Faction Recuperation(RNR & Friends)

[Aiden Porte]

Naboo
Royal Palace
Conference Room

Several weeks had passed since the Life Day celebration at the Queens home retreat in the mountains. Pain and tears that followed because of the Jedi's own personal issues had finally came to a head. The days that followed though, were marred with talks and such with friends such as Dreidi Xeraic , Lorn Reingard , Kalantha and especially his Master Solenne Abraxas

He had been in constant communication with her since the event. His true guiding light and moral compass.

He was definitely still on the road to letting go. It wasn't going to happen over night, or in a few short weeks. But while he was going through this, there were many other people that were going through similar situations. Naboo had been through some tough ordeals. Many people loves family, friends and loved ones. As those people he called family and friends helped him. He would indeed reciprocate that towards the people of Naboo. This wasn't the first meeting he had had since this idea came to him, but just the second. There was a small circle of chairs at first, but would add more if necessary if more showed up.

The lights were off in the room except for the small section in which they were in.

Aiden in his nature, had baked some treats and brought beverages for those that showed up. He did love his cookies, this recipe he tried to make them a little bit sweeter than the last time. They were placed on a table close to the group, as everyone was starting to settle in.

A woman spoke first. "D-Do I have to say my name?" She asked softly, looking towards.

"Of course not. You only share what you are comfortable with sharing."

She then spoke, in good length of her history, family that she had here. Her voice trembled softly at first, but the more she continued she was finding her stance. Things got quiet for a few moments. Then she talked about her husband, who was killed during the Netherworld attack. He died from his wounds suffered while saving her.

The corner of Aiden's mouth twitched slightly, as he took a deep breath. The others present offered their apologies and condolences.

"I miss him, very much. I see him everyday when I look at our daughter. She's strong like him....."

Aiden cleared his throat as he showed her a small smile. "I'm terribly sorry for you loss, your husband is a hero. He will always be with you, and your daughter." Aiden straightened himself up a bit as he glanced around the room to the faces of those there.

"You did the best thing you could, you talked. You spoke about what your feeling. That's the bravest thing anyone can do after a loss. You took the leap and you landed on both feet. Not just for yourself but also for your child."

"I too lost someone I loved, almost a year ago." Aiden just lightly held out his arms. "She died in my arms, telling me that she loved me." The Jedi padawan took a deep breath, before his hands rested back on his legs. "I was in a bad place for a while, until I finally opened up about it. You gotta take the leap, keep your head up and keep going. Not just for ourselves but for everyone that looks to us."

"Aiden, these cookies are really good."

The comment about the cookies brought a few laughs amongst the group, giving the stillness of the room a good sense of relief. There were a few that then pushed past their anxieties and went to get some of the refreshments provided.

Aiden chuckled lightly. "Thank you my friend." He rubbed his hands together as he glanced around the room.

"Would anyone like to share something next?" The Jedi Padawan inquired as he glanced around the room, trying to be a beacon of light for those around him.

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Aiden Porte

​

The low hum of quiet conversation hung in the air, punctuated only by the occasional clink of a mug or the soft rustle of fabric. Lorn stood at the periphery of the dimly lit room, a silent observer to the unfolding scene. He paced, his hands making a restless rhythm against his thigh, feeling the familiar prickle of unease. This wasn't his natural habitat; vulnerability wasn't a skill he'd honed. He watched Aiden, a beacon of calm amidst the shared pain, guiding the small group with a gentle hand. The young Padawan's genuine empathy was a stark contrast to Lorn's own internal turmoil.

Aiden's words echoed in Lorn's mind: "You gotta take the leap, keep your head up and keep going. Not just for ourselves but for everyone that looks to us." The words were meant for the others, but Lorn knew they were aimed at him too. He'd seen Aiden's journey, the raw grief that had threatened to consume him, and the slow, painful climb towards healing. It was a path Lorn needed to take himself, not just for his own sake, but to set an example for the younger Jedi. He needed to be strong, to be the mentor Aiden deserved. But vulnerability felt like a betrayal of that strength.

He waited, the seconds stretching into minutes, until a lull settled over the group. Aiden's question hung in the air: "Would anyone like to share something next?" The question felt like a physical weight, pressing down on Lorn's chest. He groaned inwardly, the sound barely audible above the soft murmur of conversation. This was it. He had to do it, had to try to face the ghosts that haunted him, had to be vulnerable. For Aiden. For himself.

Lorn took a deep breath, the air catching in his throat, and stepped into the circle of light. He didn't introduce himself, didn't offer a name, just began to speak, his voice a shaky tremor at first. He spoke of his past, of his exile from the planet that had been his home, a place that held a lifetime of memories. He spoke of loss, of the utter devastation of losing everyone he had ever cared for, the gaping void where love and connection once resided. He was lost, utterly and hopelessly lost in a galaxy that felt alien and unforgiving.

His gaze remained fixed on the floor, his words tumbling out in a rush, desperate to escape the confines of his chest. He searched for an ending, a way to conclude this confession, to make a graceful escape from this moment of painful honesty. He fell silent, the weight of his solitude pressing down on him, heavy and suffocating. A mumbled thank you, a curt nod, and he fled to the table, grabbing a cookie, the sweetness doing little to alleviate the bitter taste of his confession.

He hated it. Hated the pitying looks, hated the unspoken condolences, hated the feeling of his raw, exposed emotions laid bare for everyone to see. He hadn't sought their sympathy, hadn't asked for their understanding. He'd merely done what he felt he had to do, a small act of imitation, a pale echo of Aiden's courage. But the act of sharing hadn't brought solace. Instead, it had scraped open old wounds, dredging up memories he'd desperately tried to bury. The cookies crumbled in his hand, as tasteless as the hollow victory of his vulnerability. The effort felt as empty as he felt inside.

 

[Bea Laseen]

Tags: Aiden Porte + Lorn Reingard

At first, Bea balked at the invitation. She didn't know anyone. What the hell was she gonna do, stand there awkwardly?

But a knee jerk reaction was always a sign of something deeper, something pernicious, wasn't it? And she knew what it was. Of course she did. She was a terrible liar, and could never fool herself no matter how hard she tried. It wasn't about trivial social graces. Deep down, Bea was ashamed. She had abandoned Naboo. During the Netherworld attack, in her home's greatest hour of need, she was busy frolicking (technically training, but that distinction was lost in the moment) on Coruscant. These people had the scars of battle, whether they fought or not; they were heroes. So what the hell did that make her? A coward?

Well, she was a Jedi. And back home now, which had to count for something. What was her shame compared to their grief, anyway? In cases like this, sometimes showing up was enough. It was a start, at the very least.

Plus… she heard there were gonna be cookies. One of her personal rules was to never decline free treats.

So, pushing her initial reaction aside, Bea was here in the dimly lit conference room dressed neatly in tunic and robes with not a wrinkle in sight. There was a decent-sized group here, including a man who looked about her age, maybe older, conversing with the others. He seemed mature, diplomatically-inclined, and well-liked. As for speaking to a crowd of people? Not her cup of tea. Especially the kinds of stories being told here today.

Bea observed a speech by perhaps the saddest looking man she'd ever seen. He was lonely and hopeless because who wouldn't be with a lachrymose past like that? As he spoke, her heart broke for him. When Lorn Reingard finished and fled to the refreshment table, Bea instinctually beabeelined after him. The forlorn man just idly stood in-front of the table, seemingly lost in his sorrow, a cookie crumbling in his calloused hands. He was far too tall for her to tap him on the shoulder, so she cleared her throat instead, hoping he'd turn around. "Hey there! You okay, big man?" she asked, gazing up with big, brown eyes.

She wasn't sure what comfort she could bring, if any. She didn't even know his name; he was a stranger. She knew his life story now but she didn't know him. It was a weird situation.

Admittedly, everything seemed weird on Naboo these days.

 

[Kav Shelt]

It's All Bullchit

It was happening again.

The sidestreet he had cut through to escape would be his end. What he had thought to be a way out revealing itself as a dead end as he tried to shout for help.

His voice was held captive by the lack of air in his chest as he threw himself forward trying to flee.

His lungs burned worse than his limbs. Fatigue settled like a weighted blanket in his limbs as the whole alley rumbled with that familiar sound. A slow and deep growl that promised pain from behind him. Promised him a sure end as he tripped over his own feet trying to make it to the wall ahead of him.

Trying to peer over his shoulder would be his undoing. Needing to know where it was bringing it down on top of him as he tried to clamber and claw his way forward.

Hot air travelling across the nape of his neck as something pinned his calf in place.

Fear washed over him as another great weight began to crush his chest. Something hit the ground beside his face with a wet plop as he finally found the air to scream before the shadow over him engulfed his vision.

His whole body tense and snapping upright as he screamed. Earning him a sharp kick against his legs as he tried to get his bearings. Sunlight skewed his already blurred vision as a dark shape shifted across from him. There were more of them. And he had somehow got away from the first but it had followed him here. Panic sent a sharp reminder of what had been happening. Peddling his legs trying to escape as a set of arms wrapped around his shoulders.

A sound of panic escaping him as something tangled around his legs.

“The feth!?” Surprise laced the words that came from the dark shape that had kicked at him as something else nearby moved, casting shadows across his vision that only heightened his panic.

“Kav! Hey, it's alright! Look-look-look!” A softer voice in his ear pleaded as the arms tried holding him as still as they could against the violent trembling. His hands rising to strike at whatever was holding him down as another set of hands came into view and wrapped around his wrists.

“Kav! Chill! It's just us!” A different voice filtered through the blended scene of nightmare and the real. Whichever was which didn't make sense to him as he fought against the hold. Arms holding and pulling against his efforts as the dark shape ahead of him began to dominate his vision.

Desperate and fearful, he tried throwing himself to the side only to feel another set of hands grab him.

“Dude! You're alright! Wake up you chittin idjit.” A gruff voice filtered through as he felt his heart try to leap from his chest. He was pinned and held fast, and felt like he was going to pass out. His whole body writhing as the voices became familiar. All speaking at once and blending together as his attempts to escape slowed. Sweat covering his brow as his breathing began to steady.

The figures around him came into focus finally as the familiar faces brought him back from panic.

“Feth guy. You need to talk to someone or take something.” Isikar hissed, the three friends surrounding him finally relaxing and helping Kav right himself. “I was sleeping so well too, feth-head.”

Nema let go of his hands. The pink streaks in her dark hair highlighting the worry on her face. Even with the shadows cast across her face from being pulled over the back of the sofa couldn't hide it. And with Isikar across from him sharing the blanket on the sofa meant Ovine was behind him.

When his hands were freed, they drifted upward to the arms that were wrapped around his shoulders. A comfort now as he settled finally, watching the other two go about their morning routines.

Glancing his way sporadically as if he might go off once more as they moved about the shared space.

“Calmed down now?” Ovine's voice was a soft whisper in his ear. His eyes closed at the only familiar comfort that existed anymore. All four of them had been friends prior to the nether attack, and had only become better friends when their worlds had collectively fallen apart at the seams. Now the only family each of them had left standing in the same quickly built housing for the displaced of Naboo.

Natives and refugees alike shared the housing, and some grumbled a bit more about that fact than others.

“Yeah. I was back in that fething alley.” His voice hoarse as he felt her fingertips brush against his hair.

“Ah. That. You know-” A deep inhale breaking her words as she leaned in against the arm of the sofa. “You could go to that thing they are doing at the palace. See if that helps?”

A snort broke the serene quiet of activity before deathly silence dominated the space again. Tension still thick in the air as he reconsidered the words. He was putting the others on edge every time a nightmare had him. Waking up at Shiraya awful hours screaming in a cold sweat. Isikar had the pleasure of sharing the sofa with him while the girls took the bed. Meaning he had the joy of catching every single wild kick of his legs or having to play tug of war for the oversized blanket.

The sporadic awakening he did was slowly taking its toll by how they had paused to gauge his mood. His hands squeezed a little against Ovine's arms as he nodded and let his eyes open fully.

“I guess I could, yeah.”

-----End of Flashback-----​

If Ovine hadn't been asking, he would have been elsewhere. Figuring out how to get more meal tickets for them. What was available for a little bit of manual labor. Something besides sitting here listening to others ramble about how bad the most recent attack was. About the people they had lost.

At least the cookies were good.

He was as out of place as anyone in the circle of sob stories and broken dreams. A stain in this ornate and well kept place that he'd barely remembered having seen before. The Palace of the Queen. Opened to the rabble and displaced to spill their woes to some rando who knew none of them and probably didn't care besides making himself feel better. His eyes wandering briefly to see if he could spot a recording device somewhere. Were they going to use this to spin some sob narrative to some bigger group? To those chittin coruscant feth's planet to ask for aid maybe? Get them some decent.... well anything really.

Between the supposed shortness of medical supplies and food in his district along with the heightened tensions between displaced citizens and the trapped refugees, it was a surprise the palace was even open.

Unless it was just that far removed from the troubles of those they couldn't see. Then again that was the trick of it wasn't it? Keep the ones you don't want to see just out of sight. And all the pretty glamour up close. Pictures and paintings sold better with nice things in it after all. Just approaching the gates in his street clothes had reminded him of how he didn't belong.

His eyes half shut with his hands in his jacket pockets as his eyes flicked back and forth at different points in each story that filled the air.

He suddenly wasn't entirely certain Ovine had wanted anything more than to get him out of the house for a while by telling him about this. His lip curled at the thought before he frowned. The fear in their eyes had been what had sent him here. The wonder if he was seeing them or something else as they tried to keep themselves safe.

That was what had brought him here. To speak about things that didn't need brought up.

Old wounds that had long scarred over just to be reopened.

"This is the second attack by those things I've been in." He didn't pull back his hood when he started to speak. The walls were so damned bright anyway that it hurt his eyes and he'd rather have them ask anyway. The only time he'd get the opportunity to have them ask something of him besides to be entertainment. Blinking as his hands wrapped around the rim of his cup.

"We used to have a pretty nice house way back when. I think my grandparent's had given it to us. I don't know. I was so little it was just a fact of life that it was our house. Until it wasn't." His chin tucking into his chest as he frowned.

"We lost my grandparent's and my uncle. The first time around I mean. So weird that they were there and then just. Not. Made me wonder how they could just disappear like that at first. It was downhill for us from there. Family issues. Money problems. Never recovered what was ours, and lost more and more by the day. We were on the mend when it happened. All three of us back in the house." A long pause as he realized quietly how much brighter the days had become in such a short time. There were smiles that never quite reached the eyes, but there were smiles. And laughter. The house wasn't eerily quiet. Something was always happening.

"Was out with friends. I don't even remember what we were doing honestly. Just. People pushing and screaming. Sounds." His whole body slowly rocking in his chair as he chewed his lip. Forming the words with some effort in his mind after a long pause. "Was told it was quick for my parent's."

Their second house had been a mess. Smashed in. Caved in. Whichever it was. The rubble had made it clear that no one had survived before he pulled himself back to keep speaking.

"I got trapped in an alley. Separated after someone pushed me down. I followed where I thought they had gone and had one of those things-" His eyes shifted to the floor as he rocked a little harder in his seat. Taking a deep breath before pushing on. "I see it at night. When I'm supposed to be dreaming. And it catches me."

Aiden Porte | Lorn Reingard | Bea Laseen​

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Aiden Porte Lorn Reingard Bea Laseen Kav Shelt

Lysander moved through the grand halls of the Royal Palace. There was a carefree aura emanating from the teen; his confidence was typically second nature. And today, he had the energy to match it.

A navy blue tunic hugged his frame, allowing for easy movement. It was paired with beige trousers. The fabric glinted in the natural lighting. Over his head, a pair of giant black headphones enveloped him completely, blocking out all sounds and creating his own world. The Padawan bobbed his head to a bass heavy beat.

With each movement, he glided smoothly through the corridors. Rather than his usual boots, he wore a casual pair of shoes; they were still vibrant and stylish, and each tap echoed softly against the floor. While it hadn’t been intentionally planned, he noticed the grip on them was perfect. Pivots and spins were executed with ease.

The rhythmic steps were mixed with an occasional hop that brought a sense of joy; it also displayed his growing athletic prowess from training. There was something satisfying about dancing freely in a place radiating with serenity. Rather than a palace, it now felt like a stage where he could express himself.

He was lost in the music, oblivious to any observers.

Twirling past different statues and tapestries, he was filled freedom. Before long he approached a doorway; instinctively he would glance inside, as his curiosity was piqued. For a moment his eyes widened. Shadows filled the room. Amongst some of the illuminated figures were familiar Jedi; they appeared lost in contemplation. Aiden easily stood out, and he was surprised to not see the other Padawan wearing an apron. He imagined if the boy had been a Sith, his cookies would have conquered the galaxy by now.

While many here were stronger in Force ability, he currently felt like the master of choreography. Though their words remained a mystery, drowned out by everything playing through his mind, lyrics would begin dancing from his lips. "Girl I can’t wait to see you," he sang. The excitement in his tone was clear. “Can't wait to hold you close..”

However, his intention wasn't to interrupt whatever they were doing. Lysander now reached for his headphones; the movement was unhurried. The Padawan figured he'd see what was going on here, or at least say hello and be on his way.

 

[Blaire Sal-Soren]

Blaire was in a seat in the back. She was absentmindedly picking at the upholstery of the seat in front of her which was worn and cracked. Aiden must've taken them from storage or something. Thankfully no one was occupying the chair she was picking pieces off of. There were a number of empty chairs but Blaire got the impression that they weren't empty from lack of interest but simply that Aiden had provided too many chairs. He was always so optimistic, Blaire didn't understand how he had the energy for it and at the same time found herself inexplicably and unexplainably intrigued.

Aiden was in fact the reason Blaire had even come. She was here to support him and his optimism.

Silently support.

What would she even say?

'Hi, my name is Blaire, Blaire Sal-Soren actually. That's right my father was hand of the Queen, and yes, you're right, my sister is in charge of the Jedi temple in the mountains, yes my brother, the Jedi, did go on trial for murder, and yep, my father did found a group of intergalactic terrorists that ended up attacking my childhood home and killing my parents, oh and yes, I was also in that group of intergalactic terrorists, but I didn't kill anyone, okay, well a couple people but that's all, oh the cataclysm? Yes, horrible, horrible situation that happened while I was far away on Hapes,'

Blaire listened as a woman told her story. She could not imagine herself being so brave. It was Aiden who spoke next. He loved someone, lost them, watched them leave this life in his arms.

The revelation left her stunned and seething.

She didn't know. About any of it. He'd never told her.

The Jedi she met at the Lifeday party went next, Lorn. His speech, confession, was, well, it hadn't exactly been a party in here before hand but somehow things had gotten even more dour.

Blaire didn't hold it against him. She knew what it was to be alone. She'd been alone for as long as she could remember, not in the same way as Lorn but alone just the same. She was one of three triplets, 'youngest' of the three and the only one born without the gift of The Force, so no matter what she did, what she accomplished, no matter how she tried to stand out, she always stood alone.

Briana and Blaire had The Force and so did their mother, a Jedi, who obviously felt obligated to keep an eye on them. Her father had kept his eye on them too, his obsession with The Force hardly gave him time to look anywhere else and when his gaze did turn her way it was almost always to contrast her with her siblings.

When not grown to be too much first Brandyn left, without her, without so much as a word to her. Then Briana left to join him as a Jedi and Blaire was truly alone. Who could blame them? Who could blame Briana or Brandyn for leaving without her, who could blame their mother for worrying over them, who could blame daddy for not seeing past what she was for who she was. Blaire was unspectacular and hardly special, who could blame them.

She did.

The calcysm happened and daddy had died, Briana and Brandyn had something that Blaire didn't. They'd had a cause and community, something they could believe in and be dedicated to. What do Blaire have? She had Jaa and Jaa had The New Way, so Blaire found her community and her cause.

Lorn didn't linger after his speech, hurrying over to the refreshments in the wake of murmured sympathies. Blaire felt the urge to go over and talk to him. She'd hoped that Briana could have some fun with the guy but Blaire had the impression that he didn't exactly treat his trauma in the fun ways, you know, drinking too much, boosting speeders, bar fights, or inappropriate public displays of affection. Someone else though beat her to it.

Blaire's eyes narrowed as she appraised the stranger now conversing with Lorn. The robes pointed her out as a Jedi. Blaire didn't know every Jedi that spent time at Briana's enclave but she would make sure to take notes on this one and bring it up with Briana later.

While a light haired boy spoke about his experience with the nether events, Blaire tried to catch Aiden's eye and wave so he knew she'd come. Her head whipped around to look behind her at the very unexpected sound of someone singing pop music. Perhaps no one else noticed the late comer but Blaire's seat in the back made it so that she didn't miss them.

Lorn Reingard Aiden Porte Lysander von Ascania Bea Laseen Kav Shelt

 

[Aiden Porte]

Stay the course.....

Aiden closed his eyes for a brief moment. Be that beacon, be that light you were always meant to be. While he was holding on, he was not free of his internal conflict. He took a deep breath as he listened to Lorn Reingard speak.

Bravery, courage.....

No matter what he thought of himself, the fact that he could sit here amongst friends and strangers and tell his story. It was the bravest thing that he could do. He did feel the pain he was feeling. He looked at his friend and listened attentively as did the others that were there. He watched as he stood up and walked over tot he table where the refreshments were at.

The Padawan took a small breath and before he could say something, someone else had spoke at which Aiden then turned to see whom it was. And then the words came. And he listened, to each and every one. Everyone was marred with loss, but he knew that talking about such things was the key. Regardless of what they thought.....

They were not alone....

Stay the course...

To others, maybe even to most it would seem silly to try and fix things with words. What good would that do..? The truly didn't know, but Aiden did.

"Regardless of what you think, you are not alone..." Aide said as he took a deep breath and stood up. "All of you, your victories, and your losses are shared by many. They are shared by more than you count, more than you can see. You matter to a great deal of people."

He needed to be that light in the fog for those that couldn't push through. And be that helping hand to lift those individuals up that had fallen.


"I see it around this room, I see your pain. But I also see your courage and your hopes. Your ability to come here today and speak, is brave and honorable."

Stay the course...

"W-" Aiden started to speak but he caught glimpse of Blaire Sal-Soren he stopped immediately as he caught her eyes and her wave. He showed a smile and he waved back at her. The fact that she came, was amazing. Aiden cleared his throat and glanced around. "We are all unified together. All of Naboo, as one. Every single race that inhabits this planet."

The Jedi Padawan took a deep breath before clasping his hands together. It seemed there was another arrival in the form of Lysander von Ascania

"Good day to you Lysander!" Aiden said with a small wave and smile. He glance back to the group and offered a small break. "Let's take a break, give everyone a chance to get some drinks and such."

Aiden showed an encouraging smile those, and it seemed they smiled back. Which brought a sense of relief to the Jedi Padawan. His fear, was that he might have done more harm then good. But that fear passed within a few seconds. Aiden walked off a bit, towards an empty table away from the chatter. His hands rested against the back of the chair. He cleared his throat slightly, feeling a pressure on his chest briefly, then subsided. He closed his eyes once more, centering himself with the force, his hands coming together to stop the slight tremble in his right hand.

It finally passed...


Kav Shelt Bea Laseen

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Aiden Porte | Bea Laseen | Kav Shelt | Lysander von Ascania | Blaire Sal-Soren

​

Lorn stood at the periphery of the room, the low hum of voices a dull backdrop to the turmoil in his mind. He watched them, each one taking their turn, sharing their burdens, their losses. He'd been foolish, utterly and completely foolish to expose himself that way. It was one thing to do it in isolation, to grapple with his demons on his own, but to do it in front of a room full of… strangers, felt like a betrayal of the very man he was taught to be. His losses, the betrayals, the death of those he had loved – they felt insignificant compared to what some of these others had faced. He was a Knight, not some weeping child begging for pity.

He lingered by the table, taking a slow sip of caf, the warmth doing little to quell the icy knot in his stomach. He clutched one of Aiden's famed cookies, feeling the soft crumbly texture beneath his fingers. Then he heard it – a familiar name, whispered in the quiet cadence of someone sharing their story. Sal-Soren. Blaire. He remembered her vaguely from the Life Day celebration, someone close to her siblings. He groaned inwardly. The council here was small, close-knit. They were his new home, his new family, even if he didn't feel it yet. He certainly didn't need them knowing about the ghosts that haunted him, the raw edges of his grief that he hadn't been able to properly bury. He didn't need their judgement, their pity, their silent assessments of his fitness for duty.

Lorn positioned himself to face away from the group, hoping that if Blaire didn't see him, hadn't heard him baring his soul, he could avoid the sideways glances and unspoken judgments he dreaded. His grip tightened on the cookie, the delicate treat cracking under the pressure. Anxiety, a familiar companion lately, clenched his chest. He shouldn't have come. He should have stayed in his room, meditated, tried to find a semblance of peace in the solitude.

A small voice broke through his self-recrimination. Lorn turned, looking down at a young girl, a Padawan by the look of her robes. He didn't recognize her, which wasn't surprising given his fairly recent arrival. Her brow was furrowed with concern, her eyes soft, and that small kindness felt like a physical blow.

He forced a smile, the edges feeling tight and unnatural. "I'll manage. Thank you for your concern." he said, his voice a touch harsher than intended, a brush-off rather than a genuine reply. He didn't want her concern, didn't want anyone's. He just wanted to disappear, to bury himself back in the cold, isolating silence he was so used to.

Then Aiden's voice cut through the tension for a break from the group.

Lorn sighed. He had been too harsh. The girl was only trying to connect, and besides, there was no hiding the fact that he had just spewed his heart out, like some fool. He had to get better at this, at being a Jedi Knight, at being the mentor Aiden needed. He had to get a grip on himself, on these emotions that seemed determined to consume him.

He turned back to the girl. "I don't think we've met yet," he said, offering his hand. "Lorn Reingard, Knight of the Order of Shiraya and the Vanguard." The words, when he said them aloud, sounded pompous, almost ridiculous. Maybe sticking with just 'Lorn' would've been better. He truly was a mess.

He shook his head, trying to clear the fog of self-doubt. "What's your name?" he asked, forcing himself to meet her gaze, trying to find some normalcy in the chaotic mess that was his life.