Public Home for the... the day. (Open to Jedi)

[Caltin Vanagor]

TRUE GLORY IS NOT IN NEVER FALLING...
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Location: Coruscant​

Equipment: Conservator and Vanguard 2.0 (Lightsabers)​

Comm-link, Rebreather, Custom Robes​

Starship: Starlight Sentinel, (Dilorian in cargo bay)​

Companion: Astromech R01R - "Roller", Pilot droid Mu51c - "Music"​

Tag: @​

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“Freighter SJSS #041273, this is Coruscant flight control, identify your occupants, destination, and intention.”

Jedi Master, heading to the Temple.

“One moment please.”

This was something that he was not used to, but then again, Caltin had not been on Coruscant in over 850 years. Desbre and Milya were both in group classes, so he had a day to himself and thus decided to visit “home”. The planet hadn’t changed one bit. Sure, it was brighter, the technology and buildings were higher up now, and they was more “gleam” to the upper levels, but the city-planet was the beautiful eyesore it had always been. There was a lot more traffic too, but that was to be expected.

“Starlight Sentinel, welcome to Coruscant. You are clear for flightpath 86-75x30-9, have a safe trip, and enjoy your stay, Master Jedi.”

Acknowledged, and thank you.

Dropping into the planet’s atmosphere, Caltin sat back as his pilot droid “Music” maneuvered into the approved flight-path. They were stuck behind a beat-up “YT”, the ship was showing her age and the black smoke belching out of the ion engines (something that should not happen) was annoying. They were not far from where they would break off and drop to the next path headed to the hangar bay for the Temple. The Senate Building was still as enormous and ugly as ever, but it was still something to see. A testament to what can be done when people get together and “talk it out” rather than fight. Fire-Teams were headed to put out a blaze in the lower levels, they were always busy, unfortunately, but with a metropolis like Coruscant, these things will happen.

Two security air-speeders pulled up on either side, this would and could be disconcerting, but the massive Jedi Master saw their hand gestures as they were coming into a formation. They were there to escort the ship to the Temple, this might be out of paranoia, or security measures, it might not. The big guy did not care either way as he had nothing to hide in why he was on his way there.

“Coruscant Security Alpha-7 to ‘Starlight Sentinel’.”

I’ve got this, “Music”. Go ahead Alpha-7.

He said, tapping the comm-link.

“Just wanted you to have an ease of mind, Master Jedi. Always wanted to fly beside one of you. If you don’t mind, we’ll lead you all the way in.”

A surprised smile and a shrug were all he could come up with for a response. It was a nice thought that his kind was still looked on fondly, at least for the most part. The big guy did need to come up with an actual response though.

Acknowledged. Thank you for the ride.

The rest of the trip through and around the skyrises (through meaning the thru-ways built in them) was easy and something Caltin could take a moment for site-seeing. The Starport was no longer there, it was now some kind of shipwright. Odd, but a prudent repurposing of the enormous complex. The Bazaar was… well it was the Bazaar and would always be that, but that is what made the collection of kiosks and shops so unique.

“Starlight Sentinel, welcome to the Jedi Temple. You are clear for landing in Bay 7a. Please approach at one-tenth sunlight for scanning purposes.”

“Acknowledged.” “Music” took care of this one as Caltin got up and threw on his coat. The hood would stay down, why bother hiding his face? The breeze was cold, in fact, it was something he had forgotten about, so on went a knitted skullcap as he stepped off the loading ramp. The repulsor-lifts were shutting down and the wave of steam rolled out from under the gunship.

It’s funny, he was “home”, but it doesn’t feel like it. Not anymore. Not because of anyone, it just didn’t.

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...BUT IN RISING WHEN WE FALL.

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[Aaran Tafo]

"I really don’t see how this is a problem. It’s just a simple replacement, right?" Aaran's tone was even, if somewhat strained as he stared down at the R2 unit. The small droid glaring back at him. He was met with an outburst of screeches in Binary from the irate Astromech, the Jedi taking a step back from the sudden anger in the repair droid. Letting out an awkward cough, he scratched the back of his head.


"Has it really been twice in the past month?" He asked, somewhat surprised at the number of times he had brought the Freebird into the hanger for repairs. The Knight Errant's frequent journeys into space to respond to all manner of distress calls and cries for help. And certainly, the Freebird tended to get banged up a fair bit during those encounters. But it was always for a good cause! It was not like he would just sit there and let pirates, marauders and the occasional Sith attack innocents.

It was unfortunate that with the state of the ongoing war. Such events were able to happen so alarmingly close to the war.

More reason to finish things quickly.

"Look. You can still fix it right?" He asked, brow quirking upwards in a half-hearted plea. Only to be met with the droid's front compartment open as an arc welder was produced, zapping once at the Padawan's thigh. Causing him to let out a yelp as he backed away. Scampering out of the hanger as he left the droids to their work.

It was of course the usual song and dance. They would fix it, grumble about it considerably. And then Aaran would come down later and give out various puzzles and ciphers for the Astromechs to crack as a reward. The hanger droids all having a soft spot for anything that let them stretch their code-breaking legs. It was usually enough to placate them until next time Aaran came back needing repairs.

Leaving the hanger, hand rubbing at his lightly singed thigh, he found his gaze drifting, a small tingle on the back of his neck signalling an approaching presence.

A rather large, unfamiliar presence.

Frowning, he found his gaze drawn to the approaching Starlight Sentinel. His gaze remaining locked on it, he pulled out the datapad that was issued to him for his various duties in the temple. Glad that Auteme had approved his request to bump his security level a little higher than what a Padawan would normally get. He began to quickly check through the security channels to see just who it is that arrived.

"Caltin Vanagor?" He muttered aloud. Not a name he was familiar with, nor was he a member of the New Jedi Order. Frowning, Aaran considered a few things, finding it odd that someone from the Silver Jedi Concord would show up unannounced like this. Not that they were unwelcome but calling ahead allowed certain things to be prepared.

But still, someone would need to greet the visiting Master. Considering that most of his peers were currently busy with their own duties. That privilege was left to Aaran. Tucking his datapad back into his robes. He made his way towards the landing pad as the new arrival dismounted.

"Master Vanagor." He would call out, striding up towards the man displaced from his own time. Stopping a respectable distance away. Caltin would be faced with an unfamiliar face. Certainly not one from the rather heated meeting between the New Jedi Order and the Silver Jedi Concord some time ago. A tall, heavily built young man. Standing only an inch or two shorter than him. His own form a solid mass of trained, honed muscle. Warrior met warrior, the Padwan's gaze simply studying the other Jedi before acting.

Extending out a hand, he offered it to the visiting master in greeting. "Welcome to Coruscant. To what do we owe your visit?" If nothing else, Aaran would be the picture of the polite host. Offering a friendly, if somewhat professional greeting.

Caltin Vanagor

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

IT'S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN...
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Location: Coruscant Jedi Temple​

Equipment: Conservator and Vanguard 2.0 (Lightsabers)​

Comm-link, Rebreather, Custom Robes​

Starship: Starlight Sentinel, (Dilorian in cargo bay)​

Companion: Astromech R01R - "Roller", Pilot droid Mu51c - "Music"​

Tag: Aaran Tafo​

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Hearing his name was unexpected. Maybe it was one of those who attended one of the joint sessions, maybe Coruscant Security or Flight Control called ahead, maybe Caltin didn’t care either way.

I don’t

I know, just saying. Anyway, as the big guy walked down the ramp, he eyed the individual, surprised the taller man was a Padawan, but then again circumstances happen. Maybe he was a former Sith who recently turned? Maybe … naw who cares. It really doesn’t matter. Caltin did notice the datapad that the kid tucked into a pocket as he stepped off, no sense dwelling.

Then why are you?

I’m not.

Oh, so you’re filling space by arguing?

Anyway, the kid offered a handshake, the least the massive Jedi Master could do was accept it. Giving his own firm one in return, the big guy bowed his head momentarily, never losing eye contact. Not out of mistrust or anything, but out of respect. The kid may be a Padawan, but he was a person who showed him a common courtesy, he deserved it in return. Besides, Caltin did not consider himself above any others, he may be a Master, and he may follow the protocols, but he was just a normal guy. At least in his eyes.

Greetings, you know my name. I am afraid that I am at a loss as I do not know yours.

Stepping back so as not to invade the man’s personal space, he looked around. It was a look of nostalgia and multiple fond memories that came rushing back. He really did look like a child on the morning of Life day. A feeling that he had not had for a long time.

I’m sorry for the intrusion into the… your Temple. This used to be my home a long time ago and I wanted to come back for a visit and reminisce.

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... YET THE DAWN ALWAYS COMES.

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[Aaran Tafo]

"Aaran Tafo." He answered smoothly upon the visiting Master drawing a blank on his own identity, giving the slightest bow of his head as he did so. Part of him relieved that at the very least the man before him was not one of the more standoffish types and could respond to common courtesy in kind. Always a refreshing experience.

He gave another slight nod at Caltin's explanation. "I can relate. I've been distant from the Galactic scene myself until rather recently. I understand the desire to reconnect." He said, before stepping aside and holding out one arm as if to formally allow the Jedi Master to pass. Welcoming him into the temple. "And you are not intruding. The temple is open to all Jedi." He replied, looking to assauge any worries that Caltin might have of impropriety.

If the older Jedi decided to continue to move into the temple proper. Aaran would follow beside him, pulling out his datapad again. Ticking off a few things. "If you are planning on staying in Coruscant for a few days. Do let me know, I'd be happy to set you up with a guest room." He offered, his tone still polite and civil. "Longer term accommodations can also be made available if required." At least no one could say that despite the youth of many of the members of the New Jedi Order, they were rather well organised.

Or perhaps it was just Aaran himself ensuring that he could handle any of his duties in an efficient manner, allowing him more time for his personal escapades.

More than likely it was the latter.

The Jedi Temple on Coruscant was made to hold a considerable number of Jedi. Far more than those who currently called the New Jedi Order their family. And with the offer of longer-term accommodation on the table, if nothing else. Caltin would be allowed free reign over his old home and no one here would deny him that.

"Is there anything in particular I can help you with while you're here?"

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

IT'S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN...
​

Location: Coruscant Temple​

Equipment: Conservator and Vanguard 2.0 (Lightsabers)​

Comm-link, Rebreather, Custom Robes​

Starship: Starlight Sentinel, (Dilorian in cargo bay)​

Companion: Astromech R01R - "Roller", Pilot droid Mu51c - "Music"​

Tag: Aaran Tafo​

​

Well met.

If he wasn’t intruding, then Caltin would start his walk up the ramp to the lobby lift. Yep, the big guy knew exactly where he was going, the Great Hall, the Atrium, the room of a thousand fountains, they all held great sentimental significance. So why not go now, right? Stopping to take at the skyline one more time, he grinned. Many a time, the massive Jedi Master would come out this way and not stop and appreciate just how amazing this skyline was, especially at Dawn and Dusk.

Aaran’s comparison was understandable, it brought a smirk and a wink out of Caltin.

Eight hundred-fifty years on ice will do that to you.

Reaching the atrium, it was just as he remembered it. Expansive, historic, and really a grand image of the pageantry that was the Jedi. More than that, this was the first real sign of what this place meant to him. Running his hand along the walls, fingers touching the pillars, dipping his fingers in the catch-pool of one of the fountains, he knew this place and knew it well. The look on his face could not be hidden. It was like running into an old girlfriend after a long time, any ill feelings were long gone, the heart had indeed grown fonder.

Walking around eyes focused on the upper levels and an ever-present smile on his face, Caltin was “home”, even if he was not a member of this “New Jedi Order” anymore. Either way, it was good to see just how well the old girl held up. The pillars, the statues, even that annoying bust of Cala Brin, whose eyes seemed to follow you, regardless of what level you were on. What he liked the most was the fact that they showed the respect the place deserved by changing little more than the technology. That was surprising and something that he could appreciate. This was one of those complexes that you could not simply update, or repurpose. This was a shrine to the ways of the Force, and could truly be nothing else.

I’m not going to be here more than today, I probably would come back here and there, but just to visit.

No offense intended, and while he made absolutely no apologies for his statement, he inwardly hoped he didn’t offend the guy. Aaran didn’t do anything wrong, and it was a fair question to ask. No, this was not his home anymore. Those who resided in the old girl needed to forge their own lives and their own paths. They did not need him coming in and telling them how to do things. The last time he brought anything like that up to around these people, they all went hawk-bat(censored) crazy. Meh, oh well. There was more to life than caring about what you could not control. The time he was from, the time when being a Jedi meant more than memorizing a code was sadly long extinct. He could and would definitely hold to those ideals, after all, that was his life and existence, and anyone that he taught more than a class to would understand it, but anyone else who did not hold to them? That was their path and they had to take it. Not his problem, not his concern.

The guest rooms you mentioned used to be down that hallway. Are they still that drab shade of beige?

Yes, he had made those arrangements several times for guests in his own time.

I’m really just here to look around, bring back a few memories, and see if the storage wing still contains a Holocron I once made.

If they did not, it did not matter. In truth that was not the central reason why he was there, but it was a good side “mission” so to speak. Giving some legitimacy and less paranoia.

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... YET THE DAWN ALWAYS COMES.

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