Faction The River's Gift [Force Imbue]

[Azurine Varek]

Letting Go And Moving Forward

Outfit: Clothing | Right Arm | Glove
Weapons: Lightsaber | Hook Swords

"So you do hear its call?"

Azurine's attention was called rather quickly to Aris's words and the sadness that spiked in his aura. Maybe others couldn't tell, but by now, it was a little difficult for her to ignore. She knew he said he didn't feel the Force, and for the longest time, she had trouble believing that, but if they were both standing at the source of a nexus yet he still couldn't feel any of it, then it really was true.

She certainly seemed to be his opposite, though. She felt the Force almost too much between the auras and the echoes, like it was woven straight into the fabric of her very being. It was the reason her Force bonds could become so strong and kill so mercilessly if left unchecked. It was the reason that standing here made her eyes react so physically. As much as she wanted to help him learn, the tugging at her soul told her that it wouldn't amount to anything other than more disappointment, and that was the last thing she wanted to do for him. "You're like my brother, Aris. If you expect me to just ignore it when you need a pick-me-up, you have another thing coming."

Instead, she took a deep breath to try to embrace her fear at the action she was about to take, lowered herself a little bit so her arms were in the water, and swiftly shifted to send some water flying at him. "I'm not going anywhere until I see your aura stop frowning unless you want to try to make me!" She said playfully, that sly grin coming back to her face.

There was an almost melodic approval that chimed in her mind, which steadied her thoughts. Sure, she was still nervous about water in general—which no doubt still showed in her expression a little bit—nor did she know how to swim, but maybe it wasn't so bad. She could see the joy in it now, at least.

Aris Noble​

 

[Aris Noble]

Eh?

"Eh?"

Aris tilted his head as he was splashed, for a moment too stunned to even properly respond. He just dripped with the resulting wave that had hit him before finally he just started to laugh. Really laugh, full belly sort of thing as he held his stomach and shook his head. "You don't even know how to swim yet! Yo shouldn't go splashing people like that, they'll splash you right back you know!"

Which, of course, he didn't. Her fear of the water, the last thing he'd do was trigger it further.

"I'm not going to make you go anywhere either! I- sheesh, why would I ever do that?"

Azurine Varek

 

[Katherine Holt]

Tags: Open
​

Katherine would admit that a small part of her had hoped just placing her legs in the water would’ve helped. But she wasn’t that naive, if there was a solution here it wasn’t going to be as simple as that. At least being out here, surrounded by nature in every direction, made for a perfect place to think and meditate. The only other sounds she could really hear were others who were elsewhere down the river.

She could almost swear a few were swimming within the water itself. The spot Katherine had settled in wasn’t deep enough for that, not that the Padawan would dare to try in her current state.

Although, the idea did remind the redhead of an amusing memory. Back during her earliest visits to Niv Hani, Katherine had opted to try swimming in the lake there. She couldn’t quite remember which Noble had suggested it, but back then the Padawan didn’t hesitate to dive in.

It was the same day she learned just what a royal pain in the arse it was to try and dry a pair of large feathery wings. Much more of a hassle than dealing with her long hair.

Katherine sighed, looking down at her legs submerged in the water. She shifted them around slightly, actually feeling the water around them. Even now it was still strange to feel the sensation returning to her legs. The numbness seemed to subside steadily while in the water, but the Padawan knew it wouldn’t last forever.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out the talisman she had been given.

“Well, I’m getting nowhere with my personal shit, might as well see if I can actually imbue this.”

 

[Eloise Dinn]

The village was a little better off than Eloise expected, though still nowhere near the galactic standard of living. She walked past buildings that were sound and sturdy, populated by dirty, raggedy peasants reliant on ancient plumbing and outdated technology. In light of such poor conditions, any medical aid they could offer seemed almost pointless. They would have to start at the source, dealing with the conditions that caused disease outbreaks and poor health rather than simply treating the symptoms. But Eloise doubted they would get that far in a single mission.

She arrived at the appointed meeting place on time, scanning the crowds for the Jedi Knight she was supposed to meet. He was easy enough to spot. If the robes weren't a giveaway, he didn't look like a native.

"Master Pavond—" She broke off, brow furrowing. Despite the matching green skin, this wasn't Shan Pavond . The message had said… Well, maybe Pavond was a common surname among his kind. "I'm Padawan Dinn," she hastily continued. If he was the person she was supposed to meet, then that was all the introduction he needed. Otherwise, she didn't want to risk revealing her reasons for being here to the wrong person.

The Mirialan was standing in front of a shop window. A dangling sign above them read Apothecary. The place was selling all manner of remedies, both legitimate medicines and poison masquerading as a cure-all. One such product advertised that it was made from the "purified urine of racyons". Oh, thank goodness it was purified…

Eloise supposed this was as good a place to start as any. She wasn't looking forward to seeing the wounded sewn up like garments with needle and thread, or living bodies eviscerated to see what was inside, or any of the other Outer Rim-style "medicine" which had haunted her nightmares since she became apprenticed to the Chief Healer.

Orion Pavond​

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Tags: Roman Vossari

His face lit up with youthful mischief, the corners of his mouth curving back into a grin. It felt like more than an idea; it was an invitation. “You’re telling me you’d actually get a starship?” His voice was tinged with excitement, already picturing the adventure ahead in his mind’s eye. “It’d be like a secret rendezvous out of a Holodrama,” he added, unconcerned about hinting at his show preferences.

He gently nudged Roman with an elbow, laughter bubbling from his lips. “With me as your co-pilot, I would totally find a mystery girl for you too. I could even help out with the snacks, so you don’t have to meet her on an empty stomach.” He took a brief moment to consider the different possibilities. “And don’t worry, I’d never tell her. She doesn’t need to know everything,” he finished, his voice warm with affection that suggested camaraderie.

“Balancing duty and.. uh, aspirations isn’t always easy. I try my best to follow the lines of the Jedi Code, but..” he paused, glancing out at the flowing river. “I can't help but wonder if there’s more to discover outside of training sometimes. The Force guides my actions, but I want to see what it means to be more than just some type of guardian.”

Without hesitation, he followed Roman to the river shore, removing the chain from his neck while he listened closely. The Padawan glanced sideways at his sister. His expression made it obvious that he was trying to catch her attention. But then a random flicker of reassurance bloomed within. With another grin, he held up the talisman, letting it dangle between his fingers. “You don’t need to be concerned with her, Roman,” he said with a chuckle. There was still a cheeky glint in his emerald orbs. “You’re on my team now, anyways. Not Cora's.”

With a sense of purpose, the boy lowered himself onto a single knee, steadying his thoughts. Carefully, Lysander brought the talisman back into view before him. He leaned forward and began to dip it into the water. As the ritual unfolded, he glanced back at his companion. “Am I doing this right?”

 

[Roman Vossari]

Lightsaber: X | Talisman: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Lysander von Ascania

​

Roman chuckled at the image of Lysander, his youthful face alight with excitement, secretly watching Holodrama in the sterile confines of a Jedi Temple dormitory. "The starship is always the easy part…" he began, his voice dropping to a hushed tone as he leaned closer to Lysander, "It's the sneaking away that is the most complicated."

He allowed the younger Padawan's imagination to soar, to paint vivid pictures of clandestine rendezvous and daring escapes. Roman himself had indulged in similar flights of fancy during his own youthful days, some resulting in successful, or at least entertaining, escapades. It was a joy to see the spark of adventure in Lysander's eyes, the boundless possibilities swirling in his mind.

Roman's smile widened slightly as he gazed across the gently flowing river, a faraway look in his eyes. "I do appreciate the offer for help as a wing-man," he said, turning back to Lysander, "but I already have found my mystery girl." A small smile played on his lips. "Maybe one day I will introduce the two of you. I think you both would get along…"

The smile faded a touch, replaced by a hint of melancholy. "I haven't seen her in some time," he continued softly, "She's been training out in the far reaches of the galaxy."

A slight shake of his head helped him to dispel the lingering sense of longing. He refocused his attention on Lysander, a warmth returning to his expression. "There is more to discover outside of training, that is for certain," he said gently, "It will come as you get older, do not worry." It was natural, expected even, for a young Padawan like Lysander to feel a pull beyond the structured routine of Jedi life. "If you want more than just some type of guardian, what do you imagine your path to be?" Roman inquired, his voice laced with genuine curiosity.

He slowly lowered himself to his knees beside Lysander, watching as the younger Padawan meticulously performed the ritual with the talisman. Roman nodded in approval, a subtle gesture of encouragement. "Well, even if I'm 'Team Lysander'," he chuckled, "I still wouldn't want to be against 'Team Cora' anyways."

A lightheartedness filled his voice as he added, "You're doing great. Maybe when you're done, you can give this to your mystery girl?" A glimmer of amusement danced in Roman's eyes, as if hinting at the playful teasing that might follow Lysander's romantic endeavors. The camaraderie between them felt natural and was apparent in their shared smiles and the easy flow of conversation.

 

[Jack Wright]

Rock.

You are a rock.

Grey.

You are grey.

Like a rock.

Which you are.

Rock.

Perfectly weighted, held in a sturdy grip. Casually flipping the palm-sized piece in his right grip, Jack had sat back up, keenly into the cross-legged pose associated with his Order, smiling down to the held object. Should be the best demonstration of practicing tuning the Force through an inanimate object.

The question was, was it cheating when the Force already vibrated inside the material? Could it be considered a test once the Force thrived within a rock, and Jack was only adding to the sensation? Well, there're no rules, others appeared to be deploying whatever they found find in the natural environment.

So the answer may as well be a firm 'no.' At the very least, this makes it easier for the Knight, shifting himself a bit closer by the water's cool edge, preparing himself.

 

[Nulgath Zardai]

​

"You did it!" She told him, her voice a quiet melody in the wind, " I'm glad that helped."

She rose to her feet and carefully went to walk forward, watching the Sentinels to see if they would let her pass, or even remove the Force Shield they had placed over him. Zaiya caught the trinket in Nulgath's hand, and she gave an expression of intrigue. Even Domxite gave a hum of curiosity on her shoulder, the tiny colorful droid taking it in.

"Oh, are you also trying to imbue a trinket?"

When she spoke of the trinket, a flicker of something distant, perhaps regret or curiosity, crosses his features. His lips curl into a small, knowing smile, a trace of the Sith Lord that once was. "Imbuing? Yes," He chuckles softly, though the sound is strained, hollow, as if he's still trying to understand the lightness he now feels. " Though perhaps not in the way you think. It's not the trinket itself that I wish to imbue, but... something more subtle. A reminder, a tether."

He turns the trinket over in his hands, his fingers feeling the weight of it, though his thoughts are elsewhere. "I once sought to control the very essence of the Force, to twist it into my will. But now… now, I am just trying to simply feel it again. To somehow exist within it, not force it to obey. It is... difficult. It senses my presence. My wound in the force and it rejects me at times. "

His voice softens, almost betraying an emotion he isn't used to showing—vulnerability. He looks at her, the complex mix of emotions swirling within his gaze, but the resolve is clear in his eyes and most of all...gratitude for the assistance and kindness the girl had shown him. He was trying. Truly. Perhaps for the first time, he was trying to walk a path that isn't drenched in blood. "What I hold in my hand is a symbol of that attempt. A small token of my nature, but it is a step nonetheless. A step toward knowledge and understanding of...this all." he gave a faint smile paused briefly and looked around. I should thank her for her actions. He thought to himself.

His grip tightens slightly on the trinket, and for a moment, the shadows of his past seem to loom over him in his force aura, but he forces them back almost instantly this time. But something small still lingered. It was contempt, but for what or who?

The amulet. It mimicked the same struggle he fought had moments before. An item imbued with a wound of the living force. His task was complete. The Sentinels recanted their protective shield with a slight smile but still warranted some caution toward Zaiya Ceti and her company. As was their duty. The undead epicanthix shifted his gaze, settled his jade eyes on the dutiful jedi overseers with a slight disregard. An expression that shifted to all the other jedi across the river as well, especially toward Corazona von Ascania . It seemed that she was to be the epitome of the discord he was subtly preparing to now sow. For there was naught many a sith that could say they had held a blade to the neck of Nulgath and even less jedi. Save one...

He feigned a look of content compassion towards the jedi flock.

"Ive seen you eyeing me and Ive been spying you afar, Corazona." He said aloud from across the river bank. It was the first time he had used her name, a name he had only heard in passing before. It was a beautiful name. Though Nulgath thought it a delightful waste in this moment. " And your frankness, bearing, grace, and boundless compassion have beguiled me quite profoundly." he commented and again his lip twisted slightly into a smile. " Unfortunately I've observed the fact that you lead this flock toward one of the great lessons of galactic history, That nothing is often a good thing to do and a clever thing to say." His tone though plain had a venomous edge to it. His gaze lingered on her for a moment and then his feigned expression dissolved into a stoic yet piercing calm. A certainty. "It is a curious thing to see such contrast, to witness the weight of ones choices and the echoes they leave behind in the ocean of the force. It is not enough to merely be. One must do. And there are those who understand this lesson all too well. Ones like you...Zaiya." He remarked and raised his brows at the young padawan.

A remarkable individual that persists to astonish me. Even in this predicament.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Nulgath Zardai Corazona von Ascania

A reminder, a tether.

Zaiya mused on how Nulgath explained how he was trying to exist within the Force, not force it to obey him. That made sense, especially if all one knew had been to try and force things to flow the way one wanted. Finding a balance through that would be difficult, but Lovalla could sense that Nulgath was genuinely trying.

However, his comment on being a 'wound in the Force' drew her attention. What did that mean exactly? Like an actual wound? The healer in her was as intrigued as much as concerned, wanting to assist if there was a way to help him.

Domxite seemed to see where Zaiya was going with it, and he encouraged her to try. Shan Pavond and Iris Arani taught her that she should do her best to help someone's wound if possible. The question was ... how?

In her hand, she glanced at the trinket that had been given to her. The silver loop would enhance the Light side of the Force when needed. If Domxite was right, and imbuing was the same as resonating with a Kyber crystal, maybe she could do the same with this trinket and... help Nulgath? That is what a healer did, right? Help wounds heal.

While Nulgath spoke to Cora, Zaiya focused inwardly on the trinket in her hand, determination painting dark orange stains with glowing cobalt glints off her rosy golden skin.

"Domxite, can you help me, please?" She asked the small droid, who immediately indicated their agreement.

All the while Nulgath was addressing Knight von Ascania, the Lovalla teen was doing her best to coax the Force around them to not only flow through her and Domxite, but also to assist her in trying to imbue a shared essence of herself on the trinket doing her best to focus on the extent of the healing powers she had been taught so far. The Force swirled and ebbed and flowed with such lighthearted, genuine shimmer around the Lovalla that she began to glow again, but softly, almost as if the bioluminescence over her skin was the Force breathing in and out in tune.

Once she was done, Zaiya opened her eyes and glanced down. Pleasure would dance over her features, and she could feel the resonance of the loop. Domxite hummed in colors and blanketed her with praise. Finally, the Padawan glanced up at Nulgath. He seemed to have a bit of an adult talk with Knight von Ascania, but the Lovalla was more focused on what she could do to help Nulgath and his wound in the Force.

"If...you are a wound in the Force...Maybe I can help with healing it?" Zaiya innocently but genuinely offered. "I don't know much yet, and I'm still learning, but..." She let her voice drift a bit bashfully but continued nonetheless.

"My former Master Shan taught me that focus is a great way to help me learn how to heal. One shouldn't depend on them, but just like I used a shard of the Healing Crystal of Fire to help me learn, this may also help until you can feel a bit more whole enough to do it on your own. Master Iris Arani has taught me even more since then so... I hope this helps."

The teenager stepped forward then, extending the trinket to offer it to Nulgath. The metal now shone with a similar pearly iridescence that danced across Zaiya's skin, mirroring each swirl and faint glowing effect connected to her. It was crude, certainly not perfect by any means, but the genuine intent to help Nulgath's 'wound' was there, even if it didn't quite work that way.

In it, if accepted, Nulgath would feel that radiating acceptance and encouragement that would enhance his ability just a tiny bit to sense the Force as the Lovalla did as well -- and maybe, just maybe, it will help him better in existing within the Force.

 

[Azurine Varek]

Letting Go And Moving Forward

Outfit: Clothing | Right Arm | Glove
Weapons: Lightsaber | Hook Swords

There it is!

A wide grin cemented itself onto Azurine's face, her glowing eyes softening a bit now that Aris was laughing. Sure, it was likely from the quick spike of confusion she saw in him, but a laugh was a laugh in her opinion. As Thurion Heavenshield had put it, laughter is the best medicine, after all. The former Grandmaster was certainly correct, and it was also contagious. Her own quick laughter rang alongside his, momentarily making her forget her nervousness at being waist deep in the water.

"I can't swim? Well, sheesh, why didn't anyone tell me that?!" She teased, her voice dripping with a clear playful sarcasm. "I guess it's a good thing you're such a gentleman."

Azzie turned her attention to the water for a moment, once again watching the movement blow the clear flow of the waters. "Here's something your mom told me; you don't need to break yourself to be something you're not. Instead, just work to be the best version of who you are." She glanced up to let her eyes meet his to convey her genuine hope and attempt at providing some kind of comfort or reassurance. "I happen to like you the way you are, and so does Zaiya."

She gave a little wink at the mention of the younger Lovalla, thinking that the little addition might make her words sink in better. She wasn't stupid, and being as intuitive as she was—as well as with the aid of having it pointed out by Braze—she'd put it together by now. What kind of makeshift older sister would she be if she didn't give him a little good-natured hell about it while also providing wingman assistance if he were to ask for it?

Aris Noble​

 

[Orion Pavond]

UKATIS - STONEGROVE - TOWN SQUARE
Eloise Dinn

As the bustling crowds moved about to purchase, sell, or otherwise haggle their wares, Orion's eyes kept searching through the crowd for the padawan. All he needed was one small detail. There. As the woman approached him, Orion's eyes immediately clocked the padawan braid through all her various braids. No matter the uniform or clothing, that was a key identifier.

Immediately, Orion raised an eyebrow as he stopped tapping his finger. Following a dismissive sigh, his arms no longer remained crossed as he set one hand into the pocket of his robe before waving off the formalities with his other hand. A small yet nonchalant smirk tugged at the edge of his lips. At least the girl had not shown up late.

"Orion. Orion Pavond. Or Knight Pavond, if you prefer," Orion introduced himself, "None of that master nonsense, please."

He was master of none nor did he feel comfortable with the title. It felt far more associated with Jedi Masters or those who sat on the council or, at the very least, if he had been training his own padawan. Anything less felt off. What also felt off was her expression towards first meeting him. Was there something off about him as a person to her? A question he kept to the back of his mind as he tracked the movement of her eyes.

Seems she's caught on.

Still leaning against the building, Orion tapped on the window a few times with his free hand before speaking further.

"We're going to talk to the employees inside and see if we can get any new information or a patient registry," Pavond explained the general idea of the plan moving forward, "If that fails, the two of us will check on the people whom the Order has already helped before and then assist anyone else we can find."

Picking up his medical backpack and slinging it over one shoulder, Orion turned his back on the woman for a moment before placing a hand on the handle. His attention then returned towards the Padawan.

"Oh, and we're going to be shutting down some of the more harmful medical practices around here," Orion smiled, showing off a few too many teeth to anything short of sly, "Any questions? Good. Because you'll be taking point on this."

The Mirialan hybrid opened the door before gently gesturing with a small wave for the lady of this particular pair to enter inside ahead of him. His smile never left although it became a little more pleasant than sly in his attempt to be polite and chivalrous in spite of placing a sudden responsibility on her shoulders, something he picked up here and there on Ukatis despite it being such a backwards planet.

"Lady first, Ms. Dinn."

 

[Aris Noble]

"It's not about being a gentleman, it's about not drowning my mother's Padawan. I don't think she'd forgive me if I did that again." He quipped in return, and for once? The poker face he naturally had was shinning in it's best use. Teasing. He'd keep that straight face all the way until Azurine really started to question whether or not he was serious.

Then, and only then, did his lips twitch into a faint smirk. Poker face or not, even Aris couldn't keep it forever.

The smirk didn't last too long though. It twitched, dipped as he looked back to the water he'd just been submerged in. "I'm- not really looking to change what or who I am. I just.. Hopped I might get some clue as to what it is exactly. I'm more than what my Father had intended to make. Having a soul, sentience, none of that was supposed to happen."

Kahlil had notes on what Aris was supposed to have been, but nothing on what caused him to become what he was now. His smile did return though, his gaze lowering to the reflection of himself in it.

".. Yeah I'm pretty sure she does too. .." His eyes shifted, looking back to the Zabrak as he watched her for a moment longer. "Thanks, for making me feel better. It's not going to get you out of swimming though. You wanna go see what's calling to you?"

Azurine Varek