Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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Two Fat Old Speckled Frogs

Dear Avalore Eden,

I am writing to you today because I would like to see you. Truthfully I have been attempting to write to you for approximately three months. It seems strange that writing a simple communication to you would be this difficult. Absurd in all actuality. I have much to say and the act of telling you in this manner would be sufficient but I do not wish to. It would be preferable in person.

To clarify there is no immediate danger, or any danger at all. This would be a visit on a much more personable term. I feel like that should be stated, I do not wish to worry you.

It would be much preferred if you came out to visit me if this is possible. I live in the village of Zeetra upon the planet Aris. It is very peaceful. However due to the forest terrain I would recommend insect repellent. The local fauna is generally pleasant, so there are no issues with predators. The Wok-Woks are brazen however and if you can avoid open pockets I would recommend that also.

I do not know if you wish to come, but I would very much like it if you do. I hope to hear from you, or better yet, see you.

Sincerly,


Hal Terrano

PS. I have enclosed a useful phrase guide for the Bocce language, as it is what they speak upon Aris.


---

[member="Avalore Eden"]
 
Dearest Hal,

Do you know that rarely a day goes by that I do not think of you? A friend of mine that has come and gone from my life, in various forms, evolved first and enlightened the next. I am reminded of you by the simplest of things, at times, and the most complex of memories at others.

I am glad to know you are safe and living in peace, as you deserve to. These things you have now mean a great deal, having known something of what you've been through and shared in that journey at certain points along the way.

We are overdue for another adventure, I think, and I would be most pleased to see it through with you. Even if it is a short one.

There is much to tell, and much to hear. I look forward to it and will arrive within a month's time.

Until then,

Avalore
 
Dear Avalore Eden,

Thank you for your prompt response, I await your arrival with great anticipation.

Sincerly,

Hal Terrano


---

A month's passing, a month of minor fretting, most of which was slightly soothed by the act of cleaning. Not that much cleaning was needed in the first place. Hal Terrano is as Hal Terrano does after all. Clean house, clean body, clean mind. Well, it's all just good practice to keep everything tidy. It's sensible, it's logical, it's hygienic. Nonetheless, whatever was even left to be cleaned was cleaned. Everything in it's proper place.

Zeetra was no different from any other village or town upon Aris. Life was lived upon walkways, homes built upon the trees or even inside of them. Through the canopy filtered light, giving birth to certain spots of sun upon the platforms and around those spots resided benches, where locals gathered and chatted about their quaint and peaceful lives among a backdrop of echoing bird calls.

Hal had lived here for four years now. Gladly welcomed into the community he was considered a sort of general handyman. He had held no lies about who he was, and what he was. There was no objection towards the former Jedi here, in fact he was useful to the community. In a physical aspect certainly, even in mediation of village squabbles and upon occasion a very reluctant babysitter.

Strange. Quiet. Reliable. Unintentionally funny.

Uncle Hal.

The man enjoyed it. It wasn't the desolate isolation that had so often been his favourite bedfellow. It was different. Change, progress even to the usual solution to deal with every Hal Terrano problem. Far enough removed from the galaxy that it was the perfect bubble of peace without the brutality of solitary confinement.

There was still a twinge. A hint of loneliness there, not from lack of community spirit but from something else...

Someone else.

Obvious by now who, really.

It had been so long. They were so much older, so far removed from two young Jedi who stood polar opposites on almost every single thing. Well, maybe not so far removed. The lines that used to etch upon his face with every frown still lingered now with age, not so serious but present, blonde hair ready to embrace grey like the changing of the leaves. Aches that weren't there before, some that had been there for a long time. Still Hal, just a bit older still.

How much had changed with her?

Hal stood upon his balcony, a small platform attached to his own tree hovel located within the village, a glass of water in his grasp, his now-settled blue eyes staring outwards into the endless flora.

He knew that she would still be beautiful.

---

[member="Avalore Eden"]
 
"This is exciting."

In all her 20 or so years, Emme had always been exceptionally quiet, much like her father. Both in the way she conducted herself about her surroundings and in her personality. The former, Avalore had relented many years ago to accepting, would always catch her off guard. The Healer jumped at the sudden appearance of her daughter - a tall, willowy, pretty young woman who bore her gaze of shocking citrine straight at her unabashed. Distinctly gentile and warm, deceivingly delicate; the girl could bench press her own brother if she tried but she preferred softness to strength.

So much like her father, and much like herself in many ways as well. Avalore smiled, drawn from her ponderings.

"Phe..."

"Did I scare you? I'm sorry, Mumm," Emme gently sat herself down in the seat across from her mother, perching like a bird on a branch - poised to flit off wherever the wind may take her.

"No," Avalore shook her head, "I was just off on my own there."

"Oh," a hushed, wondering tone, Emme leaned forward with intrigue and a curious smile, "where were you? Tell me."

"You know ... I don't honestly remember where. It was so long ago, after a while all the places you've been start to blurr together."

"Was it with him? Your friend we're going to see?"

"Mmhm, I was thinking about the first time I met Hal, I-" Avalore's brown gaze drifted to her daughter as the young woman began settling herself into her seat, long legs pulled up and tucked within her arms, a quiet but enthused smirk on her face, "have you ever met someone that their first impression made you think you could never be friends?"

"Me? Oh no, mum, I find everyone to be simply fascinating," Emme's smirk broadened and Avalore knew she was likely the only one of her children to say something of that nature and actually mean it. Of course [member="Armaud Eden"] did tend to get along with most all people he met, and [member="Svora Eden"] was a gentle soul as well. [member="Ellifain Eden"] was a fair bit more opinionated and mischevious at times, then there was dear, sweet-and-sour [member="Destin Eden"], the boy who refused to like anything.

How very different all her children were, but somehow this strange family had managed to work out. Much like her relationship with [member="Meeristali Peradun"] - an unorthodox start, all things considered, but could she really say that had been a bad thing? No, not looking back on her life with him, she couldn't. The strangeness of the progression of their union had worked well for them.

"Of course you do, Kitten. Well, I was never quite as ... optimistic about people and I certainly was less than excited to be spending one of my first missions abroad with Hal. He's always been very ... unique."

"Tell me about him, Mum."

"Aren't you supposed to be flying the ship, hm? Emmer'eli Phe, did you con your Uncle into covering for you?"

"Well, no!" Emme shrugged her shoulders, a wistful look about her, "Uncle Gabe wanted me to take a break. He said I might get hypervision if I stare too long."

"Of course he did. Well, I suppose if he insists..."


Hours drifted by, Avalore spent them regaling her daughter with tales of her time as a young Jedi in training. Meeting Hal for the first time, her journeys across the stars with Diana, getting caught in the middle of the war with the Sith. She was just getting to the part where she'd been taken prisoner when [member="Gabriel Sionoma"] appeared in the passenger chamber, "Girls, we're about to exit hyperspace. You gonna land this thing, Phe?"

"Yes, I will! Oh but Mum just got to a good part..."

Avalore chuckled, "Consider it a to be continued."

"Oh, you slay me, I just love a good cliffhanger!"

And so the ship descended from the stars upon this quaint little planet [member="Hal Terrano"] called home. Not so different from the quaint little moon Avalore made her bed on, though this place had a lot more green. And as it came to a somewhat shaky landing the Master Healer stepped out, eyes full of wonder at this lush world of forest, she couldn't help but think that it suited the man. It felt peaceful, something even she - a Jedi who claimed no skill with sensing things - could feel.

She was two steps down the ramp when her gaze settled upon the straight-backed silhouette that, even after all these years, was one this particular Healer could instantly pick out from a crowd. It warmed her heart to see it.

"Hello Hal."
 
Of course Hal Terrano was there. It would have been a punishable offense to even have considered that he might have been late. You should be either early or prompt, and no later than that, otherwise you should consider trying to improve upon your timekeeping skills. Hal, of course, had been early.

He had been standing at the small docking platform like some form of overly polite statue, simply content to wait and mingle amongst his own thoughts and feelings, which once upon a time would have been an unfortunate circumstance. No longer.

The former-Jedi had not been alone however.

It wasn't a terribly large village, everybody knew everybody, first and last names. A very tight knit community where nothing could happen without it being known. So Hal going to the small spaceport to meet with a visitor, never mind a lady visitor was the talk of the town. It was exciting news! Not that Hal enjoyed being in that headline by any stretch of the imagination. Or any headline, ever.

<”Is that what you're wearing?”> Said a very sharp tongue in Bocce, <”It looks like pajamas.”>

Hal turned, an eyebrow even raised on upon his features as he was ambushed by fashion criticism. In turning he found Choon standing there, short and squat with her arms folded across her chest, her apron still on underneath.

<”I only own robes.”>

Choon scoffed, as if that was some kind of excuse. She was a funny woman, getting on a bit in years but never losing a single drop of spice. A bit of a gossip, but still with some wisdom in there. Wonderful cook and baker, however, not even Hal could deny one of Choon's famous bannocks with burrfruit jam.

<”Should have told me, silly boy! I'm sure Chiro's clothes would fit you.”>

Hal's eyes widened, as if he were a man in his fifties being called a silly boy and getting offered hand-me-downs when he had perfectly good clothes at home. Well, okay, two pairs of robes.

<”Did you follow me here, Choon?”>

Choon ignored this question. When you got to her age you were apparently allowed to ignore things you didn't want to hear and it was accepted by all.

<”Everyone is excited to meet your friend. We've been preparing a feast for the occasion. Yes, yes, I've made my bannocks, of course. I thought you'd want to look your best, dear,”> the woman continued as she approached Hal and began to pull stray threads from his clothing.

<”You did not inform me of any feast,”> Hal replied, not even bothering to shoo the woman away, knowing that it would be an act of utter futility.

Choon looked up at Hal and snorted, as if he had told her some kind of hilarious joke that the man was completely oblivious to, <”Posh! As if you had any say in this, boy! We want to meet the woman that puts a smile on your stubborn lips.”>

She never failed to make him feel like an unsure teenager. It was quite ridiculous. As if Choon was some powerful being that nobody could command. A woman completely immune to any strict tone that could have come out of his mouth. Formidable. She could have been a terrifying Jedi were her circumstance different.

<”Please return to the village. I would like to greet my friend without you as a chaperone.”>

Tongue click. A cheeky smile, one that made Hal wonder if this old woman was actually the patron saint of mischief. Choon nodded, turned on her heel and marched off in the direction of the village, leaving Hal to acknowledge that there was no possibly way in which Avalore would spend time here without meeting everybody.

<”I will leave some of Chiro's nice clothes out for you! For the feast!”> Choon shouted without even looking back.

It wasn't long after that altercation that a ship touched down upon the platform, and there was no question of who would be disembarking. He knew. It wasn't as if Hal couldn't feel her presence from afar, it was a hard one to forget. Even after all these years. His lips curled at the edge, the aforementioned smile that came when one had thoughts about Avalore Eden.

He approached, a small temptation cresting that urged the man to go in for a hug that was promptly halted by his more stoic nature, his eyes, still the ones planted there all those years ago by Vrag had now settled with him, a familiar icy blue.

“Avalore. Welcome to Zeetra, were your travels pleasant?”

---

[member="Avalore Eden"]
 
Avalore Eden was not one to hold back her affections. At least, not anymore. Years ago, when she and Hal shared their friendship within the Jedi Order, her restraint had been that of durasteel will. Neglecting to forge those connections that seemed to spell out only doom for others, Avalore had attempted to keep Hal at arms length most days.

And kissed him on the day she'd needed him most.

Then pushed him away on the day he'd needed her.

Too many years had passed for those regrets to linger at the surface anymore, but they existed still, deep beneath the layers of hard lessons learned by harder decisions.

Today, Avalore greeted her friend with a prompt but staying hug; arms wrapped about his tree-trunk of a torso, face pressed against his chest because regardless of the years gone by - she'd not grown any taller.

"They were," she smiled warmly, knowing the company she traveled with, how could they not be?

The Healer recalled their last visit: a trip back to the Sanctuary at Cato. Tensioned by the distraction of her pregnancy with Emme at the time, she lamented that their time together then had been spent worrying over the plants abandoned to the building and the soundness of the security systems when, really, all she wanted to do was catch up with him. Opportunity sorely missed.

Not this time.

"I've missed you," the Healer uttered into the material of his robes, just as scratchy and starchy as she remembered them.

[member="Hal Terrano"]
 
“I am glad.”

Fortunately for Hal, any decision on whether to commit to a hug or not was beyond his control. She would him, and he would be glad for it. The man's arms wrapped around her much smaller frame with little hesitation after she had attached herself, giving the the healer a gentle squeeze in return.

No longer a being a Jedi meant a great number of things for Terrano. A life led with less restrictions, open to actually having relationships with other people beyond the role of some staunch guardian. Old habits die hard, and around the village the former-Jedi had struggled to get interpersonal at first, well he still did to be frank but at the very least when they included Hal he did not have to resist.

“I have missed you too, Avalore.”

After the embrace had ended Hal took a small glance around, half expecting to see a short, squat elderly woman in the bushes watching them. Thankfully Choon was nowhere to be seen. Yet. Perhaps she was a master of camouflage.

“The villagers are very excited to meet you, I believe they are planning to ambush you,” Hal said suddenly, not really conveying their excitement in the correct way, ambush generally wasn't a term used in a friendly sense, “with food, I mean,” he added just to be sure.

He looked down at her, his expression still far too serious, the same old lines still etched into his features. Perhaps if you did not know the man well enough you might have thought that nothing had changed at all. There was a hint there however, for those who would look deeper, a hint of relaxation, something less tense behind his mouth and eyes. A certain hint of peace.

“They are good people, Avalore but I hope that we may get some time together without interruption,” he stated plainly, it would likely be hard work. Not many new and exciting people came to Zeetra, never mind a Master Jedi Healer who held a large amount of stories relating to their mysterious stoic resident.

“Do you have any bags that I may carry?”

---

[member="Avalore Eden"]
 
Avalore's smile warmed at hearing him speak of missing her. She wasn't entirely sure what to expect of the man after so many years apart, but it was good to see that he had, in fact, grown as a person. What she saw behind those eyes were the nuances that most all others would have missed. Avalore knew how to see the forest for the trees - she'd seen those trees in so many states of stately wonder and smoldering fires.

Her brows shot upwards at the mention of being ambushed.

"Oh, well, food is OK," the Healer chuckled, "I am a little hungry."

There'd been no need for alarm, she was sure. Hal would never invite her into a dangerous situation, and as it sounded that was not such the case here. Overly friendly locals were perfectly fine by her, the Healer was rather used to it. Avalore wouldn't claim to be a celebrity, but standing as Master Healer of the Circle of Healers and the head of House Eden within the Jedi Training Academy came with attributes similar to celebrity status.

She nodded to his expressed hope, "That would be nice," and then shook her head to his following query, "no, I do believe they are being taken care of."

And right on cue her daughter stepped into view at the top of the ramp, her mother's bag in her hands and a whimsical smile on her face.
 
"Ohh," wonder slipped from Emme's mouth, light and airy like a summer breeze, "Mum it's so green. The Morodin would just love it here."

A bright, painted smile flashed a set of brilliant pearls, tiny fangs peeking out over a giggle. The Healer's daughter shrugged with excitement and quietly stepped down the ramp to join the two.

"Hal," Avalore stood back to gesture to the young woman, "this is Emmer'eli, mine and Stali's daughter."

"You can call me Emme," she demured, round saffron eyes slipping aside to her mother, "Mum you didn't tell me he was handsome, too."
 
For the duration she would spend here Avalore would likely forget the definition of the word hunger. Hal had no doubt that the hospitality would be unrelenting in that aspect. The village of Zeetra held a strong love affair with food, it was synonymous with both family and love. Cooking was oft a family task that everybody took part in and eating was never solitary.

Hal had found this aspect of their lifestyle difficult to accept. Cooking and eating were constructs of necessity. Oh how they had laughed at that notion. His stubborn insistence of this fact only spurred them on, and so they forged ahead in converting the man to the delicious side, and they were winning.

He even had his own spice rack now.

Before he could respond again, a figure descended the ramp. A young woman whose existence could only serve to cause a surprised expression to crest upon the man's features. As Avalore introduced the girl, Emmer'eli as her daughter his surprise seemed rather illogical. Of course she had children, the healer had the tendency of getting pregnant.

Just as he had the tendency to deal with compliments poorly. His brow creased as he looked down at the woman, cheeks reddening in a slight fluster.

Thank you, I have been told that I have an agreeable facial structure.

That is not appropriate, young lady.

Avalore thinks that I am handsome?


These seemed like terrible responses and it was only a miracle that the former-Jedi had not blurted any of them out like the awful stock responses that they were. Perhaps once upon a time he would have said one of those things, or perhaps nothing at all but no, there was progress.

“Hello, Emme,” Hal replied with a polite smile, regaining his composure, “your presence here is unexpected, but I am glad for it.”

...and then he offered the young woman a firm business-like handshake.

Okay, there was some progress.

“If you wish, you can follow me and I will take you to my home, so that you may relieve yourselves of your luggage.”

---

[member="Avalore Eden"]
 
Emme's bright smile widened at the extended hand within which she placed her much smaller, delicate hand for a shake, "Don't be put off by me, Sugar," the look she gave him was likely a little inappropriate, breaking only to glance at her mother who quietly cleared her throat.

She emitted a low giggle, rising briefly upon the toes of her shoes, "I won't be staying to interrupt. This visit is for you two."
 
"Ahem..." Avalore eyed her daughter as they stepped into stride following after Hal, bemusement playing about her stern expression. Emme was her father's daughter through and through, as she certainly didn't get her forward and flirtatious nature from her mother.

"Stali is away visiting a friend of his own," the timing for this, really, was somewhat impeccable, "and the rest of the Eden household are off on their own adventures. Uncle Gabriel offered to help Emme with getting her CD6 Pilot's license and let her fly me here with his ship. They'll be running some errands while I'm here," Avalore smiled as she reached to brush a stray leaf off her daughter's shoulder, "so she can get more hours in the pilot's seat."

[member="Hal Terrano"]
 
Naturally, being called 'Sugar' was off-putting. A peculiar term of endearment to be sure, you are sugar, ergo you are sweet. Hal knew that he was not particularly sweet, nor salty for that matter, he sat upon the same taste range as a warming bowl of porridge made with water. That being said, porridge would have been a strange thing to call somebody. You are beige, lumpy and great for digestion?

His brow knitted once more before he decided that sugar would suffice. Barely.

“Thank you, Emme. The invitation still stands if you wish.”

Attentions returned to Avalore, who was a comforting change of pace in the face of a giggling young woman. His eyebrows returned to settle in their neutral position, which was still a touch squinty. It was strange, seeing her here with her daughter, a grown daughter. Where had time gone? Was it not only yesterday that they were in their twenties? Chalk and cheese. A boulder and a river. Porridge and nyorks.

“Yes, practice is important. No craft can be perfected without time and dedication.”

Hal Terrano, master of fun.

“I do not wish to be abrupt, but I am afraid that the village will send out a search party in our absence. They do not meet new faces often, and thus are terribly excited...”

A pause, for lips to thin and for brow to crease once more.

“...and nosey.”

Firm, stiff nod.

“Yes, that is a precaution.”

---

[member="Avalore Eden"]
 
Words of wisdom and discipline that brought a smile of amusement to the Healer's face. She supposed in her later years, raising five children on the Sulon Homestead, she'd taken on more of a Hal approach than she'd ever thought imaginable. Curious how things changed when it wasn't just yourself you were responsible for, but the next generation.

Avalore hoped she'd done her past and experiences justice, impressing upon her children the need for good in the galaxy. Her children were, on the whole, good people each of them, but she worried for them as they grew their independance and set off from home. Beyond her reach and care, the lessons learned at the Homestead would be put to the test. If this was what it meant to be a mother, well, she supposed it was only fair.

"A search party?" the Healer smiled, "Well I hardly think that's necessary. We'll head them off for the fuss. Maybe if we get the introductions done early then we can enjoy some peace and quiet."

[member="Hal Terrano"]
 
In this scenario, a chuckle would have been sufficient. The idea of getting peace and quiet was but a dying dream. Of course, some time to catch up and just enjoy the company of [member="Avalore Eden"] without suffering and tension was the ideal scenario, but it was all in the hands of Choon ultimately. At least that was Hal's reckoning.

Instead of that chuckle, Hal made a face akin to a stereotypical teenage girl who had just stepped barefoot upon a slug. Upon reflection later, he would find it pleasant that his worries were now constrained to a willful yet caring matriarch rather than those who would torture, maim and kill. Perhaps Avalore would have more luck dealing with the village than he ever did. Okay, there was no perhaps about it.

“I have been informed that they have prepared a feast, solely for your visit,” Hal stated in response, “it is very quiet here, so much so that your arrival is cause for excitement.”

He began to walk, gesturing to her to follow onwards. A firm nod was offered to Emme, who presumably was staying behind at this point. Sticking around for the smallest of talk wasn't exactly his forte after all.

“They are pleasant people, simply overwhelming at times,” he continued, not realising that they were probably perfectly fine and that his perception of them wouldn't necessarily be shared. He at least did engage with them, and as a civilian too. A personal step forward, really. No longer a Jedi one might have thought that he would have locked himself away without a purpose, but no, not completely hopeless after all.

“I think solitude might be illegal here, however.”
 

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