Street of Dreams

[Aren D'Shade]

Letting out a sigh of relief at his answer, Aren turned to start heading in the direction of the cantina. She wasn't picky on what she could eat or drink very often and as hungry as the girl was, she could eat pretty much anything.

"What is your name or what do you want me to call you?"

Since he had mentioned k​eeping his identity secret, she was sure he would give her some pseudonym to call him.

"Thank you again. I dread what they had in mind for me..."

The troop entered the ca​ntina and the three droids stopped near the door. Some places didn't welcome their kind, but that didn't appear to be the case here and they followed Aren and Lan-Dai to one of the booths.

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

Allowing her to enter first, the hooded figure stretched his armored arm backwards as soon as she was inside. One of their enemies had dropped his blaster, a DT-57 and left it behind, it would've been a shame to leave it lying there for someone else to pick up. This was what the mystery man did, using a discreet force pull to call the blaster to his hand.

Concealing it within his cloak, and placing it where it would not hinder or bother him, the man kept his silence until he found himself sitting in front of her.

"I am..... Lan-Dai............. Lan-Dai Navras"

This was coupled with a gesture of his right had alongside his hood. While his hand never actually came into contact with the cloth, it still pulled back just as neatly, revealing his features to Aren.

In the midst of his introduction and the revelation of his face, a distinct change was notable in his voice as it was suddenly not as deep.

"You have nothing left to fear, I highly doubt they will come back for another bout.............."

 

[Aren D'Shade]

While Aren knew she could use the Force, she had no formal training and the only trick she knew was what she did on electronics. She totally missed when Lan-Dai did with the blaster, but if she had noticed, she wouldn't have questioned him at all.

They took their seats and she looked at rescuer and new companion, at least while they ate. When he said his name, he seemed hesitant, but she trusted him that the name he gave was his real one.

"I am pleased to meet you and know there are others out here that aren't going to try and well...put me through hell."

A server droid came around, took their orders and left.

"I hope they don't."

Running her ​hands over her arms as if she was cold, she almost shivered at the thought.

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

Was it that he found her interesting? Or was it simply that he had been in isolation for years? Either way it didn't matter. Her statement in which she voiced her relief that Lan-Dai wasn't out to hurt her raised a flag.

"Are you then saying that many you encounter look to hurt you?" His concern was genuine, as was a new resolve.

"I won't let that happen..........." Lan-Dai stated, it was in his nature to do so.

"Are you cold?" Lan-Dai asked, once more concerned for his new acquaintance as their respective orders were taken.

 

[Aren D'Shade]

"Not sure much hurt me, but well I can do things with electronics and people seem to want that."

When she was younger it manifested by her being able to slice into pretty much anything and as she perfected it, she could override droids and their programming. She didn't know it was the Force, but Aren had been told she could use it.

"After we part, I'm sure there will be more sticky situations I get into. It just happens."

Letting out a sigh between her speaking and his question, she shook her head.
​
"Not cold, just dreading what they had in mind for me."

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

Now that was a statement that piqued his interest, which is when a specific detail of the skirmish earlier hit home...... All of those involved with prosthetics were somehow neutralized inexplicably... Chances are Aren herself was responsible, but how?

"And just how did half those men found themselves neutralized out of nowhere? You wouldn't have had anything to do with that, would you?"

Listening further, Lan-Dai made an offer without beig totally conscious of it.

"You're welcome to stay by my side for as long as you like........You would not have to worry about any other attempts"

 

[Aren D'Shade]

"I just touched their electronics and shorted them out. Naturally. Watch."

She physically put the spider droid on the table between them and assured Sam he would be fine. Touching him with the Force, he shut down, his legs curled up under him and he became inert. Once the display was done, Aren tapped him on the back and ​​he woke up again. Letting out a stream of beeps and whistles at her, the currently irritated spider droid went and sulked on the side of the booth with Lan-Dai.

"You have a ship then? I can keep all the electronics in it working really well."

Not thinking of the offer as anything as something genuine, Aren did feel she should help him somehow.

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

Watching the small display, it instantly became apparent. Aren was Force sensitive, and possibly knew how to use the Force itself, yet she didn't specifically know how to harness her potential.

"Impressive, so you did something like........this?"

With that Lan-Dai raised his own hand, and the spider levitated in the air. Spinning around slowly he shut down once more before Lan-Dai placed him back on the table and reactivated him once more before he knew what had happened.

"It's the Force, and I sense that you have yet to hone such a power..... And not just to manipulate electronics, but on a broader scale as well..."

Now he believed that this was no mere coincidental pairing....

"As for a ship, my fighter is hidden within the city being watched over by my droid....."

With a flick of his wrist, Lan-Dai quickly and lightly moved the spider over to Aren just as their meals arrived.

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Sam was not at all pleased with being moved and let out one additional stream of droid speak in the general direction of Lan-Dai. Since it appeared he wasn't wanted by Lan-Dai he sat on the booth bench as far away from Aren as he could.

"I was told that by my brother, but he didn't show me or anything."

​Shrugging slightly, she did pay attention to what he did with the Force in moving Sam around. She sat forward only to pull back slightly when their food arrived.

"Did you use it outside?"

A fighter to her was a one person ship, but there were some that could carry more. However, she didn't think his could carry all of her companions and them.

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

A natural user, raw talent at that....

"So then, you're self taught?"

At seeing their meals set before them, Lan-Dai gave slight bow of his head, as if in gratitude for the food he was to receive.

"Yes, though what you saw was one of the more basic uses in which I was trained........"

Thinking thoroughly, his fighter could accomodate a gunner, and did have enough space within for her droids....... It was doable, or so he hoped.

 

[Aren D'Shade]

"Naturally. I've been able to do this since I was little. Not sure if you call it self taught or not. Just something I can do. Haven't met anybody else that can."

Their food having arrived​, Aren started eating. She was paying attention to the answer he gave to her question though.

"No way that was basic. I mean you moved so fast, confident and secure. So quickly you took care of those other guys."

It might sound like praise and it was, but meant in the same manner as his offer to take her on his ship. Given in innocence, but honesty.

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

Lan-Dai didn't begin to eat until Aren took the first bite. Taking his time, he savored the taste, enjoying the meal. Either the food was quite pleasant to the tongue, or he had no basis for comparison due to the years spent in training on Iktotch.

"You would be surprised at how many out there in the galaxy can do what you can................ and on a far greater scale with the proper training."

Taking a pause to bite into his meal, Lan-Dai thought briefly on where to begin to explain the nature of so many force users and denominations when she complimented his display.

"In comparison to the rest of my training regiment.......... and what else I can do, that was basic....... trust me.."

Drinking from his second round briefly and with etiquette, Lan-Dai continued.

"Have you ever heard of the Jedi Order?"

 

[Aren D'Shade]

When he said there were others that could do what she did, she looked surprised.

"Then why are so many people after me?"

Many might have been an overstatement, but this wasn't the first time somebody had tried to kidnap her. A First Order man had tried and failed.

"I want to learn what you know, if you think I can learn."

Giving him a slightly flat look, she nodded before answering.
​
"I have heard of the Jedi. Went through their old temple on Voss. It's where I found the parts for EL actually."

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

Her reaction said it all, she was up to this point pretty much clueless as to the fact that there were other force users.

"Why they are after you? I cannot say as I don't specifically know.... However, an educated guess would be that either you at your stage are easier to maipulate and control, or that you can be turned into a weapon given your lack of training....."

Her request to learn what he knew took him slightly aback. Lan-Dai was still technically an apprentice himself, and still considered that he had more to learn. However, given what he had seen in Aren, and the events that had propelled them together, he was more than willing if only to point her in the right directions.

"Yes, you can learn....... most can...... So far you've only been using the Force on instinct alone, and look at what you can accomplish........ Once you've unlocked your potential, you may even be good enough to become a Jedi yourself, if you so choose to..."

 

[Aren D'Shade]

"At my stage?"

There was slight look of ​disbelief on her face and she shook her head.

"I left Zakuul because I didn't want to be picked up by the First Order. And then one of them tracked me down here. Was going to free some droids and he tried to capture me. Said I was rogue force user and needed to be taken back to the Ren."

Luckily he was a cyborg and she was able to make her escape from him.

"Why would I want to be a Jedi?"

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

Her question and overall reaction warranted further explanation.

"Every living being in the galaxy is in some way attuned to the Force, some more than others....... Some of which learn in one way or another to use the Force, and the abilities that it can award....... The First Order??? They can claim no allegiance from me, rest assured..."

Lan-Dai only paused to take a bite.

"I can understand your apprehension at the thought of being taken by them, or by anybody...... but you can now lay all your uncertainties to rest for as long as you are next to me......"

Pausing now to look into her eyes, he once again spoke almost subconsciously

"I will do my best to teach you whatever it is you want to know, but know this...... what you choose to do with it is entirely up to you...... the choice is yours, and yours alone...."

 

[Aren D'Shade]

She listened to the brief lesson given to her before his mind registered what she had said. The way he reacted almost made her smile, but not quite. He assured her he wasn't with them and she nodded. Lifting a fork she would point to his outfit with it before taking a bite. It gave him the chance to finish speaking and that brought a different sort of smile to her.

"Your clothing doesn't match that of any First Order person I've ever seen."

As for ​what else he said, Aren was totally open and listened to him. They looked at each other, but it wasn't in a suggestive manner. Two people conversing about a future where they would be spending a great amount of time together. Master and apprentice. This was not a conscience thought on her part, just acceptance and hope was involved.

"I look forward to learning from you."

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

As they spoke it had dawned on him. By having to sit down to eat, chances are his robes and armor had been exposed to some degree. However, given the positions they were in, Aren could only see the upper part of his robes and perhaps a glimpse of the concealed torso armor beneath them, part of the vacuum suit, and his armored gauntlets. Luckily, his belt, holsters, and lightsaber were still well hidden from view of all within eyeshot.

"I take that as a compliment, Aren...... I am a Jedi......... and while I am not yet a knight, I will train you in all I know. Keep in mind that I am in no way, shape, or form a Jedi in the traditional sense, and many of my lessons may seem unorthodox. Some methods you will understand, and some you will not, all I can ask...................is that you trust me."

His voice was reassuring, more to himself than to her. This was not something he was prepared for, yet Lan-Dai could not afford to shy away at this point.

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Aren was not one to pay that much attention to what other people were wearing or not. Only those that were clearly allied with the First Order, those she noticed and tried to avoid. He wasn't one and that is what mattered.

"Which do you take as a compliment? That I see you're not First Order or that I want to learn from you?"

When she had met her brother he claimed he was Jedi too, but he had failed in teaching her. Maybe it was because they were too much alike, but she had left him soon after to make her own life away from him. It wasn't that she disliked him ​and she had recently even visited him, but she couldn't learn from him. Maybe Lan-Dai would do better.

"But I don't know anything about tradition or whatever."

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

Gauging Aren's question only momentarily, Lan-Dai instantly replied in earnest.

"That you see and believe that my appearance is not that of the First Order............... It means I am doing something right."

A glint of satisfaction flashed over Lan-Dai's eye when he heard that she was oblivious to the concept of what Jedi tradition is, or should be.

"In all honesty, it's better that way..... To train without preset impressions, expectations, or even prejudices."

Drawing back on his own journey, Lan-Dai reflected on who he had become before walking the path of the Jedi, the parts of that path that still walked with him today, and which parts would also be implanted upon Aren.