[Jedi Mission] Nests and Pests

[Vinn Esper]

Airen had mostly slept on the transport to Jedha. Now she was wide awake and looking very out of place on the chilly desert planet. She wore skin tight green leggings that were made of a tough material. It felt rough to the touch but it's durability was great. She wore an indigo belt with her lightsaber and Sunspear hung upon it. She had chosen not to come in excessive gear as this was a peacekeeping mission. A lavender blouse was draped across her torso and hung low on her neck without exposing her body. On her left wrist she wore a bracelet composed of string and wooden beads that were alternately painted green and purple.

A Jedi boy accompanied her on this mission, he looked younger then she. Airen had felt bad for him as she had been doing nothing but expressing her dislike for the planet they were on wince they landed. She was doing so now, in fact. "There's not a tree in sight! No plants, no foliage of any kind that doesn't appear to be dead! It's a wonder how the atmosphere of this barren rock even contains oxygen, or manages to support life. Also why, of all places, does the Force choose to reside so prevalent here! Even Korriban and Ziost have nicer scenery than this!"

Airen took a moment to breathe and attempt to collect herself. They would be coming upon the village shortly. It's domiciles were simple. They were made of sticks, rocks and mud. Airen took a moment to appreciate them. It was difficult to transition her focus from her own discomfort to the task at hand. That was something her former Master had always nagged her about. She had made a lot of progress since then.

As the pair got closer to the village, many angry voices could begin to be heard. A crowd of villagers had massed outside the temple and we're yelling at the steward there. "Seems we have our work cut out for us," she remarked to the Jedi boy who accompanied her.

@Fyston

 

[Fyston]

While his companion had slept, Xenefious had studied the problems of Jedha in depth. It was certainly an interesting situation and they weren't the first to visit the world and they would not be the last. If knowledge was power, Xenefious stode to be the most powerful individual in the room at any time. He made sure to note important bits in the history, culture, and language of the Barabel species to prevent any potential faux pas. He scribbled these notes onto a few sheets of flimsiplast to ensure that his napping partner could study when she woke.

The Initiate was garbed in the traditional tunic and robes, though both were thicker than normal to ensure minimal heat loss on the frigid planet. On the floor near his seat sat a decently sized knapsack with enough food capsules and water purification tablets for both Jedi for a few days, as well as a number of technological knick knacks that Xenefious had brought to both trade and to keep his mind and hands busy if there was a lull in negotiations. Most species like to trade, mused the young Jedi, hoping that these bits of technology could persuade the Barabels if they were on the fence. At the very least, they could be sold for more supplies or to benefit their mission. The Initiate's lightsaber hung at his waist, its stark white and black a dramatic contrast to the Jedi hues of brown.

As their shuttle landed, it was like a switch had flipped. On the shuttle, Knight Vol had been asleep, though she was now making her opinion of the planet known. Occasionally, Xenefious would interject, though mostly allowed the Knight to muse. She was, after all, more experienced and had, to Xene, earned her opinion. To the Initiate, Jedha reminded him of Bandomeer. While there were fewer industrial sites and greater swaths of desert and it was vastly colder, the people and general appearance of the planet reminded him of home, bringing a smile to the young Jedi's face.

Before they got too far from the shuttle, the Initiate handed the Knight the folder that he had compiled of important information. "Basically, Master Vol, don't apologize and don't insult their tails as you'll probably be beheaded if you do. They hold great respect for Jedi and they refer to themselves as 'This one' rather than by name. The rest is in there but that's the most important stuff that I can remember. Study that and you should be fine."

Nearing the village, Xene had noticed the crowd around the same time that his compatriot had pointed them out. Nodding his agreement, he allowed the Force to flow through him and felt its calming embrace as he disembarked from the speeder. Being careful to watch for any indicators of an immediate attack, he walked calmly around the side of the group of villagers and halfway up the temple steps. Turning to the group, he addressed the apparent leader if the Knight accompanying him did not beat him to it. With the Force flowing through him, the Initiate felt only a fraction of the normal nervousness that he had come to expect. "G-good day, everyone. What is, uhh, going on here today?"

@Airen Vol

 

[Vinn Esper]

Airen had meant to inform the Jedi boy that she was not a master, and shouldn't be referred to as such. However, she became focused on her rant and never managed to deliver her response. Now they were in the village and faced with an unhappy mob. Airen opened the file and began to study it. The information was on Barabels. The people in front of her and the Jedi boy were not Barabels.

Airen found herself at a sudden loss for words as she stood with the file in front of her face while the crowd turned to regard them. Fortunately the Jedi boy took the initiative to speak to them, although, he sounded as nervous as she felt. "Good day," he said with the slightest stutter, "what is, uhh, going on here today."

Airen continued to pretend to read the file but lowered it just enough to be able to see the crowd in front of her. "As if you didn't know," an angry voice from the center of the crowd spoke up as a man pushed his way through, towards the Jedi. "You and your people are what is going on. You're here to take what you want from our temple and abandon us, just like you did in the past! Well I tell you what, we won't let you!"

The voices of the crowd rose in a chorus of "yeah." I should say something, Airen was thinking. What do I say, what do I say? I don't want to say the wrong thing and make them more unhappy. Is it better to say nothing, then to say something wrong?

"Even now, you can't be bothered to pay attention to use. Rather stick your nose in a file!" Airen blushed turning away from the crowd, her cheeks turning a deep purple color in contrast to their usual pale purple. Airen put her head down not knowing what to say. Her mouth felt as if it were part of the surrounding landscape and despite the frigid temperatures Airen was beginnings no to sweat.

"This is our planet!" The man continued and was backed by affirmation from the crowd, "Thieving and living and leaving Jedi are no longer welcome here and they haven't been for along time!"

"Uh, wait!" was all Airen could manage and it barely came out with a squeak. Now the whole crowd, clearly surprised by the timidness stared in the direction of the two Jedi. Airen had no idea how to follow up the two words she had managed to eek out. So she turned and stared at the Jedi boy, figuring he may know what to do next.

 

[Fyston]

As he listened to the crowd, the Jedi's mind was full of turmoil. They were sent to deal with the nest of Barabels but now have this second problem on their hands. What are we supposed to be but flexible and good at improvisation, thought the Initiate. He suppressed a grin at the thought of being in an improv group and forced his mind to focus on the task at hand.

Xenefious turned towards his companion only to realize that she seemed to be blushing and losing her composure. His mind began racing at a thousand light-years an hour. How the kriff do I do this if the Knight to whom I am assigned is more nervous than I am? He looked at her briefly again, mouthed "What the kark? ," and turned back to the crowd. The Initiate, thinking on his feet and taking charge, immediately summoned the calming effects of the Light Side of the Force, using it to both steady his mind and somewhat shaking hands and, he hoped, to help calm the crowd. As he did this, he hoped the Knight would assist him but, either way, had his mind made up on what he needed to do.

Summoning all of his courage and attempting to do his best Master Pelora impression, he used the Force to bolster his words and attempted to also suppress any stuttering, though was not as successful with the second part. "I-I can s-see where you are a-all coming from. I, too, would be upset if someone ca-came into my home and took advantage of me and my people. I am from Bandomeer, where our children die in industrial machines for the good of the galaxy." As he spoke more about his past, his mind conjured up images of his family and it made speaking a bit easier for the boy. "Our own masters, because we were little more than slaves, used us. As a Jedi, I do not wish this behavior to continue. Please, let us work together so that you do not feel like we only want your planet for what it offers us. Let me show you that the Jedi value your people and can help. Please, take some time to get a list of grievances and appoint two or three leaders to act as spokesbeings for the rest of you. We can convene and, hopefully, both walk away feeling content or, dare I say, happier."

The Jedi watched the crowd for its reaction, though allowed his command of the Force to lessen. While he was not inexperienced, such a use of the Force was exhausting for the relatively untested Initiate. He would need rest before he could negotiate with the townspeople and he certainly hoped the Barabels would not need similar coersion. He placed his hands behind his back between his robe and his tunic at a position that could be considered parade rest. His hands, however, fiddled with each other in the Initiate's attempt to keep the nervousness and sheer terror from what he had just done from showing up on his face.

 

[Vinn Esper]

Airen was thinking, trying frantically to come up with anything to placate the angry crowd in front of the two Jedi. She was drawing only blanks. Airen typically do well under this type of pressure. Fortunately, the Jedi boy wasn't as handicapped as she. He Bean speaking to the crowd, "I-I can s-see where you are a-all coming from. I, too, would be upset if someone ca-came into my home and took advantage of me and my people. I am from Bandomeer, where our children die in industrial machines for the good of the galaxy."

Airen allowed herself to focus on his way odds and allow them to help her guide and organize her thoughts as she figured out something to say. Soon the Jedi she had come with had finished his statement to the angry crowd.

Airen began to speak next, "I.. I am Airen Vol of the... um... Sephi people. The Jedi came to me at a young age and they um... spoke of the idea of peace. I.. I joined, um... because I believed them too. Now, I am here and I'm just um... trying to work towards that goal. I don't have any excuses for what happened in the past. We.. um would just um... like a chance to make things right."

Airen wasn't sure what the crowds reaction would be, she just hoped she was helpful in convincing them. She had been very sincere about how desire to help make things right. She just hoped the crowd could find it in their hearts to try forgiveness. Some of the crowed booed loudly, but a number of them were also silent. The one who had been speaking, was silent for a moment.

He then spoke again after the box had died down. "You want a chance to make it right, get rid of those lizard monsters before they eat our children," the man said, "they wouldn't even be there if you had kept your word in the first place."

 

[Fyston]

As the crowd booed, Xenefious kept a careful eye and tuned into the Force to try to prevent any potential violence from catching him by surprise. Luckily, however, there were fewer people booing than he expected and they did not seem to want any more trouble, merely to fix their current problems. When the man spoke about getting rid of the Barabels, Xenefious nodded before he spoke. "W-we will, uhh, certainly do that. Th-that's ac-err, actually what we're here to-to-to do."

Turning to the Knight accompanying him, he motioned his desire to continue into the temple. If she began walking, he would wait for her to pass him and the Initiate would fall in step behind her. If she waited for more than a few seconds, however, the Initiate would begin walking into the temple and would wait for her at the top of the steps.

When he reached the top of the steps and neared the temple entrance, the Initiate felt the presence of a large number of angry sentients. He sighed, realizing that they were likely the Barabels. The file that Xene had read reported that the Barabels had begun treating any being who entered the temple as hostile. He waited for Knight Vol and stepped closer, though not close enough to actually enter the Temple. The Initiate would wait for Knight Vol to speak to the Barabels, though would announce their presence if she failed to do so.

After the Jedi spoke, a loud growl would be heard from the temple entrance. From the darkness of the inside, a small team of large Barabel emerged, a variety of weapons cradled in their large, scaly arms. "Thiz iz our nezt. One more ztep and we will kill you." As the largest Barabel stopped talking, a number of them hissed and, while Xenefious could not tell what they were hissing about, it sounded angry and it took all of his discipline to avoid taking a step or two backwards.

 

[Vinn Esper]

Airen didn't make the Jedi boy wait long, she moved quickly towards the temple, reaching the top of the stairs before him. She glanced back, the majority of the crowd was beginning to disperse. Some headed back towards their homes. Some headed away from the buildings, going about their various tasks.

Some remained, and continued to watch the entrance to the temple. She turned towards the temple herself, and began to move closer to it. "Hello," she addressed the beings she had felt within the temple, she had gained some confidence at the positive resolution of the previous encounter. "I am Jedi Knight Airen Vol, and I have come to speak with you in peace and good faith. I hope you are receptive to such activities."

She waited for a response. None came immediately, but after a short pause some large Barabels emerged. One of them spoke, "This iz our nezt," he said before promptly threatening violence. Airen's brief confidence boost had ended.

"Um," she said, "there is n no need for agg..." Airen clears her throat and tried to steady her nerves before continuing, "aggression. There is n no need for that. Um, I was trying to say earlier that I am, uh, very hopeful that we can work this situation out. I think ev everyone here can, um, benefit mutually. I believe that we can all work together and be made better for it."

 

[Bastilo Marshall]

As Bastilo's transport ship entered the atmosphere of Jehda Bastilo pondered on what would happen. He thought of every situation that might happen and came up with a plan for each. Bastilo's transport ship then landed on near the village and Bastilo exited the ship. Bastilo looked up at the ship as it began to hover and rotate imagining if that was what it was like for his father. He then made his way to the village brushing off the sand on his robe as he walked.

The Jedi Knight wore a traditional loosely fitting dark brown robe with a hoodie and some symbols on the sleeves concealing most of his body except his chest. Under the robes he wore a wheat colored under tunic with more brown symbols which felt hot on Jehda. On his under tunic he wore a brown belt which had his Sai Light saber strapped to it and held a stone mask, and emergency light saber and a stick the as long as a cane.

As he got closer to the village pulled out a stone mask from his belt and put it on his face making it nearly impossible to see his face. He then approached the village and saw two Jedi one taller than the other. The smaller wore traditional robes but he couldn't make out the taller one. He assumed the were the Jedi he was to help out with the mission. As he got closer the Jedi were easier to make out one being a kid and the other being a woman almost as tall as him. As he approached the Jedi he stood beside the taller one and asked her "Whats going on?" in a calm tone.

 

[Fyston]

The largest Barabel, who acted as the designated speaker for the group, again stepped towards the taller of the two Jedi, shuffling his weapons in a way to communicate that he was dangerous. Combined with his dead stare and his large, heavily armed comrades, it would be difficult to resist the fact that the Jedi were outmatched, at least in size. "We have no need to negoziate. Thiz is our nezt and we do not care what thoze weaklingzz want. We are great zo long az zhey avoid our nezt. Who are you to uz bezides outziderz?"

Looking out over the steps, the Barabel noticed a new figure working his way towards the temple. He noted the apparel and immediately turned towards the two beings in front of him. "Do you mean to ambush uz?" The rest of the Barabels sissed amongst themselves, their tones obviously angry. The Barabels remained on alert as he climbed the steps and, noticing his stone mask, sissed in anger. Immediately, the largest one pointed his weapon at Airen and the rest of the Barabels moved to surround the Jedi, their weapons pointed inwards towards the Jedi.

Before much could be done, however, two obviously older Barabel moved from the depths of the Temple, obviously angry at the noise that was being made outside their nest. They sissed angrily at the first group of Barabels and, gesturing repeatedly to the three Jedi, began a tirade in the Barabel's native language. The content was unclear, though body language and those who could use the Force to understand the general meaning would be able to find out that the older Barabels were livid with the younger, more aggressive Barabels and that the elder group was communicating that the Jedi were Jedi rather than the standard villagers.

A few short yet tense moments later, the Barabels lowered their weapons and stepped back, though only far enough to let the elders in. "Hello, great Jedi. We notized the noize from inzide and it waz dizturbing our rezt. What bringz zuch great Jedi to our nezt?"

(OOC: Didn't feel like writing Xene right now because he doesn't have much to respond to that's not what I wrote. I'll write him in the next post and if you have any questions, PM me.)

 

[Vinn Esper]

Airen looked around as the large reptilians surrounded her, "What, no I don't want to ambush anyone! Please stop being aggressive. It was the Jedi that originally brought you here, we have your best interests at heart."

Airen realized her words were accomplishing nothing and was beginning to fear confrontation was a foregone conclusion. Fortunately, some older Barabels had decided to exit the temple now. They hissed amongst themselves. Airen didn't know what they were saying but the other Barabels started to withdraw.

The older Barabels began to approach. Airen dropped to one knee as they approached gesturing for the other two Jedi to do it also. Airen figured a little respect might go a long way here. She thought about what to address these beings as. She had an urge to say um, but she fought it.

"Honorable... Elders," she began to say in an uncertain tone which became more confident as she continued. "We are here... to try and come... to an arrangement that will lead to peace between yourselves and the villagers. I believe that both communities can live together and benefit each other."

Although, Airen hadn't answered the other Jedi whom had just shown up. She hadn't ignored him either. She could only hope he was capable of understanding the situation at the moment.

 

[Bastilo Marshall]

Basitlo looked at the female jedi and decided to follow her lead not knowing where the situation the situation was going to and assuming that she was the one leading the mission. Bastilo kneeled on one knee trying to show them as much respect as possible copying an encounter with a hutt.

He then said "My Elders we come here not to disturb you but to settle down this civilization... please forgive us for any disturbance that we have caused" in a calm tone. He then looked around to see the expressions of the Barabels. Most of them looked pleased and willing to see what we had to say the rest looked at the young jedi waiting to see what he was going to say.

Bastilo took off his stone mask without getting to much attention and looked at the young jedi and mouthed the words Follow along with this hoping to get his attention and gat him to do the same.

 

[Fyston]

The elderly Barabels listened and watched the group of Jedi intently as the two taller Jedi knelt before them. The third Jedi, a smaller boy, did not, though they were not as concerned with that because, at the same time, the middle Jedi spoke about peace and an agreement between the Barabels and the native people. The Barabels communicated amongst themselves for a short time and were about to reply when the stone-faced Jedi spoke and issued what amounted to an insult to the Barabels: an apology.

Their faces remained neutral, though their eyes betrayed what the Barabels were thinking. Where they had been relatively neutral compared to the other Barabel, the two elderly Barabels were now livid. Their voices became steely and their words were pointed where they had been relaxed. "You are in our home, we have no need to forgive you. If you continue to inzzult us, we will zimply kill you and feed you to our young. While we rezpect Jedi, inzultzz are not welcome here."

_____________________________________________________
​

Xenefious remained standing while the others knelt. While he understood why they were doing it, he knew that it was better to remain standing than to risk angering the Barabel. As a species, calling them ornery was often an understatement and they were extremely temperamental most of the time. Hopefully, they would not offend them and Xene hoped that they would simply view it as a Jedi quirk. The typically timid Jedi focused his mind, as his Master had forced him to do many times before, and remained attentive to the situation, though did not show any signs of either dominance nor submissiveness. By acting this way, the Jedi hoped that they could avoid any issues.

This hope was dashed when the Jedi with the stone mask spoke and apologised to the Barabels. While it was unlike a Jedi to show anger, Xene couldn't help but turn his head slowly to the side and make eye contact with the Jedi as he took off his mask. The irritation was obvious and could be felt through the Force. At the same time, Xene dropped his voice in an attempt to ensure that only the Jedi could hear it. "You jeopardized the mission because you were late. I made a dossier for Master Vol to avoid this situation."

Before his companions could worsen the situation further, the Initiate raised his voice again and spoke to the Barabel. "My companion was misguided and spoke without thinking. He does not represent the Jedi with such a grievous insult. May his tail remain short and his scales dull. We wish to improve the situation between you and the villagers, that is all."

_____________________________________________________
​

As the third Jedi spoke, the Barabels relaxed a tiny bit. They were still angry and irritated, though they were willing to listen to the Jedi. They spoke again, this time with less anger in their voice. "We will zpeak inzide, where it iz more comfortable. Follow uz, Jedi." As they finished, the Barabels gestured to the Jedi to follow them and led them inside.

After a short walk, the group would arrive at a conference room, albeit one with no tables. The Barabels gestured for the Jedi to sit and then took their own seats. "Tell uz, Jedi, what are you after and how do you plan to achieve it? What do you want of uz?"

 

[Vinn Esper]

Airen turned to the other two as she regained her standing position. She was beginning to understand these people's culture on a small level. The Jedi Knight did not turn to face the other two, she simply followed the Barabels inside the church.

The Jedi boy was good and had bought her a chance to deliver her idea. The other Jedi was well intentioned, he simply made a mistake. The Jedi boy had made one too, calling her Master again.

She thought of her old Master and began to mimic his memory in her own mannerisms. She choose not to correct the Jedi boy. Airen understood that would only discredit her in the eyes of the Barabels.

Airen remained silent for a brief second after the Barabel asked his question. This was her hook and she had been thinking through it in her mind since having taken a knee.

"As you have mad very clear," Airen began to speak to the elders, "your primary concern is protection of your young. That is also the primary concern of the people outside as well. I am sure you are aware of this."

Airen paused, she was certain she didn't need to tell the elders of the opinions of the people outside. "I am sure your warriors are great and you would be victorious if it came to open conflict," she said. Arsolyn was neither lying nor was she being completely honest. She didn't know who would win, but that didn't matter.

"However, any battle by its very nature will endanger your young. I'm sure you know this as well. So what I propose that we change their perception of you as a threat into that of a gift."

"I propose we make them view all the qualities they see that you have. The same qualities that cause them to fear you, let them see those qualities as belonging to beings who protect."

 

[Bastilo Marshall]

As Bastilo followed the Barabels inside the church he began to feel guilty and as if he might have caused the mission. He decided to let the mission play along and jump in when needed hoping his judgment of "Bad" will come through.


As Bastilo sat he listened very carefully to the conversation an thought that the only way to bring these two civilization's together is to share common interest, problems, threats, safety of both. Bastilo wanted to jump in at one point but then decided not trying to let the other two jedi steer this conversation into the right direction.

(sorry I was gone for so long I was on vacation I'm back now)

 

[Fyston]

The Barabel delegation listened to the Jedi as she spoke before excusing themselves and speaking amongst themselves in the corner of the room. This would go on for a few short minutes before they returned and, while the agitation was still present in their voice, it was clear that Airen's words had placated them somewhat. "How do you, Jedi, plan on making thizz happen? We will not rent out our great warriorzz like common merzenariez. You are the onez who conzern yourzelvez with the livezz of thoze weaker beingzz. We have a duty to our young to protect them and we will not give up our territory eazily."

The Barabels would then leave the room to allow the Jedi time to speak and would re-enter whenever they signaled that they were ready. When they re-entered, the Barabels would sit across from the Jedi and listen patiently.

_______________________________________________________​

As Xene listened to the Barabels, he had an idea or two regarding how to solve this situation. When the Barabels left, he dropped his voice and looked up at Airen and the second Knight. "I, uhh, have a few t-t-trinkets that th-th-they might l-l-like or, uhh, we could t-t-try to s-s-set up a-a-a, err, agreement to al-al-allow people in-into the t-temple but st-still allow the Bar-barabels some room for th-th-their own, uhh, young and sp-sp-space."

(Short post but I'm in the midst of finals and there's not much more to put here IMO. Also, didn't want Xene's suggestions to seem like that's the way I want to go with it so feel free to come up with some better solutions :) )

@Vinn Esper @Bastilo Marshall

 

[Vinn Esper]

"Why are you studdering so much," Airen asked, "are you not the one whom said we need to appear strong? Look around, this is a Jedi temple. Banish your fears and feel the serenity and peace of the Force that resides here. We are at home in this place." While Airen had not studied very much on the culture and nature of the Barabel, she studied extensively regarding the history of this place.

"I agree we should attempt to get them to allow people in the temple. However, I don't think we should attempt to bribe them with trinkets or gifts. I think we should present as the rightful owners of this temple," Airen said, "we must, however restrain from appearing as dictators. I think we need to guide them to the decision of allowing people into the temple."

"I have spoken with them a lot," Airen continued, "surely I have earned some respect from them by now. However, I think we will all need to be seen as worthy in their eyes to succeed." Airen turned to the other Jedi who had been tardy and had accidentally hindered their progress. "Perhaps, you would care to take the lead in speaking to them next."

 

[Bastilo Marshall]

Bastilo wanting to stay silent then said "I don't think I'm the best at speaking to them. Knowing how you most likely earned some respect from them I think you should continue speaking to them. Ill jump in when needed."

Bastilo then thought about what times he should jump in and tried not to let his guilt get to him. He then removed his mask and placed it onto a latch on his belt and pulled out some metal parts and began tinkering them together with tiny tools and forming something that looked like a tiny harmless grenade. He then placed the new tool in his pocket and waited for his comrades to respond.

 

[Vinn Esper]

Airen waited for a few minutes after the Barabel had finished speaking, "you speak of weaker beings, but you are only here because of our generosity and it is by our generosity that you remain here. We have asked you for nothing and yet without us none of you would be alive today. You ask me how I plan to accomplish my suggestion. I ask you, are you willing to repay the debt that you owe?"

Airen waited allowing her words to sink in. While these words might offend some cultures, Airen believed these beings would respect those words. "What I propose is this. You repay your debt to us, by acting as guards of this temple. Your nest remains under your control and your protection. The main chamber is free for anyone to enter so long as they do not cause harm or disruption."

Airen paused, "your Warriors act as our agents and are bound to defending this temple, as well as, upholding our values of peace, tranquility, and unity. This is the price we demand for our services in saving your ancestors and for your utilization of our temple as your home."

Airen looked into the eyes of the elder Barabel, "Do you have objection to these terms, or will you repay your debt?" Airen had been a little forceful in her statements, but the Jedi boy had told her to appear strong. By what she had seen, these beings respected more dominant tones and authoritative attitudes. So, Airen had done her best to become what they respected.

She didn't want to be the one to deliver this message, she felting would've been more impactful coming from one of the other two, but neither of them had wanted to address the Barabel. They seemed to be lost, and it kind of made Airen feel like she was working alone in this.

 

[Bastilo Marshall]

Bastilo wanting to appear strong as well stood from where he sat at and looked straight at the Barabels as his glare slowly grew warmer waiting for their answer. He then looked at the young one and mouthed the words "Do I feel In-tim-mi-da-ting?". He then looked back at the Barabels enforcing a warm but reassuring glare.

 

[Fyston]

As the Barabels listened to the Jedi, they couldn't help but furrow what was the Barabel equivalent of their brows. They were caught in quite a predicament as this temple was sacred to them and housed their young. At the same time, the elder Barabel realized that these Jedi were serious about reclaiming their territory. While the Barabels wanted to show that they were no pushovers, they had heard tales of the power that the Jedi held and did not want to risk more casualties by angering the Jedi delegation. The Barabels sissed amongst themselves for a short time and would occasionally look over or gesture to the Jedi.

After about fifteen minutes, the elder Barabel delegation looked towards the Jedi and, taking a deep breath, began to speak. "We realize, Jedi, that thizz waz your zpaze. At the zame time, we have nowhere to go that iz more zeltered and we have zome privazy here. We will not be your zubordinatez, however. We are not merzenariez and we are not zervantz. We will protect zis temple, however, becauze we hope to honor our anzeztors. If we do thiz, perhapz we will earn our own greatnezz. We will withdraw to the sublevelz and allow vizitorz and will keep thiz area zafe for you. We will alzo report regularly to keep you updated on the zituation. In return, we azk for help with food. We can not zpare warriorz to hunt if they are protecting this area. We are willing to trade with any vizitors but we can not afford to run out of zupplies."


(Short post, again, finals)