Private Mel's Diner

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coruscant | OBJECTIVE : Discuss the Future | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Ryana mina

Mel’s Diner - Old Market District - Level 4

This classic diner had allegedly been around and open since the Clone Wars. The original owner is of course long deceased, but if legend holds true, the name and decor was kept out of respect for history, it was also very pet friendly so there were sentients of all types with their companions and best friends in there enjoying meals and conversing. Connel enjoyed coming here because he loved a dish that they had, called “biscuits & gravy” and it was the best.

It was also something that Buster just loved to dive into. He was in the booth right next to Connel, enjoying the view, enjoying the passersby who noticed him and just fell in love. He was more than enjoying himself and was just happy to be able to see over the table.

You love it here, don’t you?

Normally Buster would “Bark” in a response, but he was getting better with his “manners” and just wagged his tail and gave Connel kisses on the cheek, of course this got him head scratches. Mel (not the same one, obviously) had stopped by a couple of times to give Buster extra Nerf sausage, and to check and make sure everything was okay.

Everything was more than fine, they were enjoying breakfast and waiting for Ryana mina along with the Racyon Pip to come and join them. Sure, the little helion was probably going to get into some fun trouble, but the place was set up for this sort of thing, with toys and enrichment activities all over the place. Not to mention the plate of grapes already waiting for him.

They were going to sit, catch up and talk about what the future is going to hold for Ryana. She had skills, they needed to be honed, and brought into a cohesive Leku… so to speak.

 

[Ryana mina]

Tag: Connel Vanagor

Ryana was more than happy to meet connel and to see buster again pip was excited as he knew they were going to meet connel and buster he was crawling up and down her robes as she walked and got odd looks. But she was used to it as a twi'lek jedi with a racyon was an unusual sight let alone a lethan twi'lek as she walked she noticed the diner and saw connel and she could see busters head pop up occasionally as he looked around at other people. She walked up to the window and immediately got a response from buster who barked loudly as his tail and but began wiggling as she waved buster got excited ryana then walked to the door buster ran from the table to meet ryana and pip as ryana walked in and knelt down and petted buster and gave him headscratches.

Pip hopped down and began playing with buster ryana smiled she still loved to see buster and pip playing it did her heart good to see pip had friends to play with. Before she walked up to connel and sat down across from him watching pip and buster play out of the corner of her eye

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coruscant | OBJECTIVE : Discuss the Future | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Ryana mina

So much for manners…

Connel couldn’t help but laugh as Buster went into his “RYANA IS HERE!” dance, a dance he only does for her and tore off across the diner. It was too cute not to, he of course enjoyed a cup of caf as he watched their reunion. Mel of course saw this too and brought her order up to the table. Connel did order, but not to be controlling or anything, he just knew what she liked to eat(and Pip had his grapes too). He of course waited to continue eating until she did.

Heyyyy. Hope you don’t mind that I ordered ahead of you.

Come on guys!

Patting the part of the seat next to him, Buster hopped right up and went back to his dish as Pip went wide-eyed at the bow of grapes and dug in, Connel took another sip of his caf. Connel smiled and shook his head. He watched Pip devour the grapes, and Buster continue to lap up his own dinner. He leaned back in his seat, content. It’s good to see you, the both of you. I’m sorry I’ve been so busy, but I am taking time off to rectify that. Not just for Pip and Buster’s benefit, but yours as well…

He had been BUSY over the most recent weeks, but had always thought about Ryana and how she was getting along. She was self-reliant and more than capable, so he wasn’t worried she needed to be looked after or anything, but that he was neglecting his duties of her growth. On top of that, her and Pip were “family”.

 

[Ryana mina]

Tag: Connel Vanagor

As the twilek sat down across from connel "hopefully this place makes better twi'lek food than the temple cafeteria" she said jokingly as she sat there as she began eating pip began eating his grapes happily ryana gave pip headscratches making the little racyon pur and chitter between grapes. When ever she got twi'lek food she had to get something special for pip as racyons couldn't eat twi'lek food very well.

Not that there was very much twi'lek based food anyway from her experience however limited that may be as she began eating it was better than the temples "trust me pips been just fine for a little mischievous furball" she said jokingly. As pip began audibly chittering in response making ryana smirked in-between bites the lethan was glad for her found family even if pip was a pain in her lekku most of the time.

"I get the feeling this is more than a catch up and being all touchy feely catch up" she said honestly sure she was being blunt but she had learned to read people during her days before becoming a jedi. It has its uses sometimes it also helped with pip most of all since he was a little shit most of the time.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coruscant | OBJECTIVE : Discuss the Future | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Ryana mina

As attentive as ever…

Connel couldn’t help but laugh at how spot on Ryana was, and was blunt right off the bat. It was who she was and one of the things he appreciated about the Twi’Lek. With her, one will always know where they stand, without question. Connel offered a headscratch to Pip, which of course drew a “look” from Buster.

You really think I’m going to forget you? Which of course was followed by ear and cheek rubs. Buster knew that Connel would never forget about him. He also knew that Connel would always love him and take care of him. Buster felt safe and secure with Connel. Of course if any part of Ryana was close enough, it would get a “kiss” from him too.

Well, first and foremost, I did want to catch up…

He took a moment to finish his bite. ... I wanted to talk to you about your future. You can’t be my Padawan forever after all. We are and will always be “family”, but it’s not fair to you to stay stagnant. You’re stronger than you think you are, you’re self-reliant and highly resourceful and that is without the Force.

He was truly proud of the sentient sitting across from him. Yes, you were once a slave, but that is so far in your past. It’s a part of you, sure, but you are so much more than that now. I want you to be able to be counted where you belong. Among Jedi Knights. You deserve to be one more than I do. This was not an attempt to make her feel uncomfortable, or fish for compliments, it was the truth. She needed to see what other sentients saw in her.

 

[Ryana mina]

Tag: Connel Vanagor

Ryana watched connel with pip and buster she smiled as she felt buster lick her leg "i love you too buster" she said as busters little head popped up over the table. The lethan twi'lek smirked "was i talking to you huh" she said as buster let out a bark ryana hovered a half piece of nerf sausage over to buster who gladly ate it and woofed which did her heart proud.

"My bad" she said as she then took a mouth full of food and began chewing as she then saw buster looking at the other sausage on her plate she took it and ate it making busters ears droop down "i gave you half of one" she said listening to connel. He was right she couldn't be a padawan forever but she felt he gave her more praise than she deserved. "Well when your raised with a force nullifing necklace basically welded around your neck your whole life you don't really have a choice and on top of that being forced to do the bidding of a hutt you don't really have a choice" she said honestly.

she didn't mean for it to get so serious but she was being honest with him as she ate another bite of her food buster lowered himself down and layed on the stool next to connel as pip finished his grapes he crawled over and layed next to buster. Which made her glad to see she had seen it a hundred times but was still glad to see that pip had atleast one friend in the galaxy. "But I am glad you think I deserve to be a jedi knight" she said honestly.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coruscant | OBJECTIVE : Discuss the Future | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Ryana mina

As Connel found his left scratching hand slowly switching between two “fat and happy hellions”, he listened to Ryana recall much of her past. At first it sounded like she was still bitter about what happened to her, to which she had every right to, Connel understood where she was coming from. She realized that she had to make the best of her situation and how that was what got her through it all.

I’m not the only one who thinks that. Wiping his hands after taking a sip of his drink, only to look down to a chittering Pip, and growling Buster. They were not growling out anger, or annoyance, they were growling because he “wasn’t finished”. No, neither one of you are spoiled… not at all.

He winked to Ryana, fully aware of the irony of that statement.

”Not gonna lie” you still have a few skills to learn, one of them being self confidence. He gave her a “glance”

... but one of the best things you could have ever done is adopt the little hellion that is purring to my scratching of his head right now. Connel smirked as he shifted over to Buster, though Pip somehow managed to shift himself so that they were both being scratched at the same time. He has taught you so much, even indirectly about what it means to be a Jedi. Just like Buster did with me. Before I rescued this little fluff ball I was a walking meatbag of insecurity. I was so afraid of doing the wrong thing and had the worst case of “Imposter Syndrome”... well you saw where it got me. He shrugged.

Taking another drink to give it a minute, and let those words hang, he went back to his point. Now give yourself some credit. That operation on Tatooine? We only got through that successfully because of you. That has nothing to do with your path, it had everything to do with your instincts. He leaned back a little and smirked. I mean, do you really I was as inept as I played myself up to be? That was a trial of your skills, your Discipline, and you blew it out of the proverbial water. I’m proud of you, and think that we need to go out on more of my ops. That took a lot for him to admit. He does not trust others out in the field easily, but Ryana is one of them. In fact, outside his father, she is the only one.

 

[Ryana mina]

Connel Vanagor

Sitting across from connel and their two "hellions" as he loved to call them she called them fluff balls as she listened to him speak as she ate her food. She chuckled as he mentioned them being spoiled "their not spoiled their just loved alot" she said as she heard buster bark in agreement and pip chittered. They where quite the pair and more than a handful but they where both loved alot by both her and connel.

"I see the galaxy how it is self confidence has nothing to do with it the galaxy has darkness and evil in it but it also has good in it and love like those two furballs who we love alot" she said. As pip and busters heads popped up happily ryana smiled "oh was I talking about you two yes I was" she said as buster let out a woof happily as pip chittered and purred slightly. It still surprised her that she could love small faces so much sometimes they where both adorable "i didn't adopt that little ball of mischief he adopted me I've been stuck with him ever since" she said as pip stuck his tongue out at ryana in defiance.

She took another bite "my instincts come from my past the life in lived the people that where in it criminals, hackers, mercenaries, assassin's, bounty hunters you live around them long enough you know how they think how they do things the tells of their trade" she said. Sitting there she then felt pip crawl onto her lap and buster hop up next two her as she gave both of them headscratches. "I love you two aswell" she said as both looked content.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coruscant | OBJECTIVE : Discuss the Future | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Ryana mina

Flipping his “scratch” hand around in a playful fashion, he looked down at them each time Buster and Pip would chime in. It was hilarious to him how in tune they were with the both of them. Of course Ryana had her Force Bond with Pip, but she imprinted on Buster and that made his heart melt to have someone else who cared about his little buddy that much. The fact that Pip was having fun with him too, they were teaming up on his hand, was a great sign of how close the four of them really were.

I get that, and I realize you did what you had to do. I just want you to know that I am in your corner, and not just because I am technically your Master. Getting a refill on his cup of caf, Connel listened more. Every step you take leads you to something.

Taking another sip, and then putting it down to reach for the sweetener (still with one hand), he went on.

What you lived through, what built you up into the person you are. I’m not an expert, but you have tools to make at least a magnificent investigator, or moreso a Shadow like me. You have to choose your own past, but you are already capable of the “Cloak”... I learned that late. He nodded, thinking about what she was capable of.

Hey! Connel smirked as he looked down at Buster, who had learned how to “grab” one of his fingers with both paws. Too too smart… He shrugged, switching between the both of them in scratches. .

So, what say we go to the training rooms tomorrow and knock out some of the more physical aspects you haven’t learned yet. There’s plenty of room for Pip and Buster to play with plenty of toys. He leaned back a little and smirked. We get it going and you’ll start to see what everyone else does. Pip popped his head up and chittered as did Buster with a woof, both in agreement. Connel smirked a little harder. See?

 

[Ryana mina]

Connel Vanagor

Ryana sat there she got what connel was saying and she appreciated it it was good to have someone in her corner well someone and two little fuzzballs in her case. That she loved completely and that she knew loved her back as she sensed how happy pip was. With buster and connel and it did her heart good as she sat there finishing her plate she listened to connel speak.

As she did she saw pip and buster poke their little heads up and speak up which made her chuckle and smile "yes your both adorable" she said as buster woofed again in agreement. Which made her smile he was definitely cuter than he had any right to be which the twilek was fine with as she tossed buster the last bit of sausage which he ate happily as she looked at connel "we'll see tomorrow then" she said as pip crawled up to sit on her lap as he picked some crumbs off her plate eating them his ears going up as his eyes filled with enjoyment. She smiled as she looked down scratching his head she could sense that pip enjoyed it.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coruscant | OBJECTIVE : Discuss the Future | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Ryana mina

Waving for the server, who signaled acknowledgment, Connel smiled in agreement. Alright… Well, I’m getting dessert. You want a “Cuppy cup”? Yet another word that Buster recognized as he lit hup and hopped around in the booth seat. One for Pip too, trust me on this. Pip was busy picking the crumbs off of Ryana’s plate and looked up in wonder.

“What can I getcha, hon?”

I want a Bendudae… two “Cuppy cups” Buster was ridiculously excited.

You want anything? My treat.

 

[Ryana mina]

Connel Vanagor

Ryana smiled as pip was happily eating the last couple of crumbs from her plate basically cleaning it off "was that good" she said as pip purred licking his lips which garnered chin scratches from ryana. She was glad he chose her even if he was a huge pain at times but moments like this she appreciated greatly he was actually cute when he wasn't driving her up a wall.

She couldn't help but smile at how happy buster got at the mention of this cuppy cup and it got pips attention "I'll pass thanks but pip will definitely take that cup" she said as pip got excited. Ryana knew what happened as she pulled a toy out of her robes and handed it to pip who immediately began playing with it so he didn't cause chaos.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coruscant | OBJECTIVE : Discuss the Future | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Ryana mina

When the server returned with the desserts, Buster was all kinds of excited, hopping up and down and licking his chops. Pip was busy playing with his toy, but Buster’s excitement brought out his curiosity as he hopped back up on the table. Connel of course grabbed the two cups and held them up.

Slowly, he offered one to Buster. Pip, watch Buster, he’ll show you how to attack this. As Connel offered it to Ryana, to do the same, Buster was trying to excavate every atom of whipped cream out of the cup. Before long he was cleaning his own face, happy as a clam.

Satisfied, Connel turned to his Bendudae. Which was in an enclosed insulated cup, he smiled. “Mel” knew he was going to want it “to go”.

You know me well “Mel”! To Ryana. So, tomorrow? Training room B?

Just like he promised, Connel and Buster were at the Temple, in training room B the next morning. Buster was busy playing with one of the several squeaker toys that had been brought as the steward droid from Connel’s ship was there in “shutdown” mode. He was busy stretching. There were more toys available for Pip as well.

 

[Ryana mina]

Connel Vanagor

Ryana smirked as pip played with his toy as she watched the cuppy cups show up and buster got all excited bouncing around and stuff. Seeing buster get so excited made ryana smile happily that she had found a family and that these two little fuzzballs. Where apart of it and as she saw buster licking away she held it for pip who began licking it curiously at first. Then licking up the whipped cream as fast as his little tongue could manage his paws grabbing for the cup as he licks the cup completely clean.

"Was that good huh" she said as pip purred happily as she scratched his head. As she watched connel get up and buster chase after "we'll be there" she said as she got up as well and pip climbed into ryanas hood and took a nap from all the food. As she gladly walked to the temple with out having to deal with pips mischief and pip was content as could be which always made her happy.

The next morning ryana and pip made their way to the training room and as they entered ryana was happy to buster was playing with one of the many squeaky toys ryana had bought him. As buster ran up to greet her and pip ryana knelt down and petted buster "hey there yes I love you" she said giving buster headscratches and pets as pip ran up and the duo ran off to go play. Ryana stood up and walked up to connel "so what's first" she asked standing there as she saw pip and buster playing a dozen or so feet behind connel.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coruscant | OBJECTIVE : Discuss the Future | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Ryana mina

Oh? No “Hi”? Really, Pip? Hands on his hips as he more than happily watched Buster run up to Ryana, and then he and Pip go off and play, it was all he could do to hold in the laugh he had when the Racyon stuck his tongue out at the Shadow. He couldn't help but smirk as he watched the two friends interact. He knew that Buster had found a real friend in Pip and that he would never have to go through life alone.

Ryana asking him “What’s next” was the fun part. Glad you asked. I bought you, Pip and Buster some gifts. Buster already saw them, so he was busy attacking a squeaker toy. Pip however popped his head up from his own. Connel popped a quick playful glare. Oh, NOW you remember me? Again, out went the tongue as the Racyon went back to playing.

Connel could only laugh.

I bought Pip and Buster new beds, a couple of bags, that they swear even Pip can’t get into but we’ll see, snacks and a couple of plushies. I bought you some gear and a couple of hoodies, one for like Pip was with you yesterday and a cold weather one.

Pointing up to one of the outward extended (like a shelf) platforms that they could easily see everything but could not simply climb up to or jump without the Force.

Help lift and bring them down?

 

[Ryana mina]

Connel Vanagor

Ryana smiled and tried to hold back a laugh but failed at connel and pips interaction "pip loves you just almost as much as buster loves me" she said as busters head popped up looking at ryana his tail wagging. She smiled at him "was I talking about you huh" she said as buster barked happily before attacking his squeaky toy again which made her chuckle she loved buster just as much as she loved pip.

She was still glad she found a family she never would have figured she would be loved so much before she became a jedi. As she looked at the shelf where the gifts where she smirked pip would love for ryana to have a sweater where he could sleep more comfortably in the hood. And pip was in need of a new bed "a pip proof bag I'll believe it when I see it" she said jokingly as she felt pip looking at her curiously as she met his gaze "that wasn't a challenge you little gremlin" she teased as pip stuck his tongue out before he whent back to playing. As she looked up at the items ryana used Telekinesis to bring the items down which brought pip over Sniffing. And of course buster not wanting to be left out came up aswell as ryana gave them both as quick headscratch she looked over the items as she pulled out a racyon plushie pip grabbed it and hugged it ryana smirked "i think he claimed that one" she said smirking as she petted pip who purred.

As she looked over one of the bags she put pips bed into the bag the snacks and the two sweaters tailored to her and pip into it. "Let me see the racyon plushie pip you can play with it when we get home so buster doesn't get a hold of it" she said as buster woofed wanting attention ryana gave buster headscratches. As pip gave ryana the stuffed racyon ryana closed the bag she then looked too buster and pip "you two go play" she said lovingly as pip and buster ran off to play together which made ryanas heart melt.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coruscant | OBJECTIVE : Discuss the Future | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Ryana mina

Connel’s work took him to some dark places, both physically, geographically, and mentally. To say that it was “difficult” and “taxing” was a bit of an understatement. This is why he was so happy, not to mention grateful to be able to coordinate, and be a part of moments like this, Thirdas Heavenshield is the reason he did not die on that fateful day, but these three saved his life.

Buster… still playing with my “alarm”. He openly laughed at his own bad joke. If Ryana looked closely enough, she would notice that the pup’s squeakertoy was one of the toys she bought him. Connel wasn’t lying when he called it his “alarm” as he had been woken up this morning by the little hellion playing with it, but that is more than okay. It kept him from chewing on everything else!

As Ryana was busy looking over her new things, Connel activated the steward droid. The orders were to not only “hold” the bags, but to hold them up and use them to play with the two best friends. Then when she was ready… I have one more thing. Reaching out through the Force and pulling what looked to be some sort of rock into his hands.

This is a rock…

Snorting as he could not continue with his bad joke, he explained.

Inside of it, is a Kenobi's Legacy crystal, it is a shard off of mine, but large enough to fit in your lightsaber without compromising the primary crystal. Once inserted, no one can activate your blade but you. Mine is a piece off of Father’s and your’s off of mine. “Family tradition”. He smiled brightly. Offering the rock to her, there was but one question. You just have to get it out. Find… or maybe learn the “Shatterpoint” you might say. A foreshadowing of the next lesson?