Sounds Of Life

[Arlan Zy'rosh]

Kashyyyk​

Treetop Village​

​

Coming to the Wookiee home-world hadn't been Arlan's idea, not in the slightest. His Master, Seraphina, had thought it a good idea for Arlan to experience wholly what it was like being upon a planet rich with life now that he had fully awakened to the force and she had sent him alone to do so. He knew why of course, having been on Ossus the entire time since awakening to the Force. The feeling of that planet, will strong with the Force, was all he knew. Arlan needed to broaden his horizons, to feel the living Force as it was throughout the galaxy, and what better place to do so than one of the most natural thriving planets known? So Serra had sent him off on his own to learn the ways of the Force in ways that only he could do so. Winding up in one of the Wookiee treetop villages he had been met with nothing but kindness and generosity from the giant creatures despite being an outsider to their lands. Whether or not the treated all Jedi with such adoration Arlan did not know, but he had found Kashyyyk to be a welcoming place to him in the very least.

However; after the greetings and talks, after the long celebrations and revelry, Arlan slipped off alone so he could meditate. He sat alone, away from the village atop a high branch from one of the great towering trees that covered the world. His mind slowly reaching out and feeling the flow of the force as it surrounding him, penetrated him, and flowed onward into all living things. It was here in a strange place, on a strange world, that Arlan truly connected with the Force and found peace for the first time. In all his training, in all the halls of Ossus, Arlan had never been able to grasp the concept of the Force as a living entity. Here though, among the vast amounts of life the covered the planet like an ocean of living beings, Arlan felt the Force as it truly was. He understood now how the Jedi, how Serra, could claim to be serene even after the endless fights with the Sith that ravaged the galaxy, for if all could feel this feeling of sheer peace none would wish to fight.

[member="Dustrig Leomax"]

 

[Dustrig Leomax]

Dustrig's mentor and master, Je'daii, seemed to be a little distant at teaching him. She required him to write reports and learn history, and all the force learning on his own. Which he was fine with. He didn't know how Padawans were trained, so he didn't know any better. He had learned in his own time, but he remembered back when he was on Contruum, his home planet. He was on his own, ran around in the city and that's when he seemed to be the most connected to the force. Not really a "holy" connection, but just strongest, a natural connection. So he set out once more here on Kashyyyk.

He had a pack full of provisions on his back, and he was hiking. There seemed to be a Wookie village nearby, currently in celebrations. He let the music and sounds of wookie-talk fade away into the background, as he walked by. He felt... a presence.. nearby. Not the village, but someone with the force. He slowed down and started sneaking. The Sith invasion killed his family, was this also a Sith?

[member="Arlan Zy'rosh"]

 

[Arlan Zy'rosh]

Kashyyyk​

Treetop Village​

​

So far his adventure to Kashyyyk had been more of a vacation than any sort of training experience, but all the same Arlan understood his reasons for coming here. He truly believed that he would be able to further his abilities with the Force now that he had felt it in such a differently profound way. While he did not claim to be a master of recognizing the Force in any of it's forms, in the past few months on Ossus Arlan had witnessed the prowess of so many Jedi Knights and truly held them in high regard. When his own abilities began lacking a despair had fallen over him, one more akin to the hopelessness he felt in his distant past than a simple sadness. If he had stayed there, continued to fail so hardily, Arlan truly believed he would have been consumed by the sheer grief within his soul. Now though there was none of that, only peace and the sounds of life that echoed throughout the jungles of Kashyyyk. For a planet so wild and untamed it was strange that a person could truly feel at home, yet somehow Arlan did. The hours seemed to pass by as he sat quietly upon the tree branch in deep meditation. It was then he felt it, a tremor in the Force, a faint whisper. It was the feeling he had gotten used to on Ossus, the feeling of another Force Sensitive nearby.

Arlan rose, his eyes turned about to search the horizon. No figures could be made our among the dense foliage, and the jungle mist had began to form as night fell deeper over the planet. He could feel it drawing closer yet he could not make out a precise location. No danger was felt, no darkness nor hostile intent, yet there was caution. Whatever the reason there was another Force Sensitive on this planet, in this location, and it was coming closer to Arlan with each passing moment. Serra had told him that those of the Dark Side emanated a distinctive feeling, one of sheer hatred or pure despair, but this person felt like neither. Unless it was a particularly skilled Dark Sider whom was hiding their presence, Arlan doubted the figure meant him any harm. So, hoping to not arouse suspicion, Arlan would wait. If the person was sensing him out then it would find its way to the branch where Arlan would be waiting. "Let us see who you are." Arlan would say as he sat back down and closed his eyes, falling back into the flow of the Force.

[member="Dustrig Leomax"]

 

[Dustrig Leomax]

Kashyyyk
Treetop Village


He could feel the presence... up. He looked up among the tree branches. Whoever it was, they would be up there. He spotted and grabbed a small stone, holding it in his palm as some sort of weapon. Super primitive in these times, but you never knew. He was scared more than anything of this being. It was unknown, and possibly stronger in the force than he was. He slipped around the tree trunks, keeping an eye out for anyone. He had never encountered anyone before his mentors that held the force.

Pants. He spotted pants, with boots attached. And as he focused through the night fog, a whole body. He seemed to be meditating up there in the branches. He didn't detect anything evil, or selfish about him, so he got up on the first branch before calling out to him. "Hello?"

[member="Arlan Zy'rosh"]

 

[Arlan Zy'rosh]

Kashyyyk​

Treetop Village​

​

It is often funny how things seem to turn out, and more often than naught you have no true idea what course something will take until it reaches it's conclusion. So for Arlan, whom had come to Kashyyyk simply to gain a better perspective on the Force, one can imagine the comedic irony he would feel upon the arrival of another Force Sensitive. He had come to the Wookiee homeworld for the sole purpose of learning what the Force felt like without all the noise brought about by others like him channeling their own abilities, but low and behold even within the jungles there was no respite for Arlan's weary mind. Instead Arlan simply sat there, waiting as the presence grew closer and closer, wondering all the while just whom this person would be that had also somehow found his or her way to Kashyyyk. Thankfully Arlan did not have to wait long, for a small voice would call out from afar. Standing, Arlan turned towards the voice and peered into the mist hoping to catch a better view of the one whom he had sensed moving through the brush.

"Greetings." Arlan would say loudly as he brought his hand up over his eyes trying to improve his vision. "I'm afraid I can't quite see you out there, perhaps you could come into the light." Now this suggestion was done for two reasons. First and foremost Arlan found little reason to converse with someone whom was still shrouded in the darkness, but more importantly if this person was a thread Arlan would need a clear view of him to get an accurate shot off from his slugthrower. Of course Arlan had sensed no hostility, but he was a mercenary one upon a time and had learned you can never be too careful.

[member="Dustrig Leomax"]

 

[Dustrig Leomax]

Kashyyyk
Treetop Village


Dustrig narrowed his eyes at the new voice. He... slowly.... stepped up to the next branch nearby, then the next. He got into the moonlight and a bit higher up into the unknown person's view. He gathered the force around him, being cautious enough to blast him off of the tree if he tried anything. At this height, either of them could get wounded by the fall. "Here I am. How about you show your face as well?" He stayed as close as he could against the trunk. He didn't feel like the darkside, but... he could just have an ulterior motive. What was another force user doing here on Kashyyyk?

[member="Arlan Zy'rosh"]

 

[Arlan Zy'rosh]

Kashyyyk​

Treetop Village​

Caution seemed to be getting Arlan nowhere in this particular engagement, and not being one o let things linger for too long, he soon rid himself of it. Arlan took a few steps forward, walking towards the voice that had been calling out to him from beneath his line of sight. So many things could be the reason for this mysterious guest, but then again not knowing was far worse to Arlan than a unfavorable outcome. So, as it were, Arlan drew closer locking his eyes to the figure shrouded by the mist. He took his hand away from his slugthrower in hopes of not intimidating a hapless traveler if that indeed was whom he was approaching. In this moment two things came to Arlan's mind, the first being his instincts as a mercenary that were screaming for his to shoot first and talk later; the second was his training with Serra that told him to trust his feelings above all else. As much as Arlan may have wanted to blast away the unknown figure, something within told him this stranger meant no harm to Arlan. He would approach, reveal himself, and hope for the best.

"Here I am, now come out of the shadows." Arlan called out into the darkness. "If I meant ill towards you I would have started blasting a while ago."

[member="Dustrig Leomax"]

 

[Dustrig Leomax]

Dustrig looked around himself, still shrouded by the mist. Not enough light, it seemed. He looked the new figure up and down. From his dress and demeanor, he was not, in fact, not seeming to be a Sith. Maybe he was just trying to survive. He got up to a higher branch, getting himself into viable light. There was definitely tension in the air. "My name is Dustrig, but call me Leo. What can I call you?" He asked from below, the force still swirling around him. He had yet to get a lightsaber, so this was his only means of defending himself. He truly didn't know quite what to do at this point of time. Hopefully name exchanging would break the ice.

[member="Arlan Zy'rosh"]

 

[Arlan Zy'rosh]

Kashyyyk​

Treetop Village​

​

In all his guessing Arlan could not have imagined the person lurking just out of sight would be the young man before him now. When you think of someone stalking treetops on a planet like Kashyyyk you think more in the line of large formidable warriors, not someone with a visage more akin to that a of child. That was not to say Arlan judged the boy based solely on his appearance, he knew far better than that thanks to his many bruises still lingering from his master's touch. No, just that from this moment in time it seemed like this 'Leo' was all too out of place in this moment in time. Arlan pulled his hand away from his slugthrower and ran his fingers through his hair as he looked at Leo, smiling a bit then shaking his head. He had known all along that there was little to fear from the figure in the shadows but he could not help but find the tension he felt just moment ago satirical now. Arlan would take a step forward and look over Leo once more, making sure what he saw in him was accurate, then he would simply smile and sit back down where he had been meditating.

"My name is Arlan." He spoke softly. "Arlan Zy'rosh. There's nothing to fear from me I assure you. Come closer if you want to, this is a good place to meditate." Arlan said as he looked down into the canopy of trees below. "My master told me coming here would give me a better grasp on things and make me a better Jedi. I have to learn to stop doubting that woman." A chuckle would escape his lips as he turned away from Leo wholly and sighed. "I don't recognize you from Ossus but you have the feel of a Jedi. Who exactly are you?"

[member="Dustrig Leomax"]

 

[Dustrig Leomax]

Leo let out a long sigh of relief at the sight of someone non-hostile. He climbed up a few branches and let the force dissipate. "Yeah, this place is rather touched by the force, I guess." He sat down on the massive branch that they had. "I'm from Contruum, but- uh.... I, was taken here to train with my master. I was on a hike to build my form and connect with the force more." He looked out over the forest floor that they could see at this point. The fog, the moonlight.. "Pretty, isn't it?" He looked at [member="Arlan Zy'rosh"] . "Who exactly are you?" He asked back.

 

[Arlan Zy'rosh]

Kashyyyk​

Treetop Village​

​

Who was he? That was a question Arlan had been asking himself a lot in the past few months with no clear answer ever presenting itself. Growing up he had been a mercenary, in fact he had been such for most of his life. He had built a life out of carnage and death, sowing seeds of chaos across the cosmos to earn a living. That lifestyle of wanton hostility had led to the death of those closest to him, after which Arlan became a hapless vagabond living in solitude on Felucia. He had been contented to live out the rest of his days alone in self imposed exile, but fate had other plans. A Jedi Master, his master, found him and took him in. Going so far as to bring him back to Ossus for training in the hallowed halls of the Jedi Order. Arlan's title had changed much in his time among the living, but what was he truly? Was he the mercenary, living on instinct; maybe the vagabond, hiding himself from others; or was he the Jedi, longing to connect with the Force? Not even he knew the answer it seemed. So, as to the inquiry from Leo, Arlan would simply answer.

"I'm just me. You can call me Rosh." Then no more for the longest time. "It seems our masters had similar goals in mind for each of us. Ironic isn't it?"

[member="Dustrig Leomax"]

 

[Dustrig Leomax]

"Well.." he rubbed the back of his neck. Je'daii.... This was not her idea. She just wanted him to report what he learned, without any real lessons, or teachings. She just gave him an old tome and sent him to study in his room. First Mantic abandoned him, then this woman picks him up to be her padawan. And then she doesn't even do anything with him but assess and assess! A small flame of anger burned in him as he thought of his response. "This was more my idea. Master Je'daii only wants history reports and knowledge I've gained about the force written and turned into her. I thought it best myself to go for a long hike through these hills. It's not like she is around enough to notice I'm gone anyway."

[member="Arlan Zy'rosh"]

 

[Arlan Zy'rosh]

Kashyyyk​

Treetop Village​

There was a sprinkle of disdain in Leo's voice, it didn't take any sort of power to see that much. Whatever was going on between the boy on his master it seemed like this young learner was none to pleased with things. Arlan couldn't help but smile as he thought back to his own time training with Sera and just how frustrating it could be at times. Something about a Jedi reaching the level of master just made them seem condescending Arlan had thought, despite how nice most of them tended to be. Arlan sat at the end of the large branch for the longest time, thinking over the things said by his new companion, and wondering all the while if Sera had somehow known this meeting would occur. Leo's mixed feelings for his master easily translated into Arlan's earlier doubts of Sera's motives, though he trusted her now, it was no great stretch to put himself into Leo's shoes. Nodding a few times Arlan turned towards the boy and smiled again, attempting to put him at greater ease and welcome him to the area. It was only after that did Arlan begin to speak.

"Sounds like you have it rough, but then again all masters tend to teach differently." Arlan went on. "There was a time I was sure my own master had only brought me in due to pity. Everything she did and said just seemed to emanate that fact. Now though I've learned differently." Arlan's eyes narrowed for a moment before he continued speaking. "I've learned that the misconceptions I had for her words and actions were just the reflection of thoughts I had for myself. It was only after I admitted that did I truly connect with the Force." Another nod would follow his words. "I'm sure your master cares for your development more than you know."

[member="Dustrig Leomax"]

 

[Dustrig Leomax]

OOC: Sorry for the long wait. Went on a small trip.))

Leo scoffed and turned his head, then seemed to think for a minute. "Maybe.. My first master before her left me as he deserted the Jedi Order. Didn't even tell me what the problem was. I think it had something to do with the Jedi leaving the Republic, but I'm not so sure.." He sat on the tree branch, looking out over the landscape. He sighed heavily. "I'm getting angry..." He muttered under his breath. He took several breaths, in and out, trying to calm himself. "I'm sorry [member="Arlan Zy'rosh"] , that kind of talk ins't the Jedi way.. Excuse me."

 

[Arlan Zy'rosh]

Kashyyyk​

Treetop Village​

​

For a moment Arlan stayed silent, letting his newfound companion stew in his own thoughts. More often that not saying nothing had a greater impact than even the most grand of speeches. Arlan took that to heart, preferring his actions to do to his talking for him. However; it was Leo's last sentence that stirred something up deep from within Arlan. The Jedi way, the right way. In all his time training he had scarcely met any two people that shared the same idea of what that was. To some it was protecting the Republic, to others mastering the Force, to his own master it was guarding those that lacked the power to do so for themselves. Arlan had struggled trying to find his own Jedi path for some time, the only help with the task was his master's words that he would know it when the time was right. Now here, yet again, he saw similarities between himself and Leo.

"I'm sure he had his own reasons, most likely following his own 'Jedi path' don't you think?" Arlan asked over his shoulder. "I'm not sure what is the right way, heck I've done a lot of bad things in my time so I'm far from being a perfect Jedi, but I've found it's different for everyone." Arlan smiled and shook his head. "The same reasons that caused him to follow his path and leave are more or less the ones that led you here aren't they? Fed up with just studying like your master wanted you ventured into the jungles for a little excitement? I don't blame you, not in the slightest."

[member="Dustrig Leomax"]

 

[Dustrig Leomax]

Leo sat and listened to Arlan speak.. Everybody had their own Jedi paths...? That wasn't something he had considered.. In that sense, he could hardly blame Mantic. He had his own path to follow, and Leo was just starting to learn at that point. Dragging him along would have been forcing that ideal upon the young man. Leaving him behind was the best choice of action.. "Well... I guess I'm following my path as well." He smiled. "You've cleared up a lot for me. Thank you." He nodded at [member="Arlan Zy'rosh"] . "So, what do you think of that Wookie celebration not too far away? What are they celebrating?"

 

[Arlan Zy'rosh]

Kashyyyk​

Treetop Village​

​

Arlan was far from being a sufficient source of knowledge for a fellow Padawan, and in fact probably knew less of the Jedi teachings than most others his age. Being able to impart a piece of meager wisdom upon a fellow Jedi in training was a feat Arlan could surely feel proud of, for he could not wait to tell his master of the face. Now though was not the time to be dwelling on the facets of far away places and meetings. Instead Arlan knew that he should focus on the now and his current companion whom seemed to finally be opening up to conversion. A more casual setting was something Arlan could get behind easily, never being one to appreciate the stiffness of the Jedi Temple himself, but of course he blamed that on the way his master was as well. Shrugging for a moment, then shaking his head Arlan looked back towards the distant fires of the Wookiee village as Leo spoke with a bit of pride, and a smidgen of embarrassment.

"Ah, well." Arlan said as he wiped his face. "That was actually for me. I'm surprised they are still carrying on like that after so long." Arlan then felt as if he should explain the situation a bit before anything got misconstrued. "They were told a Jedi was coming when preparations for my journey here were being made. I honestly would have preferred slipping in under the radar but apparently these Wookiee have a great love for Jedi Knights. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for their adoration, but I would have preferred a quieter visit."

[member="Dustrig Leomax"]

 

[Dustrig Leomax]

Leo took in this information, Wookies loving Jedi and that there was peace between them. It had been a long, long time since he himself had been a part of a celebration or a party. Ever since Contruum, he was on his own. He looked to the distant fires with a longing of some sort before breaking the line of sight. "Maybe they are so caught up in having fun that they forgot why they threw it in the first place." He chuckled to himself.

"So.. what force powers are you able to use? The only thing I seem able to do is Telekinetic powers, not much else like the masters. They can heal, and read minds, and I heard of one Jedi who could throw fire! That must be so cool.." He was genuinely disappointed in his lack of variety in the force. Sure, he had strengthened those powers that he had, but he had yet to unlock any others.

[member="Arlan Zy'rosh"]

 

[Arlan Zy'rosh]

Kashyyyk​

Treetop Village​

​

Arlan smiled for a moment, taking in the fact that at the very least Leo seemed to be in a better disposition than when he first arrived. Perhaps the local Wookiee celebrating Arlan's arrival put any doubts of Arlan's true nature to rest, which was a good thing at this point. It had been a while since Arlan had conversed with another Human and he was rather enjoying this little meeting at the moment. Even his master was a Twi'lek, and though Arlan cared much for her, just being around another of his species somehow calmed the Padawan. As Leo calmed more, and began opening up, he asked Arlan about his ability with the Force. Some months ago that may well have been a touchy subject for Arlan, but now he had laid those inhibitions to rest. One could even say he had come to terms with himself, very much like he suggested Leo do earlier.​

​

"A little of everything a Padawan learns I guess I would say." Arlan perked up as he spoke. "It's taken me a while, and I do mean a while, but I've more or less grasped the basic ability to use all the core Fore Powers Padawan are taught." Arlan then stopped and began to laugh. "No doubt it's because of my master's patience, cause believe me I was hopeless for a long time."​

​

[member="Dustrig Leomax"]​

 

[Dustrig Leomax]

Leo smiled, happy that at least someone else has messed up before, taken a while to grasp things or just done a poor job at exceeding expectations. He felt like he was letting his teacher down all the time. History lessons just weren't his thing.. But at least he was around someone new. He had only been interacting with his master for some time now. "I hope my master has some patience, Because I don't think i'm moving anywhere fast in my studies.." He trailed off, leaving a pause in the conversation before starting it up again. "Hey, could you try to teach me something that you know?" He asked. "I know we are both learning, but we have to help each other out, no?" He asked, half a smile being shown.

[member="Arlan Zy'rosh"]