Misty Mountain Hop

[Armand Temi]

Location: Majestic view near the Jedi Temple on Voss​

Voss was a far cry from Nubia, the luxury planet that Cath had been spending the most time upon during her post as Home Secretary of the Republic. Nor did Voss have the misty mountains of Bardotta, those that she’d called home for so many years as the rightful heir to her family’s throne. Even after after assassination attempt upon her life she did not turn away from her responsibilities,
more emboldened than ever to champion peace into the galaxy, not force-fit it as some in the Republic had supported, but like the fabled Jedi Masters of the past, to walk the Consular Path - civil discourse and diplomacy first, the use of weapons and combat as a last resort.

However, her mother Unathi Lorr had become ill, and Cath traveled back to Bardotta to be by the Queen’s side. While it was touch and go for a few weeks, Unathi recovered, the half-Eldorai Jedi stepped down from her Republic post and helped her mother convalesce, meditating in the Dagoyan Monastery far in the mountains, until she felt ready to return.

Upon landing The Celestina in the main spaceport near the Jedi Temple, wearing a taupe, floor-length gown with a brown Dagoyan hooded robe as outerwear, Cath was to meet with Jedi Knight, Valae Kitra in order to see where she could be of assistance to the Silver Jedi who controlled the Tion Cluster all the way up to the Tingel Arm. The world was a breath of fresh air, reminding her of Bardotta with its clean atmosphere and uncongested towns and villages versus the Core Worlds which was where she first began her career as a Senator and Jedi.

[member="Valae Kitra"]

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Valae Kitra stood on the landing pad, her hands gently clasped before her. Today she was expecting an important visitor, and she had made it a point to arrive early. Diplomatic meetings were becoming more and more familiar, but this time she would not have the Grandmaster to help guide her -- a fact that had shaken her confidence. And so, she chosen to view this as a simple meet and greet, there was less pressure that way. Valae had chosen a rather simple outfit, it was a bit conservative, but it was her attempt at being ladylike.

She had made sure that the courtyard at the Silver Temple was prepared to receive her guest. The gardens had been preened, and there would be a table dressed with finery. Valae hoped that the former senator would not mind taking tea outside, but it was such a nice day. The sun was rising into the sky, and the mountains were silhouetted quite nicely against the sky. Voss was a perfect display of peace and quiet today, she hoped that it would make a favorable impression.

Chestnut eyes spotted a grand ship making its descent, and watched as it landed.

Stepping forward, Valae let her arms relax at her sides. Her signature smile was in place, one that was genuine and warm. As the ramp started to lower, she gave her hair a last minute finger combing and then stood ready to provide a greeting. [member="Cath Lorr"] would be met with a polite nod, and a friendly tone:

"Welcome to Voss, Miss Lorr. I'm Valae Kitra, it's very nice to meet you."

Valae was unsure as to what title to use to greet the former senator, but she hoped that she had done right.

 

[Armand Temi]

As the ramp lowered with a hiss, Cath walked down and was pleased to see a young woman waiting for her on the landing pad. She smiled warmly, noting her attire was befitting a politician and not a Jedi at all. But the Eldorai wasn’t here to judge wardrobes, she was more interested in finding out Knight Kitra’s background and thoughts on the Silver Jedi.

With a effusive handshake, her midnight eyes shone brightly at the greeting. “The gardens are beautiful here, and while I have no green thumb whatsoever, I’d love to tend to them. Nature calms the soul. It’s why I turned away from politics at the end of the day. Too many stuffy and claustrophobic offices for my liking.”

The petite Jedi also clasped her hands in front of her, eager to take a tour. “Knight Kitra, why don’t you tell me a little bit about yourself and what brought you to the Silvers.” Cath had a charmed upbringing, but she realized many Force users came from all walks of life. Younglings with talent were plucked from their parents nest - likely too soon in some circumstances. She hoped that Valae’s childhood had been filled with wonder and love as hers had been.

[member="Valae Kitra"]

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Valae’s eyes widened just slightly upon seeing [member="Cath Lorr"] exit her ship. The Eldorai woman was the picture of grace – she had delicate features, and quite a beautiful gown. Compared to such a lady, Valae felt a touch self-conscious. However, her kind smile never wavered. The Jedi healer extended her hand and gently shook Cath’s in greeting. As the former senator complimented the gardens, her smile grew wider.

“You’re welcome to tend to the gardens anytime you’d like.” She said with an enthusiastic nod. “I agree – it’s nice to be out in the open air.”

She walked with Cath through the Silver Temple grounds, passing by the main complex on their way to the courtyard. The area was bustling with Jedi – apprentices, knights, and masters. Some of them smiled at the pair of women, and others offered bows of respect before going on about their business. The courtyard was a favorite gathering space, many often used the area to train outside, but for the time it had been kept empty in anticipation of their guest.

There was a lovely table set with tea and sweets for them to enjoy.

Motioning towards the empty seats, Valae waited until Cath had been seated, before sitting down herself. And now, she took a moment to reflect quietly about her journey to the Silver Order.

“Let’s see…” Her index finger rose to tap her chin, “I grew up on Tatooine, my father and I operated a very small scrap yard there. We didn’t make much of a living, but it was just enough to get by.”

She paused to draw in a deep breath; her start with the Silver Jedi also marked a very sad day in her life.

“The day I met the former Grandmaster… was also the day that my father passed.” Valae had done her grieving, not to say that she didn’t miss him. But she added a small smile, to keep from making Cath feel uncomfortable. “It was quite a whirlwind – I came to Voss that very night and my life changed for the better.”

The members of the Order were her family now.

“What about you?” She asked, brows inching upwards. “How can the Order help on your journey?”

[member="Cath Lorr"]

 

[Armand Temi]

Cath thought her smile couldn’t get any wider, but it did when Knight Kitra said she was welcome to tend to the gardens. Being out in the natural world helped her meditate, and therefore could highly enhance her training which frankly had fallen by the wayside since her mother’s illness. She feared the Grand Master’s ire over such poor Jedi skills, but then again, Cath was never a fan of combat.

As the pair sat in a bucolic garden with fragrant tea, pastries and fruit, the half-Eldorai poured herself a cup, grateful that not everything had to be ascetic and monastic at the temple. Biting into a scone, Cath listened to Knight Kitra describe her background. “I’m so sorry about your father,” she said when Valae admitted to losing him. “I nearly lost my mother recently to a sudden virus, but thankfully she recovered.”

Folding her hands upon the table, she said, “My father is a Jedi Master and a full-blooded Eldorai, a very imposing mix to say the least. He did not want to train me… felt that I might pick up too many of his habits.” She felt momentarily guilty over talking about her father when Valae had just shared her tragic story.

“My goal is to become a Jedi Consular. Combat should always be a last resort. While I won’t speak ill of the Republic, my thoughts on peaceful negotiation were not always readily accepted.”

Cath left out the part of her history that described her mother as a Queen. She felt was the least reflective and descriptive of who she was despite her stately gown, though taking over the Bardottan throne would eventually be her destiny.

“Who did you study with? As a Master?”

[member="Valae Kitra"]

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Once she had finished her story, Valae set about getting herself a cup of tea. She attempted to mimic the graceful way in which Cath had poured the tea, but she spilled just a bit onto her saucer. She dabbed up the spilled tea with a napkin, but offered a warm smile as Cath offered her condolences for her father. Sometimes the loss felt very fresh, like it had happened yesterday, and other times it seemed far in the past. But the years had given Valae enough time to mourn, and enough time to get used to the idea that he was gone.

"Oh my," She said softly, pausing as she was about to set a pastry onto her plate. "I'm glad your mother has recovered."

She took a dainty bite of the sweet bun, and then turned her attention to Cath. Valae listened intently as she began to reveal her background. Her brows rose with interest upon learning that Cath wanted to take the path of a Consular. Valae herself shared many of the traits of a Consular, she disliked using combat, and she had an affinity for healing. However, she had a hunch that Cath would be an excellent fit for diplomatic matters. But maybe, she would be interested in joining the Silver Circle as a healer, too.

"I studied with Thurion Heavenshield," She said with a nod, "I was quite fortunate to be able to call the former Grandmaster my master."

It was a well-known name here in the Silver Temple. And truly, she had cherished her time learning with him. After taking a small sip of tea, she smiled and folded her hands in her lap.

"We'd be happy to have you here in the Silver Order, Cath." She started, "I think a Consular would do well here, you'll have the opportunity to build your skills. While some other groups out there are quick to jump into fights -- we're not. You might like working with the Silver Service Corps as well, our humanitarian aid group."

[member="Cath Lorr"]

 

[Armand Temi]

Cath watched Valae fumble with the tea, and without breaking a smile, procured a napkin to help her dab up any spills upon the table. She sensed her highborne manners were showing through, but left the insecurity there in her head and did not change one graceful motion. When she was done she folded the napkin along its creases and set it upon her lap, tea stain and all. A service droid came over to mop up the rest, rather incongruous in such a quaint setting.

“That’s very fortunate, indeed.” She could tell by her mannerisms and the warm way that Master Kitra spoke about Thurion Heavenshield, that Valae had the utmost respect for the former Grand Master. “As Master Yune is now in that role, why did Thurion retire?”

She sensed there was a story there, but knew well that not everyone could continue along that path, especially being everything to everyone - a commander, a weapons master and yes, even a diplomat all rolled into one. Cath felt certain that she could never be a Grand Master, but perhaps given time and training, she may consider it. It wasn’t a position to seek lightly nor with ambition.

“I want to serve in as many ways as I can,” she said, sipping the fragrant tea. “I am a servant of the Order and have no goals of my own but to work fastidiously so that the galaxy is peaceful and all beings are considered free.”

Tilting her head to the side, the sunlight catching her hair so that the silver strands appeared almost like celestial filaments, she asked, “Do you have any advice to share? Even an anecdote? Something to help me along my way?"

[member="Valae Kitra"]

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

As Cath used her own napkin to help clean up the spilt tea, Valae attempted to suppress the rosy blush that was forming on her cheeks. But she smiled her thanks to the Eldorai, and pulled her hands away from the tabletop as the droid swept by to finish. She took a sip of the tea, enjoying the warmth and the delicate aroma of the brew.

“Thurion felt it was time to retire and focus on his family. He has a new little one now.” She said with a cheerful smile, “I went to visit him recently – he’s setting into retirement quite well.”

She was pleased to hear the Cath seemed willing to dedicate herself to the Silver Order. Valae could already tell that Cath was a woman of high moral fiber, and she shared her wish to see the galaxy in a peaceful state.

“I could see your skills being put to good use by the Grandmaster; I think she would like to have you along for diplomatic missions.” She nodded, “I’ve attended some formal gatherings with her, but I’m no diplomat.” She chuckled softly.

Valae drew in a deep breath and sat back in her chair to consider Cath’s questions.

“I would say… just don’t lose sight of who you are and what you stand for.” She tucked a few strands of chestnut waves behind her ear. “I actually left the order for a time…” Valae glanced to the side, she wasn’t proud of this fact. “I lost myself in a moment of weakness. After my first experience in battle, I felt like there wasn’t a place for me here – but I was wrong. I’ve learned that I don’t need to be a fighter to lend a hand. Life has a funny way of teaching lessons, but all that experience adds up, doesn’t it?”

She hadn’t spoken about this even with many, but she felt surprisingly comfortable in Cath’s presence.

“And I bet you’ve had your share of experiences during your service to the Republic.” She glanced up, smiling an invitation to share.

[member="Cath Lorr"]