to chat, "but our first priority should be to get the needs of our friends seen to," Teynara observed, the blonde nodding towards Jaxton and that unknown Jedi. "They both look about to sleep on their feet, and I daresay they're both nursing wounds. I'd like to take them both down to the Medical Bay and have them looked at, before they give you their reports. Would that be okay?", she asked, arching an eyebrow at him. The welfare of your patients must always come first, after all...

 

[Darron Wraith]

His eyes fell on the first man coming down the ramp, and he recognized him from meetings and briefings. The Jedi Master managed a weak smile, merely a formality in such a time with the current circumstances. "Master Vondiranach, it is good to see you safe and sound. Do you need medical treatment?" Darron motioned to the team of medics behind him eagerly waiting to get their hands on any injured or dead from the mission with the Mandolorians. Turning back to regard the fellow Jedi Master as he came down the stairs, Darron extended a hand and shook Kamon's hand while patting his back with the other. "You did the Order a great service, and though the mission went bad know you served with pride and Teferi would be proud of what you did." The smile on his face as weak at best, and his words while sincere were hollow at best. Everyone was beaten and broken at this point and Darron himself had to admit that this particular blow was vicious.

What are we going to do?

The question had been on his mind the past couple of days as he had isolated himself from everyone, only he had been aware of what the cargo on that transport was. He knew all the Jedi behind him had felt Teferi's passing, but few could understand exactly what it was. The official line was that there was a massive disturbance in the Force, and that the mission to aid the Mandolorians had not gone as planned. Blue eyes made their way up the ramp to the gravsled and the massive Zeltron making their way down it. The lump in his throat that had been threatening to form the past few days was still there, and he was doing his best to keep it at bay as his body began to shake. He coldly observed, for the first time just how small the Grand Master had been physically. You were a titan in the Force, Master. I never realized just how small physically you were, but know that I thought the galaxy of you and what you could do.

With great effort Darron pulled his eyes off of the corpse of the man who had saved him from himself, and made himself acknowledge Jaxton. He could see the emotions bubbling to the surface there too, and Darron could feel his pain radiating in the Force. Despite him trying to run off after talking about how had failed, Darron followed him and put his hand on his arm and forcing him to look back into the Jedi Master's eyes as he addressed him. "Look at me, and understand right now Jaxton, you failed no one. He did his duty just like any and all of us would have. We are Jedi, not gods, we can't save everyone and Teferi knew his duty was the only thing of importance. He died doing the right thing, and you need to see that. I can understand your pain Padawan, but please know he died doing what he loved and he made a difference in this galaxy. Not one soul would be here today without him, and his passing is not your fault. I have already read Master Vondiranach's report and I know how well you served. So please, feel no guilt, he's at peace."

The Jedi Master left the two Jedi standing by themselves as he approached the gravsled and slid his hand of flesh on to the Grand Master's head, where he massaged those deep wrinkles. A moment passed where he hoped against all hope that this was some joke, that he'd see the Jedi Master's chest rise and fall. To no avail though, nothing changed, and as he rubbed his palm over Teferi's chest he could feel the massive wound in his chest. With his other hand he took the small lightsaber hilt that had belong to the Grand Master of the centuries and idly clipped it to his belt. The lightsaber was the ultimate expression of who a Jedi was, and Teferi's would not be idly handled. Darron just didn't have a clue as to what to do with it at the moment so he put it on his person for safe keeping. What are we going to do Master Teferi? I need some answers here...the Order needs you and so do I.

A light touch on his forearm broke his reverie just before the flood gates fell, his tear-filled eyes looked to the Jedi Knight. Teynara Jeralyr was her name if his memory served correctly, he had remembered meeting her a few months ago back at the Jedi temple. She had been rather blunt with him about his treatment of droids and his propensity for combat, but her tone indicated she was merely trying to do what she could to help at the moment. His jaw still shaking, Darron leaned slightly on the small woman before regaining his composure. Re-centering himself as he let his pain was out of him and into the Force, he stood up to his full height again and nodded politely to the Jedi Knight before him. "Yes, please see them both to the healers. Also, please get someone to do their best work on the Grand Master's body, the funeral will need to be soon." He paused for a moment before whispering to her. "Thank you, I almost did a very un-Jedi Master like thing."
Jaxton once more came over to Darron, and handed him a small pendant, and Darron's jaw dropped. "He said this was to be mine? You realize that whoever holds this pendant is the Grand Master, Teferi talked at length to me about it." He couldn't find the words to speak as he looked at the simple inscription on the bottom of the pendant.

Whoever holds this pendant, is the Grand Master of the Jedi Order.​

​

"I'm to lead the Jedi?" Darron couldn't help but feel shock as he rolled the simple pendant between his fingers as he talked to himself and those around him. The shock quite evident on his face.

 

[Adele Adonai]

A'dele stood motionless as the current events unfolded. While it was a tragedy that Master Teferi, there was a peace in the knowledge that he was one in the Force for all. Quietly standing at the far end, the young Zabrak padawan stood with full grace and dignity,

At the passing of the pendant, she blinked passively, Master Wraith's shock apparent. Quietly, she added in a soft voice. "I can see no other who would do a finer task, Master Wraith. It was, after all, Master Teferi's wish."

 

[Kamon's OOC]

Kamon stood silently and nodded his head to Darron. He really didn't want to deal with this anymore and his thoughts turned to Hanna. Where was she? Oh to be in her arms right then would have been much better than standing before the new Grandmaster and all of these other Jedi. He felt eternally small in that moment and didn't want to be there any longer. He wanted to go home. The sense of loss he felt at the death of Master Efreet had awakened strange feelings within him.

"He fought bravely, but he was bested. You are the new Grandmaster, Darron. I trust you will lead wisely."

Looking at Teynara briefly when she approached, he shook his head at her. He honestly didn't want to be healed at the moment, though he certainly did need it. Why should he be healed when the Grandmaster was lying dead on a gravsled? It just wasn't right. Let his wounds, especially the myriad of visible ones, be testament to the horrors of war.

May his wounds serve as a reminder that to be Jedi is to flirt with danger and death.

"I don't want to be healed at the moment. I'll see to it later."

He turned to move along, past Darron and the others. No anger was present within him. Remorse and sadness, but not anger. What he needed was to be alone for a bit. There was a place on Tython he knew that he could go in order to get what he needed. He would be at the funeral, but for now he required nothing more than solitude. Of course a healer could follow him and insist on tending to his wounds, which were obviously paining him as he walked with a severe limp and favoring his right side. If they followed, he wouldn't object. He'd just wanted to show some strength for those gathered.

 

[Rosa Gunn]

Rosa was like a shadow, hovering behind Darron the entire time they waited. While h had been stubborn and refused to have his wounds tended to she had had no choice in the matter, the moment she could though she was at his side. Silent, unwavering. Nothing she could say would make him feel better and she knew that, so she did the best thing she could and she stood by him, offering her comfort and support through the force.

She wanted nothing more than to hold him, to tend to his wounds and see him safe and recovered but the pain inside him was evident and she knew better than to push him, to force him to relax. As his hand moved up to brush the blood from his forehead she drew in a deep breath and found produce a cloth to wipe it away before slipping his hand inside his. She wanted to say everything would be ok, she wanted to share his pain. Slipping an arm round him they waited for the transport to arrive, uncaring of the eyes that were gathering behind them.

As the ramp descended she unhooked herself from him and took half a step back, though she remained close behind him, just in case she needed to support him, just in case his wounds took their toll. Ever watchful, and despite everything incredibly calm. She had never truly known the Grandmaster, but she knew what a great loss it was to those who had, to the Order itself. But despite the pain that resonated all around her she was calm. She knew Teferi was at one with the force, and she had a feeling that whatever pain there was now the worst was yet to come. She could not allow her own misgiving to affect those around her, she needed to be strong. She needed to support Darron.

As the pendant passed hands she felt his shock and moved slowly forward to stand in front of him. Gently she put her finger underneath his chin and made him look at her "Darron Wraith, you are the greatest man I have ever known. You have fought demons none of us could ever dream about and never strayed from your path. You lay in the darkness alone and you came out greater than ever before. You have been asking yourself why ever since. This was why. Because someone knew we would need you, some knew that the best man to lead us through whatever lay ahead, was in the wrong era." Gently she took the pin from his hands and fixed it to his robe. "Teferi believed in you. I believe in you and so does everyone behind me."

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

Jaxton looked at Master Wraith. He didn't know Master Vondiranach very well, but from what he had seen of Darron, Jaxton felt he was qualified. You don't get statues for nothing. As Master Wraith looked confused and shocked at the prospect of leading, Jaxton remembered when he first came to the Corellia Rouges, and was expected to lead to lead the team as a rookie. He never showed it, but he was a bit afraid just like Wraith was now. He thought about how his emotions affected the team, for better or worse. Jaxton then put his hand on Master Wraith's shoulder, "You'll do fine Master Wraith." He said, fully meaning what he said but his tone came flat, still consumed by the sorrow of his loss. He pulled the Grandmaster in and hugged him, and as he did he whispered in the man's ears. "I'm sure you know this already, but show no fear. They'll all be watching you now. Good luck." He finished then released the new Grandmaster.

Jaxton then turned to see a woman he had met in the invasion incident. @[member="Teynara Jeralyr"] was her name. He remembered she was extremely anti-fighting. Jaxton caught himself wishing he was in her shoes, but then thought better of it. Being entrusted with lives everyday as a healer didn't sound like a fun life.

"Hey there Tey." Jaxton opened up a conversation, trying to sound as friendly as he could. "I think Master Vondiranach has a broken rib. I'm no expert, but I've seen men walk like him on the court." He said, referencing his pro career, but also trying to get the medics on Vondiranach and off of him. "All I need is some ice." Jaxton said, underplaying his injury.

 

[Teynara Jeralyr]

@[member="Jaxton Ravos"] @[member="Kamon Vondiranach"]

Listening to Master Wraith, Teynara had the absurd urge to laugh outloud, but knew better than to do so at such a solemn moment. Even so, she couldn't quite help but indulge that slightly amusing thought that ran through her head, namely Him? Grandmaster? Someone warn Maintenance before he demolishes the entire Temple. For some reason, she had the crazy thought that, with him in charge, it might only be a matter of time, judging the things she'd seen him get up to before now.

That said, she had to assume that the former Grandmaster had his reasons for choosing Wraith to head up the Order now that he was gone, so maybe the tall man had other qualities that he simply hadn't displayed in Teynara's view that made him worthy to hold such high office. Certainly that's true if you listen to Rosa..., the blonde woman noted with a touch of amusement, rather tickled by the other woman's forceful affirmation of the new Grandmaster. Maybe there's something between those two. She couldn't really think of any other reason why Rosa would be quite so...well, encouraging. After all, she's seen the damage he can do with just a single room and a few training droids...

Jaxton walked over to her, the two of them watching the other Jedi walk away after claiming that he didn't need medical help. Like hell he doesn't, she thought cooly, watching with her pale-blue eyes as he tried to limp away as though nothing was wrong. At least her Zeltron comrade had been kind enough to fill her in as to what the problem was. She shook her head with a whirl of long blonde tresses, then turned her eyes back towards Jaxton, the lids narrowing slightly as she stared at him.

"Yes? And what injuries are you trying to hide in an effort to seem tough and manly?", she asked in a tone that was about as playful as a Rancor about to chow down. "I need ice" means he has some swelling and probably more than just a bump and bruise, she thought, glaring at him, though with little force behind it. They probably just want time to get their thoughts together, but that's something they can both do while they're floating in a Bacta tank, if it comes to that. "Let's not be stubborn now," she said, her tone softening a few notches. "I doubt Master Teferi would appreciate either of you remaining in pain now that he is beyond it himself," she remarked, tapping the Zeltron lightly on the chest with a finger.

She started walking away, offering a light and slightly ironic bow in the direction of the new Grandmaster before spinning around and moving in pursuit of the one Jaxton had referred to as 'Master Vondiranach'. She caught up with him quickly enough - hard not to, given that he was sporting what Jax thought was a broken rib, while she was hale and hearty, as always. She stayed silent for a moment, simply watching him to see if he was indeed as injured as the other Jedi had suggested - and she had a feeling that he was. He's definitely in pain - I can feel that much from here, she thought.

"I've always wondered: when a Jedi Master collapses in pain, does he scream, or does he try and remain stoically silent?", she asked softly, lifting an eyebrow inquisitively, her expression merely that of someone curious and wishing to satisfy that. "I'm just going to follow you for a while, in the name of empirical research. But if you decide you want to stop in at the Medbay before that happens, do let me know," she added, a faint smile curving her lips.

 

[Darron Wraith]

His mind was so heavy with everything he was trying to take in, the dumbfounded expression still plastered to his face. So this is your epic plan, leave me to lead in our darkest hours since the Gulag Plague? The Jedi couldn't help but snort slightly as Rosa approached him and took the pin from him and placed it on his lapel, the look of shock still on his face as he saw Jaxton came up to regard them too. The trio stood there in silence, and Darron was drowning in his thoughts. For the first time in years, he was no longer calm and in control, quite the opposite actually. He was drowning in his emotions and he had completely lost his center in the Force. The loss of Master Teferi was enough as it was, but to be passed the torch so suddenly was eye opening to say the least.

You hand me the keys to the kingdom, and I was gone the last two decades?

That thought alone left him spinning as he remembered how he had been trapped in carbonite for two decades. A memory randomly bubbled to the surface where Teferi had told him nearly three decades ago that he was the right Jedi for the wrong time, then he flashed to Ashin's prophecy. Could all of this be linked? Was I put on ice just for this moment here? The question permeated his mind for a few moments as he brought his blue eyes to regard the assembled throng before him, each of them looking as afraid if not more than he was. Gone were the looks of questioning, they were all looking to him for answers and Darron knew that. It didn't take a connection to the Force to see that, it was written all over them. Okay Wraith, center yourself, you aren't selfish so don't start being now. The mental kick was just what he needed as he felt the massive arms of the Zeltron around his torso hugging him tightly. Darron reciprocated the embraced and patted Jaxton on the back as he spoke advice to him.

"You're right friend, they need me now. We will talk later when I officially debrief you. You are ordered to the healers Knight Ravos, Darron said Jaxton's new rank casually, but with enough authority for the Zeltron to know the promotion was real. For your dedication to the Order, and being a good friend, and your skill in battle I make it official." He gently patted his shoulder as he motioned for Jaxton to go with Teynara and receive treatment.

A few deep breaths, and what was ripped asunder and destroyed stood whole and ready to lead. He towered among all those there, with the exception of Jaxton, and his sway was gone as he found his balance. Be the leader they need Darron, you don't need to be Teferi, just be yourself. His eternal calm returned to his face as he started to try and find the words to address those assembled at the ship when Rosa spoke from the heart in front of the Order, and made him pause in her wake. A look of shock momentarily returned, and it took everything within him to keep from kissing her in public. Instead he took her hand, even though his was covered in blood from his wounds, he nodded an apology before the words formed from his lips.

"Thank you...thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do without you, I was damaged when we found each other and without you now I wouldn't be whole again. I've never been one to believe in myself, but if you and everyone believes in me then I will do my best." He looked out at the assembled crowd as he continued to address Rosa through their telepathic link. Rosa Mazhar...you beautiful woman. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I.....love you. He broadcast his feelings just to her so she would know he meant every word of it before he took a few steps forward so that the assembled throng before him could hear him clearly before he addressed him.

"Well it seems I have been promoted to Grand Master, that being said. I can't be Teferi Efreet, I can only be Darron Wraith. I promise to do my best and lead this Order down the right path with all of you helping me down that path ahead. Our first Order of business is to tend to the wounded and prepare for the former Grand Master's funeral. Am I clear?"

 

[Kamon's OOC]

@[member="Teynara Jeralyr"]

Of course she would follow him. Healers always took their work very seriously, and they always had some sarcastic comment ready for anyone that was injured enough to need healing but wouldn't go receive it. At least Kamon had his reasons beyond the fact that he was stubborn. Which, mind you, he was stubborn as hell because that was in his nature. Combination of Echani and Corellian blood. Not so good for being reasonable about things.

As for what his wounds exactly were, there were many. One, a broken rib on his right side. Two, a lightsaber slashed, cauterized, on his left side. Three, a myriad of scorching burns across his body from being hit at close range with Force Lightning. Four, a slightly irregular heartbeat as a result of the energy coursing through his body when he'd received wound number three.

"An Echani does not scream in pain. If he screams, it is to tell a story."

Let her decipher that as she would. Sometimes Kamon could be quite cryptic with what he had to say. The girl was still following him, but he continued to walk along. Ironically enough, she reminded him a bit of his own daughter, except that her focus seemed much greater than Spencer's did. Not that such was necessarily a good thing.

They continued to walk, leaving the others behind as he approached the temple. He was still limping, and holding an arm to his right side, but he didn't show any signs of stopping as he walked into the temple and towards a lift. She was still following after him, and he stood in the lift, leaning against the wall as they shot up to the top of the temple, to a meditation room. He walked out then, and turned to look at her.

"Why are healers so dedicated to healing that they must follow someone along who said he would be fine?"

 

[Teynara Jeralyr]

@[member="Kamon Vondiranach"] @[member="Jaxton Ravos"]

Teynara eyed the older Jedi with a slightly critical expression as he stepped out of the turbolift, then followed him, with that almost sadistic sense of 'no, you're not going to lose me that easily'. It was mean, and she knew fully well that he wanted to be left alone, but Echani or not, he was still a Jedi, and as far as she was aware, Jedi were only supposed to do dumb things for some noble purpose, not as a display of macho manliness, or stubborn pride or for any similar reasons. Put simply, if it wasn't helping someone else, all you were doing was hurting yourself, and no Healer would allow it.

She was a little amused by the backchat, though. You got that sometimes, from patients, particularly those who either believed they knew best, hated the fact that they actually didn't, or simply wanted to vent their irritation and/or embarrassment at needing medical assistance, and did so by directing a sarcastic remark or thirty at the nearest person with medical training. Which is fine, because I can be sarcastic in return, but it does make the whole 'do no harm' thing a bit of a nuisance sometimes. There were, honestly, moments where she tempted just to smack them upside the head with something heavy purely so they'd be unconscious and unable to complain about spending time in the Medibay.

"Well, I could leave you alone, it's true," she said, taking a slightly different tack, placing her hands on her slender hips and tilting her head to the side in a manner that was a little less confrontational than her usual staring. "You only have a broken rib, so I'm sure it can repair itself without being bound up or anything. Of course, it might slip and puncture a lung, but you don't really need Oxygen, do you?", she asked rhetorically, a touch of sarcasm added to her inflection now. "Besides, there's a simple rule in medicine: never let a patient dictate their treatment or lack of it if they haven't been under a medical scanner," Teynara added, more seriously this time.

That one had a pretty simple reason for it: you might think you only have a broken rib, but the truth might be far worse than that, and nobody would know that for sure until they'd been checked out by a professional, using the appropriate equipment for that purpose. There is no Ignorance..., or at least that's what the Code said, and that, to Teynara, absolutely dictated that anyone with a suspected injury get it checked out - if they wanted to refuse treatment afterwards, that was fine, but it wouldn't be ethical not to at least make sure they knew the risks that came with it. And dealing with stubborn patients is what we do. Just forcing the others to attend their bi-annual physicals was a hassle all by itself.

"So, I guess you've got two choices: relent and come to the Medibay, in which case you spend a little while in my charming company and then get sent on your way none the worse for wear," she said softly, offering her most friendly of smiles, knowing fully well that she was being a little manipulative here. "Or you can enjoy my company forever, which is to say, until you fall dead from whatever ails you. By the looks of you, it won't be too long now. It's okay. I can wait a while," the blonde observed calmly, her smile not shifting so much as a millimeter.

 

[Kamon's OOC]

@[member="Teynara Jeralyr"]

"I'm not going to die anytime soon. I refuse to die unless it's on the battlefield."

He walked over to a quiet corner of the room and sat himself down, which rather hurt like all get out. Still, he wasn't about to relent and go to the medical bay. Besides, there was more to it than her eyes could see. He was beat up to all hell, sure, but going to the med bay and getting stuck in bacta tank was out of the question. Especially since he doubted that they had a viable alternative to bacta.

"I'm allergic to bacta and I doubt you have anything else just lying around. Most don't. So unless you're going to heal me with the Force, I'm not going to the medbay."

That said, he slid his outer robe off and to the side. Wincing, he reached back behind him and started undoing the clasps of his armor. If nothing else it would feel good to be out of the restrictive get up he'd been wearing for a while now. Armor had its usefulness, but he was going to have to find something better in the future than the old Jedi armor.

Pulling that armor off, he set it to the side before wincing as he lifted his tunic with a groan escaping him. Soon enough he was naked from the waist up, revealing an intense network of old scars covering the majority of his body. Suffice to say, Kamon had seen a great many battles and lived to tell the tale, but taken his licks in the process of doing so. Hanna always seemed to like his scars so he didn't complain much.

Mixed in with the old were hundreds of new burn marks, fresh and blackened. On top of that, there was a long gash down his side which had started to ooze blood from his movements to remove his garb. He lifted his eyes to look at Teynara, wondering what she thought about the muscular, damaged body in front of him. What was her plan of action.

 

[Rosa Gunn]

Rosa couldn't have cared less that Darron's hand was covered in blood, to hear him say what he said, both out loud and in her head was enough to make her forget all he worries. I love you. she replied telepathically moving to onside, carefully concealing her joy. It was not the best emotion to throw around when everyone else was grieving but hse was happy, and she was calm. As Darron moved forward to address everyone, Rosa turned to the small green form that had been Teferi.

Moving forward she placed a hand lightly on his head. I'm sorry I never got the chance to know you. You inspired many. May you find peace in the force. She looked back at Darron sensing his strength in the force, but also the waning strength of his body. Moving to stand next to him she gave him a concerned look. "That includes yourself, Grand Master." She caught sight of Tey moving after Kamon, and her eyes scanned Jaxton "And you, Ravos. Solitude can be sought soon enough." Her voice was soft, but there was a sternness behind it that could not be ignored.

She moved to the gravboard where Teferi lay. Let's get him inside and get you seen to. No arguing. She sent telepathically to Darron. It wouldn't do so well to chastise him in public in his new position.

 

[Adele Adonai]

@[member="Jaxton Ravos"]

Aquamarine eyes quietly saw Teynara drift over towards Master Vondiranach, leaving the Zeltron padawan on his own. He was Master Ryori's, if she recalled correctly, thinking rather fondly of the woman. They had an interesting connection, to say the least.

"A simple application of ice is unlikely to aid in your affliction," she said in a soft murmur, padding her way over to the Zeltron after having caught his comment to Teynara earlier. Dressed in Voss mystic robes, one would not be able to tell that she was Iridonian were it not for the lavender tattoos decorating her alabaster visage. Her primary focus was healing, having had to mend some of Master Ryori's own wounds when they'd aided the Killik crisis on Alderaaan many years ago.

"Padawan Ravos, is it?""

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

Jaxton wasn't sure how he felt on being promoted to Knight. On onehand, it was a dream come true, being promoted to Knight in less than a year of training. It almost put him on track for his age. On the other hand however, he hated the circumstances that brought it about and felt drastically underqualified. Jaxton had no qualms about giving his all to the Jedi Order, they'd given him a home and purpose greater than anything else he'd found in life, even the Corellia Rogues, but Jaxton simply wasn't sure if he had all that to give. He felt stupid, for letting the Sith into Coruscant. He felt slow, for not being quick enough to answer Teferi's call for help. He felt like he would never get any control of his emotions. He knew he shouldn't be as gloomy and self-destructive as he was, but he just couldn't bring himself not to feel the way he did. Sometimes Jaxton felt like being a Zeltron was a horrible fate for a Jedi. Sure, you have the cool pheromones and the ability to read emotions, but you have to fight the urge to just give in to your emotions, go to the parties, drink the drinks, smoke the spice . . . ohhh, the spice. Jaxton wanted a stim so bad right now.

And then Tey assaulted him for his lack of wanting medical attention. Honestly, in Jaxton's opinions, his injuries weren't that bad. He had taken a little Force Lightning yeah, but t was of a Sith Knight, not a Master. Other then that all he had were a few 2nd and 3rd degree burns from the explosion. But she was off after Master Vondiranach before he could say a word. And Mast- Grandmaster Wraith, had ordered him to follow her and go to the Medbay. Well, she had just taken off, so looked he was out of having to go to-

"A simple application of ice is unlikely to aid in your affliction," Jaxton heard and turned to find an . . . iridonian( @[member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member="A'dele"] ) it seemed by the tattoos. Looked like Jaxton would have to go to medbay after all. "Padawan Ravos, is it?" She asked, and Jaxton merely shrugged.

"Apparently not anymore. You can call me Jaxton." Jaxton said and extended a hand. He could tell she was a healer, and while he wanted to wriggle his way out of it he knew he was going to the Med-bay one way or another. "And you are?"

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Inigo arrived and kept silent in respect for those higher in station that him, however he could ignore the wounded and those who needed his help. Approaching the blue haired warrior and the blond woman he said, "Greetings. My name is Padawan Inigo Montoya. If I may be of help, I could treat you here right now instead of having to go all the way down to med bay."

 

[Selena Halcyon]

There was a somberness in the temple on this day. Many were mourning the death of the grandmaster of the Jedi. Word had trickled in that during the Battle of Junction he had fallen. A warrior's death, she thought. Falling in combat to the hands of the Sith in defense of the Mandalorian people. More importantly though. It was a Jedi's death. She nodded thinking on it. Those that were mourning she did understand. Yes, he would be missed but he died in the purest way possible as a Jedi. He died doing his duty. It was a sad event but it was a reminder that the cost of being a Jedi could result in death. As she thought about it... it humbled her to think about. He had been the Grandmaster of the Jedi, arguably the most powerful and most certainly the most wise Jedi currently around. She was but a Knight. She lived a dangerous life, where she almost constantly could die at any moment. She dealt with the worst of the galaxy in her battle against the underworld. However, that conflict seemed so unimportant given the tremendous reality that the Sith were looming just beyond Mandalorian space and they were intent on defeating the Republic. She had dealt with the Sith before, but not in the large scale war. She knew that soon she would need to request her responsibilities shifted to the war. Others could do what she did. Not all could fight or had the amount of combat experience that she did.

 

[Adele Adonai]

@[member="Jaxton Ravos"]

If she found amusement with his comment, her expression did not show it. Instead, she passively blinked at the Zeltron, observing him carefully - not in the manner that a woman would - but that of a healer. Ironic really, considering his looks and his race.

"Then, you've two choices Jaxon," she began, her voice holding a slight accent that would be hard to pinpoint. "You can either go to the med-bay," she blinked again passively at him, "Or I can tend to your wounds here." It mattered not to her the arena where she could do her craft.