Stepping stones

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Rosedge Manor, 1500 hours.

Gherron walked the manor grounds in thought, his light footfalls letting out small puffs of dust as he wandered along. Everything was changing for him, again. Now, it seemed he had everything a man in the galaxy could want. A wife who loved him, a child that took after him in nearly every way (which in some parts was troubling). He even had full run of the manor that came with his wife being a Countess. Which left him to wonder: Did that technically make him a Count? Strange thought. It wasn't a title he ever thought he'd have, nor was it one he particularly wanted. However, those who lived in the area seemed to treat him as such, regardless of what he tried to say. They would offer him free services, greet him with elation he hadn't seen from anyone in years, and in general just treat him like royalty. It was all too much for him. Nefertari had seemed to slip into the role pretty easily; after all, it was her life before everything, he'd imagined. He just couldn't stand it though. He'd even denied the offer of fanciful clothes in favor of his more casual-esque look. He wanted to keep his blaster on his side at all times, but Nef had implored he didn't, as Rosedge was peaceful and didn't need such things. He was so insecure in this new environment, almost like he was back in the Jedi temple for the first time at seventeen years old. However, he couldn't run away again. His family needed him. Articus needed him. An image of the blonde two-year old flashed in his mind, and he couldn't help but to smile, despite his current state of uncertainty. Articus would grow up to be great. Gherron had lost his innocence at a very early age, and he wouldn't let his son go through the horror of finding out for himself just how bad it was out there. If he had to coddle him, so be it, but he would protect that little boy with his life. Taking a deep breath, he made his way to a nearby coffee shop, stepping inside and inhaling the sweet odors. Definitely a pleasant change from walking into a bar.

 

[Oghma Infinium]

Sorik Didn't feel in the mood for another customer, but this man was different.

After taking a job at a local coffee shop where he currently resided (it paid the most credits), Sorik had been working long days. All of his customers were demanding and snarky, and his boss was rude and annoying. These people were nothing like the kind souls living on Tatooine. After a particularly long and annoying day, Sorik saw another customer enter. But this man was different. This man had an ambiance similar to the man he met at the temple on Coruscant.

"How may I serve you?" Sorik asked.

 

[Nefertari Sovint]

Nef had a bit before Articus woke up from a nap, so she went into the village. Her lightsabers were carefully locked away, and she currently carried no armament; she'd gotten her husband to not have his blaster all the time, and she wasn't about to give herself special treatment. For a while, Nef had considered giving Gherron her title, which would make him the Earl of Rosedge. However, sensing he didn't want it, she was content with his commoner status. Besides, his love was what truly mattered. Her child popped into her mind as she walked into a coffee shop; she'd promised Gherron that she wouldn't start training Articus in the force too soon, but that didn't mean she would hide it from him. Until their son was ready to face the galaxy, she'd do her best to love and care for her family. If that meant laying everything on the line to protect them, so be it.

"Hi, darling" she said, walking up behind her husband and gently resting her hand on his shoulder.

[member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Oghma Infinium]

A woman enters just after the strange man enters.

She gives off the same strange ambiance. However, there feeling was different, like two different flavors.

She puts her hand on his shoulder as Sorik thinks to himself, "Maybe they know each other", using this logic to describe the strange feelings that they emanated.

"Two customers?", said Sorik.
"It hasn't been this busy in a month"!, he laughed.
"What can I get you folks?", Sorik asks.

[member="Gherron Vael"]
[member="Nefertari Sovint"]

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron would smile as his wife walked in, placing his hand over hers for a moment before turning his attention to the twi'lek in front of them, smiling a little at his humorous remark. "I'm glad to give you a couple of new customers. I'll have a vanilla caf please, iced. And you, love?" He looked back at Nef, admiring her for a moment. He hadn't expected her to follow him in, but nevertheless he appreciated her company. It was so different from the many times he had preferred to be alone, when all along what he really needed was companionship. When the coffee came to him, he took a sip and savored its sweetness for a moment, swishing it around in his mouth before swallowing. He then took a seat near the window and would wait for Nef to join him.

[member="Sorik Jad"] [member="Nefertari Sovint"]

 

[Nefertari Sovint]

Nef had always enjoyed Gherron's companionship, which is most likely why she took it as hard as she did when he left for about two years.
And it seemed they'd brightened another's day by giving a shop some actual customers, so bonus.
"I'll have a mocha caf, hot please."
Rosedge was coming along, but was still a very small village population wise. And Nef could sense Chandrila was very different than wherever [member="Sorik Jad"] was from. Honestly, she hoped the twi'lek stayed; diversity was a good thing, a point Nef had brought up in the rotunda a few times as a tween.

When her coffee came, Nef joined her husband near he window.

[member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Oghma Infinium]

Sorik felt a strange feeling when the two customers looked into each others eyes, like their feelings intertwined. He decided to strike up a conversation regarding their strange ambiance when entering the coffee shop..

"You folks are very interesting; I've worked here for four months and served most of this town, except you and a few others. You are much different form everyone else, while still seeming average. I noticed a feeling about both of you when you entered, just like a man I knew on Coruscant who affiliated with the Jedi. Are you jedi?"

Sorik felt a little shaky after asking the question, realizing that he asked without thinking. What if they are Sith? still without thinking, and not taking how their light-side ambiance.

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

When the twi'lek followed them over to their table, he seemed a little confused and curious at the same time, studying the couple for a moment before piping up with his question. Upon hearing the query, Gherron's form was visibly upset for a brief second before he controlled himself with a slow, steady breath. Why was it that no matter where he went, he was seen as a Jedi?! It was like a permanent mark that was branded on him for life. Not that he hated the Jedi, that wasn't it at all. He just knew that with the Jedi, everything always meant war and pain and suffering. Once when he had first become a Jedi, his need to protect others had quickly turned into a sort of lust for conflict. He always had pitted himself against the strongest enemies possible, and grew in the force and the order as a result. That path had led him to a life of pain, however, and now he just wanted peace. With his head an internal whirlwind of emotion, he looked up at the young man with his steely grey eyes, though they showed a certain look that could only come from a man who had seen the worst things the galaxy had to show, but had refused to let it completely destroy him. In his eyes was pure kindness mixed with sadness. "I was a Jedi. Now, I just want to leave that part of my life alone, at least for now." Taking a sip of his drink, he placed some credits on the table and rose to leave.

[member="Sorik Jad"] [member="Nefertari Sovint"]

 

[Oghma Infinium]

"Wait!" exclaimed Sorik, as the man prepared to exit.

"I met a man on Coruscant who was a Jedi, but he seemed much different than you or your, let me guess, wife." Sorik paused to articulate.

"He seemed much more full of himself and naive. I was just wondering if you affiliated with the Jedi because you had a feeling to you slightly like the man on Coruscant." Sorik thought of something else to say.

"The man said I was rich in midi-chlorians, he referred to me as a gold mine. He said he wanted to enlist me into the jedi, but I said no, because I didn't want to become a material for his or somebody other person's use." Sorik enjoyed the man and woman's presence, trying to get them to stay.

"I asked if you were a Jedi because I was wondering if you could help me fix this." Sorik stops his sentence to pull out a broken lightsaber.

"Sorry for the long explanation, I just feel a connection with other people that are rich in the force." Sorik explained.

[member="Gherron Vael"]
[member="Nefertari Sovint"]

 

[Nefertari Sovint]

Nef shot her husband a look of you're staying here before getting up with a mildly humored expression
"The more things change..."
Facing the barista, she confirmed his question
"My husband and I both have a Jedi background. Trust me, if that man on Coruscant was your only example, you were right saying no. The force is strong with you, but a true Jedi loses themselves in the service of others, and does not lust for conflict."
Nef glanced at the metal tube in the twi'lek's grasp and a grin came to her face.
"I can most likely fix that, but you must promise to be good and responsible with it." Nef thought of Articus and hoped he wouldn't learn to pick locks or be able to reach her collection until he was ready to take on carrying a blade of light.

[member="Sorik Jad"], [member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Oghma Infinium]

"Thank you for understanding, I just wanted to know." Sorik said.

He thought of how easy it was for this woman to calm him down, even in his extremely tense internal conflicts.

"I'm not sure what this is, all I know is that it is a tool used by the jedi. Whatever it is, I will be responsible with it." Sorik stated.

[member="Nefertari Sovint"]
[member="Gherron Vael"]

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron stopped in his tracks at the behest of the man, and forced himself to listen. Watching the two converse back and forth, he closed his eyes and rubbed his temples softly. He really didn't want to get involved with something like this, but Nef seemed sincere in her words, hoping to help the would-be Jedi. He looked at the fragmented lightsaber in Sorik's blue, trembling hands, and felt his fear and uncertainty. Sighing, he nodded in agreement to his wife's words. "I agree. We'll help you along, so long as you promise to use the knowledge we give you to protect others at all costs. Realize that this isn't a game, and that lightsaber is not a toy to be messed around with."

[member="Sorik Jad"] [member="Nefertari Sovint"]

 

[Oghma Infinium]

"What is it? I know it is a tool used by the jedi, but i'm not sure what it is specifically used for. I pawned it off of a trader on Coruscant." Sorik said.

Sorik took a moment to think about what the man sold him, and how much he sold it to him for. He guessed at what it might be, and finally using all of the clues he could get out of its name as contextual evidence to what it really is.

"Is it some sort of sword?" Sorik asked.

[member="Gherron Vael"]
[member="Nefertari Sovint"]

 

[Nefertari Sovint]

(Sorry, school can be time consuming.)

Nef nodded at the Twi'lek's query
"It is the blade of a Jedi. More elegant and precise than a blaster, and can cut through just about anything."
Thinking the repairs over, she took a sip of her caf. Setting the cup down, she spoke again
"I can have your lightsaber operational in about two days. Gain some control over your anger by then, and I shall even teach you some basic technique."
Nefertari could sense her husband's frustration, she would gladly make it up to him later.

[member="Sorik Jad"], [member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Oghma Infinium]

Sorik thought about his excessive amounts of anger.
"How did you know about my anger problems?"
He thought about this for a second then remembered that Jedi and force sensitives can read each others emotions.
"I haven't lashed out in years, and have been working on my anger for a long time. Thank you for being so kind and understanding."
After this, Sorik put some credits in the register and served himself a caramel caf.

[member="Nefertari Sovint"] [member="Gherron Vael"]