Going with the Current

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"I grew up on a world that has a long winter, I could never do Jakku or Tatooine," she said, sighing as she agreed with his assessment of the village. The Fallanassi had left this place and now they were at a dead end.

"Well this complicates things," she said, sitting down in the middle of the village with a huff and a small dust cloud. "They had to know that others might come looking for them ... so perhaps there is a clue somewhere of where they went." Tapping her chin, she continued to muse aloud, "But if they left one ... oh that makes total sense. If they left a clue, they would want to know if someone is worthy ... they would hide it in a White Current illusion. But a person coming here to learn wouldn't know how to use the White Current to find the clue ... unless it's such a minuscule immersion that perhaps one could find it without a deep immersion..."

 

[Connor Harrison]

"Well there goes the retirement plan," he muttered as he walked the perimeter of the village.

Glancing back, he let Taeli talk to herself as he peered through doorways, past archways and in bushes with a handful of fauna growing on them. More animals scurried around and the ocean breeze occasionally blew through. Connor could hear her talking aloud but he wasn't paying too much attention until he picked up the final few words.

He walked over and stood in front of her. With a small bow, he gestured out with his hand.

"After you, Miss Raaf. Don't let me distract you."

There was nobody better focused mentally and emotionally to tap into these beings than [member="Taeli Raaf"].

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," she said, before settling her emotions and thoughts down. It wouldn't do to be distracted by the man with her right now. She needed to focus on the task at hand or else they might never find the Fallanassi.

Breathing deeply, she tried to immerse herself in the ebbs and flows of the Force, to sink into the currents and the all-encompassing thing that was all around them. Her eyes closed, she just let the flows carry her senses around, looking for anything that might help them. Everything around the area was so subtle, the Fallanassi had left an imprint of themselves here and it affected how the Force worked on this island. Things were so much quieter here than on other worlds... and a small ripple struck her person. Nothing violent, but a ripple of something hidden here.

Getting to her feet, but keeping her eyes closed, she followed the ripple slowly ... carefully to not disturb anything. Any rash movement might disrupt everything and she would lose that ripple in the many caused by her excitement or sudden movements that broke the harmony and movement of the Force. Opening her eyes, she had walked into one of the buildings but she couldn't see anything that might help them with her eyes. The ripple had led her here though ... there had to be something left here that could help. Still moving very carefully, she ran her hand along the wall and kept her senses in the ebbs.

Her hand stopped at a certain point on the wall and with care, she could feel a hidden compartment behind it. A soft command of the Force and the wall panel slid open to reveal ... a music box.

"Interesting," she muttered, grabbing the music box and setting it on the table. Opening it, she watched the projected ballerina twirl and the soft music played. The Force wouldn't have led her to this box unless it was important. Placing herself back in the ebb and flow of the Force, she examined the box for several long moments until she caught the tiniest flash of something.

Stopping, she let out a long slow breath to quiet herself even more and then she saw a row of glyphs. They had to be hidden by the Force, probably the White Current, but how could she see them? Was she so immersed in the flow around her they became visible enough for her to interact with. It was a glyph puzzle, and for the longest time, probably enough for Connor to come over and look over her shoulder, she figured out the pattern and slid the glyphs around.

A moment passed, then a small holoprojector emerged and projected a woman with pale skin and black hair, on the shorter side but she carried herself with a sense of duty and responsibility.

[ I am Nohemi Allaneh, ambassador to the Fallanassi and daughter to Niloo Van Dara Allaneh ,leader of the current Order of the White Current. ]

There was no pause, no hesitation, for she had been taught to accept the nature of the galaxy as it was.


[ Master Ravos, I ask for your aid in finding sanctuary for myself and that of my people at Pydyr. ]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor stood silently, folded his arms and swayed gently as he watched Taeli. She was very safe to be around and he had total confidence in her; from her history of both Dark and Light Force prowess, knowing her meditative state would lead her somewhere was a given. She was very wise, and Connor was far beneath her in terms of mental ability that was certain.

It took a while before she moved, and Connor said nothing and moved little only when she had passed. It was like some trance he didn’t dare disturb; who knew where she was right now in the Force spectrum, or what she was seeing.

Watching her move away from the small plaza and into a hut, Connor turned and waited a little longer. No noise, nothing. He began to gently walk towards the hut, arms still folded and trying to appear non-threatening to anyone – or anything – that was watching him.

Taeli was still there in the wide room in the sparse hut which looked very rundown. Without speaking, he moved a few steps behind her and watched what she was doing with some glyphs and puzzles, which in turn revealed the prize only the worthy could find.

As a voice from the past begin to speak to her, Connor smiled and nodded behind her back. She never let him down.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

Getting herself out of the Force, she blinked several times and looked behind her at Connor leaning in the doorway.

"Well, I guess I found a clue of sorts," she said, her smile widening. "Not exactly what I was hoping to find, was hoping for a clear clue but then maybe that was too obvious to ask for. This Master Ravos would know where they are. Do you know who that might be? I don't remember any mention of that Jedi by anyone in the Republic or in the archives for us."

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor winked at her as she smiled, but soon frowned gently as she asked his help. He doubted he could be any – he was useless to most people pretty much. Still, best to try. He ran his fingers over his lightly stubbled jaw and tapped the fingers one at a time.

"Ravos. Master Ravos. I’ve heard that name before. Ravos…"

Pinching his nose, Connor closed his eyes for what felt like minutes as he thought. Then, he clicked his fingers and opened them.

"I know one Ravos. Jackson – Jax – Jackster Ravos? Something like that? Thurion mentioned him eons ago to us when we were starting to find our way. He was a teacher, his Master or someone who had helped him. I’m sure of it – I can hear the name. Jax…something. That’s the Ravos I know. Do you think it’s the same? I don’t know who he is, I’m sorry. Do you want me to contact Thurion if you need his help?"

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Now I'm not a betting woman, I stay away from the games of chance, I'd wager that this is the same man that was mentioned to you. If you wouldn't mind contacting Thurion, we need more information," Taeli said, closing the lid on the holoprojector and placing the music box back where she found it. She wasn't going to be a reason that others seeking out the knowledge of the Fallanassi might not find them.

"Look, we have a lead to go on now and that is more than I expected to find, and I'm quite confident you and your contacts will be able to help," she said, coming over and placing a hand on Connor's shoulder with a soft smile. "Let's head back to my ship as I think we found everything we needed to here."

Half an hour later, she was sitting down in the cockpit of her ship while she expected Connor to be accessing the comm to get in touch with the people he needed to to figure out who Master Ravos was and where he might have helped the Fallanassi move to.

 

[Connor Harrison]

While the speeder ride was slightly easier on the way back, the walk was nice and he spent it brushing up on his understanding of the culture and Force history of the planet from the walking dictionary beside him.

--

Back in the warmth of the ship, Connor made his way to the cockpit for a hopefully communication relay to Voss and to find [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] if he was there and back from Toola. If not, he would certainly leave a holomessage for information on one Master Ravos. It was a long shot, but hopefully the Grandmaster would understand this was part of his journey to redemption; to understanding and to fulfilment.

He signed off and walked back towards the main hold where Taeli was waiting. And studying away.

"Now, we wait," Connor said walking through the passageway,"and it shouldn't be too long unless he's not there. Do you have faith we will find what you're looking for? What if this trail runs cold?"

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Connor, in all the time I've been traveling the galaxy, I've learned to not give up hope on finding what one seeks," Taeli said, leaning back in her chair as they waited to hear back from [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] about a Master Ravos. "The Force will lead us to that which we all seek ... and I'm just plain ol' stubborn. If this lead burns out, we'll simply have to search for other ones."

They at least had evidence that the Fallanassi had not been wiped out and simply moved. That alone made her want to pursue every lead to find them and learn from them.

"So tell me about what happened on Toola while we wait?" she asked, her eyes turning soft as they looked at him. "What did Azurea want?"

 

[Connor Harrison]

"Shouldn't be too long my dear."

Connor ambled across to the seat he had left his greatcoat over and sank into hit, lounging down and letting his boots swing him back and forward gently, a sort of comfort as he spoke.

"Nothing much really," he shrugged - averting the whole truth of his actions. "Setzi, this Azurea, wanted pretty much what any sister would. Her sibling. She had a name - mine - and a plant - Voss. Two and two equals trouble and so that's why I was there. To avoid her moving to Voss with her little army of Sith and do damage to the Order."

He twirled his fingers around each other, hoping Thurion would intercut the story.

"Some of my allies were hurt, badly. And that again is my fault for bringing them to the planet. I should have gone alone. But, then I know if I had I'd be dead. Or taken prisoner. There was a good number of them and I had to contend with three. Azurea, some young Acolyte and one wearing a mask who gave me the creeps quite frankly."

A small swallow, and his skin crawled.

"I did alright. I did alright," he looked at her and tried to smile, nodding gently.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"We're Jedi, Connor, and your friends aren't exactly going to leave you in the lurch in a dangerous place," Taeli said, coming over and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry I told her about Chastity and where she might find her. We fought each other on Contruum and I took a gamble that knowing her sister was alive might help redeem her. Seems I just pushed her further to the dark side, maybe I would have gotten through to her if her master hadn't been there."

Absentmindedly, she started giving Connor a shoulder massage as she thought about that day.

"I am glad everyone got out in one piece, if they got injured," she continued saying. "Did you get any of them?"

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

The holocomm flickered to life as Thurion's likeness appeared before them. Reception was patchy, but enough to keep a somewhat steady connection. "Connor, it is good to see you again so soon. And you, Taeli," he greeted them with a nod and a smile. He'd only met the latter sporadically, but he knew Connor was travelling with Covus' sister. "I got your message regarding Master Ravos and the Fallanassi. In truth it has been some time since last I saw Jaxton," he began, stroking his beard. "[member="Jaxton Ravos"] was my weapons instructor during my teenage years on Teth, before the Coalition or even the Levantine Sanctum. He took me under his wing after my master disappeared, presumed dead in an explosion. I owe him much, and I count him as a good friend to this day. He still lives on Laekia, last I heard."

"However," he continued. "I was not present when the Fallanassi were relocated, so I am scarce on details. I do know that the Fallanassi do not wish to be found, and only those who were there to assist in the relocation would know how to find them. Should you have trouble tracking down Jaxton, there are others who were present. [member="Jorus Merrill"], [member="Seydon of Arda"]... and [member="Jericho"]. He was on Toola with us, Connor. He would be your best bet."

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Taeli Raaf"]​

 

[Connor Harrison]

"Mm, perhaps."

Connor lulled his head forward, letting Taeli administer the shoulder massage without even thinking and closed his eyes. Her touch felt good, and comforting and the pains began to crumble into relaxation, to help with the next question she asked.

"Well, I think - " he didn't get far before the dormant projector at the head of the hold sprang to life and none other than [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] came into view with a warm welcome and a helpful message.

Connor jumped slightly, but strangely didn't move form under Taeli's hands and instead sat forward a little, resting an arm on his knee.

"I know [member="Jericho"] - yes, he's a strong Jedi indeed. I'm afraid I don't know of the others, but I know you've given us more than we had 30 seconds ago. Thank you Thurion, and thank you for coming to Toola. I know...I know it wasn't easy. I'm sorry, for everything."

The dam began to buckle when faced with the pressure of the sins of the past. He shook his head and turned away to let Taeli focus on what she needed.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"Connor," Thurion added before he would leave the two to their buisness. "Be safe out there. There are many here who love and care about you. If you ever need me for something, just give me a call. I know what you must be going through, thinking yourself unworthy of friends and people who trust you. I still trust you, Connor. I know you'll find what you seek and come home. And I'll be there to greet you, old friend." He then offered them both a respectful bow. "Thurion, out."

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Taeli Raaf"]​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

"Thank you for the information, Thurion, and I'll be sure this one doesn't get into too much trouble," Taeli said, smiling at the morose looking Connor. Once Thurion signed out, Taeli sighed and sat down on the arm of Connor's chair.

"Well, I guess we need to contact one of them or go visit wherever they are to find the Fallanassi," Taeli said, tapping her chin. "Maybe you should contact this Jericho person. If he was there when they relocated, he would know where they are now."

That was when she realized how close she was sitting to him and she had been giving him a massage. A blush started to creep up her cheeks and she skittered over to another chair.

"Sorry," she said, bowing her head.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Pinching his brow, eyes closed as he rocked gently on the chair, he failed to acknowledge Thurion in time before he left, but he heard everything. He didn’t even notice Taeli so close to him and then move, but he heard everything. Letting out a sigh, he wiped his face and leant back on the chair, coming back to reality.

"I can hear his shout, and I can see her lying in the snow, the blood underneath her spilling out. A young girl, I don’t know – standing by her Jedi allies answering the call of “some Master”, and she takes a blade to the back and nearly died. I didn’t even mean for pain to follow me but it still did."

He covered his mouth with his hand as he started at a green digital read out of numbers and symbols on the wall next to him, not knowing what it meant, just following the pattern.

"She’ll be alright, but…there’s just always this shadow looming over me at the moment. I guess this is why I’m here; to avoid hurting anyone. I shouldn’t have gone there. I need to see this through."

With a stifled yawn, he rubbed his nose gently and turned in the chair to his companion sitting, looking sorry for herself.

"Quit your moping," he said, knowing it would irk her, "and then I’ll see if I can find [member="Jericho"] and patch him through here."

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Stop moping yourself," she said, her head coming up as she stared at him. "Don't beat yourself up over what happened. We're Jedi and we all know the risks fighting the dark side brings. At least tell me you held your own during that fight or were your combat skills a bit rusty from neglect?"

She was teasing somewhat, but it was also a legitimate concern. He had to have at least done decently considering he was in one piece, but she was still worried.

"Also, what is so fascinating my stygium cloak's cooldown counter?" she asked, seeing him looking at the green numbers. "Get a hold of your friend so we can get this show on the road again."

 

[Connor Harrison]

Recoiling a little, Connor saw that attractive little viper coming out of the prim and proper Raaf.

"I’m allowed to feel a pang of remorse for a young kid getting knifed in the back because so followed my call for help aren’t I? And yes I think I held my own thank you very much – I’m here aren’t I? Not dead? I was outnumbered 3 to one y’know at one point." He paused a second. "Yes, a bit rusty but, again, I survived."

He cocked a thumb to the read-out on the wall.

"Is that was that thing was? Sorry, nerd."

Spinning in his chair, he laced his hands on his chest.

”What’s the rush? I'll get hold of him soon. Getting kind of tense aren’t you?"

And then, he smiled – a smug, self-assured smile. The kind you just wanted to smack off a smug face.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"I just want to solve the puzzle," she said, the color in her face rising as he gave that smug smile again. That irritating, but so attractive smug smile that she both wanted to kiss and slap off of him. "Although your opponents must not have been the strongest, three on one and they couldn't do any damage to you beyond maybe a few cuts and bruises? Really?

Maybe she was a little tense, a little high strung right now ... but kark it, it had started when she had noticed she was massaging his neck. It had been absentminded, yes, but she had promised herself she wouldn't be so overt or anything in her feelings and yet here she was getting flustered by the man.

"Maybe I am a bit tense right now," she admitted. "If I am, I blame you of course."

The last was added as a major tease to him and his ego. She couldn't help herself in this case, it just came out so naturally.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Giving her a bemused look, a scoff, Connor was irked.

"Excuse me? I told you I didn’t want to talk about it anyway – it was your big mouth that led her to me and thus to Toola, so thanks for that. And she wanted far more from me being alive than dead. I had help, don’t worry."

He was getting frustrated now. It was bound to happen. It always did eventually with her. He was still fragile, but over the peak of the mountain, yet he was here in an absurd situation that never seemed to slow down. Sitting up, he rested his arm on his knee and pointed to her.

"You dragged me out here, sweetheart, don’t forget that. Dragged from one side of the galaxy to the other and then being pulled to help others because of my own failure that you happily dropped me in. So you’re tense? You? Ha. You’ve nothing to be tense about except which book to read next."

With a wave of a hand, he dismissed anything she may say and sat back, shaking his head.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]