Past, Present, And future

[Xos]

Xos sensed a call in the force, he looked at his crew, Aso nodded. A vision, they all knew how often he was called, now was just another moment. The Sage stepped away and into a meditation room of his ship. Sitting down cross legged and allowing the force to flow through him. Becoming one with it, another leaf in the wind of life. It took him back, backwards to the life of another. Power, he sensed it, unusually strong for so little time. Figures of repute, two of them, over the first. Parents. A movement, he slipped forwards in time, catching small glimpses of life as they transpired. Death. From the hand of the son, the father fell. Control, pain and grief behind a wall of the will.
[SIZE=11pt]He flickered forwards, spinning and spinning, escape. Streets, disorder, chaos, crime. Life and the living place. A sense of warning. A presence. Waning power. A shell. A piece of what once was.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]But would could be, the force prompted.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Xos’s eyes opened. Two words entered his mind, a planet, Nar Shaddaa, he stepped out of the room breathing in to calm himself as he often did. This would not be the first time he’d seen a vision of that kind. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]He walked to the deck of the Negotiator, ”To Nar Shaddaa, once we’re there, I’ll guide you to where we need to go. I have someone I want to meet with.” he said.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]They quickly got to navigating the route to Nar Shaddaa. They had a ways to go to get there. They’d have to stop once along the way, Nar Shaddaa was a long ways from Dorin.


When they would arrive, Xos would guide them to the chosen landing location making sure to follow all laws they were required to, if there were any, when arriving. And would rent a transport for travel, something which could keep him inside of it so he could focus on locating this individual he was seeking. Reaching out with the force, trying to find him from what he remembered from the vision.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt][member="Verros"][/SIZE]

 

[Marse Pana]

Verros was working down at the docks. It was simple, yet honest work. And he needed time to clear his head. Take a stack of boxes, move it to the loading area. Repeat. Simple. Like the jobs he used to pick up as a child to pass the time. Of course, it was much harder with the near constant headache from the strain of trying to see through the malfunctioning visor. It was better than working without, however. Verros stopped to wipe the sweat from his brow. It was time for him to leave. He wasn't sure why he felt that way, but he knew better than to question his instincts.

He moved one final stack of boxes, then left his pallet jack parked near by, touching base with the site foreman to collect his credits. He didn't run, but he certainly didn't waste time leaving. Someone...or something, was looking for him. He shouldered his backpack, and checked to make sure that his blaster was still in its place. He might need it, depending on who turned up. He walked down the street, head bowed to shield his rather distinctive visor from view. He didn't want to draw undue attention to himself. But he could still feel the Force User approaching. He turned sharply down an alley. Quickest way to his hideout. There, he'd have the homefield advantage. If worst came to worst. Which in his experience, it usually did...

[member="Xos"]

 

[Xos]

Follow, follow, he could sense the man. He slowed down the land speeder, movement. But he could sense he was much closer now. He got off of the speeder. A robed Kel Dorian carrying a stick. Not quite the right robes to look like a Jedi exactly, but could be mistaken for one if they were expecting one. He wore the mask that all Kel Dorians had to wear when they were off world, protecting their senses and lungs from the world outside.

He wasn't the most intimidating figure however, patient but not to slow strides as he made his way through the streets, focusing on Verros. Not the first time he'd do this, he found talking about his intentions to people directly could sometimes be more disruptive, so he would reach out with the force. Telepathically. Attempting to speak to Verros before he got close enough that he'd feel the need to strike back. Not an uncommon tactic for Xos to use, he hated to make people feel the need to run or fight in his presence.

"Greetings. My name is Xos Drikre, I do hope you don't feel threatened by my presence. I assure you I mean no harm, the force has spoken to me. If you will, I'd like to speak to you. I'll try and come to you, so long as no one here tries to rob me or something. Truly that would be unfortunate timing."

The words given were not cold or determined, they were rather friendly. And even jokingly nearer to the end.

[member="Verros"]

 

[Xos]

Follow, follow, he could sense the man. He slowed down the land speeder, movement. But he could sense he was much closer now. He got off of the speeder. A robed Kel Dorian carrying a stick. Not quite the right robes to look like a Jedi exactly, but could be mistaken for one if they were expecting one. He wore the mask that all Kel Dorians had to wear when they were off world, protecting their senses and lungs from the world outside.

He wasn't the most intimidating figure however, patient but not to slow strides as he made his way through the streets, focusing on Verros. Not the first time he'd do this, he found talking about his intentions to people directly could sometimes be more disruptive, so he would reach out with the force. Telepathically. Attempting to speak to Verros before he got close enough that he'd feel the need to strike back. Not an uncommon tactic for Xos to use, he hated to make people feel the need to run or fight in his presence.

"Greetings. My name is Xos Drikre, I do hope you don't feel threatened by my presence. I assure you I mean no harm, the force has spoken to me. If you will, I'd like to speak to you. I'll try and come to you, so long as no one here tries to rob me or something. Truly that would be unfortunate timing."

The words given were not cold or determined, they were rather friendly. And even jokingly nearer to the end.

[member="Verros"]

 

[Marse Pana]

Verros's pace had quickened the second the speeder stopped. Kel Dor. Not typically a Sith...Were the Jedi after him too? Verros pulled his backpack off his back, clutching hit close to his chest. His fingers wrapped around cold steel. Then the words entered his mind. In an instant, his training came back to him, and the barriers of his mind slammed shut. Roses were a wonderful flower, weren't they? Matched well with Alderaanian Zinnias. Or a Bouquet full of Xylems. He turned, as his mind began looping the exercise to force people from his mind, and in a glint of light, the blaster was visible to everyone in the alley. A shot rang out as Verros backpedaled, a slow determined pace that marked him as having some military training. He wasn't panicking. He knew exactly what he was doing.

He fired another shot, sidestepping into a different alley, and turning to sprint down towards his escape point. A ledge at the end of the alley. Trash heap below. Hideout wasn't far from the bottom. As he drew closer, he threw his backpack. He'd meet it at the bottom. He jumped, doing a front flip over the railing, and bringing the pistol up to fire another pair of shots down the alley. He didn't need to kill them. Just scare them off. But silently, he cursed himself. Two shots, quick succession, marginal variance. This was a blaster, not a slug thrower. Didn't matter if he shot like that. But, shoot, he did. He continued to spin as he fell, landing on his back amidst the trash. The wind was knocked from him, but he had to get up. Had to keep moving. The Jedi would be able to make the leap even easier than he. And he needed to keep as much distance between the two as possible...

[member="Xos"]

 

[Xos]

Hm, Blocked out perhaps. Don't force it. That'd be bad. Hopefully it's not already. He thought, however, his senses told him otherwise, and soon, the blaster rising furthered that sense. He raised his head, he didn't move, he raised a hand, a calm, gentle hand, calling upon the force to raise a shield between himself and the blaster fire. The first hit and Xos took another step forwards. A skilled individual, he'd stopped the telepathy attacked, and was ducking aside, another shot left behind.

Xos sighed, "I do apologize for making a scene, please excuse me." he said to those around him, before suddenly dashing into an all out sprint, using the staff and launching himself into the air with the assistance of the force. He wasn't as fast as he used to be, he hadn't had to actually physically fight in years. Just practiced the techniques and used the force. He caught another glimpse of the incoming blaster fire, but it wasn't seemingly aimed so much to kill him. Still, a wall was erected once again. And they were back on the move.

Guy jumped over the railing, Xos breathed in, he didn't like being the aggressor in a type of situation like this. But, perhaps, it was necessary to take the lead. He leapt again forwards, over the railing landing gracefully his robe flapping as he moved into a sprint again. He stopped and reached out with one hand, twisting it to create a small force whirlwind in front of Verros, trying to either make him stop, or if he kept going, trying to trap him in the whirlwind, "Please hold on, I'm not here to fight you I want to talk. I'm a Sage from the Baran Do, if that means anything." he called out. He knew they were not the most well known, especially with the Jedi and Sith and Grey Jedi's and other more well known organizations. The Baran Do were just a speck in it all. Dorin knew about them, some remembered them by history or their more recent actions, as little as they might be. But it was still small.

[member="Verros"]

 

[Marse Pana]

Verros pushed himself to his feet as he saw the dark figure leap over the railing. He bolted, opting to leave the backpack behind. His progress, however, was halted as the wind began to whip into a wall in front of him. Chit. Verros spun around, facing the Kel Dor behind him and his blaster pistol raised to point at the being's head. His left hand came up, fingers splayed and lightning began to arc between his fingers. He felt the wind whipping behind him, half from the whirlwind, half from the speeders passing in the road behind him. Think. He had to think.... There had to be a way out.

"That's the same thing my father was told. Before they gutted him like a fish." Verros could feel his right hand shaking again. He could feel the fear rising in him. And it was....exhilarating. The first....REAL emotion he'd felt in....maker above, how long had it been now? He weighed his options, though. His escape was blocked. He was boxed in. And this Jedi wanted to "Talk." He knew what that meant. He shook his head, taking a step back. He wasn't going back. His blaster moved, and he felt the cold steel of the muzzle pressing against his chin. His left arm was still raised, ready to fire an arc of lightning should the Kel Dor advance on him. "I'm not going back...I'm not going back..." He gritted his teeth, and clamped his eyes shut, preparing to squeeze the trigger. Was it the right decision? Probably not. But it beat whatever the Jedi would do to him. He knew too much. He wasn't going back...

[member="Xos"]

 

[Xos]

Finally he stopped, but still raised his blaster towards the Sage. Hearing what Verros said, thinking, trying to keep as calm as possible, even raising his hands palms outwards. Fear, it was a strong motivator for chaos to emerge. He Was shaking his head and talking about not going back, and Xos spoke again, a kind friendly voice, "Please don't, I've been shown your past. Been shown pain, been shown your power, your parents, you. I'm not a Jedi, not a Sith, I'm barely even a warrior anymore I haven't run like that for years. I'm from Dorin, the Baran Do, we're an order of seers and guides. Not killers, so please."

Xos swept one hand over the ground causing the dust and dirt to move aside gently for several meters of the ground and sat down, slowly, calmly, to not cause a panic, "Please talk with me. I really don't want to hurt you and I don't want you to hurt yourself please." he repeated with even more emphasis as a sense of sympathetic pain hit Xos's heart. He tossed his cloak aside, along with his staff, skidding slightly in a circle revealing the utter lack of any weapons, "I'm unarmed, I'm not here for a fight, of go take you in, or judge you, or anything. All I want to do, is help. I've seen so many deaths through the force that lead this way, don't make me see one in person. Don't make me the reason you pull that."


The pain and fear of Verros actually pulling the trigger seemed to run off the Sage and through him, he was trying his best to talk him out of it. Trying to stop him without hurting him.

[member="Verros"]

 

[Marse Pana]

Verros didn't move. But he could feel the fear that matched and even surpassed his own. He paused, not pulling the trigger, but not moving the blaster either. It was a trick. Had to be. Jedi always taught to suppress emotions. So why was this one so bad at it? "That's what the Jedi always said. That they weren't killers. Damn near killed my father just for showing his face on their doorstep, even though he offered nothing but help." Verros opened his eyes, his brow furrowing as he squinted through the Visor at the Kel Dor. Baran Do. Now that he thought about it, he did remember studying them. Not in any official capacity, of course, but when you were bored with access to practically limitless knowledge...

"If you really don't want to hurt me, you drop the air current and you go back the way you came." The fingers on his left hand curled tighter, as if preparing to launch an arc at the man, but no such gesture was made. "I don't care what the Force showed you. If the Force wants you to know, it'll show you the rest. Got no interest in dealing with your kind."

[member="Xos"]

 

[Xos]

Xos paused for a moment, sighing and lowering his head, the whirlwind would dissipate in an instant, a slight breeze blowing over them. He stood up slowly, a communicator entering his hand which would float towards Verros but stop, and set itself on a ledge. Just in case Verros could feel threatened by it.

​"Please, if you're willing, you should be able to contact me easily on that. Or just find me over the holonet. Xos Drikre, Master of the Baran Do order. All I want to do, is help." He said honestly, his head still somewhat low as he turned around. Perhaps this would be an easier way. Let him calm down and maybe he'd be willing to contact him. Maybe, he hoped so. Even as he walked he turned his head slightly to speak again, "You wouldn't be the first so effected by the dark side I've spoken to, there have been quite a few before. I just hope I can help you with your own self."

​With that he continued to walk, he felt like he may have failed. But at the same time, he was pushed to believe this was not the end.

[member="Verros"]

 

[Marse Pana]

Verros stood still, eyes turning behind the Visor just enough to glance at the comlink being placed beside him. As he turned his back, Verros slowly lowed his blaster till it hung at his side, his left arm falling as well. Damn it all. First the Sithling...Now this. Something had happened. Deep down...he knew it. He couldn't hide here forever. He could tell them where Verros was hiding. And he couldn't risk that. Verros brought his blaster up, and fired. Not at the Kel Dor, but at the comlink he'd left. Too easy to track those. But then the blaster turned, pointing at the back of the Kel Dor's head.

Just do it. Pull the trigger. It's easy. Verros had done it many times before. Well...not exactly, he'd still had a lightsaber in those days. His hand was shaking again. Verros grit his teeth, and willed his arm to be still. He was just another do-gooder lightsider. Assassinate one, two shall take his place. That's how it had always been, that's how it would always be. But deep down....Verros couldn't bring himself to do it. The curiosity was consuming him now. What had happened? Something must have awakened within the Force. Two Force Users in a week, after nearly a year with no contact... "More will come, you know." Verros dropped his pistol back to his side as he called after the Kel Dor. "Next time you go after someone that doesn't want to be found, don't hand them a death warrant as a greeting."

[member="Xos"]

 

[Xos]

Xos paused as he heard the blast, and felt the blaster now turned at him. He didn't turn around, just turned his head slightly to look at Verros, waiting to see what he would do. Fear. Fear. Why did it have to hurt so many people. He listened to what Verros would say, a death warrant he said. "More always come, neither of us can stop that completely. All we can do is lengthen the time in between. But, I can help you on other matters. Peace isn't always easy to gain, but it is something that I can offer. I can help you gain peace, that is after all, our philosophy. We belong to inner peace and to foresight. For a time, we could hide you, but permanently, all I have for you is what was given to me by the force."

He sighed, "I didn't mean to scare you. I've spent so many years trying to help people using the same methods, it can be hard to remember not everyone can accept telepathy as a non-offensive form of discussion. The light side guides me, and it guided me to you. Whether or not you want it, somehow there's something that I can do to help you."

[member="Verros"]

 

[Marse Pana]

Verros stared at the man for a moment, Blaster still leveled at his head. When he began to speak, it was with the certainty and familiarity of one reciting a code. "Peace is a lie." He paused, eyes narrowing under his visor. "A treasure I shall never know, yet will give my life to guide others to. I know not light or dark, only the Force. I am born of conflict, and by its hand shall I perish. I am chosen as the last guardian. For a better tomorrow that I shall never see."

Verros watched the Kel Dor quietly for a moment, then said, "You can't help me. You don't have the skill. Something is drawing you people to me." Verros extended his other hand towards the trashpile near the Kel Dor, and his backpack flew towards him, called by the Force. "If you truly want to help, leave. You're making me easier to find." And with that, Verros turned and hurried across the street behind him, slowing to glance back at the Kel Dor behind him as he arrived at the other side. Only as he turned the corner behind another building did he stash the blaster back in his backpack. He made up his mind. Between him and the SIthling, Nar Shadda wasn't safe any more. He'd have to forego getting the visor fixed for a while, but he needed to get off this planet...

[member="Xos"]

 

[Xos]

The Baran Do sighed, this had gone very badly. But he still felt he needed to help. But how. He could not push the matter now, Verros spoke with a sense of certainty in his...code. His personal law, however you wish to call it. Verros ended saying it was making him easier to find, Xos made one last remark before the man hurried away, "You cannot hide from the force, you can always be found. But if you ever wish it, you can come to us on Dorin." ​He shook his head as he began to walk back.

He had failed hadn't he? Failed to approach the man the way necessary to speak to him properly. How else was he supposed to. He had made his intentions clear, but they had been refused. The man seemed to be destining himself to run in his own pain. If someone set themselves about a goal and refused to acknowledge help, then no matter the will of the force to have Xos help, no matter Xos's desire to help, he could not.

So he would have to wait, and hope that he would find a new way to help. Or at least, that in some way, Verros would find some semblance of peace.

[member="Verros"]