Not Quite a Padawan Yet

[Chussi Aiuk]

[member=Valiens Nantaris]

Location: Rhen Var

The crisp air of Dromund Kaas made Chussi Aiuk feel like she was being pelted with sheets of ice. Her typical long robes and headdress were the only physical comfort for her, protecting her skin from the frigid weather, but they did not do much. In fact, Chussi was just simply uncomfortable.

A group of fellow Padawans had convinced Chussi to see more of the galaxy before she got assigned to master. Why these kids had picked Rhen Var as the destination for their outing was nothing if not a mystery to the miserable Mirialan. It didn't take too long to get seperated from the group and wind up lost in the center of the unknown city. The longer she wandered, the more she was convinced these Padawans had ditched her as a practical joke. It didn't seem very Jedi-like.

Chussi huffed, pouting her lips as she entered a cantina and immediately sighing in relief at the rush of warm air on her now chapped skin. Fully aware of the fact that cantinas housed the lowest of the low, she kept a hand on her training lightsaber and moved to find a place to sit alone, keeping her head down. Now she needed to figure out how she was going to get back to Voss's Academy if she was stranded here with no money.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Chussi Aiuk"]
“And I thought Hoth was the worst iceball in the galaxy,” Nantaris said, looking out over the frozen wastes with his macro-binoculars. Despite the cold weather gear and a bit of help from the Force his fingers and toes were going numb.
“You’d complain if it was hot,” his friend Raloph Scindia commented. He seemed much more at peace with the conditions.
“I just prefer to go places where I am not alternately freezing and boiling my ass off,” he grumbled. “Alright, we’re not finding anything today. Head back to the ship, I’ll go and see if our contact’s shown up in the cantina.”

And so, a little time after Chussi arrived at the cantina, Valiens Nantaris walked in. The contrast in temperatures was enough to make him sneeze and try and remove some of the more overheated clothing.

As he did so his lightsabre became visible as he pulled off a particularly thick parka. The people in the cantina noted it and resolved not to bother him.

As Nantaris finally freed himself from four of his clothing layers he noted the girl in the Jedi robes. Curious. Since his contact hadn’t shown he wandered over.

“Bit of a cold one, huh?” he asked. As opening lines went it did little to, as it were, break the ice.

 

[Chussi Aiuk]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

Chussi sat with her brow furrowed, alternating between contemplating how to get back to the Academy and wondering why she'd been deserted. Maybe it was something of a test, or welcome ritual that all new padawans had to go through.

She jumped at the voice that originated beside her. She quickly closed her eyes and took a deep breath, cursing herself for not paying more attention to her surroundings.

"You can say that again. Probably wouldn't be so bad if I actually knew I was coming here," she commented bitterly.

Only then did she turn to look at the rather scruffy older Jedi standing next to her, his rank obvious from his form of dress. A younger, more clean-cut Jedi stood beside him, appearing to be following the older man. She smiled politely. "Forgive me, master Jedi. My name is padawan Chussi Aiuk. Well, technically not a padawan yet."

She decided to leave her introduction at that. If the master Jedi needed to know more he could surely ask. Chussi never was one to offer much more than the situation required.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Chussi Aiuk"]
“Pleased to meet you, Chussi,” Nantaris said, plopping into a seat opposite her. “We don’t need to stand on ceremony though if you don’t want to. My name’s Valiens Nantaris, but please just call me Nantaris.”
He extended a hand towards her to shake. He certainly didn’t act like a regular Jedi, that was for sure.

“So, what brings you to Rhen Var, frozen wasteland that it is? You mentioned you didn’t know you were coming here? Sounds rough. Have you got a teacher or are you here alone?”

Though clearly not a traditional Jedi, Nantaris was fundamentally good-hearted, and would never leave anyone, especially not a young lady, in the lurch.

 

[Chussi Aiuk]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

Chussi stared dumbly at the proffered limb before clearing her throat and quickly shaking Nantaris' hand. Most Jedi she had met "stood on ceremony" so to speak. She had just been getting used to the formal atmosphere at the Academy on Voss. "Pleased to meet you Mas- um- Nantaris."

She scoffed at the reminder of being stranded here on Rhen Var. She smiled sheepishly. Surely her situation seemed rather foolish, or rather she for being in it. "My fellow padawans seem to think it funny to leave me stranded on an unknown planet. Said I needed to see more of the galaxy before getting assigned to a master," she muttered sheepishly, her eyes cast downwards.

This Jedi- Nantaris- seemed friendly enough, if not mostly unorthodox.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Chussi Aiuk"]
Nantaris frowned. “They left you alone on this iceball? What a bunch of jerks!” he declared. “That’s not only irresponsible for them, it’s also downright cruel. You’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about, Chussi – those jokers could have killed you.”

He rooted through his pack and produced a datapad. “So since I’m not about to abandon you too, did you want to come along with me? My crew and I are searching for some ship wreckage supposedly near here. If you want to come along I can take you off this planet when we’re done. If you want to go to Voss or stay with us is your choice.”

 

[Chussi Aiuk]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

Shrugging indifferently, Chussi tried to hide a smile. Nantaris seemed more offended by the situation than the person it was actually happening to.

His suggestion to join him and his crew made her pause for a bit. Master Nantaris seemed friendly enough, but friendly and trustworthy were two completely different concepts. It was possible this Jedi was good as she seemed inclined to believe, but her nature made her doubt this feeling of trust. Chussi didn't know this man, but she couldn't just stay on Rhen Var forever. Perhaps a group with two Jedi in it couldn't possibly be all that bad. She smiled carefully, throwing a quick glance at the second Jedi before looking back at Nantaris. "Would you really do that? I'd be much obliged, sir. That is very kind of you."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Chussi Aiuk"]
Nantaris nodded. “You’re welcome. I know it’s a bit weird, just offering you this, but we must make do as best we can in the situation. So, if you want to come join my little salvage party you’ll need some more clothes than what you have now. I take it you’ve got something a bit more substantial?”

Scindia entered the cantina and headed over to join his friend.
“Chussi, this is Scindia, Scindia this is Padawan Chussi Aiuk. She’s stranded here and is going to tag along until we get back to Voss.”
“Pleasure,” Scindia said, offering a hand to Chussi.

 

[Chussi Aiuk]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

Chussi offered a genuine smile. Nantaris seemed the trustworthy sort, and even if he ended up not, anywhere was better than stranded on this great big ball of ice.

"Thank you, sir," she offered again despite Nantaris's earlier request to skip the formalities. "Unfortunately the only clothing I have brought with me is what I have on me at the moment. I'll be fine, though. This should be enough against the cold."

Had she been Pinocchio, her nose would have extended about a foot. The cold here was biting and pierced through her thick clothing easily.

Her gaze switched to Scindia and she sported a modest grin as she took the proffered hand and shook once, firmly. "The pleasure is all mine, master Jedi."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Chussi Aiuk"]
“Pfft, no need to be stoic with me,” Nantaris said. “Scindia, go get some of Alicia’s stuff and bring it over. They’re about the same size.”
He looked back to Chussi. “My pilot and slicer is about the same height and build as you. If you can put up with light blue parkas we can get you something. Can’t have you turning into a lime coloured Popsicle!”
Probably not politically correct to call a Mirialan that, but he meant well….

Whilst Scindia went off on his mission a new man entered the cantina and took a seat. He looked young, possibly Echani judging by the hair and eyes.
“That’s my contact. Come along, if you want,” Nantaris offered her generously.

 

[Chussi Aiuk]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

Chussi was grateful Nantaris was so focused on taking care of her. It was rather embarrassing to need this much taking care of, but she was grateful nonetheless. The lime Popsicle comment made Chussi giggle. It wasn't often a human didn't either tiptoe around her green skin or harass her because of it. It was refreshing. ​"Definitely do not want to be an ice cube. I appreciate it, sir."

A contact? That sounded rather covert yet he was inviting her to join. Her curiosity was piqued and found herself nodding to show her interest. So Nantaris, Scindia and this Alicia (and possibly more) were searching for ship wreckage and had a meeting with a contact in a cantina. Perhaps she could ask Nantaris. He seemed open enough.

"So why are you all looking for this ship? Is the wreck recent?"

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Chussi Aiuk"]
“The ship was one I’d heard about when I was still a proper Jedi, back during the Sith Empire days. After a battle this ship allegedly crashed on Rhen Var, and its valuable cargo was lost. This contact, well he’s a scavenger and is part of a team of almost-pirates, but I hope he’s got sense enough not to try and double cross me. You’d be amazed how many stupid people try and betray me. I must just look naïve and innocent,” he said with a chuckle.

They headed over to the man who looked wary, like a gizka about to take flight. “Moss?” Nantaris asked.
“Keep your voice down, and keep greenie out of this. This is between you and me,” the Echani said.
“Whatever you have to say, my friend can hear it too,” Nantaris said gallantly.
There was a brief moment, then Moss relented. “Fine. Look, my boss asked me to give you this,” he said, pulling out a piece of metal. It was engraved with the name Triarch.
“That’s the name, where’s the ship?”
“Well now, boss says that will cost you more. Fifty thousand for the location.”
“Be reasonable, I’ve paid you ten thousand already, and all I’ve got is this which I don’t even know if it’s genuine.”
“This is how it is, mister. You pay up or we find someone else to sell the location too, or maybe we salvage it ourselves.”
Nantaris cast a brief look at Chussi, smiled, made a slight gesture. “You want to tell me where the Triarch is.”
“I…want to tell you where the Triarch is…” Moss repeated mechanically.
“You are satisfied with the payment I have given already,” Nantaris continued.
“I am…satisfied….”
“Excellent. So tell me…where is it?” Nantaris asked, producing a holographic map.
Moss shook his head, as if trying to clear it, then, still dazed, pointed to a location.
“A pleasure doing business. Get yourself a drink or two. Come on, Chussi,” Nantaris said, throwing some credits on the table and standing.

 

[Chussi Aiuk]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

"Wait, was a proper Jedi? Are you not now?" They had already reached the Echani that must have been the 'contact' Nantaris had mentioned. She gave him a look, one eyebrow raised, that said I still want an answer.

The conversation began on a rough note as the albino-looking humanoid called her 'greenie' as if she were a vegetable that he didn't like. She bristled a bit at that, but stayed silent beside Nantaris, after all it was his business dealing with this guy, not hers. A few comments about large sums of credits made her eyes widen. Ten thousand credits!? Just how valuable was this ship wreckage if he was willing to pay that much?

At the demand for more credits, Nantaris cast her a glance and Chussi wasn't sure that she liked the look in his eyes. However, the following show of a Jedi mind trick piqued her interest. The Echani struggled against Nantrais's hold at one point, but gave him his information. Interesting. She quickly followed behind Nantaris as he walked away. "What exactly is this ship?"

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Chussi Aiuk"]
Nantaris waved his hand vaguely as they went to get their coats at the door.
“Well, I’m not following the Jedi Council’s orders anymore. I march to the beat of my own drum, you could say. I’m still a Jedi, just without the Council ordering me around…I’m not good at following orders!”

With Scindia’s help he got Chussi fitted with a full collection of cold-weather gear. It was a little too big and the light blue was a bit of a colour clash with the Mirialan, but one couldn’t have everything!

“The ship contains some pretty top secret and valuable materials. Plans for a new boma trap or something, no idea. I’m going to retrieve it, and now I have an idea. Did you want to come along? It might be dangerous, but it’ll give you a chance to try out your lightsabre. You’ve got one, right?”

 

[Chussi Aiuk]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

Chussi raised an eyebrow in silent acknowledgement of Nantaris' statement about not being a good follower. A bit ironic, considering he was a leader it seemed. Usually leaders should be able to follow orders as well, but maybe this is just the way he works. It wan't fair to judge someone so quickly after only having bits of information concerning them.

The winter coat and gloves were a blessing in the cold air of Rhen Var, and the color clash didn't even register in her mind. She was just glad to not be freezing. Tucking her headdress into the jacket's hood, she followed Nantaris.

"I do have one, though its not the best. It will work, though." Chussi's clunker of an old lightsaber wasn't pretty but it was decently functional at least. "I suppose I could tag along. This could be interesting. I know quite a bit about history so it should be enjoyable to find these materials as you say."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Chussi Aiuk"]
“Excellent! I know about history…well in broad terms. Sith and Jedi take turns trying to wipe each other whilst the Republic alternately rises, falls and turns into an Empire.”

They headed out into the biting wind and snow, heading for a transport.

“I think there’s a few minor additions to that picture,” Scindia put in.

Nantaris waved a hand. “All I know is that we’re still using the same technology as we did thousands of years ago, and galactic civilisation has a habit of crashing into dark ages.”
They had dismissed claims about reapers though.

The dropship they reached was perfectly serviceable, if a little cramped. However, off they went into the snows.

“So…what’s your story, Chussi? I mean, how’d you get to be a Jedi, how’d you end up on Voss?” Nantaris asked when they were under way.