Tricks and Treats

[Connor Harrison]

Shuffling through the ship, following her voice and down the stairs, it certainly got a little cramped and had to duck a little to see into the workshop. Connor leant in and nodded. He didn't take much notice of the gadgetry until Taeli activated the blades on the gauntlet.

Then, his eyes widened.

"Oh, very good."

He smiled. This was exciting, and with her words he looked to the third.

"So you're saying I can have a blade on one wrist and...a saber blade on the other?"

Nodding, Connor smiled at her.

"Yes please. Hey, what can I do to help you? Anything you want me to get or do? This is good stuff."

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Taeli said with a smile, turning the blades on her arms off. She was glad she got them working after all, they would be a pleasant surprise and they fit perfectly over her Shade robes and integrated with her gauntlets seamlessly, hers even had the same style of armoring to fit with her motif.

"Connor, you don't need to do anything for me," she said, still smiling. "Think of it as my apology for all the hassle I've caused in your life, and a gift to better times ahead for us both."

With a shudder, the ship dropped out of hyperspace and a soft chime resonated from above in the cockpit indicating the autopilot had disengaged at their destination. Taeli's eyes brightened with excitement and she dashed out of the cramped space, but not before giving a spontaneous hug to Connor in excitement. Racing to the cockpit, she quickly sent a message to Dorin Control that she wished to land in a specific city, as she knew the rough location of the Baran Do temple and it was the closest city.

 

[Connor Harrison]

The curl on his lips formed a growing smile, but it stung when she openly said she had been a hassle. His heart sank hearing how he’d made her feel. HE had done that, by being a volatile, immature fool. When she had stood by him to offer a hand, he had snapped at her and acted out of character.

"Look...."

He didn’t even know if his words had been heard when the ship brought them out of hyperspace, and a quick hug took him by surprise. Such energy. Connor chuckled and turned, but not before scooping up the bracelet, to follow

Holding the bracelet in his hand, he hung back at the entrance to the cockpit and cocked his head to look out of the viewport as they were heading towards their destination.

"Can you tell me what we may expect her? Hostiles? Any plan of action?"

As always, confrontation and danger leaping to the front of his mind.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Hostiles, oh no," Taeli said, laughing as clearance was granted and she brought the ship down to the spaceport. "We're going to get you some new clothes so you're not stuck in one outfit the entire time, then we're going to walk up to the Baran Do temple. They'll probably have some sort of guard there, meant to test those coming to seek their knowledge if they are worthy to enter or not. Sometimes, not everything I do requires danger to be a present element."

As the ship landed, she grabbed her breathing mask as she knew the spaceport would require it. Only certain establishments had the atmosphere they needed to breathe, and she was quite certain about not wanting to die from asphyxiation.

"And I can never resist this, so excuse my childishness for just a moment," she said, affixing the mask to her face. "I always find the sound of my voice behind the mask funny."

It came out as slightly gravely, but the corners of her mouth were turned up and her eyes were sparkling.

"Ready to get some new duds?" she asked, picking up her satchel.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Taken by surprise, Connor nodded and left the gauntlet in the hold and took a moment to go and grab his breathing mask from his bag, fixing it over his face to cover mouth and nose. Then, he nodded.

"New duds and meeting some Temple monks? Better than moping around I guess."

Connor fixed the breathing mask canister to his side for a temporary fix and gestured with his hand to lead the way.

"I’m not used NOT being armed. And there’s nothing wrong with my clothing thank you very much."

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"I'm not saying anything is wrong, but you packed one outfit," she replied. "You can pick out whatever you want, I'll pay for it, but you need an actual wardrobe Connor. I forced my sister to do this, so you're lucky contestant number two in actually getting some stuff to wear."

Looping her arm around his, she lowered the ramp of her ship and led them out into the city. To someone like her, this wasn't really much a of city. Dor'shan, the capital of the planet, wasn't nearly as large as say Coronet City had been on Corellia or Coruscant or Isis on Onderon, but it served it's purpose. Taking Connor to different shops was going to be quite amusing to her, oh yes, quite amusing indeed.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Stepping outside with Taeli on his arm, he truly felt he was stripped of everything and being re-built. On a world he didn't know, with people he hadn't met and devoid of his armour, weapons and ego. Squinting against the light, he walked out and breathed normally. It was a little embarrassing to feel like he was being mothered, taken care of...but who else would help him?

Corvus certainly wouldn't.

He shivered, swallowing the past down and looked around as they walked. It reminded him of Voss, a little in the respect the city was built of buildings dotted around and nothing too expansive. The landing pad itself was one of a few around the area, and he could see, what he thought, was the Temple that Taeli spoke of.

"Nice place," he spoke, a synthetic quality to his voice from the breather.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"A bit rustic, but nice," Taeli said, agreeing. Her inner child was still enjoying the effect the breathing mask had on her voice, always had. When she had been little, her adopted father had taken her diving on one of his expeditions and that had been the start of her enjoyment. Not the fact that it brought memories of seeing her first ruin with colorful fish swimming around.

Regardless, leading him by the arm, she actually found the look of the native Kel'Dor without their masks and goggles on interesting. They looked totally different from what she expected, so new experience there for her. The two Jedi weren't really announcing what they were to the crowd as they walked, no lightsaber and she was in one of her dresses, just a simple blue one. Reaching a store that catered to offworlders, she pulled him inside and took her mask off.

"Go about and get what you want, I'll meet you where we have to pay for everything," she said, smiling at him. "I need a few new dresses anyways."

Giving him another quick hug, she wandered off into the women's section and made a beeline right to where the more elegant dresses would be. She didn't expect truly high end names, but she wouldn't really mind. A good first impression to the Baran Do was needed.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor took his mask off, following Taeli who had led them to a clothes store. He'd never been shopping like this, and just kept his clothes minimal - training, thermal wear and armour. He didn't need much else, they covered all bases. But, standing alone looking at the male section, he felt a little out of his depth.

Pursing his lips, he started the walk into the challenging task of picking some new attire. He only needed one or two new threads. Darker colours were his thing, but maybe it'd pay to get something a little more inconspicuous and more formal - one couldn't expect to wear vests or durasteel armour to all events across the galaxy.

One attire stood out, a lighter greatcoat of fabric, and an olive shirt.

Spoiler

He liked it, but it depended if the "boss" approved.

He kept looking.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Hmm, now the greatest selection in the world," she muttered to herself, slowly walking through the rows of dresses. Maybe she was spoiled from Coruscant's selection from back then, but nothing was really leaping out at her. She hoped Connor was having some better success, and she really didn't need to give approval to anything he liked. This was for him, not for her.

Picking up a sand colored dress by the sleeve, she let it drop as the color just did not work for her. She had always been a touch on the pale side, even when she spent time on digs and such. She and the sunlight just did not get along, always had to use some sort of ointment to protect her fair skin.

She would keep looking, but suspected she was just going to stick with her current wardrobe.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Leaning over a railing on clothes, Connor rested his brown in his hands, eyes closed. It wasn’t the shopping that was draining him – maybe a little, this was out of his comfort zone – but everything was catching up to him.

He hadn’t seemed to come to terms with what was happening around him. From wanting to end his life, to then running away from the place he called home to finding out it’d be months away, with the sister who was not just A sister, but a sister to one who had pushed him into this dark place.

He wasn’t himself, and he didn’t enjoy being this…this…shell. Whatever. Now he was travelling on a strange planet with nothing of worth and acting like nothing had happened. Wiping his hand down his face to quell any rising emotion, he exhaled and looked at the rows of cream and black and tan clothes.

Darker colours suited him – if he could find trousers like his combats that would be comfortable and practical, smart tops and jackets, that would be fine. He was lost without armour, left on Voss, but he was trying to make himself appear a little better.

The choices made, for now, were satisfactory. The fabric greatcoat was nice, and he was pleased with that for colder planets and a light brown leather jacket for more comfortable planets.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Find anything you like?" Taeli asked, coming up to him with a dress draped over her arm in a bag. She had broken down and gotten one dress, a shimmery green with a hooded cloak that she had really liked. Noticing what he had with him, she nodded her head at his choices. "You really do like your greatcoats. It suits you."

Coming up closer to him, she whispered, "I know you're still hurting and it feels like we're ignoring your problems, but you need to let your mind rest before we delve into that sort of deep stuff. Just try and relax, pretend to have fun ... and you just might accidentally have some."

With that, she led him to the shopkeeper's register and paid for his selections before they would stop by her ship to drop off their clothes. They would just stay there so as not to impose upon the Baran Do. With that taken care of, she asked a local the best way to get to the temple and she smiled brightly as they would start heading towards the first of many places of learning.

"Now, when we get there, we're going to be challenged," she said. "Sort of a tradition between rival schools. If the person guarding the place is just an acolyte, we refuse the challenge as Masters would never stoop to fighting an acolyte in this case. We ask for a proper challenge, or they must move aside and allow us passage. Fifty-fifty chance of either happening."

 

[Connor Harrison]

Taeli’s voice instantly made him put the placid smile on his face, turning to acknowledge her and how his selection. Nothing that stood out, but practical, for all weathers, and at least he could still dress and wash clothes without having nothing to wear.

He nodded at her words, not really responding, but not feeling he was being ignored – it was just all a little out of his comfort zone. Inside, he wasn’t happy, or confident, or sure of himself. He was just going along with things, watching the snowball grow in size as it rolled and rolled and rolled.

Part of him wanted to message Corvus and say sorry, see if she had changed her mind – but that was illogical and stupid, and wouldn’t help. Still, like a fresh wound, his feelings were still raw.

He was silent most of the way back and even after leaving his clothing, the walk to these Baran Do was one where he simply watched and listened.

”What do you mean challenge? I told you I’m not going to fight my way through this…this…Temple place or whatever it is. I’m not here to pick a fight. Can’t I just watch?”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"It's not really a challenge, just more of a test," Taeli said, rolling her eyes. "If we see an acolyte guarding the doors, we refuse because it would be beneath us and an insult to be tested by someone of such a low rank. If someone else is there, then I'll handle it even though they might frown upon it. They do like their manners and customs, the Baran Do. Ah, we're here!"

Finally reaching the door to the temple, she smiled fainly at a relatively young man with a staff was watching them warily. An acolyte was on guard duty, and though Connor didn't know it, she knew that only a handful of Baran Do actually learned weapon combat. They just weren't a militant order after all.

"State your business here," the young Kel'Dor male asked gruffly.

"Jedi Master Taeli Raaf of the Republic Jedi Order and Jedi Master Connor Harrison of the Silver Jedi, here on a quest seeking knowledge from the elders of the Baran Do," Taeli said formally, offering an ever so slight bow.

"And how do I know you are who you say you are?" the guard asked, hefting his staff. "Only actions will let me see if I should allow you entrance."

"No," Taeli replied simply, and the Kel'Dor's eyes widened. "We don't have to prove anything to you, my young acolyte. It would be beneath our stations to be tested by one as you, go inside and fetch and Elder if you wish to see us truly tested, or fetch and Elder to allow us entrance."

Looking at her purple eyes for a moment, the Kel'Dor male huffed and headed inside, leaving Taeli with a small smile.

"Now we will see what they decide," she said, nudging Connor playfully.

 

[Connor Harrison]

He ambled along, watching and listening, until they arrived at their destination.

The Temple was one of those old looking ones that was steeped in so much history from the way it looked and the surroundings of it, Connor assumed there was little technology inside the walls and instead a very spiritual abode for who knew what. Looking at the young Acolyte, full of confidence and that self-assurance one wanted to evoke in his position, Taeli did the talking as Connor hung back.

If there was anyone able to control a situation with words, it was her.

She gave him a nudge, and he smirked and raised his brow a little.

”Just hope you're right. I don't fancy being fed to the hounds or watching you be sold into slavery if they deem us unworthy.”

He looked up at the Temple that reached for the sky.

”It'd be a terrible waste.”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"I don't think we have much to worry about," Taeli laughed, a large smile forming on her face. "But I appreciate your concern for me. Trust me when I say, no one would want to try and enslave me. You saw what happened the last time someone tried something."

Referring to what had happened on Ilum, she hummed quietly to herself while they waited for whatever the Baran Do would decide. They couldn't very well send the acolyte back outside to challenge them again, that would be a large insult. But then again, they had refused the challenge and that might prompt the current combat master of the Baran Do to come outside.

Only a minute later, an older Kel'Dor exited the doors of the temple, wearing the dark brown robes of a master of their order. The acolyte was peeking from around the door, his expression unreadable.

"My apologies, Master Raaf and Master Harrison," the Kel'Dor said. "We have been on edge ever since the Sith raid a few years ago, and precautions must be taken. I am Combat Instructor Koro Hazil, please come with me and make yourself comfortable inside. I must admit, we are curious why two Jedi have come here. It has been a very long time since we had a visitor from the Orders."

"Learning knowledge, a sort of pilgrimage in the footsteps of one of the greats," Taeli replied as she and Connor would follow the Kel'Dor inside.

"Ah, a seeker of knowledge, Master Raaf?" Koro Hazil said, chuckling dryly. "I assume it's for Grandmaster Skywalker's path you walk?"

"You'd assume correct," Taeli answered, enjoying the rather old decor inside. The Baran Do had certainly stuck with the aesthetic they had for centuries, which she quite enjoyed. "I came to learn more about the hassat-durr family of techniques."

"And you, Master Harrison?" the Kel'Dor asked, stopping in front of a large door. Several acolytes bustled past.

 

[Connor Harrison]

She was right – Taeli could look after herself, that was for sure.

Connor stayed quiet and followed suit, nodding in gratitude to the Master guiding them and letting them into their sanctuary. He looked around as the masters and students carried on around them, and yet again he caught a glimpse of the wider galaxy; the wider people and the way conflict affected them in their own way.

When he heard his name, Connor looked back down from admiring the structure and architecture and quickly assumed he had been asked of his intentions. More and more he felt like a Padawan being lectured and guided forward, but in his state, he didn’t fight it.

”I guess you could say I’m here to find myself. I have let myself down and let others down, and if I’m not careful I will lose sight of what my place is serving the Light. I need to become that person who could lead others, not be led.”

He glanced to Taeli, a flicker of “was that ok?” in his eyes.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

Taeli gave Connor an ever so slight nod and smile at his answer, having caught the question in his eyes. This journey, while it was about knowledge for her, was about so much more to Connor. He hadn't seen the wider galaxy like she had in her expeditions, he had seen parts, but never the truly exotic locales the galaxy offered.

"A wise pursuit, Master Harrison," Koro Hazil replied. "The Force shall guide you on your journey to self-discovery I'm sure, perhaps one of our seers might help you learn to peer further into the future yes?"

Pushing open the doors, they could see two other elderly looking Kel'Dors meditating while Koro Hazil took a place next to them.

"Welcome, Jedi Masters Raaf and Harrison," the middle Kel'Dor said. "I am Syl Koon, Master of the Order." Gesturing to his left, he continued saying, "And this is Graya Mong, our lead Seer Sage."

"Thank you for having us," Taeli said, giving a respectful bow to each member of the Baran Do council she assumed. "It is truly an honor to be among your Order."

"High praise from a Jedi," Graya Mong whispered, opening her eyes. "You have come seeking knowledge, yes?"

"Indeed," Taeli said. "Master Harrison here is on a journey of self-discovery, to truly find who he is ... while I am simply on a mission to learn more about the Force and how the different sects of Force users around the galaxy work."

"You seek the hassat-durr techniques," Syl Koon said, a statement and not a question. "We will teach you, if you will teach our students something or your own Orders. An even exchange of knowledge seems fair."

 

[Connor Harrison]

Mirroring Taeli’s steps behind the wise Koro, Connor immediately focused his attention to the elders meditating. It was almost as he expected; the secluded wise mentors away from everything else who seemed to hold the key to all questions one struggled to answer. They made it look so easy.

He bowed gently and stood as Taeli spoke, and when it was touched upon about his point of being, Connor nodded again in gratitude.

However the fact they wanted them to return the favour was worrying – what did he have that Acolytes would benefit from? How to deal with pain and fight through? How to heal broken bone? He swallowed softly and nodded looking to Taeli out the corner of his eyes.

She was the real Master of the pair right now, one who had touched both sides of the Force but come out on one side to better the other and did nothing but expand her knowledge and understanding. Connor was the result of what happened when you touched on both but fell and stumbled backwards.

Maybe that was a lesson worth teaching?

”We would consider it a privilege to help your students, and I must say Master Raaf is an exemplary Master to learn from,” he said gently.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"I wouldn't say I'm exemplary," Taeli said, smiling a bit at the compliment but trying to be humble. "I simply try to educate those who seek knowledge and training. However, that is certainly fair and I'd be perfectly happy to teach the acolytes a thing or two from the Republic's Jedi Order."

She had a feeling that mentioning she could also teach stuff about the Sith might not be the best idea, given how paranoid the Baran Do could become. They were always nervous about another purge, and with the Republic losing against the One Sith, their fears might be greater right now than beforehand when the Sith Empire collapsed.

"Make yourselves comfortable here then, air tanks will be provided to you as long as you remain in the temple," Syl Koon said. "I shall personally show you the techniques you desire to learn and observe, Master Raaf. Master Harrison, you may join us or stay here with Sage Mong to learn more about our abilities to see into the future. The choice is yours of course."

The meeting adjourned, Taeli excitedly moved to follow the Baran Do leader and looked at Connor, the question in her eyes clearly asking which did he want to learn while they were here. It might take a few days to learn the techniques, but Taeli didn't think it would take her too long with her knowledge of how Force Lightning and Electric Judgment worked.