Private Shades Of Life

[Shan Pavond]

Location: Onderon
Objective: See an old friend

After his discussion with Zaiya Ceti about self defense and his pacifism, he realised the perfect person to take his new padawan to. It felt like only yesterday that he thought anyone who would willingly want to fight, or glorify fighting as some kind of monster but he had quickly realised otherwise after various lessons from Kahlil and then meeting an important friend of his. Of course, there were other reasons why Shan was coming to see Jenn Kryze . Onderon was a beautiful planet, just outside of GA space and it fit a goal Shan had in his mind. He'd be lying to himself if he said he trusted the GADF to be able to protect every planet in their sphere of influence, but with Onderon, he trusted Jenn to protect the planet and anyone on it, which is why it was the perfect place suited to his plans.

"Alright Zaiya. We're heading to meet an important friend of mine. Jenn Kryze. She's a great woman. Loves tea though, so I guess we can't all be that perfect. Onderon is the planet that her and her Mandalorian clan look after. It's a beautiful place. I visited it with Valery, Colette, Corazona and Alicio Organa a while back. You should have been there, it was a huge celebration."

He let out a content sigh, as Shan brought his interceptor in for a landing. He had made sure to give Jenn a heads up that he was arriving with a guest since he didn't want to risk getting shot out of the sky, or having people freak out at the sudden arrival of a Jedi interceptor. Not that the people of Onderon would probably be that nervous, but Shan had decided it would be better safe than sorry when it came to visiting other planets.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

There was no stopping the questions once Shan Pavond began explaining where they were going.

"What's a Mandalorian?" Zaiya asked, giving a slight frown, curiosity sparking in citrine and amber color tones over her rosy golden skin. "And why Onderon?" Another world the Lovalla had not traveled to. She took it on Shan's word that it would be pretty, and was excited at seeing a new place and meeting Shan's friend Jenn Kryze .

Shan mentioned others as well, and while a few names were familiar - she had still not put two and two together that the Colette she met was Shan's girlfriend - it seemed that the Mirialan had lots of friends.

"Also, am I supposed to be calling you 'Master', or Shan?" They never went over the specifics.

 

[Jenn Kryze]

Beskar'gam
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| Location | Onderon - Kryze Clangrounds
| Objective | Welcome a friend

The bustle and life of the Clangrounds was all but muted, these days. So many had fallen, leaving behind grieving children, siblings, parents... and lovers. Some mourned within the privacy of their own homes, whereas others simply left into the night to find a quiet place on Onderon for them to process the passing of a loved one in peace. Life went on for those who yet remained, but their hearts were heavy, and nary a song was heard since the battle of Coruscant. A glorious stand, and a show of true friendship between Clan Kryze and their new allies in the New Jedi Order, but a costly one.​

​

If anything, Shan's arrival gave her a chance to worry about something else. A break from her ceaseless smithing, her tireless work spent on the armour of the fallen; repairing it to the best of her ability, that it may be passed down to its new rightful possessors. So it was that the warrior of beskar and seafoam gave the pair a wave as the interceptor as it came in for a landing; behind her, the village her people had built for themselves sat upon the highlands, granting its inhabitants a bird's eye view of the valley beneath them. It was tranquil, isolated... peaceful. Not exactly the terms people associated with the galaxy's most renowned warriors, yet here they were, living in harmony with the land. Under her guidance, Clan Kryze all but shunned urban centers, preferring the simple and honest existence found within the periphery of the larger population centers.​

​

"Shan!" greeted the Alor with an upnod, striding on over to give him a firm clap to the shoulder. Something far more friendly and informal than one might expect from someone of her station, perhaps. "Manda'yaim be praised, it's good to see you safe and sound. I was worried you might be along those who fell on Coruscant." The unseen gaze of that Y visor shifted on over to the guest he had mentioned over long comms, then. "Your Padawan, I take it?"​

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Shan Pavond Zaiya Ceti ​

 

[Shan Pavond]

"The answer to what a Mandalorian is, would depend on who you ask. Plenty of people might see them as warmongers, or tyrants, whereas some people might see them as protectors or rescues. The best person to ask what a Mandalorian is, is to ask a Mandalorian. You can ask Jenn. I trust her with my life which...considering my opinion of Mandalorians used to be that they were warmongers, is saying a lot."

He sighed to himself at that, running a hand down his face. It wasn't exactly a time of his life he wanted to remember but it was important that he did. A reminder that you weren't always right. That people could make mistakes without thinking about it. Which lead into the answer to the second question as he looked back over towards Zaiya, giving her a bright grin.

"I think...Shan works the best. I feel like if you call me Master, it puts more...pressure on you if that makes sense? I don't want you to feel pressured around me though. You're allowed to make mistakes around me, as long as you learn from them. Of course, I always called Master Kahlil, Master because...it felt right. He had done a lot to deserve to be called that, plus he's a Jedi Master. Whereas...I haven't done anything to deserve to be called a Master. Just don't worry Zaiya."

The Mirialan reached over to ruffle his padawan's hair. Sure, he could make them a much more serious partnership but that wasn't what Shan wanted whatsoever. Next though, they had to get out of the ship to see Jenn, as Shan clapped his hand onto the Mandalorian's shoulder. As much as he wanted to give her a hug, he felt like that was too informal to do in front of her people.

"Honestly, it's Zaiya you should be more worried about when it came to Coruscant. I was stuck in a refugee transport for most of the fight. But yes, this is my Padawan, Zaiya. Zaiya, this is Jenn Kryze. The Mandalorian I was telling you about. She can answer any questions you have about her people."

Zaiya Ceti Jenn Kryze

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

Shan Pavond & Jenn Kryze

So, Shan preferred to be called 'Shan', but Zaiya wasn't sure if that was okay. "Okay, how about Shan in private or when we are outside but at the temple Master?" That way, it wouldn't seem as if she wasn't being respectful to Shan.

Now, for the matter of the Mandalorians and who they were, made Zaiya's mottled stripes and spots melt into curious tones of orange and burnished amber. Her brows twisted forward, musing on that. That seemed complicated.

Although once Shan's friend arrived, the curiosity and a tinge of alarm would brighten over her rosey golden skin, the orange deepening as flecks of yellow in concern would bloom. Although Zaiya could feel Jenn through the Force, it was an interesting sensation. Not like a Force user, just... interesting, with a curious but lovely hue.

"Hello, I'm Zaiya," the girl would confirm, giving a soft smile. "Shan said you can tell me what Mandalorians are. His explanation was a bit confusing."

 

[Jenn Kryze]

Beskar'gam
​

| Location | Onderon - Kryze Clangrounds
| Objective | Sate the Padawan's curiosity

"I fought side by side with Corazona", recounted the Mandalorian with a smile, hidden as it was. "I never thought she and I would ever be allies, much less friends, but I... owe her my life. We did our part in holding the Jedi Temple; the rest of my warriors helped hold on to key locations in the surrounding areas. Casualties were... substantial." Her voice dropped, then, and she turned to look at her surroundings. Each and every Mandalorian she had committed to the defense of Coruscant did their part in turning the tide, elite warriors that they were... but so too would they take many years to replace. If Clan Kryze was to remain relevant as a fighting force, something had to change.​

​

The girl's question claimed a light-hearted chuckle from the Alor, where once it would have earned her only a weary sigh. "Well, we can be a very confusing people", offered the siren good-naturedly. "You see, Zaiya... not even Mandalorians agree on that. We can be a very quarrelsome people." ​

​

That was... an understatement and a half, given how many bridges she had burned over the past few months. The Mandalorian Enclave, the Mandalorian Protectors, the Death's Hand- all of them groups she wanted nothing to do with, condemning them as the very reason why her people were yet looked upon with fear, if not outright contempt. Not that she cared, really; the road to redemption was one best walked without the presence of the unworthy or the corrupted.​

​

"Some would tell you that Mandalorians are defined by our battle helmets, our jetpacks, our armor; and, admittedly, we are well-known throughout the galaxy by our wargear, that much is true. What truly defines us, though... is our creed. We Mandalorians are the mightiest warriors of this galaxy. We are conquerors, mercenaries, heroes, and villains; just as me and my Clan are friends to the Jedi, there are some who serve the Sith. What makes us Mandalorians is how we choose to follow the ancient ways passed down to us throughout the centuries. Some stick to them religiously, whereas others, like me, believe that times change, and so must we."​

​

A chuckle escaped her lips, then, and she shook her head. Not quite her best attempt at explaining the intricacies of her people and their ways.​

​

"Sorry. I can't imagine this makes much sense to you. Like I said, we are... a quarrelsome people. The important thing to remember, perhaps, is that anyone can become a Mandalorian - even those touched by the Force, like myself. Species, gender, age- all of these matter little to my people. Those who choose to live as we do are welcome."​

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Shan Pavond Zaiya Ceti ​

 

[Shan Pavond]

"If that's what you want Zaiya, I won't oppose it. I just don't want you to think you have to call me Master. We're ultimately equals in my eyes. In fact, I can see you doing even better than me in the future. You lack the weaknesses I had when I was your age."

Shan nodded at that. He could understand why Zaiya wanted to call him Master. Even now, Shan would still call Valery and Kahlil Master, rather than using their actual names. A small grin crossed his face...Up until Zaiya asked her question and Shan's eyes went wide. That was a note to make. He wasn't great at explaining things if he was going to go off Zaiya's words about Shan being confused.

Though he also listened to Jenn explain how she fought side by side with Cora. As much as he plastered a smile across his face, Shan was doing his hardest to hide the shame he felt. So many people had been involved in the battle, so many people had lost their lives, and he had just been stuck in an evacuation shuttle. He had done nothing to help those fighting and it was a shame that Shan would never be able to put down. Just taking a shaky breath to listen to Jenn explain more to Zaiya whilst Shan stood back, folding his arms along his front.

It was the last topic however that brought Shan's attention back to reality however. About Jenn and her people accepting nearly anyone who wanted to live their way and that was something Shan wanted to bring up. It was a plan that he hadn't really mentioned to anyone yet. Not even to Zaiya but here it was.

"...That brings me to something I want to talk to you about Jenn. There's no rush for it, I'll let you talk to Zaiya first. I want her to be able to learn as much as she wants."

Jenn Kryze Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

"A creed." Zaiya echoed, musing on this, her expression twisting into one of thoughtful consideration as a medley of citrine and dark amber colors dyed her mottled spots and stripes over her face.

"Then what is the creed?" The Lovalla teen asked. Even if the Mandalorians weren't sure what they were themselves, if the creed unified them, then that would be the same right?

While Zaiya didn't want to take up too much of Jenn Kryze 's time, she was curious and always happy to learn. After this, she will try to hold her questions unless absolutely necessary -- key emphasis on try to.

Shan Pavond

 

[Jenn Kryze]

Beskar'gam
​

| Location | Onderon - Kryze Clangrounds
| Objective | Sate the Padawan's curiosity

Another chuckle filled the air, then, gentle and kind. Where the Alor's patience had become more and more limited with her fellow Mandalorians, owing to their fanaticism and blind nostalgia, she seemed all but incapable of losing her cool to well-meaning outsiders - particularly when it came to padawans. Many had she met on her travels, even during her time in service to the Mandalorian Enclave; a seasoned veteran she may be, the warrior of seafoam and beskar held a soft spot in her heart for those young apprentices of the Order. Even as she yet believed the cause of her people righteous, she had never found the ruthlessness in herself to raise her blade against them. ​

​

"That, too, would depend on which Mandalorian you ask", answered the siren with a little wave of her hand towards the fledgling village. "The Mandalorian Enclave installed the Mandalorian Catechisms, for instance; a set of rules I have left behind with that gathering of brigands and murderers. When I was your age, I adhered to the Way of the Mandalore, largely considered a sect by the majority of my people. By and large, most Mandalorians, such as myself, follow the Resol'nare. In Basic, you would call it the Six Actions. Simple guidelines one must adhere to in order to truly call themselves Mandalorians."​

​

With a swift motion of her hand, she drew her beskad from its hilt, letting the blade rest before her as a knight would upon taking an oath. And when the woman's voice rose once more, it held the unmistakable beauty and power of an Ersansyr's song; something she often sought to suppress, afraid of the latent hypnotic quality behind it. Of course, it was all too easy for her to tap into this power she feared so greatly when she became somewhat... carried away.​

​

"Wear the armor, speak the language, defend yourself and your family, raise your children as Mandalorians, give unto the Clan, and answer the call of the Mand'alor."​

​

Silence hung between them all, then, as she realized just how dangerously she skirted to neglecting that sixth and final tenet. No Mand'alor had been chosen, last she had cared to follow the tiresome quarreling of the Clans... but she knew, deep in her heart, that she would never bend the knee to another Mandalorian. Not unless they proved to be more than just another would-be conqueror seeking to emulate the past.​

​

"This is the way."​

​

With a weary sigh, Jenn sheathed her blade once more, her eyes lingering on Zaiya's features absent-mindedly, all too glad to banish this sudden wave of doubt and fear with something far simpler; a measure of curiosity. Asking just what the girl was would require far more tact than she could muster at the moment, and so she found herself content to observe the shifting hues of her features. Although she was no geneticist, the subtle and intricate quirks of near-human species never ceased to amaze her. ​

​

Turning to face Shan more properly, the Mandalorian gave an upnod of acknowledgement in the face of his words.​

​

"Of course, bur'cya. Would you like to discuss this here, or perhaps you two would care to sit down somewhere? We're still working on building up our home, you'll have to forgive me, but I can offer you both food and a place around the fire, if you'd like."​

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Shan Pavond Zaiya Ceti ​

 

[Shan Pavond]

Shan listened to Jenn recite the six actions, doing his best to pay as much attention as he could. Though he kept his guard up slightly. It wasn't that he trusted Jenn. In fact it was far to the opposite, he trusted her with his life but from his first meeting with her, he knew how erh...enticing her voice could be. So Shan did his best to try and protect himself from being accidentally hypnotised. Jenn did have a beautiful voice at the end of the day, but he had to stay focused. Once Jenn had finished speaking and telling Zaiya what the creed was, the Mirialan took a look towards his padawan, giving her a grin. He was glad she was asking questions. Learning.

"I don't mind sitting around the fire. It'd be nice for Zaiya I think as well. And if you need any help with rebuilding your home, please feel free to contact me. I might not be one of your people, but you are a dear friend of mine. It'll be a nice distraction for me. Whilst we walk, Zaiya, you should ask any more questions you have. Mandalorians are a topic that I'm not well suited to teaching you, but they're a topic I think you should know about."

It was true at the very least. It was better to learn from someone who was part of a culture than someone who only knew of it second hand. First hand information was invaluable. But for now, Shan was going to do his best to relax. This was meant to be for fun. A chance to meet a friend and make some plans. He wasn't here on business. It was time for him just to relax.

Jenn Kryze Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

Listening to Jenn Kryze explain what the creed entailed was interesting, but also puzzling that there were differences based on what others might believe the creed to be.

However, there was no denying how beautiful it was to see how passionate and dedicated Jenn was when reciting the Resol'nare.

Zaiya was glad that Shan Pavond said it was okay to ask more questions while they walked, because the Lovalla teen had plenty.

“That was beautiful.” Zaiya told Jenn, walking alongside them. A vibrant orange iridescent dye would tint her patterns over her face in curiousity.

“But why do your people have different ideas on what the creed should be? Isn’t it best to talk about it and decided together what it is do that way everyone knows and understands it?”

A rather innocent question from a teenager who hadn’t had to face heavy opposition in opinions yet.

 

[Jenn Kryze]

Beskar'gam
​

| Location | Kryze Clangrounds
| Objective | A measure of wisdom

A thoughtful hum came as Zaiya's answer, then, though little else followed at first. Jenn, it seemed, was content to ponder on how best to answer her as she led the Knight and his Padawan along the path leading deeper into the village; on their way, they passed by all manner of sights - a Mandalorian rallymaster all but whipping a batch of Onderonian recruits with his voice as they attempted to follow the cadence of push-ups he imposed unto them, a storyteller spinning a tale of ancient heroism and mighty deeds to some of the Clan's foundlings, a hunter returning from the wilderness with a dead animal thrown over his shoulder... in spite of the prodigious bloodshed of the battle of Coruscant, life went on all around them, and peacefully so.​

​

Within the heart of the budding village sat a wide open space - and a large campfire, tended by a Mandalorian whose armor remained marked with shamanistic sigils, adorned with feathers and bones. When their eyes came to rest upon the Alor, they bowed low before her, their gesture soon answered by the siren as they exchanged a short, yet respectful greeting in Mando'a. Sitting herself down close to the fire, the woman beckoned her guests on over, before letting off a sharp whistle, drawing a child clad in plastoid. Evidently, he was yet to earn his beskar. ​

​

"Fetch plates and food for our guests", commanded the Alor with effortless authority. The boy was quick to obey her, disappearing towards a large building close by with hurried steps. It was then, and only then, that she turned to answer Zaiya at last.​

​

"I have tried, young Padawan, to do just that; answered the summons, not long ago, that followed the disappearance of the latest pretender to the title of Mand'alor, ultimate leader of our people. It was a sad reminder of just how far divorced some Clans are from each other. Where my own folks believe in driving out the darkness wherever we find it and fighting for the Light, there are many who believe they can wait it all out. That they should only ever worry about their own people, their own worlds - and leave the innocent to be conquered, murdered, or perhaps even worse." ​

​

Scorn yet colored her words. Evidently, the Alor would neither forget... nor forgive. Although she fought to better herself, there yet remained fury within her soul, and her own people were, by far, the most likely to get a rise out of her these days. How ironic, that the Jedi were shown far more patience by the Knight-Commander than fellow Mandalorians.​

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"Every decision taken takes you further along the path, in one direction or another. But the path I walk is not merely my own; each choice takes my Clan along with me. I can only hope that I will lead them into the light, with or without the blessing of any would-be Mand'alor. I would see my warriors call the Jedi friend, as I do, but only time will tell if my efforts can foster fellowship between our people..."​

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Shan Pavond Zaiya Ceti
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