It's That Time Again (The Underground, especially Masters)

[Jorus Merrill]

OOC context: The Underground, being a non-Force-centered faction, generally does Force Master promotion votes/discussions IC. This time, we're doing it in the public forum, because shameless faction self-promotion is a thing.

In keeping with board rules, only Masters get a vote, but there's nothing against other faction members being part of the discussion, especially since it's IC.

IC:

RED SHIFT CANTINA​

REBELLION ACTUAL​

CURRENTLY ORBITING ALTIR​

WILD SPACE​

​

Meetings like this, in Jorus' experience, didn't live up to their privileges, like a guest living out of a suitcase full of canned goods on an all-inclusive cruise. Meetings like this were fairly rare, and they were about community -- the kind of community that would call itself the Underground and hold a hidden space station's cantina as its spiritual centre. Meetings like this were supposed to have some life to them, but everyone wound up coming off as either brash or unsure of the protocol. Frankly, there wasn't one. Everyone was welcome to speak, to ask the candidate whatever they liked until the Masters were satisfied that the candidate could be ranked among them.

The candidate. Last time had been Vaudin Miir, and before that the Jensaarai Veino Garn, who'd passed with flying colours. This time around it was [member="Anastasia Rade"] , Mandalorian-born and an experienced Knight. She came well-recommended from the Yavin Jedi Praxeum, but Jorus had only served with her rarely. But that was part and parcel of the Underground -- decentralized, with a flat command structure, its members didn't always know each other. That was what the questions were for, and demonstrations if anyone asked for them.

He'd messaged the Masters specifically, requesting their presence on Rebellion Actual, but word tended to get around, and the Red Shift Cantina was full of Undergrounders tonight.

Masters: Vote or abstention mandatory. If you don't have time to participate in this RP, please just send a quick IC message with a vote or abstention.
[member="Aaralyn Gyndar"] - [member="Chloe Blake"] (or [member="Skye Mertaal"] ) - [member="Kian Karr"] - [member="Kitt Solo"] - [member="Mia Monroe"] - [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] - [member="Veino Garn"] - [member="Xander Carrick"] - [member="Jericho"]

Other Undergrounders: Feel free to participate and ask the candidate your questions, though you don't get a vote in this particular thingy. Having a drink on the sidelines is also a viable strategy.
[member="Alaina Merrill"] - [member="Alena"] - [member="Allyson Locke"] - [member="Andrasta Sitra"] - [member="Bass Terrik"] - [member="Callisto Scarlett"] - [member="Castiel Lennox"] - [member="Catherine Colburn"] - [member="Coren Starchaser"] - [member="Darik Plutan"] - [member="Deagan Hunt"] - [member="Elpsis Kallikora"] - [member="Flint Michigan"] - [member="Galen Arterius"] - [member="Glim"] - [member="Ijaat Akun"] - [member="Jaani Doosun"] - [member="Jamie Oxton"] - [member="Jannik Morlandt"] - [member="Jessica Century"] - [member="Kairon Rees"] - [member="Kelly Perris"] - [member="Khaleel Malvern"] - [member="Miktik"] - [member="Mira Gyndar"] - [member="Noah Corek"] - [member="Nonadul"] - [member="Orick T'ane"] - [member="Paddy Quick"] - [member="Pappy"] - [member="Rekha Kaarde"] - [member="Reneé Denois"] - [member="Riley Reese"] - [member="Sam Turain"] - [member="Spark Finn"] - [member="Susovi Ru"] - [member="Talise Skirata"] - [member="Tobias Wraith"] - [member="Vassara Raxis"] - [member="Vaudin Miir"] - [member="Vilaz Munin"] - [member="Wanderer EXO"]

 

[Kitt Solo]

[member="Jorus Merrill"] would find a pending i-message in his comm-inbox. An image of a slightly battered Kitt Solo would pop-up. "Sorry I couldn't make it in-person. Bounty gone wrong. Don't ask. I don't know [member="Anastasia Rade"] personally but I've had time to meet some of the people that have and read up on some of her work."

Her flickering form looked at something off-screen before returning to the recording.

"My vote is yes."

The feed cut and the message ended.

**No selfie-sticks got hurt in the making of this transmission.

 

[Veino Garn]

Veino shut down the power on his freighter and headed out into the station, threading his way to the cantina. Another potential master's promotion. He took a deep breath. What would he ask this candidate? He was fairly sure they'd met before, somewhere at least, and he had a feeling it was Jedi Order related, but he couldn't place where exactly. He'd remember eventually, probably. Or maybe he had just remembered wrongly. He had, after all, met a great many people in a great many places.

He reached the cantina and slid into a seat across from [member="Jorus Merrill"] and ordered a drink. Nothing crazy. Just a simple, non-intoxicating one. Alcohol and empaths didn't mix.

"Good to see you again. Been a while, I think," He nodded in thanks as the drink arrived and he stared down at it. "Get the feeling things have been strangely quiet lately?"

 

[Anastasia Rade]

Ana was quite nervous about this meeting not because she wasn't confident in herself. It was more so due to the fact that this meeting was about her. She wasn't used to being the center of attention in this way. Ana was honored though that a discussion of her rank among them was worthy. She was ready for this or ready as she ever could be. How was one to prepare for a dissusion about themselves anyway?

She had had come a long way from the scared girl that Azrael had pulled out of that cell. She owed much of what she had to her brother. He had given her the tools she needed to succeed and when he couldn't help he pointed her in the right direction.

As she sat all eyes on her Ana reached for her glass again to take a swig. As a Mandalorian she had built up quite a tolerance for alcohol. She could handle it here. In truth it would be weird for her not to drink in a cantina. Even though a huge crowd was already gathered a question had not been asked of her yet. Ana knew however it was only a matter of time until one arose. Members of the underground were still piling in for the meeting after all.

Setting the glass down she glanced around the room for [member="Orick T'ane"] whom had messaged her that he would be there. She could deal with a room full of people questioning her. The young woman wasn't a public speaker by any stretch of the imagination but she would be fine. Ana had much worse things happen to her within her life. It would just be nice to have him here with her. One she knew cared for her no matter what.

As her eyes continued to scan she noticed [member="Veino Garn"] whom looked familiar but for the life of her she couldn't place at the moment. Ana had to had come across her on one of her travels. The man next to him she had heard of by never had the opportunity until now to meet [member="Jorus Merrill"]. Taking another sip of the drink she took a deep breath.

 

[Chloe Blake]

One rather weary and dusty figure clad in cold weather gear and a dove gray hood would saunter on in. She had a tinted mask on but a small button would automatically clear the visor. Chloe had just returned from a stint through Chiss space charting new routes along with se surveys of what used to once be One Sith space.

A little worse for the wear, but that didn't stop the faint smile warming her face behind the breather mask.

"Olval" she'd sing, her gloved hands moving to remove the mask from her face.

 

[Orick T'ane]

Orick wandered into the Red Shift Cantina and looked around, there were a ton of people here and he wasn't even sure who else would be showing up. He knew a few of the faces but he hadn't spoken with any of them, mostly he knew them by reputation only. He wondered how many of them would think the same of him. [member="Anastasia Rade"] had asked him to be here, and there was very little that he wouldn't do if she asked him.

He had brought along a single pink flower with him, it was exactly the same flower that he had given her the first time he took her on a date, and he knew that if she didn't see his face in the crowd, she would see the flower. It was for her when this was all over, but it was also so that she would spot him in the crowd. He slowly walked over to one of the empty spot at the bar and ordered a drink, just something to drive away the thirst. He wouldn't be drinking tonight, it wasn't the reason he was here. He moved a bit and made sure that he was in an area where she would see him and waited.

[member="Veino Garn"] | [member="Chloe Blake"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Not far behind Chloe, Mia made her way into the cantina, stifling a yawn. She offered a smile to [member="Anastasia Rade"]. "Su'cuy." she said softly before dropping into a chair at the table, and catching the attention of a passing waitress for a drink. Caff was all she needed right now.

"So what's new?"

 

[Ibby]

[member="Jorus Merrill"] [member="Mia Monroe"] [member="Orick T'ane"] [member="Chloe Blake"] [member="Anastasia Rade"] [member="Veino Garn"]

Nona loved cantinas. And drinking. And getting drunk. And stealing things from drunk people. Did she mention drinking? And stealing?

Mira, on the other hand, hated public places. And drinking. And just about anything else that one would have thought she'd enjoy doing, considering she was Nona's (adopted) daughter. And yet, as the two made their way into the cantina, the teenager was the first to voice her discontent.

"Mom, I don't like this," she said in their secret language, hugging herself. "It's too...shady."

"Of course it's shady, Mira," Nonadul replied, also in their language. "It's a cantina. And we're among friends! No one will hurt you here. Or else they'll have to deal with Maht and Tham." The Cernun withdrew one of the blades and rubbed it lovingly. "They won't let a single hair be hurt on you, sweetums."

"Mooooom," Mira moaned. "I'm not a baby! Don't call me 'sweetums'."

The woman looked at her daughter, her tail twitching in amusement. "Well then, Sweetie Pie, let's go get drinks."

Not wanting to drop the subject, the girl stuffed her hands in her pockets. "Why are we even here, Mom? I mean, we just met these people. You don't know anything about them."

Nonadul sighed. "I know enough, trust me. They're....better people." The truth was that Nona had racked up enough enemies over the years that she was constantly having to evade bounty hunters and government officials. And while none were really up there in rank (though, if the Mandalorian woman knew that it was she who'd scrawled on some of Mandalore's stuff, things might not end well...) they'd started to target Mira. And that was the last thing the woman wanted. Hence, joining a group she barely knew, with goals whose morals were higher than hers, all for the protection.

The pair arrived at the bar, and Nona gestured at her daughter, saying, "Dhir lin hal sidi nin dhoo halcokol drincai, Mira." The girl nodded and held up two fingers.

"Two waters, please."

 

[Jorus Merrill]

"Good to see you again. Been a while, I think," He nodded in thanks as the drink arrived and he stared down at it. "Get the feeling things have been strangely quiet lately?"

"Not in my neck of the woods," said Jorus with a chuckle. "But kids'll do that to ya. I picked up an apprentice, and been coordinating smuggling runs, selling maps, even trying my hand at teaching-with-an-eye-to-recruitment."

Jorus tossed a nod to Anastasia Rade and noted the entrance of [member="Orick T'ane"], [member="Nonadul"], and the kid who translated for her.

"Olval" she'd sing, her gloved hands moving to remove the mask from her face.

Jorus grinned. "Hey, Chloe. Glad you could make it."

"So what's new?"

"This and that. Just heard from [member="Kitt Solo"] -- she backs our friend here for Master. Everyone, meet [member="Anastasia Rade"], our Master candidate. We're still waiting on [member="Kian Karr"], [member="Aaralyn Gyndar"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"], [member="Xander Carrick"] and @Jericho. Not sure if they're coming or just calling in."

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

A drink she was always ready for a good drink and then listening to someoen else talk for a while, she liked that idea too. Rekha didn't think she knew any of the names being tossed about, probably because Bespin was in the god forsaken part of the galaxy these days.

She nudged the bartender for a beer rich and dark she liked her ale stout. A foamy top and she was ready to mingle and listen.

A vote ok..who were they trying to push up the ladder to chief cook and paper pusher...Rekha smiled a big grin, the brunette with the green eyes felt bad for the up and coming bottle washers.

 

[Jericho]

[member="Jorus Merrill"] 's comm-link from the sanctums personal and encrypted channel, at first there is only static.

".........Zzzz......"

When it clears up a bit rancor roars echo for a moment through the comm followed by death screams. After another moment Jericho hits the link again to speak.

"I'll be there shortly to meet her and cast my vote."

 

[Alaina Merrill]

Feeling that one gets when they are lost would sum her up right about now. Now that she was back where she could do some good. Not wanting to speak of what she been on. If anything one could sum it up as a bad spice trip gone bad with the Red Raven. Never really belong just there to be of some fly on the wall when called upon. Giving her cousin [member="Jorus Merrill"] a small smile, knowing of his business of right now.

It was business first will the nature of this now who was she, and what was being voted on. Bring her pad out once more to read over the finer print. Oh yes one [member="Anastasia Rade"] being up for Master now this would be watch by her with interest. After all she really haven't had time to explore her own powers. Even those she spend a bit if just a brush on open herself up the force and possibilities. That really all it had been. Knowing their was many master that had made their appearance or others that had some training.

Knowing the best thing wasn't always to hit things head on, after all that wasn't her at all. Personality wise and all, no she was more of you got a job for me sure I'll get right on it. Pushing up her glasses on her face. After all she knew she could hide better behind those thick rim frame.

Spoiler

I would like to find a master or at less one that would be willing to do a bit of training

 

[Jannik Morlandt]

Lagging behind [member="Chloe Blake"] by a few minutes was one knight that had strayed far from the place he once called home and the family within it, the scouring of seer's journals for references related to time in Chiss space having kept him from joining her right away. It was a somewhat constant struggle between the pull to continue the search until he found what he sought and the urge in an opposite direction to be somewhere that a part of him wanted and needed to be.

Among these people, for whatever reason, just as [member="Jorus Merrill"] mentioned the name of one [member="Anastasia Rade"] - the person they were all here to scrutinize to a hopefully higher purpose.

He ambled in, the long coat on his shoulders being the only effect that years of Jedi robes truly had on his clothing choices, and made his way over to the woman whose ship he occupied and had 'borrowed' for a time, noting far more faces that were not so familiar than the few that were within his acquaintance to varying degrees. A few varieties of faint and mild smiles were given to those that looked back at him when he looked at them, and he said nothing when he came up beside Chloe, but a shift of his eyes over to her freshly de-masked face and a familiar smile was often enough, at least until he had anything to say that bore saying in his mind.

"Many types, from all over," he started in a close, low voice, eyes drifting to the bar and weighing whether there was anything he wanted, a question for her arriving, "do you know anything about the candidate," eyes drifted to the aforementioned, too, "aside from the obvious?"

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Much to Siobhan's own regret, she could not attend the gathering. Turns out that running Firemane on Kaeshana was a lot less fun once you had to deal with all the paperwork that piled up on your desk and business meetings. Along with raising two girls and putting down Dark Eldorai insurgents. Annoying elf nobles needed to get a life.


She did not know [member="Anastasia Rade"] enough to make a sound judgement, so she sent a message to [member="Jorus Merrill"] that could be summed up as saying she would be abstaining.

 

[Jorus Merrill]

"All right, let's see." Jorus pulled up his comms and datapad to take a short transcript. "[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]'s called in to say she can't make it and needs to abstain, [member="Aaralyn Gyndar"]'s called in (ooc: by pm - Aaralyn plz like this post to confirm) to say she votes yes and can't make it, [member="Kitt Solo"] votes yes and can't make it, [member="Jericho"] is on the way, and here we've got [member="Veino Garn"], [member="Chloe Blake"], and [member="Mia Monroe"] to talk things out with [member="Anastasia Rade"] in person. That just leaves [member="Xander Carrick"], who we haven't heard from much lately, and [member="Kian Karr"], who's got other responsibilities and will probably holocall in. Excellent. Anyone have any questions for Anastasia?"

 

[Chloe Blake]

[member="Jannik Morlandt"] would receive a light welcoming smile over her shoulder, bright blue eyes warming over to glance at the tousled dark brown locks and a swarthy face. Jannik had made his home on the Aurora with her and his apprentice the past several months now, forming a rather interesting community and partnership. Either way, after having Jorus travel with her for so long, it was clear that the Warden did enjoy traveling with company, and Jannik was more than a welcomed presence in her home.

Fingers would lightly comb through her loose waves of blonde hair, attempting a measure of controlling the few strays that were mused up due to her hood.

She gave a slight shake of her head, murmuring low as Jorus called everyone to order and welcomed a few questions to start.

"Don't know her that well; ain't really worked with her before." she admitted, "Reckon just will have to take in what she answers and then I can toss out a few myself so I can get a weight on things."

 

[Lina Ovmar]

"I'm in the same position as Chloe.I've not worked with you much, so I guess that'd be a good place to start. Can you give us a little information about what you've done, what experience you've gained?"

 

[Kian Karr]

The holographic image of Kian Karr slowly came to life as he connected into the meeting from aboard the Gnost Dural. Kian would have preferred to be there in person....but he was on assignment several jumps away and simply couldn't get himself there. Pressing a hand to a bruised rib, Kian grunted a bit and nodded his head to those present.

"I apologize for the tardiness," Kian said directing his comment to [member="Jorus Merrill"]. "I was.....detained." Kian said, meaning it quite literally. Kian had arrived in time to hear the question put forth by [member="Mia Monroe"] and was eager to hear what Anastasia had to say. Kian knew of the Mando Jedi via the Jedi Academy Network, but hadn't had much opportunity to work with her over the years.

[member="Chloe Blake"] - [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] - [member="Jannik Morlandt"] - [member="Alaina Merrill"] - [member="Jericho"] - [member="Rekha Kaarde"] - [member="Nonadul"] - [member="Anastasia Rade"] - [member="Veino Garn"] - [member="Kitt Solo"]​

 

[Anastasia Rade]

As the room began to fill she didn't see [member="Orick T'ane"] but the pink flower she did see. Ana couldn't help but smile as she remembered how he had brought her flowers on their first date. When she had gotten home Ana had taken off a single petal to put in her diary for safe keeping. The rest of the flowers had spent a few days within a vase but the single petal and the memories remained. Orick was always there for her, always came through for her. It wasn't long until the call for questions was asked which caused her to take a deep breath just getting prepared.

The question posed seemed like an easy one, tell us about yourself. When Ana truly thought about it the woman had done a lot with herself since being recused by Az. She had not only grown as a Mandalorian and Force User but as a person as well. Ana felt that this information was pertinent to her answer.

“I spent my childhood years in a Graug slave camp. I was rescued as an adult by the Manalorians whom gave me a home. It wasn’t until months into my training that it was found out that I was a Force User. I knew I was but I tried to hide it as it had always been used against me. I grew up believing I was cursed because I was different.” Ana paused to take a sip of her drink before continuing to answer the question

“Since that time I have grown up from the scared little girl I was found as. As a Mandalorian I was taught how to fight and protect myself and my family without the use of the Force. I crafted my own armor which I wear today. Beyond my training with the Mandos I was eventually convinced that a bit of force training would be good for me. I went to train on our temple at Yavin which has helped me come to terms with myself and my abilities. I don't believe myself to be cursed anymore and what I have learned has saved many lives on the battle field. For example, I can heal someone on the battlefield that would have otherwise died if I couldn't. I can fight, I can heal both ways. I have fought in the Mandalorian wars against the Sith and when our home is attacked I am there. I have helped my Vode claim and reclaim worlds." Ana paused again glancing around the room. There were far too many to actually name but she could if need be.

"I have made peace with what happened to me. I have done a lot but at the same time I know there is much left to learn. I feel one never stops growing and learning even as a master."

[member="Jorus Merrill"] [member="Veino Garn"] [member="Chloe Blake"] [member="Orick T'ane"] [member="Mia Monroe"] [member="Nonadul"] [member="Rekha Kaarde"] [member="Jericho"] [member="Alaina Merrill"] [member="Jannik Morlandt"] [member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Lina Ovmar]

If there was any inkling that the huge part the mandalorians had played in Ana's development affected Mia, it was not shown except in slight tightening of the jaw and a need to take a large gulp from her caff drink. Her own problems with the mandalorians were irrelevant to Ana's development.

"I assume, by what you say then, that in training with the Jedi your focus has been in healing?" it was rhetorical question. "Are there other aspects of the force that interest you, or do you wish to remain focused and what you have already achieved?"

[member="Anastasia Rade"]