Private Medicinal Purposes

[Corazona von Ascania]

Like an indecisive lover, Ukatis always pulled her back in.

On one level, it made sense. During her brief tenure as a princess, she'd overseen an Alliance-backed project that integrated healthcare clinics into some of Ukatis' poorer areas. Which, on a backwater farming planet that still paid tithes to the crown, happened to be nearly all of the planet itself.

They'd arrived first in the capital of Axilla, which housed the world's only starport. To anyone coming from the core, or a more developed planet, it might've been quaint.

Cora had pointed out various landmarks to Roman; the ballet, the finishing school where she and her younger sister, Fantine, had been educated, and the art museum she was fond of. She grew noticeably more somber when directing his attention to parts of the city that had not entirely recovered from the Mandalorian Enclave's assault several years ago.

Once they left the urban sprawl, it was all rolling hills and dense forests.

"Ukatis only has two large cities; Axilla and Daphnes. About half of our population lives in one or the other. The rest live in small villages, like this."

Aphidna was indeed a far cry from the towering stonework and busy streets of the capital, and though it wasn't buzzing, it carried its own kind of energy. The appearance of two Jedi did little to slow down the townsfolk as they went about their day's work.

As the pair made their way through the town's center street, they did garner a few glances and whispers. Offworlders were an uncommon sight.

"Healthcare in the rural parts of Ukatis is largely folk medicine. That has its time and place, but…"

Cora lowered her voice to a murmur as she spoke, cautious so as to not offend a passing grandmother.

"The people here deserve modern care. Fortunately, the Alliance was able to set up clinics in these little towns. At first, it was mostly staffed by Alliance personnel, but we've worked out a training program for local young women to study as nurses in the core, then staff the clinics for a set number of years. It's worked out well so far."

Ukatis always had a tense relationship with the Alliance, seeing the galactic power as authoritative and meddlesome to their way of life, but begrudgingly necessary for their survival.

"It's unfortunate that someone chose to steal from a facility that is meant to serve the community."

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

​

Roman walked alongside Knight Corazona, his heart swelling with admiration and curiosity. The weight of her legacy as a Jedi rested heavily within him; rumors of her heroism and compassion echoed through the halls of the New Jedi Order, rumors that had inspired both seasoned Knights and young Initiates alike. He gazed at her as they navigated the modest avenue of Aphidna, noting and attempting to mirror how she moved with an effortless grace, as if each step she took was choreographed by the very spirit of her planet.

Cora had shown him the splendor of Axilla, and now the quaint charm of Aphidna beckoned him to appreciate its subtle beauty. It was a place where the air smelled of sun-warmed ground and the slow melody of life hummed all around them. The locals greeted them with soft smiles and curious glances. Here, every stranger could be a neighbor, each encounter a thread woven into the fabric of their communal existence. Roman felt like an interloper in this scene, yet he was drawn deeper by the depth of Cora's dedication to her people.

As they walked, Cora spoke with a passion that ignited Roman's own fervor. She detailed the journey of the healthcare initiative, her voice fervent and unwavering. Roman admired how she respected the traditions of her people, recognizing the value of folk medicine while striving to complement it with advancements from the core. It was a delicate balance, and as she articulated her vision for healthcare on Ukatis, Roman felt a deeper understanding of what it meant to serve.

He had often felt the weight of expectations resting on his shoulders, the legacy of his noble lineage coupled with the responsibility of being a Jedi. Yet, Cora embodied a rare urgency that made him rethink duty as something less burdensome and more fulfilling. In her passion lay a kind of clarity he sought--an innate understanding that the Jedi were bound not just by their code, but also by the needs and hopes of the communities they served. This mission was more than mere duty; it was a calling, a chance to reconcile the richness of heritage with the promise of progress.

But as the conversation turned towards the recent theft from the clinic, Roman's heart sank. "How could someone do this?" he mused, glancing at Cora. "Why would they steal from their own people, especially when those facilities are meant to help them?" It confused him, this disconnect between community and individual need. Perhaps it was desperation--an instinct to protect oneself when they felt the ground shifting under their feet.

"Perhaps we can help them see that the path forward lies in cooperation," he suggested, getting ahead of himself, trying to impress the Knight. His voice held an ember of hope, inspired by the strength he saw in Cora. "We could hold conversations--gather the community and let them know what this clinic really represents. It isn't just a building, it's their opportunity."

​

Tag: Corazona von Ascania

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

As the moved down the wide central road toward the clinic, Cora's gaze drifted from Roman to a group of children playing in the street. They laughed, shouted, and occasionally argued over some convoluted ruleset while kicking a ball back and forth between them.

She tilted her head to the side, considering the Padawan's suggestion. Her shoulders heaved with a little sigh.

"Not everyone sees the clinic as an opportunity. Some regard it as…"

Cora trailed, searching for her words among the cacophony of the children. The ball had rolled out of some invisible boundary and they couldn't agree on whose fault it was.

"…an imposition of the Alliance's influence. Not all welcome the Alliance - and the Jedi, by extension. Not just here, but in the galaxy as a whole.”

Though there wasn't a mountain of history between Ukatis and the Alliance, their relationship had been strained at times. Ukatis, with its ancient traditions and patriarchal society, was often regarded as backwards, and the Alliance, perhaps a bit used to getting its way, could be seen as meddlesome.

Cora herself had contributed to those tense relations, and likely would never be rid of the shame. Still, she did not expect Roman to be aware of every little political intricacy that happened on her homeworld.

Much of the ire towards the Alliance came from the upper echelons of Ukatian society, who feared for their power and way of life. The villagers didn't seem particularly bothered by their presence.

"Let us get in touch with the clinic, first. Once we hear their story, we might have details on where we should direct our attention next."

The ball had, once again, bounced out of bounds. This time, it landed at Roman's feet.

"Hey!" One of the children shouted, cupping his hands over his mouth so that his voice would project. The girl standing next to him covered her ears with a grimace. "Ser Jedi! Throw it back!"

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Aphidna
Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

Roman listened intently as Knight Corazona spoke, her voice threaded with a complexity he felt he was only beginning to grasp. The notion that anyone could regard the Alliance as an imposition bewildered him. In Roman's experiences, the Alliance was a beacon of hope--a collective of beings aspiring to uplift those who struggled, a body of idealists seeking to bring balance to the galaxy. Why then, did some see it as a threat?

As Cora attempted to articulate the history between Ukatis and the Alliance, Roman stood with the children's laughter echoing around him, a contrast of innocence and complexity. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of confusion mingled with sympathy for her plight--the burdens of political tensions shadowing her heart.

His thoughts broke as the ball rolled at his feet. He watched as the children eagerly called out to him, their faces animated with innocent joy. With a smile that came naturally, Roman picked up the ball and, with a gentle flick of his wrist, sent it soaring back toward the group. The cheers that rose from them warmed him, their carefree smiles an antidote to the heaviness of adult concerns swirling in Cora's explanations.

Turning back to Cora, he spoke with earnestness, "This way of life is beautiful. Look at them! They seem so… happy." He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I've been thinking lately about my future--about how I might raise my own children one day. These moments, they're the kind that shape a life, aren't they?"

He let the thought linger, contemplating how different his upbringing had been from what he observed before him. "I mean, if they have this," he gestured toward the street where the children played, "wouldn't that be worth protecting? Can't the Alliance and the Jedi be seen as allies in preserving this kind of happiness?"

Roman looked back at the laughter and gleaming smiles, feeling a sense of purpose surge within him. The greater galaxy might be plagued with shadows and strife, yet here, in this moment, there was light. A light he hoped to carry forward wherever the Force might guide him.

They resumed their walk toward the clinic, and though he wanted to voice his idealism more, he understood that understanding the nature of suffering and resistance was just as important.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Cora watched in silence as Roman returned the ball to the group of waiting children. They cheered, and a few even shouted their thanks before returning to their game.

From what she'd gathered about Roman, he'd had a similar upbringing to her own. A wealthy family, never wanting for any basic needs - they hadn't experienced the struggle to survive that some of their peers had. Yet, they shared a quiet understanding of the burdens of nobility; heavy expectations that dictated the course of their lives.

The children's laughter and Roman's earnest thoughts elicited a small smile from the Jedi knight. It was almost like looking at a taller, male version of herself as a Padawan - someone eager and sincere, a starry eyed young Jedi who sought to protect those around them. If anything, she was a little envious.

The galaxy had a way of crushing those hopeful traits. Cora had managed to hold onto them in her own way, but quietly and laced with enough nuance to make her appear dour.

Frowning gives you wrinkles, she reminded herself. After all, Roman had a point.

"Certainly," she agreed. "These peaceful moments are what we - well, many of us - hope to protect. Jedi aren't supposed to play favorites, and yet…"

Cora could never truly detach herself from the welfare of Ukatis. She supposed that it was alright, given that her drive had benefited her home in some ways, from reconstruction efforts to the medical program. Taking advantage of her noble title could've easily swung the other way.

"Things here may look quaint and happy, but Ukatis has its own traditions that could be regarded as problematic. If an outside force told you that your way of life was wrong, and demand that you change it, would you not be skeptical?"

Her gaze panned over the children again. How long would it be before the boys were sent to war, and the girls set to be married?

"There are those who've embraced the Jedi and the Alliance - they've done many good things for Ukatis that are readily acknowledged. However, some feel the Alliance has too much power."

The dome of the clinic loomed in the distance. A more modern building, it cut a contrast to the more antiquated architecture around it.

"For example, Alliance personnel interrupted the proceedings of an arraigned marriage. It was a particularly high-profile union, and their interference was seen as the Alliance attempting to exert its will over a Ukatian tradition."

She glanced to Roman, curious to hear his thoughts regarding that particular aspect of her culture. Especially so, considering that it had been her own engagement.

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Aphidna
Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

As Cora spoke, Padawan Roman stood silently next to her, his gaze shifting between the jubilant children and the looming dome of the clinic. He listened carefully, absorbing her words about the traditions of Ukatis and the struggles that often accompanied noble status. A sense of familiarity washed over him; their backgrounds were strikingly parallel, each marred by the rigid expectations placed upon them.

"That makes sense," Roman replied thoughtfully, his brow furrowing slightly. "I can certainly understand why the citizens would feel resentful. If someone from the outside came to tell me how to live my life, I would be upset too. Just because they have their principles doesn't make them superior." His voice carried a calm conviction, shaped by his own experiences with the pressures of noble custom.

His gaze dropped toward the grass beneath his feet, feeling the weight of his own thoughts thrum in rhythm with the joyous laughter of the children nearby. "Perhaps that's where our challenge lies as Jedi," he added quietly. "To navigate that fine line, to protect without overstepping. But it's not easy, is it?"

He turned to Cora, curiosity ignited by her mention of the high-profile marriage that had seen Alliance intervention. "Why would the Alliance be so invested in this particular union?" he asked, intrigued. "What was it about this marriage that drew their attention? From what I've heard, such matters are complicated enough without additional interference." He let the sentence linger, unsure of whether to press on. He had heard rumors of this marriage, yet the last thing he wanted was to reopen wounds that could still be raw. Just the thought of it caught him off guard. If the marriage was indeed hers, he was curious enough to ask more, instinctively feeling a need to understand

As he gestured toward the clinic looming in the distance, Roman reflected on the peculiar ironies of power. The building, all sterile lines and modernity, seemed to mock the rich, ancient heritage surrounding it. It was a stark reminder of the discord between progress and tradition, a theme that resonated deeply with him.

"I know all about arranged marriages," he confessed, his voice quieting. "My parents had one, too. My father was pushing me into a similar match, trying to mold me into what he thinks I should be." Roman hesitated, recalling the weight of his father's ambition and his own resolve to break free from that future. "But I found someone I love. She's not from a noble family like ours, but she's everything to me. It makes it even harder to navigate these expectations."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Cora lofted a brow. Padawan Vossari was astute and well attuned to his surroundings - moreso than she had been at his age. Learning to read the room (or city street) was an important skill for any Jedi, and one that would serve him well.

"No," she exhaled slowly. "It is not easy. But, trying to understand the culture of another people as you are now - that will make you a fine diplomat."

Ukatis had always been a weak point for her. Cora took a few moments to quietly compose her thoughts against the white noise of the town's bustle.

Roman revealed the circumstances that lead to his understanding. Arranged marriages were not uncommon within their social class, but it seemed that he was determined to break the mold in that regard. Her lips curved into a faint smile, but there was something genuine, if a little sad in her expression. Perhaps it was recognition.

"It was my betrothal to Prince Horace. I assented to the union out of an obligation of duty, but it took me away from my Jedi training – and the person that I came to love. Those who intervened on my behalf did so out of care."

Her voice dropped, slow and quiet. Cora chose her words carefully. While her wedding and its circumstances were not private information, the gory details were left out. Violence, manipulation and coercion had played a heavy part in the royal marriage. Towards the end, Cora had felt herself becoming her mother; a lifeless husk of a woman who was neither seen nor heard from by outsiders.

Roman seemed to have found himself in a similar situation. An angry knot of heat tightened in her chest, but it did not burn through her placid exterior.

"How are you managing with it?"

The expectations of his father, the arranged match, the love he found with a woman in a different social class – it was all worrying to her in a familiar way. But, Roman seemed to be handling it with a more grace than she had, which was encouraging.

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Aphidna​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

Roman walked in step with her, absorbing the weight of Knight Cora's revelations as they spilled forth like a long-overdue stream of water. Her admission about the arranged marriage to Prince Horace resonated deeply within him. Here was a woman of nobility, a Jedi, who had faced the same insidious expectations that loomed over him like a specter. The pain of her past flickered in her eyes, a reflection of the burden she bore for duty, love, and self-identity. He could hardly find the words to respond, not wanting to press on a bruised memory when he was still fumbling with his own tangled feelings.

"Thank you," Roman said finally, the sincerity lacing his voice as he acknowledged her compliments. "Means a lot coming from you." To him, Cora embodied the strength and wisdom he aspired to as a Jedi. Her journey had not only been one of duty, but one of sacrifice, and he felt a kinship with her struggle.

Roman took a deep breath, his heart heavy with the weight of his own predicament. "I'm trying to manage my own situation," he confided, looking down at the grass beneath their feet, the laughter of the children nearby a stark contrast to the solemnity of their conversation. "I've been with the Jedi for a while now, dedicating my life to this path and spending more time with the New Jedi Order than with my family. Yet, my father's expectations still haunt me, even from a distance. Still, in the back of my mind, there's this instinct--this deep-rooted need to please my father."

The sound of a distant child's laughter faded as he recalled his recent return home with Anneliese. The warmth that had radiated between them had quickly been overshadowed by tension when his father had met her. The cold eyes of his father had pierced through the hopeful reunion, and Roman had felt the sharp sting of disappointment in the air. "I understood as a child that arranged marriages were always an option," he continued, his voice low, "but I never expected to find someone like Anneliese so young, to share such an intimate connection. I thought I could balance it all--between who I love and what my father wants."

He glanced up at Cora, seeking a connection, his empathy deepening. "Anneliese deserves a family--a life filled with love, not to be an obstacle to nobility. I hold onto the hope that, over time, my father will come around. But it's hard."

He paused, finding the courage to lay bare the essence of his heart's turmoil. "What I really want to know is whether you feel what you gave up was worth it. Was love and passion--despite the wild and reckless nature of it--worth potentially abandoning duty and what you have been told to be all of your life?"

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Cora had been touched by the concern her fellow Jedi had shown during her disastrous engagement and ensuing marriage. She felt as though she could never repay those who, despite knowing that they were stepping over the boundary of their duty, came to her aid when she needed it most. For all of their intervention, they'd quite literally saved her from the execution block after Horace's death.

They'd been angry, rightfully so. One of their own had been coerced into an unfortunate situation. Until now, she'd never met another Jedi who'd felt the same weight of duty. The type that rested along nearly every point in your body, the kind that always seemed to angle your head back towards family. It was difficult to break expectations that had been foisted upon you since birth.

Cora followed Roman's gaze to the ground. It drifted back up as he began speaking. She nodded slowly, expression creased with a depth of empathy that came from experiencing something so achingly similar. Her heart sank for his plight.

Men like his father were steeped in a millennia of tradition. She'd written her father own off as a lost cause, and she tried not to view Roman's in the same light. She didn’t know the man, but already she was forming an unflattering picture in her mind.

Then, he asked a question that had her frown. Not so much in displeasure, but moreso in thought. Cora had always tried to be careful with how she spoke regarding Ukatis and her own situation. It was hard to balance with her urge to try and understand Roman, and the worry that she would make things worse.

Her lips parted slightly, but before she spoke, they closed. Hesitation was an answer on its own.

"Any power a woman has on Ukatis comes from her father or husband. We live and die by the men in our lives. I was prepared to accept whatever path was dictated for me, even if it was a miserable one, for the sake of my family."

If her husband had been a kind man - or even a decent one, would she ever have left? Would she have made peace, tried to find a little happiness, and quietly serve her duty?

"It took a while, but Knight Vyres and I found our way back to each other. I'd quite forgotten what it had been like to feel human."

A sigh escaped her, relaxing some of the tension she'd been holding in her shoulders.

"Your father and mine sound very alike. It can be…hard to shake the need to meet their expectations. The need to please my father and do right by my family was why I tried to make the marriage work. I thought of it as a source of strength, but over time, it turned me into someone I didn't recognize."

Cora turned, suddenly, her eyes scrutinizing Roman with sharp concern. It was typical of her to dance around a difficult subject, but for the moment she decided to shoot straight.

"Does he hit you?"

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Aphidna​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

As they walked softly along the meandering path toward the clinic, Roman felt a shared vulnerability bloom between him and Cora. Her words had resonated within him, weaving a tapestry of understanding that enveloped their conversation. He dared to steal glances at her, noting the way her eyes shimmered with both strength and sorrow, a duality that reminded him of his own struggles. The laughter of children still echoed in the distance, but it felt like a world away from the heaviness of their discussion.

When Cora spoke of her father and their shared experience of familial expectations, Roman nodded in silent agreement. "It seems," he began, his voice thoughtful, "that our fathers have become architects of our definitions of duty. If I had continued down the road he paved for me, I shudder to think of the person I would have become. Someone devoid of passion, a mere reflection of my father's ambitions." An uneasy laugh escaped him, tinged with sorrow. "Possibly, arrogant and indifferent to everything outside of the legacy he wished to build."

The weight of their shared burdens sat heavily on his shoulders, dulled by the comfort of now being understood, at least partially, by Cora. Yet her probing question pierced through the veil of their revelations--a direct thrust that sent a chill down his spine. For a fleeting moment, he could feel the air thicken around them, the atmosphere charged with unspoken truths. "Does he hit you?" she had asked, bluntly. It was as if she had opened a wound, exposing the rawness of his past that he'd buried beneath layers of shame and fear.

Roman hesitated, wrestling with the impulse to deflect, to shield himself from the vulnerability that would come with reclamation of his truth. The memories surged, shadowy figures from his youth haunting him. "My father… he isn't a kind man. He has always been harsh with words--a verbal tyrant who would shape me in his image through scorn. I once feared the sting of his presence more than anything else."

He paused to collect himself, drawing a deep breath, finding the courage to traverse the jagged edges of his past. "But as of late, it's been different. When I resist, when I dare stand against his expectations, that anger can swell into him hitting me. There have been moments—recent ones—when that anger has erupted, when I wont fall in line." He faltered, a fleeting moment of vulnerability washing over him before he focused again on Cora.

"Those memories linger, and every time I try to break free," he continued, his voice strained but steady, "I don't wish to become that man, Knight Ascania. I don't want to carry that legacy of fear and resentment."

Roman took a calming breath, almost subconsciously seeking her guidance in that shared darkness. "Did yours..." he said, "Did your father do the same?"

He glanced at her, seeking solace in her experience, the wisdom gleaned from her struggles evident in the depths of her gaze. Each step toward the clinic felt heavier now, but beneath it lay the possibility of understanding and healing--both for him and for Cora.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

The clinic sat at the edge of town, a new addition that couldn't fit neatly among the array of ancient buildings. As they passed through the center of town, the crowd of civilians thinned out.

Given the more complicated turn of their conversation, Cora counted that as a good thing.

It was not her way to be direct. The noble in her often danced around hard truths with niceties. Many of the Jedi did not, which had shocked her at first. Roman hesitated, his discomfort palpable. Cora felt a pang of regret for asking a question that could both stir up unpleasant memories and tread over the line of polite conversation.

They were not in the courts of Ukatis or Serenno here.

Roman confirmed her suspicion. Cora hoped that she'd been wrong, but it was an unfortunately common story among their kind. A glint of knowing anger flickered in her expression before she consciously dialed back its intensity. Roman wouldn't be served by her ire, and neither would she.

Still, she felt she understood Kahlil Noble a little better after he'd slugged her father across the face after seeing the bruise on her cheek. Every instinct was urging her to do the same - or at least - to write Roman's father a particularly scathing letter. To do something to protect him.

"He used to," she murmured.

Touch was not particularly common among their caste, but Cora reached out to place a hand on Roman's shoulder. She squeezed gently, an apology as much as it was an attempt to comfort.

"I certainly hope that you won't become him, either. And I don't think that you will. Men like that are shaped by their circumstances, but you've changed yours."

Cora let her hand fall away, but she didn't feel it lessen the connection that was slowly forming between the pair of Jedi. Hardship could be just as bonding as pleasant experiences.

"My own memories still linger, even in my moments of strength. I take them as a reminder of what I don't want to become. But," one corner of her mouth lifted in a half-smile, "that doesn't mean that they're always easy to handle."

They were nearing the clinic now, close enough to see the modern sliding doors and Alliance emblem emblazoned above the signage. Cora stopped when they were only a handful of pace away and turned to Roman.

"Would you like to wait a few minutes before we go inside?"

A little space, in case he felt that he needed it.

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Aphidna
Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

Roman walked alongside Cora, the gentle wind teasing the edges of their robes as they approached the Alliance clinic. His heart felt heavier after her revelation about her father, a weight he hadn't anticipated carrying alongside the memories of his own strained relationship. The thought of someone causing her pain stirred a sadness deep within him, a deep twinge that resonated with the haunting echoes of his past. They were both etched with scars from families that should have loved them unconditionally, a shared vulnerability that tightened the bond between them.

As Cora placed a hand on his shoulder, a sense of ease momentarily washed over Roman. Her touch, though rare among the their kind, felt like a lifeline, bridging the gap between their sorrows. In that fleeting moment, he wasn't alone. A sorrowful smile crept onto his face, one that acknowledged their shared struggles--an unspoken understanding that lingered between them like a patient shadow.

The imposing facade of the clinic came into view, its modern architecture starkly contrasting the ancient buildings lining the streets of Ukatis. Roman took a deep breath, trying to shake off the conversation's weight. Yes, it hurt to reflect on the dark legacies of their families, but there were others who needed them--those who sought comfort, healing, and hope.

"I'm ready," he finally said, his voice steady despite the heaviness in his heart. "Let's help them." Together, they stepped through the sleek sliding doors, crossing the threshold into a world that felt both sterile and vibrant with purpose.

Inside, the clinic was impeccably maintained, its pristine medical equipment gleaming under the bright lights. Droids moved with precise efficiency, tending to patients whose appearances told stories of hardship. Roman took note of the ruggedness etched on some faces, the skepticism that shadowed the eyes of Ukatis's citizens. It was a reminder that even in the midst of healing, trust often needed to be earned, not given freely.

He glanced at Cora, the resolve in her expression setting a solid foundation in his own mind. They were here to make a difference, to offer their skills as Jedi to mend what could be fixed--both physically and perhaps in part, emotionally. Roman felt a surge of gratitude toward Cora for allowing him to be by her side, and he knew that together they would forge ahead in the face of adversity, treading carefully yet firmly on the path of healing and hope.

As they moved deeper into the clinic, Roman silently vowed to honor their shared histories by advocating for those who felt as lost and forgotten as they once had.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Cora glanced to Roman, her gaze lingering on him for a few moments longer than necessary. They'd wandered into a complex tangle of emotions - part of her felt bad about that - but he seemed to be managing the weight well.

"Very well," she agreed. The corners of her lips raised into a smile. It was a faint gesture, but one of encouragement.

As they passed through the double doors of the clinic, fresh air was replaced with the harsh, sterile scent of antiseptic. The laughter of children and hum of daily life gave way to the beeping of machines and the chatter of clinical work. Threads of pain, sadness, relief, and curiosity were among the emotions that wove into the Force around them.

The pair would make their way into the back of the clinic and into a narrow hall. A supply room on their left, and a small, open office on their right. Cora knocked gently on the door's wooden pane to signal their arrival, startling the plump middle-aged woman who was sat at the desk.

"Oh!" She said, jolting upward and nearly uprooting a stack of paperwork in the process. "I didn't see you there!"

"Sorry," Cora apologized, a sheepish note in her otherwise pleasant tone. "We didn't mean to disturb you. Padawan Vossari, this is Nurse Elida. She's the charge nurse who heads this town's clinic." The knight waved her hand to the Padawan - who dwarfed both women by nearly a foot in height.

"Nurse Elida, Padawan Vossari."

Elida fixed her spectacles and smiled warmly up at Roman. "It's a pleasure to meet you, dear. I won't waste your time - let's get right into it."

The nurse rummaged through her desk and retrieved a datastick, plugging it into the monitor mounted near her chair. She turned the screen around so that the Jedi could view the surveillance tape, on which a group of masked individuals could be seen hauling off crates of supplies in a hover cart.

"This is from the rear of the building, near the supply dock last night."

Cora peered closer to the grainy imagery. The figures were garbed in darker clothing, bandanas tied around their noses and mouths. This clearly wasn't a professional job. "Any idea what direction they headed in?"

With a few clicks, Elida switched the feeds to another camera. This one captured the group as they disappeared through a field and over the horizon.

"East," Cora mumbled as she tried to conjure up her mental map of the region. Another thought sliced through that.

"The supplies they stole, do you have enough to make it through today? We made sure to expedite your order that'll replace what was missing. It should arrive by end of day."

Elida hummed in thought before answering. "Barring any terrible accidents, we should be fine for a day."

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Aphidna​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

Roman stood just behind Cora as he prepared to greet Nurse Elida. His form was tall, yet he carried himself with the grace and humility instilled in him during his training and upbringing. With a slight bow of his head he spoke, "It's an honor to meet you, Nurse Elida." He kept his voice was warm and inviting, reflecting the care he now felt for the people who relied on this clinic.

As Elida launched straight into the details of the theft, Roman's attention shifted to the small screen. He leaned slightly forward, making sure his height didn't obstruct Cora's view, as the grainy footage revealed masked figures scurrying about, hurried movements that hinted at desperation. His brow furrowed slightly as he watched the scene unfold, the subtle tension in the air fading to a sharper awareness of the implications. These were not mere misfits, these were people in dire need, or at least thats how it came across.

The next feed caught his eye, the sight of the thieves vanishing over the horizon. What could drive them to steal supplies meant for the sick and needy?

He turned to Cora, sensing her mind already at work, piecing together where they could have been heading. As she inquired about the clinic's immediate needs, Roman's gaze didn't leave her. Her focus helped steady him as they processed the information together. He admired her resolve, the way she balanced nurturing instincts with the pressing responsibility of an Jedi.

Once their discussion concluded, the two stepped out of the office. His instincts urged him through manners, so he bowed again to Nurse Elida. "Thank you for your time." he added, before trailing closely behind Cora, who now led them toward the dock.

Walking beside her, Roman contemplated the horizon they had seen captured in the footage. "What do you think lies east of here?" he asked, a genuine curiosity underlying his question.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Given the varying walks of life Jedi can come from, some Padawans lacked proper decorum through no fault of their own. Roman was decidedly not one of those. His manners were impeccable, his diction crisp and clear. What was more - it all seemed very genuine.

Nurse Elida seemed to think so, too. She chuckled softly and offered Roman a warm "Of course, dear. Do take care of yourselves."

"East…" Cora repeated. She tapped at the small button on her gauntlet, projecting a map of Ukatis between them. Two fingers pinched and zoomed several times before their region flared into focus. She pointed to Aphidna, denoted by a glowing blue dot - their location - then traced a path east through the forest. Her finger landed on another small town.

"Scilia," she suppressed a groan, but it was clear that she wasn't pleased with this revelation.

"Their Lord is rather…unscrupulous. Not long ago, he was caught working with a Sith - they were imprisoning Force sensitive civilians found within his territory." She frowned. "We were able to rescue them, but the Sith got away. Lord Gallas von Nyvlt was subsequently imprisoned."

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Aphidna
Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

Roman listened to Cora's explanation, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on his shoulders. His brow furrowed, processing the implications of the information. Lords and Sith holding force sensitives captive, an unusual operation this far into Alliance space.

He could see Cora's frustration brewing as she spoke of this Lord. "Unscrupulous," he echoed quietly. The Jedi teachings he held dear urged compassion and understanding, but it was difficult to muster sympathy for someone who would ally with Sith against their own people.

"Knight Ascania," his voice steady, "if they're headed to Scilia with the supplies, maybe this Lord has further support?"

Roman glanced toward the direction of the forest, the looming trees standing like a sentinel, he could almost sense the tension in the air. "If there's a chance these individuals are this desperate, we should consider these individuals might not be acting on their own accord." he suggested, keeping his focus on Cora's thoughtful expression. "Something doesn't feel right about this."

Roman felt the warmth of commitment in his chest, the desire to protect and serve not just the people of Aphidna, but all who were suffering here on Ukatis. He admired how Cora balanced this heavy load with her own burden, and it inspired him to find ways to help.

With a nod, Roman asked, "Let's head east then? Scout the area first, see if we can gather more intelligence on what's happening in Scilia. Together, we can find a way to help both the medical facility and the people of Scilia."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Something doesn't feel right about this.

Cora nodded slowly, still somewhat distracted by her own discontent. She'd freed the captured individuals and Gallas had been locked away, but what if her actions in Scilia had unintended consequences?

A few long moments passed as she observed her own self-doubt, then set it aside. A long, slow inhale of fresh air as they stepped outside of the clinic helped Cora to center herself.

"Yes, we should head east," she agreed. "Scilia is much like this village, but smaller. It's mainly a farming community. Regrettably, I have not kept up with it as often as I'd like to." There were hundreds of such villages scattered throughout Ukatis, and it simply wasn't feasible for one person to keep tabs on them all. Still, she would have liked to check in on Scilia after their unfortunate Sith debacle.

A short walk toward the edge of the village brought them to the stables, from which Cora procured a pair of horses. "You can ride, yes?" After learning that her own Master, Valery Noble, struggled somewhat with this type of mount, she took care not to assume. Another thought struck her as she adjusted the mare's saddle.

"Have you ever met a Sith before, Padawan Vossari?"

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Road to Scilia
Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

As they walked towards the horses, he couldn't help but ponder the weight of Cora's words. Hundreds of villages, all scattered across Ukatis, and she possibly felt a responsibility to keep tabs on them all? It was a staggering thought, a burden that seemed almost impossible to bear. He wondered how she managed to handle it all, how she could possibly carry such a weight on her shoulders.

He nodded in response to her question about his riding skills. "Yes, I know how to ride." he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "My father ensured I received lessons from a variety of beasts back on Serenno. This should be... similar, at least I hope so." He approached the other mare that had been saddled, placing a hand on the bridge of its nose. He felt the raw power of the creature through the Force, a tangible sense of its strength and wildness. Roman focused, attempting to soothe the mare's apprehension, and as he straightened the saddle, he climbed aboard, steadying the animal as it took a few heavy breaths.

Cora's question about his experience with the Sith sparked a moment of reflection in Roman. "I don't think so." he answered, his brow furrowing slightly. He had met Darth Reign , and while he held a respectful relationship with the man, he never truly considered him a Sith in the way the Jedi always warned him about. The dark, destructive force that the Jedi always described, the Sith that instilled a sense of dread, he had never encountered them. At least, not that he was aware of.

As they rode eastward, a question formed in Roman's mind, a lingering concern from the events in Scilia. "Do you think they could still be working with the Sith?" he asked, his tone filled with a sense of unease. He watched as Cora pondered his question, trying to gauge whether he should be worried or not.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

As they passed through the city outskirts, rolling fields would gradually shift into green forest. They cut an earthen path through the woods, one that had been formed over hundreds of years of foot (and hoof) travel.

After Roman posed his question, it took Cora a noticeably long time to answer. Brow furrowed, she went over the details of her encounter with Jogon in her mind.

"I don't know," she answered truthfully. "I certainly hope not. The Sith he was working with - a Dashade by the name of Jogon - fled after I discovered the prisoners. I encountered him again during the invasion of Coruscant. I can't imagine that this-" she gestured to the land around them "-would be worth much to him."

Cora hadn't figured out exactly what Jogon had been after, in the end. Perhaps he intended to betray the young Lord and use the force sensitive prisoners for his own dealings.

"I can see how Gallas von Nyvlt might've been taken with him. Some Sith outwardly appear as terrifying monsters, but many present as remarkably human. Charisma can go a long way in gaining someone's trust."

She'd seen both in Wake - Darth Nwul - once. He'd been gentle and affectionate with her, but the mad workings of a monster lurked behind his golden eyes.

The forest once again gave way to a dirt road, and soon the structures of Scilia came into view. Modest houses lined the street, but the road was oddly barren. A stark contrast to the busy streets of Aphidna.

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Scilia​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

As they made their way deeper into the forest, the gentle rhythm of their horses hooves on the ground comforted Roman, yet Cora's stories concerned him further. He listened intently as she recounted her previous encounters with the Sith, his heart heavy with the weight of her words. The idea of Jogon lurking somewhere in the shadows chilled him.

Roman's gaze flicked to the soaring trees above, their intertwining branches forming a canopy that muted their surroundings. The forest was tranquil, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister loomed beyond. As the trees began to thin out, revealing the dirt road that led to Scilia, his unease grew tenfold. The modest structures of the town came into view.

"No one's here." Roman murmured softly, half expecting to see the same life of children running around like they had done in Aphidna. His horse pranced in place, an unsettling energy coursing through the creature. Roman felt a sudden surge of unease, a tight grip on the reins as he tried to soothe the mare's growing agitation. Her nervous breaths matched the racing beat of his heart, both drawing from an unseen tension.

He cast a quick glance over at Cora. She seemed steady, but he could see in her eyes that she, too, felt the weight of the silence. "What's going on?" a hint of confusion lacing his voice. Roman was acutely aware of eyes watching him from the shadows. Yet, each time he attempted to catch their gaze, he was met with emptiness.

The tension in the air seemed thick enough to cut, and dread unfurled in his chest. "I don't like this." he added quietly, his focus shifting from the eerie quiet of the town square to the dense corners where shadows lurked.