if they're watching anyways
Open
It was a stupid idea.
Now, of all times? She hadn't been a real Jedi in years. Even when she had been, she'd never understood this process. Resolve was the closest thing she'd ever had to it -- and it was a thing that was almost her antithesis, its mind goading, belligerent.
With securing their new capital in mind, Auteme's tour of duty brought her to worlds she hadn't been to in some time. Ukatis's political landscape had undergone seismic shifts, as had its physical landscape. The scars of the Mandalorian invasion were still visible here. But now it was safe; alongside Alliance relief forces, Jedi and others returned to Ukatis, the power of the Alliance once more bending this world.
Auteme had briefly visited the festival, checked in on the rebuilding efforts in Axilla, and then she'd sped off to the recently-discovered kyber caves. The local spelunkers were in a mix of awe and complete disregard for her; she was both the grandest of ladies, and a little girl who let all that power get to her head. She'd done her part, speaking as best she could about the Alliance's support for Ukatis and the importance of their relationship in discoveries like these.
She didn't move the needle much. Her heart just wasn't in it.
In time, after the photos -- she put up with only as much as she had to this time, even as her PR team wanted more, given the political climate -- she went into the caves, abandoning her entourage. The cave system was surprisingly expansive; she'd been walking for nearly a half hour and only now seemed to be reaching the crystals. Pillars of brilliant blue and green crystals criss-crossed the cavern. She tapped each one she passed.
But nothing shone for her. Even this Force-rich place, and she could pick nothing out.
She was past the point of hope, but continued on anyways, wandering deeper into the caves.