Third Time's the Charm?

[Caelag Vass]

• Wearing: Dress
• Location: Kashyyyk

Caelag Vass, did not enjoy life. It was not that her life was horrible, that she was underpaid, or had ever been want of food, or shelter. It was not that she felt the crushing embrace of loneliness, or the impassable void between her life and all that she once knew. No, it was none of these things. By all measures, Caelag Vass had a rather splendid life, if one ignored the death she faced on the regular. So what then could bring her, a powerful woman with more than sufficient ability to do anything she wished, to the point of hating her existence?

Simple. Nothing lasted. For all her hopes of finding meaning, when at last things went well enough for the woman, everything would crumble beneath her. First the Republic crumbled around her, a mere soldier at the time, and again the Iron Empire withdrew its reach, this time with her as Colonel, High Colonel no less. Progress forward was ever halted by strife, strain, and sudden loss of fortune. Meanwhile, the goal of Caelag's hopes and dreams grew ever distant, feeble, hung onto only by sheer force of will, a reluctance to leave things to wither.

Perhaps that was why she always chose a school teacher to be her fallback. Something that worked for the future even when she herself felt she could no longer affect it. Perhaps it was some great guiding force's sense of humour. Who knew. Whatever the case was, the reality of it was that she once more traveled to the other end of the galaxy to hopefully be just that. A bit less than appropriate to that occupation, the black dress, wrappings, and hooded cloak she wore seemed more fitting for a funeral. The only bright thing she wore was the silvery eye crown covering part of her face, masking the lack of eyes.

Of course, she also had her lightsaber hidden among the folds of the dress and cloak, as well as two small daggers in the wrappings around her arms and wrists.. Though the lightsaber was not something she was comfortable with, it was terrifying to travel without weapons on her, and the knives simply weren't enough. Her armor, sword, and rifles were stashed in her trunk, which she had to wait to be unloaded before she could be near again. That left her alone, waiting for her luggage from the freighter that had been paid to ferry her to this distant world.

While she waited, she let her mind expand slightly, slowly, feeling out the area around her in greater detail. Her natural 'sight' gave her a greater ability to sense force users, this planet being littered with them, spots of bright within the flow of the Force. It also wasn't usually something that someone would notice, however her expansion was to gently prod those around her, feel intent, rather than presence. Of course she wasn't good at it, but it would take someone paying attention to notice where the probing came from. And for the most part this seemed, accurate. Though having plenty to learn, she could find no poor intent, letting her breathe easily.

Though one last mind was gently probed, to seek an inkling of intent. However, the subject, one [member="[SIZE=14px]Stephanie Swail"] was more well trained than she, and she could not find what she sought. All the same, she did not feel in danger, and retreated the probing search, content. Though she did keep her arms crossed in front of her, in case that girl did hide some deep seated malice. Her general form did suggest human, after all, and those always loathed her.[/SIZE]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

The arrival of a rather sleek looking craft flagged up as a non-threat initially as it appeared on the radar of the Silver Rest. It had a familiar look and design to it, but nothing could be truly identified from read-outs. The craft was unexpected and not opening direct communication, yet it followed commands from the Silver Rest.

Stephanie Swail was leaning over the control by the communication officer bringing the ship down, and had a small knot in her brow.

"I’ll take it."

With a pat on the officer’s shoulder, who nodded, the Jedi Padawan would leave the Rest and head out to the external hangar built out of one of the mountain surrounds to welcome their un-invited guest.

Stephanie walked over slowly.

The ship had landed, the ramp was out, and a figure stood still. Dressed in rather dark robes and fittings, with a silver mask across their eyes, it was a figure Stephanie couldn’t read. There was a strong Force aura present.

In contrast to the darker robes of their visitor, Stephanie had a variation of her cream Hapan robe with minor décor, brown belts, boots and brown robe. Ever the doting Jedi. The visitor looked far more ready for battle and held herself with great confidence.

”Welcome to the Silver Rest of the Silver Jedi Order. May I know your name and purpose for visiting? We have no record of your ship, I apologise."

[member="Caelag Vass"]

 

[Caelag Vass]

Caelag turned her head to look back at [member="Stephanie Swail"], more a gesture to make conversing easier for the human, hiding her concern behind the trained facade of a soldier's calm and as sweet a smile as she could make. "Oh my, did someone not make sure my trip was written down? I'm sorry about that, writing is quite difficult for me and I have to rely on others to do it for me. Perhaps they even went to the wrong facility.. my name is Aela. I'm a school teacher, you know, for the little ones." She held her hand down low, at roughly a young child's height.

All the while, of course, she began searching her memories of the Silver Jedi. She certainly wasn't the padawan she sparred with at their tournament, and her memories were failing to pick anything up. This woman, while leaving zero doubt to the authenticity of a Jedi learner, similarly left no doubt to the newness of their encounter. Perhaps fortune had blessed her, and she would escape the day without her mask being unveiled.

"If there is a problem with my arrival I apologize deeply."

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Initially, the woman looked back to Stephanie and conveyed a great peace and warmth in her aura and voice. Gut instinct? The woman was blind. The silver mask over her eyes could well be some decorated mask or new HUD gadget, but Stephanie was old-fashioned and simple – her eyes were covered, so this meant she was blind.

But, as she head come to learn, sight and the Force stretched beyond what one could physically see.

"No, no please, not at all."

Stephanie smiled and walked closer.

"We simply had no record of a visitor to this side of the Rest, and I simply wanted to make sure everything was ok. Welcome to the Silver Rest, Aela. My name is Stephanie Swail." She held her hands together in front. "Are you here to work with someone in particular? Can I call a Master to help you if you’re here to teach?"

The smile was natural, but of course she was ready to be more solid in her actions if this woman was here fabricating a story. It was natural – dark times meant nobody could be trusted initially. A hard truth that made the Padawan sad that it had come to this.

[member="Caelag Vass"]

 

[Caelag Vass]

"To be quite honest Miss Swail, I am uncertain. To my knowledge I am supposed to teach simple things, nothing too grand with the Force. I only use it for the simple things in life these days, after all." Careful to phrase every word, she didn't want to lie. After all, while not speaking in truths, the only lie thus far was of her name. And even that lie was based in truth, considering her name contained the pseudonym. Always, always careful. The only thing being an officer had taught her. "Though I could always use assistance, my belongings are in a trunk being offloaded, whenever the gentlemen who flew me here get around to it. Considering I don't have the extra credits to get their help carrying it, I would be grateful for the assistance."

Naturally if [member="Stephanie Swail"] glanced past Caelag, she would be able to see two of the crew members unloading the aforementioned trunk. A simple, if heavy looking footlocker, which held the remainder of Caelag's belongings inside. And which was very likely to be dropped regardless of the padawan's response. If not out of the men's lack of care, or Caelag attempting to do it herself, then of simple misfortune. Or meddling, should anyone watching feel particularly mischievous, though perhaps that was the same as misfortune.

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Stephanie leant over and glanced behind at the transport, seeing the two less-than-enthusiastic men unload a trunk for the girl who didn’t seem to be travelling light. She glanced to her.

"Okay, leave it with me, wait here."

The Jedi walked past Aela to the trunk, and after a few quiet words and a simple instruction, they boarded the craft and left the trunk for Stephanie to carry – drag – one sided across the pad to its owner as her ship disembarked without waiting or warning.

The slight downdraft blew their clothes a little and their hair, and the engine fired up as it flew away from the Rest and the planet.

"Alright I have your case. Looks to me as if you’re here for the long-haul. Tell me, are here seeking sanctuary or something else?"

[member="Caelag Vass"]

 

[Caelag Vass]

Aela smiled and nodded, waiting for the ship to take off before walking up to [member="Stephanie Swail"] and her trunk. She bent down a bit, trying to feel for the the case's handle. When she found it, she wrapped her fingers around it and lifted up, intending to carry it alongside the woman who had offered help. That way there wouldn't be a scraping noise either, which would highly irritate her and her, shall one say, sensitive ears.

"Sanctuary? No no, nothing of the sort. I am more than capable of staying safe in the galaxy. It's a matter of, well, I simply needed someplace new to teach. There was little ability for me to do so where I came from."

The sweet smile never completely left her face, and she did her best to keep the aforementioned hidden weapons on her body hidden despite their close proximity. The case in their hands creaked a bit while they held onto it, the contained armor, sword, and rile making the faint sounds of metal clinking despite being wrapped in cloth. She considered her options quietly, 'looking' ahead towards wherever Stepahanie would lead her while contemplating speaking to distract her from the metal.

Ultimately she went with a safe medium.

"If I may ask, where exactly would we need to go now Miss Swail?"

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Welcoming the help to carry the case, Stephanie was surprised how heavy it was, cantering to one side. Still, he held her arm out for balance and walked across the landing pad with her new guest to the rear of the large, proud Silver Rest.

"Well, we welcome you if you wish to join our Order? We can always use more teachers, more of those who have experience and knowledge to share, and in turn be taught on self-discovery."

She flexed her hand on the case handle.

"I can sign you in under my name as a visitor, and you can hopefully meet Grandmaster Kitra if you wish to find a place here… goodness, sorry, but you come well prepared, this is heavy…what do you teach….?!"

Stephanie smirked and tried to adjust her weight, focusing on the Silver Rest as her target so she could put this thing down!

[member="Caelag Vass"]

 

[Caelag Vass]

"I've never been much of one for the Force, beyond sight anyways. I prefer not to limit myself too greatly. There are advantages to learning non-reliance after all." She huffed a bit as she worked on continuing to carry the case. It was indeed quite, quite heavy, full of everything she had brought from her military life. There were, of course, some other possessions, mostly clothes, covering those parts up, but the heavier materials of metal were making the simple task of taking the case across the pad ungodly difficult.

The question caught her a bit off guard, and it was more than a little evident on Caelag's face. Credit where it was due, she replied pretty quickly, though... "Mostly language, like I said, I teach the little ones mostly. I may not be able to see but I can 'read' well enough. I also taught a bit of, well, everything to be fully honest. Teachers for young ones back whee I came from had to be versed. I did have to be.. creative to get around some limitations of course. Though most of my case is just, personal belongings."

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Stephanie nodded and huffed a little as the case handle dug into her hands and she felt the weight seem to shift.

"Hang on…"

She stopped, shifting her weight to rest the case on bended knee and slip another hand underneath to hold it with both hands now, feeling the uncomfortable strain on her muscles. She had only made it a few more steps when an Astro droid tootled and wheeled past dragging a small crate, when Stephanie stopped suddenly, trying to avoid walking into the droid and hitting it when she lost control of one hand.

The case slipped down, and her single hand wasn’t enough to hold it, and the case clunked down on the floor right on the front edge and tipped over, upside down, twisting Aela a little as it did.

All she could do was wince and hold her head.

"Oh, really!" She shot a look to the blue droid who whirled and carried on across the pad. "I am…SO sorry…I hope nothing is broken, are you ok?"

She knelt to pull the case back up on its side, noting the lid had come open. As well as a few clothes, the items underneath were now at the top, namely a dangerous looking sword and a powerful sniper rifle. The Padawan looked up to the masked woman.

"Care to explain why you’re kitted out to start a small war? Make it good or I’ll have you detained in a heartbeat."

The pleasantries were over now – this “teacher” had arrived armed, and armed like a professional, and Stephanie wanted an answer quickly before she called in the Rangers.

[member="Caelag Vass"]

 

[Caelag Vass]

"Please, if I was intending to start a war I would bring more than one gun and certainly less than letting a Jedi near it." The smile was gone now, but her words remained calm, lacking in any harsh tones. No longer seeing a point in keeping up a facade, to any degree it existed anyways, she reached out with the Force, pulling the sheathed sword from the container and having it rest in her hands. The cool metal against her warm flesh, something to focus on besides [member="Stephanie Swail"] and the sudden animosity towards Caelag herself.

"As I said, these are personal possessions. Mementos, for lack of a better word. Parts of my life I cannot simply let go." Caelag wrapped her hand gently around the hilt of her sword, her hand on the Oricalcum scabbard as well, right where she needed to for the biometric scanners. There was no indicator, but she knew the time it took to unlock the magnetic seals. And when it did, she slightly pulled the weapon out, just enough to check that the seal was working correctly. The Imbued, yellow glowing blade inside had barely been out a second before it disappeared again.

"However, I feel you're more concerned about me being an enemy. On that, you have nothing to worry for. I have never held anything against the Silver Jedi, in fact I have been on their side on more than a few occasions. Perhaps if you doubt me you should look more closely at the armor in there. Namely the cape." She made a point of it by motioning with her head. If she did look, she'd find the cape had the marks of the Iron Empire, a faction that had been once a greater power in the galaxy, and allies to the SJO. It was just a shame that [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] wasn't here to vouch for her. That would certainly expedite this.

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Her hand poised to call for immediate backup, Stephanie stayed crouched also ready to move if this visitor went for a strike. She listened, and took in all the words that Aela spoke with a conviction. That much could not be denied.

When she mentioned the cape, it took a moment for the Padawan to divert her attention from the visitor to find the fabric hanging out under the rifle. Pulling it out and unfolding it, she noticed a symbol she had seen before – in the possession of the son of Heavenshield.

”The Iron Empire."

She stood, holding the cape and inspecting it’s fine fabric.

”You holding means you must at least be on the side of Light." Stephanie looked at the blind woman. ”I am sorry for my harsh tone. I only hope you understand of a late we have had a few unwanted visitors to our peaceful home and it would not surprise me if they tried anything to infiltrate our Order."

She folded the cape, casually.

”How is young Thorean? I have not seen the son of Heavenshield for a long time."

She just wanted some confirmation this was a true member of the Iron Empire. The Padawan knelt to return some of the objects into the girls’ case waiting for an answer.

[member="Caelag Vass"]

 

[Caelag Vass]

Was she testing her? There were better ways to do this. In any case, Caelag had her own small admission to make regarding one of her few friends.. "I do not know a 'Thorean'. The only Heavenshield I've met was Theo, though I have not seen him in far too long. The man had many duties, and I had my own. I don't recall the last I saw him off a battlefield." She hummed to herself, quietly, as she thought. Theo had been a jedi, always, and pushed Caelag to practice the Force actively. He had probably wanted her to become a Jedi, like him, perhaps selfishly as a Miraluka was naturally connected rather strongly to the Force. Yet...

No, she had to consider that the Silver Jedi might yet be visited by her friend. Time, then, was not a friend. Her pseudonym, Aela, had its place. It had a use. But unlike the last time she used it, she hadn't managed to become a teacher before the veil was lifted. Which meant, no firm foundation, no safety barrier, no net to hold her life together. She couldn't rely on pirates to show her loyalties, she had to take initiative.

"I only lied to you once, Miss Swail. My name is Caelag Vass, and I was High Colonel for the Iron Empire. That armor and this sword are remnants of that, and my rifle from the Republic even before that. Aela was a nickname my father gave me. I understand you have little reason to trust me on that, but I hope you can understand why I would wish to use a false name for a time."

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Aela made good on the boy Heavenshield. And in fact it made Stephanie feel shallow for being so…untrusty. But, then, these were dark times and desperate measures had to be taken to ensure the safety of the Silver Jedi and herself. She looked back down at the emblem of the Empire and the cape and nodded.

"I apologise for my judgment. It was harsh, and un-called for. I appreciate your honesty, and it’s a pleasure to meet a former Colonel of the Iron Empire."

Stephanie held her hand out for a greeting.

"As you know, Theo’s parents helped found the Silver Jedi Order of Voss. While we may no longer reside there, much like you, where the symbol and people of the Order go, it lives on. You have a place with us to continue your teachings and your destiny. I assure you, Caelag, there will be no need to hide behind a false name now around us."

Seeing the error of her way, yet again, she moved forward to take Caelag’s hand and squeezed it.

"Welcome to the Silver Jedi, Colonel Vass."

[member="Caelag Vass"]

 

[Caelag Vass]

"Harsh, yes. However it was not uncalled for. Though I believe we can agree my concerns justifiable, I am well aware how they seem from the outside. In fact had you not immediately suspected me of some wrong doing, I would have been rather insulted by the lax security."

Caelag lowered the hand still holding the sheathed sword, and reached out with her right, returning the greeting now that the hostilities were settled rather amicably. The squeeze did not go unnoticed, and Caelag had to wonder if her taking such an active role in simple gestures meant she assumed the blind woman could not fully well see her form.

It didn't matter of course and she would learn eventually. It didn't truly bother her in any substantial form. [cokir=green]"The last time I failed as a teacher, I returned to the life of a soldier. I suppose fate has a funny way of perpetuating cycles like that. I don't suppose you have a room I could stay in?"[/color]

Of course Caelag made sure her case was repacked minus her weapon in hand, if only because the cold felt nice in her hand. For all intents and purposes, she was fully ready to lay down and end this little misadventure. Preferably by an off screen tour complete with some form of snarky commentary.

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Stephanie nodded and indicated for her to follow – then shook her head quickly.

"If you come this way," she held her hand out again. "And I assure you, if we REALLY wanted to we could have blown your ship out of the sky the second you entered the atmosphere. And the Rangers have lowered their scopes by now I assume."

We smiled. There were no Rangers, but the Silver Rest had security not obvious or able to be identified by the naked eye.

"We have some guest quarters on the ground level to the West of the Rest, I will sign you in under my name. Perhaps I can give you a guided tour when you’re ready and some insightful commentary on what we do and how we do it, and how you will be a valued asset to us regardless."

She frowned a little, noting the colonel handing herself and her case perfectly without the apparent use of her sight.

"Forgive me again, but your impeded sight, I assume you are blind, but yet you see? Does the Force paint the world around you? I’m sorry for assuming you needed my help at all really, I guess I have more to learn about the wider galaxy!"

[member="Caelag Vass"]