First Reply Leaf in the Stream

[Tiland Kortun]

JIROCH-RESLIA
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A small stream danced its way down the hillside, tracing through the knots of grass and tree roots protruding from the thick moss along its bank. Tiland knelt along the edge and dipped the tea-pot into the stream. The water pooled inside the earthenware container as he slowly withdrew it. The chilled water tingled along his bare arm but he smiled as the sensation traveled through him before dissipating.

The old Jedi hummed softly to himself as he set a small stove on a rock. He paused for a moment and reached out with the Force, sifting through the water and slowly removing any impurities or contaminants in the water.

Tiland paused for a moment and then nodded with satisfaction as he placed the water on the stove. Something had led him here to this world, which he had never visited before. They had access to modern technology, but culturally, they tended to be very ancient and traditional. He could appreciate that.

He had no idea what brought him here, nor for what purpose, but that did not surprise him, nor did it particularly bother him. It was the way of the Force and its guidance. He let it guide him where it needed him, wherever that might take him. Or to whom it might bring him, for that matter.

Many interesting beings had crossed his paths by living in such a way and he had an intuition that something similar was about to happen as well. The great question was who would be joining him. Another traveler along the galactic space lanes? Someone in need of counsel? A wandering Sith?

Only time would tell and he would be patient to see what the Force would bring him down the stream.

 

[Subject 648 Slipknot]

Tiland Kortun

Oh no... oh no oh no oh no...

Slip stumbled into the clearing, dazed, and walking awkwardly. His gloved hands shook rapidly and furiously. He winced at the sunlight as it hit his face. A fazed look upon his face, one of confusion and apprehension. And the most concerning fact about his appearance was that he was covered in blood splatters.

Slip stumbled and fell into the stream, falling onto his hands and knees, the water from the stream flowing around him. It was getting worse... He could hear the voices yelling at him once more. Urging him... Begging him... They were getting worse, more insistent, more hungry. And they would constantly torment him until they got what they wanted.

Shakily, he cupped some water into his gloved, bloodstained hands, and washed some blood off of his face. He had done it again... This time, though... This time was different. Usually once he did what they asked, the voices got quieter, but this time they got louder, more insistent. And... the fact that scared Slip the most was that he had enjoyed it. He had never enjoyed doing what the voices asked before, especially something like this. But this time... this time it had been different.

Slip unsheathed his knife and looked at it. The knife, like Slip, was covered in blood spatters all over the blade. Some parts, though, he could still see his reflection. He looked at himself in the reflection. What was he... where did it all go wrong? Why did it have to be him? Why was he forced to go through the torment?

Slip sheathed the knife, and leaned back onto his knees, sitting up straight. Blood still covered his clothes, still fresh... Maybe... maybe it was better this way... away from all people...

Then, one of the voices spoke.

Nearby... said the voice.

Slip stood up quickly, getting to his feet in the middle of the pond. He drew his knife, and looked around rapidly. "W-Who's there?" He asked, shakingly.

The last thing he wanted was another person...

 

[Tiland Kortun]

Subject 648 Slipknot

Tiland paused and knit his eyebrows as turbulence surged through the Force. Someone was in distress, out of balance, and conflicted at a deep level. He frowned and stood to his feet, watching in surprise as the figure stumbled into view by the stream, covered in blood, and waved a knife in his direction. A pause as he considered the option and then retook his seat, gently.

"I'm Tiland Kortun. Nice to meet you." He nodded to the tea paraphanalia. "Would you like some tea?"

It was a bit incongruous, perhaps, but that was something that often had a great value. It would set things off by the unexpected. Defuse the tension and help restore the balance. He kept his mind sharp and ready, however, but made no threatening move. "Perhaps some calming jasmine tea?"