Private The Quest for Knowledge

[Veino Garn]

Alysia Shields
KASHYYK
SILVER REST
LIBRARY
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Veino massaged his forehead as he pored through the various datachips and tomes he had borrowed from the library. Whether or not he was supposed to have borrowed them or not, it was questionable. His library chip was genuine, albeit acquired under a pseudonym and through a Jedi enclave that he was not actually a member of.

But hey, what was stealth infiltration between friends? He was tracking down ancient star-maps as old as he could his hands on, as well as any locating files or indicators of secret charts that might have indications of other unknown worlds. He wasn't sure about Tiland's motivation when the old monk first broached the subject to him. Veino didn't quite see the purpose of chasing ancient civilizations, but he saw the purpose of finding unknown inhabitable worlds as fallback worlds and refuges.

So, he had set off to go through archives all across the galaxy, working his way in towards the Core. Ideally, without leaving a trace. He doubted it would work, since Qi-Ko had only been found because the planet had decided to invite Tiland and Aeshi. Or maybe the spirits of the Qi-Kans had invited them, Veino wasn't sure. He'd never been and hadn't been part of the expedition.

And Tiland was hardly one for navigational research. He couldn't even fly. Veino had never been able to suss out how exactly the Anzati traveled, but he had a feeling the Aang-Tii had a hand in it. With a long sigh, he turned back to the pile of documents and began sorting through them, copying the data he could into a datapad and running them through algorithms to compare the various datasets.

What had changed, where were things added, things removed, and such like that. Very basic, given what he needed it to do, but it would have to do. Once he was back on Susefvi, he would be able to do more complex algorithms to compare the gravitational ripples, changes in orbit, and plot possibilities for undiscovered gravitational anomalies.

This was just the foundation for the research, which would help as he studied other archives. But something prickled in his senses and he sat upright, instinctively covering the materials he was studying. His eyes darted around the small corner he was using as he reached out with the Force to feel out who else was around.

 

[Alysia Shields]

Alysia Shields had been having something of a difficult time lately. She was your typical sixteen-year-old girl in the midst of transitioning from the youngling years of life to the obligations and responsibilities of early adulthood and quite frankly, she wasn't ready to accept it.
Sure, all kids wanted to be adults so that they could do whatever the hell they wanted without having to explain themselves to someone every time a Jedi Knight passed them by, but the whole taking on more duties and being accountable for letting things slip just wasn't living up to her view of personal freedom and independence.

Having wandered into the Temple Archives, Alysia had managed to escape the notice of her classmates in order to be able to get some time for herself in, and she certainly didn't feel up to sitting through another class discussing the importance of moral ethics within a Jedi's life. No offence to the tutors at all but after so many lessons, those sort of talks could be recited in one's sleep. Fortunately, she had decided to skip the class altogether. What did they call it...'Self-Care' right? That's what she'd go with anyway, getting some downtime for a while.

Alysia had that natural skill that many teens passively displayed, the ability to be so self-absorbed that she'd failed to take in any notice of those around her, or sharing the Archives with. She'd spent the first ten minutes or so perusing a couple of isles under the artisan section of data cards and holovids before choosing two of them and moving for a table in the farthest corner of the study area, out of the way where she would be least likely to have to socialize with the other students. There, she could read and not have to worry about trying to fit in or whether or not she was smart enough to be passing in her training and lesson curriculum here with the Order on Kashyyyk.

Veino Garn

 

[Veino Garn]

Alysia Shields
=============================

Veino looked up from where he was comparing a half-dozen star charts as an adolescent, some sort of padawan probably, came into the library and took a seat nearby with a few items. There was something a bit wild about her and something almost... furtive. Like she was avoiding something. He set down the maps and watched her for several moments, although he might as well have been invisible.

It amused him, however, and there was a certain movement in the Force that prompted him to speak. "I take it you're evading more structured educational programs?"

He had no evidence, or anything particularly concrete to base his hunch on, but he went with it. The choosing of certain datadisks and holovids rather than others, the choosing a spot far from more commonly traveled areas, as he had done. All done, perhaps not consciously, to avoid detection or suspicion. It almost impressed him.

 

[Alysia Shields]

"I take it you're evading more structured educational programs?".
​

The sudden voice that spoke out to her so unexpectedly caused the young woman to visibly flinch, almost as if jumping in her very seat. "Chit!" she snapped in fright, not out of frustration but rather the shock that she wasn't nearly as alone and subtle as she'd attempted to be.

"Yeah, something like that..." She replied somewhat apprehensively as she eyed the older man, presumably a Master or Instructor within the Temple. A natural guess, given the environment they shared. "You too huh?" she replied, feigning a cocky smirk to try and evade the fact that she'd been caught out, putting the focus of their conversation back on Veino Garn .

Alysia didn't consider herself to be anyone overly special, just another number in the Temple seeking to advance in her abilities and learning; That said, she'd been around long enough to become familiar with many of the Instructors and among them all, she didn't particularly recognize this one. Leaning forward against the desk, pressing her elbows against the surface, she looked him over as if sizing him up. Somehow, he didn't seem to blend in with The Silver Rest as the others seemed to.

"So...What's your story then Master?" She asked inquisitively, her gaze piercing, as though she were trying to piece together a puzzle as if she might figure him out regardless of whether he chose to respond or not; "You seem less....Stale than the rest" she added bluntly. Not afraid to speak her mind or voice her impressions of those around her.

 

[Veino Garn]

Alysia Shields

Veino just raised his eyebrows as she spoke, waiting until she was finished, before shrugging. "Clever, trying to redirect the subject of the conversation and deflect from your own surprise and discomfort. A bit obvious, in your attempts, but it shows quick thinking at least." The man leaned back in the chair and studied her before gesturing to his spacer's clothes and well-worn great-coat draped across a chair.

"Although unfortunately, your assessment is not quite accurate. I am not a Jedi Master, nor am I part of the Silver Jedi. I am here, rather, as an independent researcher."

He would let that sink in and see how she responded. The girl had promise and was not one he would have expected to be much of a fit for the notoriously dry and dusty Silver Jedi, although he had heard rumors about their hidden council hot tub parties. He had heard the careful consideration and assessment in her voice. The voice of someone faced with a challenge they had to face.

"But there are records of me in this archive if you wish to sort out the mystery," Veino said at last. "I'd start with the One Sith and subsequent First Order wars."