Ask Practical Application

Zessel · Mar 6, 2024

Roanoke’s interest for Magimania made Zessel’s eyes shine with excitement. “Of course! We can do it on the trip back to the temple.” he could even do that right now, but it would disturb their mission. The half-Arkanian could hold his excitement some more. After all his time, he never had someone that was interested in the game to play with him. What would be some more hours?

Zessel still remained behind Roanoke, being grateful for the other Padawan staying in front of him. He didn’t feel comfortable with how the Ellorans seemed to be the touchy type. He would probably scream and punch someone if they tried to grab him like how they did with Caul.

Their attention was redirected with the arrival of Ordeen, who had his mouth suspiciously covered with crumbs. Zessel gasped loudly, already imagining that he would find the container empty. However, he decided to say nothing for now.

While Ordeen and the Ellorans talked about something that didn’t interest Zessel, he turned to look at Caul. The dude seemed to be terrified with the fact that a bird was talking. “It’s probably mimicking what someone said, like a parrot.” he frowned when the bird flew away. “But a bad mouthed person.”

Before they could delve more on the bird, Ordeen gave them permission to explore the village while he talked with the leader of the locals. What was his name exactly? Imotep? Wasn’t it the name of the villain of that mummy movie?

He didn’t take much time thinking about it. With the free pass of the older Jedi, Zessel went to explore the village. “Same!” he said to Shaw, while staring at the food in some stands. The half-Arkanian was unsure of what he should pick. “Is it good?” he whispered to Roanoke, who was now eating some type of fish.

@Zay @throwitintothefire @Graveyard Shift

Caul · Mar 11, 2024

Caul scoffed at Shaw’s bet, but he didn’t shy away, “I’ll take that action,” he shot back in a hushed whisper. A haughty smile spread across Caul Barret’s face as the chieftain’s name was revealed. He felt the credits hit the palm of his hand and his smile soured into a frown. He looked down, counted three, then looked up to Shaw, who bashfully admitted to owing Caul. The Padawan snickered, “I’ll remember that!”

Cual wasn’t a huge fan of their fearless leader being led away. What was the point of coming on this mission if they were just going to get treated like kids? Then he glanced around doing a quick inventory. He had a training saber… not very threatening, but to the untrained eye, it could have passed as a real saber, Shaw still carried his Wizard’s staff, Roanoke for sure had a gun on him, and Zessel… Zessel had cookies. Shit. They were still kids.

A pang of anxiety lanced up Caul’s spine. Pin-pricks of sweat beaded up on his forehead as the crowd seemed to press in on them. Oh, not now… he groaned internally. His PTSD had been doing a lot better, but with the sudden increase of missions and combat training… the nightmares had started again. He clenched and unclenched his hands while the others were debating on what food to try out first. The whole town had become a scene of revelry in a matter of minutes. The smell of cooked food made Caul’s mouth water. So, he decided to give that his full attention.

From their position the dudes would be able to see the whole breadth of the village’s main square. There were festive decorations and stalls set up along the perimeter of the square. Several different food stands offered a bevy of delicious looking options. He let out a small sigh of relief, “This looks amazing, I’ll be real I was scared they ate frogs or something weird.”

His eyes landed on a particularly busy stall where the owner was selling legs of some kind of bird. “Target acquired.”

To the left he spotted a stall selling fish, so to Roanoke gestured toward the stall then said, “There’s your fish big guy, I’m going for the bird. Let’s at least stay in pairs and meet back in this area once we’ve got our food.”

With that he made his way to the (Not Chicken) stand.

Inagi and his cadre scowled at the fools the Jedi had sent. Their ineptitude was so palpable it made him sick. Their holy place was under attack and the Order sent children. Warriors of the highest order in their village had gone missing. It had taken those left to hold back Motep from going himself, and now in what would be their greatest moment of need, the help the Order sent… were kids.

He spit to the side and bared his sharp teeth in a humorless smile.

“Let’s see what these Jedi are about, eh? Pooda, you’re with me,” over Inagi’s shoulder a burly raven haired Elloran’s grunted. The other two fanned out making their way toward the Jedi’s flank. If the group had split up at all these two would be aimed at the second group.

Caul finally made it to the front of the line. The owner, a brindle colored Elloran with a friendly smile welcomed them, “Hello my friends, please, take and eat! We are so thankful for…”

The stall owner’s expression shifted from inviting to nervous in a flash. Caul frowned, then looked over his shoulder and spotted what was making the cook nervy. A pair of elloran’s wearing golden vambraces and glowering sneers sauntered toward Caul and the stall.

Great… so much for staying out of trouble...

@LouJoVi @throwitintothefire @Graveyard Shift

Shaw Amaris · Mar 13, 2024

Shaw was torn at first, unsure whether he ought to go after the bird with Caul or the fish with Roanoke. Actually why couldn't he just have both? King Motep had said feast after all. A feast wasn't just a little bit of this or a little bit of that. A feast was a whole lotta everything. At least that's how Shaw would have defined it if you'd asked him. So he would go for the fish first because it was the closest, and then he would head over and try out some of that chicken.

"Don't mind me," he said to Roanoke, stepping up beside the other teenager and picking up one of the grilled fish on a stick. "Smells delicious, huh?" Then he dug in, starting at the neck and working his way down like it was corn on the cob.

The Elloran standing behind the fish stand flashed the pair a toothy grin. "Bravo! You eat like two strong warriors!" she cheered, striking her chest with one of her large hands. With the other she reached for something else. "Here. Try these. Fresh off the ocean!" Shaw couldn't help but notice her long, sharp canines—probably capable of tearing the fish apart in a matter of seconds—and thinking that she was just being nice. Still, he wasn't going to shy away from the compliment if it meant more food.

Shaw assumed she meant fresh off the grill, but she really did mean what she said. Fresh off the ocean. The Elloran held out two new skewers, one for each of them. Pierced through its center was a raw, hideous sea creature that neither of them were likely to know the name of. Its mouth hung open limply, blood trickling from between its teeth and from a wound in its side where it had recently been speared. Its soulless eyes seemed to stare directly at the teenagers.

Eager to continue filling his stomach, Shaw took the skewer before taking a real good look at it. Drawing it closer for a big bite, the teenager let out a very unwarrior like yelp and jumped back. He dropped the skewered sea creature like it would reach out and bite him. He really wasn't convinced it wouldn't. Not even when he gave it a good nudge with his boot to see if it was still alive. Did it just blink???

"You come here... You take advantage of my people's hospitality... And now you ridicule our food," a deep voice growled from behind Roanoke and Shaw. Shaw turned around and came face to face with two large Ellorans who didn't look very amused.

"Oh no, I didn't mean—" but neither of the natives were listening.

The Elloran that had spoken stooped down and picked up the discarded sea creature, snapping it in two with one single bite. An eyeball held on by a lone ligament slipped out as he chewed with his mouth wide open, but he slurped the little creature's eyeball right back in. Blood trickling from the corner of his mouth he said, "Time to teach you Jedi some manners." @Zay @Graveyard Shift @LouJoVi

Zessel · Mar 14, 2024

Zessel was still unsure of what he should pick. The Padawan wasn’t used to eating new things and it made him uncomfortable. He stepped away from Roanoke, looking at the stands in search of something that could make sense among all the food. The fishes were strange, the birds even more and he didn’t recognize any of the vegetables.

Really, weren’t there any burgers and fries in this entire world? Or perhaps some noodles? Or a soup with vegetables? Pizza? Tomato salad? How the Ellorans could live without these basic stuff amazed the Padawan.

He wandered around, stopping when he thought that had found something that he could recognize. “Are these noodles?” he asked, pointing at an elongated food inside a bowl. It seemed to be similar to this dish, but the color was green. The white-haired boy felt nauseous when the seller mentioned that it was a tube worm.

The Padawan said a low ‘okay’ and left immediately.

He wanted his cookies.

The white-haired boy was already getting frustrated with the failure of searching for food. His stomach was complaining loudly, but he outright refused to eat any of the strange looking stuff. Really, he saw an Elloran holding a jar full of what seemed to be eyeballs and munching them like they were some type of popcorn.

The boy had been so distracted in his search for food that he didn’t even notice that he was being followed by two Ellorans. They were getting closer and closer each time. When they turned in a particular alley, the two moved against him. They covered his head with a sack and immobilized him. He screamed, but it came out muffled.

He really should have stayed in the ship.

@Zay @throwitintothefire @Graveyard Shift

Roanoke · Mar 15, 2024

"It's fish!" Roanoke happily exclaims after taking a bite, eyes bright as he turns to look at Zessel and give the younger Padawan a nod. "It's good!"

The praise from the Elloran makes the ex-Sith blush lightly, and he offers her a grateful, respectful nod. He spots Caul heading for the chicken stand, and he makes a mental note to follow once he's finished with his fish. It's a rather tasty treat, this fish, and when he watches Shaw accept the new skewer Roanoke does the same. Hands full, he focuses on finishing the fish, barely noticing Zessel begin to wander off. But as he turns to offer the white-haired teen to sample the more normal looking grilled fish, all Roanoke sees is empty air that would've taken the shape of the half-Arkanian if they were in some kind of graphic novel or animated holomovie.

Did he wander off to look at the other stands? Roanoke looks at the new skewer he absentmindedly accepted, brows shooting up at the little nightmare fuel on a stick that he's holding. Maybe it's a good thing that Zessel steps away—at least his eyes would be spared from beholding this creepy-looking food.

"Zessel-?" he calls out softly anyway, voice drowned by the din. It's much better if they all stick together, and he has half a mind to tell Shaw to catch up with Caul. But then Shaw yelps, and a look of understanding fills the former acolyte when he realizes that the new food creeps him out. Well, Roanoke is freaked out, too, if he's being honest, and thankfully he's just better at hiding it. But food is food (to him anyway, and as long as they taste good enough) so he can't help but pout slightly as he watches Shaw nudge the weird-looking meal with his boot.

The indignant voice that growls behind Roanoke and Shaw sends the former jolting in surprise. Turning to look at the two Ellorans who appear very cross at the assumption that his friend very deliberately ridicule their food, Roanoke clutches the skewer like a lifeline then glances around to see if Ordeen has returned from his meeting with Motep. He barely registers Zessel as the latter disappears from his visual range nor the two Ellorans following him. Roanoke's mind is focused on de-escalating the situation he and Shaw find themselves into, and he doesn't cringe at the sight of the offended Elloran slurping the weird sea critter's eyeball and chewing.

"Um, please, that's not—" Roanoke wants to say but the Elloran cuts him off by grabbing the mohawked teen by the collar of his jacket with one arm while another wrenches the skewer from the Jedi's grip. Roanoke lets out a startled gasp, both hands flying to grip the Elloran's wrist.

Caul is right... we need an adult!

"W-We didn't mean to offend!" Roanoke musters, meeting the offended Elloran's gaze as best as he can. "Just—Just listen, please!"

"Oh, now you're ordering us what to do?!" snaps the Elloran, anger etched on his face. "Such sense of entitlement! That's it!"

He motions for his companion to grab Shaw as well as angry Elloran begins to drag Roanoke away from the seafood stand. "If you didn't mean to offend, show us your sincerity—" he snarls, before tossing the mohawked teen in the middle of the assembled warriors. Roanoke lands on all fours on the dirt with a startled grunt, and he quickly scrambles back on his feet as the same Elloran squares off and spreads all four of his arms wide. "—by getting pummeled with these fists!"

@Zay @throwitintothefire @LouJoVi

Caul · Mar 20, 2024

Caul followed the chicken man’s gaze, spotted the problem and then promptly wished he hadn’t.. A lanky white haired elloran with a wicked sneer sauntered directly toward him flanked by a massive sable haired brute of an elloran with no expression at all.

Panic flooded Caul’s veins. His eyes darted around for the others, wasn’t Zessle behind him a second ago?

Oh, I am not about to get jumped, he thought.

“Thank you for the food,” he said with a quick bow. He turned and ran right into the big dark furred one. Caul’s neck craned to look up into the expressionless face of the bulky elloran.

“Oop! Sorry! I-uh-I didn’t see you there.”

The elloran said nothing, The white furred elloran stepped forward, “Having a good time, warrior?” The disdain that dripped off the word warrior told Caul everything he needed to know, these guys weren’t here to make friends. Instinctively the padawan’s hand found his lightsaber hilt. Caul’s eyes flicked from skinny to beef cake and he didn’t love his odds, but he didn’t see a way out.

“I was, yes, your home is beautiful, thank you for your hospitality,” he said with another bow. Lanky seemed a little put off, but his sneer only widened.

“Good!” said the white elloran, “Then I’m sure you wouldn’t mind taking part in a traditional custom of our people.”

Caul frowned, “I’d be happy to assist you however I can,” he said, feeling like some weird lame robot, but doing his best to not cause a scene.

“Goooooooooooooood,” said Beef Cake in the deepest voice Caul had ever heard. The guy sounded like an avalanche. Beef Cake’s hand shot out and grabbed Caul by the collar. The Padawan yelped manfully as he was tossed over Beef Cake’s shoulder, “Uh, I assure you I can walk—”

“Yeah, sure, but we wouldn’t want our esteemed guest getting too tired before the trial, would we? C’mon Pooda, let’s round up the others.”

Oh good. There was a trial now.

A moment later and Caul heard a sharp whistle, Lanky's voice rang out over the scuffle between Roanoke, Shaw, and the other two elloran's. "Where's the one that looked sick? The white haired one?!"

The other two elloran's looked back and forth at one another then to Shaw and Roanoke and back to Inagi (Lanky), "Wasn't he one you we're supposed to grab? Right, we've got two here, you've got one--"

"SHUT UP, CARRITH!" barked Inagi. Pooda rumbled with a laugh. Inagi wasn't laughing, and it was clear there was something wrong in the way he stood. His hair stood on end like an agitated dog. He sniffed the air. The sneer on his face vanished like a puddle in the desert. He immediately started grunting and whooping in what Caul realized was their native tongue. It reminded him of Shriiwook but clearly had an emphasis on grunts over yowls. Linguistics amiright?

The two elloran's that had been harassing Roanoke and Shaw sprinted off to the west. Inagi turned back to Pooda and gestured for him to put Caul down.

"There's been a change of plan, looks like you warriors are going to get the chance to prove yourselves in battle, well, that is, if you want to see your friend again."

Inagi jerked his head to the east, "Come Pooda, we move to the shore, keep up if you can Jedi."

@throwitintothefire @LouJoVi @Graveyard Shift

The Storyteller · Mar 21, 2024

Terek stood, hands clasped behind his back, in the antechamber of the temple. His normal lackadaisical disposition had been replaced by one of general concern. The reports he’d read on this planet didn’t mention any sect of the Elloran people that practiced the dark side of the force and yet, he could tell that the shadow was pressing in.

Ordeen closed his eyes and ran through what he knew about their situation. It wasn’t uncommon for underdeveloped planets like this one to request help without understanding the full depth of their actual issue, but for massive oceanic apex predators to start showing up on the shoreline dead, and for there to be obvious influence from the dark side, well, that was just suspicious.

The hilt’s of his twin sabers were in their usual place at the small of his back. His stance would appear relaxed and formal, but it’s real purpose was one of preparation.

The door to the room opened and Dalsim poked his head in a smile already splitting his expression, “Thank you so much for waiting, warrior of light. It has been said that the Jedi know patience as if it were a close friend, and you’ve exemplified that, yes you have!”

Terek smiled, but the humor didn’t reach his eyes, “I am here to serve, master Dalsim. I do hope I won’t be—” before he could finish, Dalsim yelped and was shoved unceremoniously into the room.

“By all that is holy Dalsim, get the hell out of my way!” barked Motep, charging into the room. The Elloran Chieftain bowed his head, “I’m sorry for the pomp and circumstance, Master Jedi.”

The mention of “Master” made Terek’s skin prickle, “I’m no Master, great chief—” one of Motep’s hands raised, “I am no great Chief, and yet we both must step into roles we feel we are not prepared for.”

Terek was caught flat footed, “Er, I-I suppose you’re right,” he was forced to acquiesce, because honestly he didn’t have a witty response which irked him more than he cared to admit.

“I’ll assume that even in the sort time you’ve been on Ellora you’ve detected a press of darkness that’s shrouded our once peaceful planet.”

Terek nodded, “I have, which was surprising considering we’ve never received a report of the dark side being here before.”

Motep sighed, “The darkness has always been with us, in my time as both warrior and leader, I have come to realize you cannot have the light without the dark, my people,” he gestured wide with all four arms, “My race, is staunchly divided in our beliefs. Within our world a war has raged for generation upon generation, two sides of the same coin vying for dominance but neither ever holding on to their victory long. I’m sure this… is something you can relate to.”

Terek nodded. He couldn’t help but hear a tale as old as time itself. The light and the dark would always be at war, the scale was irrelevant.

“Recently, the Anko, or what we call Sith, have been unified by a single leader that they refer to as Kami, in our language, that means god.”

Terek frowned, this wasn’t going to be the quick and easy adventure he’d thought, which at this point he shouldn’t be surprised, but here he was struggling to keep a slack jawed, you gotta be kidding me, expression off his face. “I see, and how exactly has that influenced the current war?” he asked.

Motep sighed, “They’ve become brazen–”

The door to the anteroom burst open. Dalsim, Motep and Terek simultaneously turned to glare at the intruder. A wiry Elloran guard wearing golden vambraces was frozen in place, clearly uncomfortable with having just barged into the room. To their credit they said, “Chief, It’s Inagi… he’s…” his eyes shifted to Terek then back to Motep, “He’s taken it upon himself to test the Jedi.”

“Aw, shit,” muttered Terek, as he strode toward the door. It seemed as if "trouble" would be the theme for this particular mission, and he had a feeling he'd have to bare his own fangs before long.

@LouJoVi @Graveyard Shift @throwitintothefire @Zay

Shaw Amaris · Mar 21, 2024

Everything seemed to happen all at once. One second Shaw was staring into the eyes of a less than appetizing lunch, to put it mildly. The next he was being carried off by an elloran five times his size. Wrapped in the elloran's arms like a small animal, he felt as light as a feather. It didn't help that the hairy, massive arms were slowly crushing him—at least it felt like they were—slowly pushing out all of the air from the teenager's lungs. Shaw struggled to get free, but he looked and felt as helpless as an animal that had fallen on its back and couldn't get rolled back right again. Talk about humiliating!

"YO! YO!" he called out to his abductor, voice muffled by the occasional tuft of hair that would tickle his face. Did these guys never shave or go in for a trim or anything? Shaw just hoped they took the occasional bath. "THIS IS SO NOT COOL! LET ME DOWN!"

Eventually they did, but not because of anything Shaw had said. The padawan was deposited in the center of a congregation of ellorans—all eyes on the three teenagers until the group's ringleader began calling out orders. Wait. Three teenagers? Where was Zessel? Shaw looked around but didn't see the white haired teenager anywhere. He gathered from the conversation that followed between the ellorans that they didn't know where he was either. That was bad. If they didn't have him, who did??

Shaw intended to find out. Like it or not, Inagi and Pooda—or Poodoo as Shaw really wanted to call him—seemed to know where Zessel might be. The padawans really didn't have a choice but to follow. At least not in Shaw's mind. The teenager fell into step behind the ellorans, this time with the large walking stick he had gotten from the shuttle in hand just in case they tried something again. A lot of good it would do, but it was something.

"Where are we going?" he asked them as they drew closer to the beach. He was finally going to get to see the ocean up close, but it didn't seem as exciting as before. Not now that one of them was missing. @Zay @Graveyard Shift @LouJoVi

Roanoke · Mar 22, 2024

Before either of the two can act further—with Roanoke defending and the nightmare fish-eating Elloran attacking—another group of Ellorans stride over, one of them carrying Caul on their shoulder. The former acolyte's worry deepens when even Shaw is practically manhandled by another, and the other two natives harassing them breaking off into a run somewhere else. The Ellorans begin to speak in their native tongue, and he would've shown interest had the situation suddenly not been so confusing and worrying.

When another Elloran moves to grab Roanoke, he takes a large step back to avoid the grabby hands. If the Padawans are being gathered, where is Zessel? The mohawked teen looks around frantically, trying to find the half-Arkanian while keeping mind to avoid any attempts to have himself grabbed. Roanoke's already been slightly roughed up when one of the harassers from earlier tried to fight after cuffing him. He doesn't like being grabbed with such threatening and even hostile intent—no, scratch that, he goddamned hates it. And if Zessel hiding behind his and Shaw's back earlier during the enthusiastic welcome by Dalsim and his people is an indication that the youngest Padawan dislikes having his personal space invaded (and Force forbid being touched without his consent), Roanoke can't imagine what the pale teenager would feel if given the same treatment as the other three Jedi.

But his main concern is Zessel's whereabouts.

As Caul, Shaw, and Roanoke are being marched towards the beach, the ex-Sith tries to catch the other two Padawan's eyes. Once successful, Roanoke purses his lips and shakes his head, before jerking his head behind them. Then he plants his feet on the ground, making his intention clear despite the wordless communication—he's not going to the beach, not without Zessel. Or even Terek, for that matter. Hoping that the two Padawans will understand, Roanoke would then break off into a sprint and take the path back to the village in search of Terek. Maybe Zessel is with the Knight? Force, Roanoke hopes so.

He really fuckin' hopes so.

@Zay @throwitintothefire @LouJoVi

Zessel · Mar 23, 2024

When the sack covered his head, Zessel screamed in panic. It was obvious that someone would scream in these moments. You were calmly walking down the street when suddenly your head was covered by something. No one would laugh in amusement with that. So the Padawan’s reaction to that was perfectly normal.
However, when he felt that a complete stranger had grabbed him, Zessel’s panic skyrocketed beyond what would be normal. His screams came out as if an animal was being killed. He trashed and struggled with so much fury that the boy was pretty sure that he had kicked someone’s face.

Everything in this situation made him uncomfortable. No, he was beyond uncomfortable. The Padawan was having a full blown panic attack, to the point of not being able to breath properly. He couldn’t see, the sack blocked all light and left only darkness for him. There was a sweet smell that made him want to vomit. But the worst part was that he was being carried away.

A stranger was touching him.

He hated being touched by strangers.

So he continued struggling, trying to free himself from the touch. He kicked the same face again, this time harder. Zessel was so absorbed by his panic that he didn’t even try to use the Force to free himself. He had forgotten completely about it. Occasionally, he would hear the sound of the ocean. He likes the sound of waves.

It was sad that he couldn’t properly appreciate it.

The Padawan didn’t know when it happened, but his captors had dropped him on the floor. Being free from the strangers’ touch was enough to make him calm down. He felt a bit relieved, but the bag was still over his head. It meant that the situation wasn’t okay yet. He was seated over sand, which meant that he was near the beach. This explains the sound of waves. But the great question was:

Why he was there?

Then, he heard the sound of a ship approaching.

@Zay @throwitintothefire @Graveyard Shift

Caul · Mar 29, 2024

Caul’s expression settled into a contemplative scowl. Something was off. Initially, he’d just assumed this was some kind of hazing thing. Where the locals tested the newcomers. It was super common in any culture that put an emphasis on martial combat, but Zessel’s disappearance and the subtle change in the Elloran’s little ring leader told him something was off. The Force was churning, things were moving and danger was nearby. Or he was about shit his brains out… honestly he wasn’t sure what the better outcome would have been.

Inagi’s initial challenge had been weak, but there was an edge to the guy now that wasn’t there before. Gone was the haughty braggadocious attitude. He moved with purpose and stayed on high alert. Pooda remained silent, but his eyes flicked back and forth scanning the surrounding area. That’s when it hit Caul… The Elloran’s were hunting something.

He closed his eyes and opened his mind to the force, but even with the planet’s enhanced presence he couldn’t feel anything.

Dammit… he muttered. He glanced over to Shaw and then blinked… Where in the hell was Roanoke?! Caul’s eyes went wide as saucers. When, how, why, where?!?!!?

“Where—” Caul started, but Inagi cut him off.
“We don’t have time to look. He chose to leave, your other friend was taken, we can only look for one and I say it’s the one that was taken against their will, but please,” an air of superiority returned to the Elloran’s voice, “Go look for your big friend if you’re too scared to face the Anko.”

Caul swore. He didn’t know what an “Anko” was, but if Inagi knew where Zessel was, then he couldn’t leave his buddy hanging. Hopefully, Roanoke went to get Terek. His eyes flicked to Shaw’s, then his expression hardened and he fell back in behind Inagi, their pace picked up. The smell of salt in the air told him the sea was close.

Inagi let out a whooping call and took off dropping from upright walking to an all fours gait. Caul let the force flow into his legs, he wouldn’t be left behind! Not this time!

@LouJoVi @Graveyard Shift @throwitintothefire

The Storyteller · Apr 1, 2024

Motep and Ordeen were closing in on the food stalls the two groups had last been seen at. The messengers followed along behind like chastised children, which bothered Terek, he couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he was sure something else was going on here.

“This is where they were…” one of them said, Terek turned to him, “Thanks, any idea where they headed before you were sent to get us?”

The Elloran lowered his head and said, “Th-they went that way—” he pointed into the night heading due east, “Inagi smelled something and said it was time to really test the Jedi.”

Terek scowled, if he had a credit for every wacky underdeveloped world that felt they needed to test the Jedi, he could retire. “What did he smell?” Terek asked doing his damndest to keep his attitude in check, but before the messenger could respond Motep spoke, “Anok.”

Terek and Motep exchanged a glance, came to an unspoken agreement then dashed off into the shadows leaving the pair of messengers standing there confused.

Just outside the village they ran into Roanoke. It was clear the boy was filled with concern, Terek barely missed a step, “Come, fill us in on what happened and point us in their direction.”

---

The maggot with the bag on his head went into another fighting fit, their cheeky little kick earned them a couple solid kicks to the gut once they’d been thrown to the ground. This had been a nearly flawless mission, all they had to do now—

The bark and whoop of a warrior’s call sounded just behind them, Shinkt’s head whipped around, his fangs already bared in a challenging silent roar. His response was one of fury. The light had decided to arrive afterall. The Elloran barked his commands and the other three members of his mission began to fan out on the beach. There would be no running, they were at the rendezvous point, and it was imperative they held their ground until they could board with their prize.

The challenge that color Shinkt’s maw spread into a nasty yellow grin, “Looks like meat’s back on the table tonight!”

@LouJoVi @Graveyard Shift @throwitintothefire @Zay

Caul · Apr 1, 2024

Caul came to a skittering halt at the edge of the wood. Inagi rose up to his full height and let out a raucous call. Just a head, four dark shrouded figures met his call with jeers of their own. In the distance the outline of a ship was just coming into view, and Caul’s heart sank. They needed to get Zessel

Inagi’s fangs were bared, his head whipped around to Caul, Shaw and Pooda, “We’re on them. We must take them before the ship can land, come to battle!”

There was no time to think. There was no time to prepare. There was no time to worry. Caul felt it happen, his mind shut off and the force took over. His arms were moving and it felt as if he was watching it happen from outside his body. The power of the force was in full effect and he was glad for it. His training saber snapped to life. Rin’s purple blade hummed at his side as he charged toward the figures dead ahead, there was no doubt in his mind who the being with the bag on their head was.

Caul and Inagi crashed into to two front runners, Rin’s blade came arching down and slashed the air. Over committed, Caul didn’t have time to deflect the attack from his adversary. The blow hit him in his side. It felt like the bastard had taken an iron rod to his ribs. He felt the blade in his hand slip, then he was hit again. This one caught him between the eyes. His vision was immediately blurred by tears as hot sticky blood poured from his nose as he was sent stumbling backward, lightsaber falling to the ground and deactivating.

The only response he could muster to the severity of the attack as a muffled, “Fuck!” right before his ass hit the sand.

Shaw Amaris · Apr 1, 2024

Inagi and Pooda led the teenagers to the edge of the forest, where the woodlands met the coastline. From the tree line they could see why the Ellorans had brought them here—Zessel, bound and flung to the sand like he was of no more value than a bag of potatoes. Four Ellorans stood between them and the white haired teenager, yellow fangs bared. Ready and just waiting for a fight. A fight they believed they would win.

"One for each of us," Shaw said, taking that first step out of the forest and onto the sand. So why did he still feel like the other team had the advantage? Because they were bigger? Because they had more combat experience? Because they had already bound Zessel and thrown a bag over his head? Because they looked like they could and happily would rip Shaw into little bite size pieces and dunk him in their favorite dipping sauce? Yeah, those were all pretty glaring reasons!

But none of them stopped him from taking that second step forward, and the third, and the fourth. The teenager broke into a sprint, trying to keep his head straight ahead and his eyes locked on the Elloran in front of him as Caul, Inagi, and Pooda all split off to face off against their own targets.

Walking stick already in hand, the plan was to use it like a makeshift pike, thrusting it into the Elloran's gut as hard as he could, but—like most of Shaw's plans—it didn't work out that way. Unaccustomed to sand, the teenager slipped at the last second and was forced to improvise. Before he could hit the shore he swung the walking stick like it was bat and hit a home run, striking the Elloran between the legs. It was a cheap shot, but all was fair when your opponent had kidnapped your friend and was waaay bigger than you. right? The Elloran howled in pain, but he wasn't down for the count yet. Shaw had only bought himself some time. @Zay @Graveyard Shift @LouJoVi

10/20 dice

Roanoke · Apr 2, 2024

Roanoke's booted feet thunder beneath him as he makes his way back to the village, eyes wide and heart pounding in his throat. He's torn between chastising himself for leaving Caul and Shaw to deal with Inagi and his gang, but he also knows that he can never forgive himself for leaving Zessel to his fate. Although unspoken, he made a promise to Ordeen to look out for the other three Padawans, and yet...

Force, why is he blaming himself? It ain't gonna get him nowhere!

Another thought flashes in the former acolyte's mind, this time concerning himself again. What if Caul and Shaw didn't get why Roanoke decided to run away? Would they think him a coward? Would they think that Roanoke ran away to save his own skin?

Tears well up the ex-Sith's eyes. I didn't... I didn't! God! Please make them understand! I'm not like the other Sith– fuck, I wasn't even a Sith!

Before he can spiral to more negative lines of thinking, he sees Ordeen and Motep hurriedly making their way out of the village. Now, Roanoke is the kind of kid who was taught to repress his feelings, to never show any kind of weakness. But he's just that—a damn kid who's in tune with his emotions even if he's told to quash them—and he can't help but choke out a sob of relief and gnawing guilt at the sight of the two adults. Zessel isn't with them.

Zessel isn't with Ordeen.

Fuck.

He halts, only to pick back up the pace to lead Ordeen and Motep towards the beach. He doesn't care that he's beginning to cry (because fuck it all to hell, he's worried for his friends) as he fills them in on what's happening as succinctly as he can.

Roanoke can always give them more details as soon as he's sure that the other three Padawans are safe.

"A-A group of Ellorans marched us towards the b-beach," he tells Ordeen and Motep as they run, then describe Inagi and Pooda as best as he can. A spark of relief and worry fills Roanoke when he sees recognition in Motep's eyes.

"Z-Zessel's missing," he then continues, rubbing away his tears with the sleeve of one arm. Face flushed and eyes wide with unbridled concern, Roanoke tells the Knight, "I d-didn't see where he went, o-or... or if h-he's taken or something."

Face crumpling with guilt this time, the ex-Sith finds himself choking out, "I-I'm sorry, Master, I'm so, s-so sorry! I d-don't know where Zessel is, I l-left Caul and Shaw on t-the beach with t-those l-locals to look for y-you and Z-Zessel... I'm s-so fuckin' sorry...!"

@Zay @throwitintothefire @LouJoVi

Caul · Apr 9, 2024

Caul spit blood into the gritty sand and shook the tears from his eyes. It was never fun getting hit in the face, and he couldn’t help but relish in the anger it allowed him to feel. For years, anger had been the one emotion Caul couldn’t control. It was his shameful companion. The heart of his hurt, and now, now that his life was in danger, now that his friends were under attack, he could justify reaching for it.

Teeth gritted Caul rose from the sand. Rin’s blade shot out of the sand and back into his hand. There was freedom in his rage. There was justification in his fury. Now, there would be retribution. Rin’s blade sprang to life, the violet blade cast Caul in a silhouette.

“Got a little left, boy?” sneered Shinkt, confidence had eroded his defensive stance, “Good, I was ho—” a flash of purple slammed into the Elloran’s collarbone with a garbled crack. Shinkt didn’t have time to get his guard back up before the second strike took him in the ribs. Air wheezed out of his mouth in a guttural moan before stars lit up his vision from a blinding fast kick to the face. The Elloran enjoyed a sense of weightlessness before he collided with the ground out cold.

Caul didn’t waste time watching his opponent fall, instead he made for Zessel.

“Hey buddy, sorry it took us so long,” he said while carefully pulling the bag off his buddy’s head. Relief flowed through him like a cool stream in summer. From what Caul could tell Zessel was a little roughed up, but aside from that he looked good, “You down to get a little payback?”

Dice 17/20

@LouJoVi @Graveyard Shift @throwitintothefire

The Storyteller · Apr 9, 2024

The dark side of the force had revealed itself like the villain it was, even now as Terek tore through the woods behind Roanoke he could feel the shadow swelling and he was not thrilled to say the least. He found himself muttering under his breath, “Just an easy recon mission, in and out in three days, should be a breeeeeze…”

His complaining came to an immediate halt when they hit the edge of the trees. It was night and the only light by which they could see was that provided by the moon, but here and there Terek could make out flashes of purple, he heard Motep swear, or at least that’s what he assumed the chieftain had done based on the tone of this voice, before he stated in basic, “They’re under attack!”

Terek blinked, nodded, then said, while draping an arm over Roanoke, “Guess we should join the party then, no?”

Ordeen could feel the big kid’s emotions all over the place and he gave his shoulder a squeeze, “We made it in time, without you, there would be no cavalry, feel your emotions but accept the result.”

With that Terek sank into the force and then shot forward. He wasn’t about to be left out of a fight, not when his students were involved, when else was he going to get a chance to show off?

@LouJoVi @Graveyard Shift @throwitintothefire @Zay

Zessel · Apr 9, 2024

Zessel whimpered when his captors kicked him. Rather than curl into a ball, the boy fought back. Struggled one last time, being able to kick someone’s knee one last time. He hoped that however he hit would feel the pain for weeks. A smirk appeared on his lips with this thought.

However, it died out when he heard someone talk about eating him. ‘What a hell?’ he thought, wondering if these people could get even more weird. First they ate food that looked like the remnants of what you would find inside the stomach of a sarlacc, now they were into cannibalism too?

It was official, Zessel hated this planet and would leave a long video in his Holo channel telling how he would never return to this place and advise everyone to never come here. His channel was to post videos of his recipes, but people deserved to know how Ellora was cursed.

A total –10/10 and people deserved to know it!

Then he heard some screams and the sound of fighting. The half-Arkanian wondered if the people had started to eat themselves. He shuddered with the thought of them being so desperate to reach this point. Maybe don’t even the locals liked their food. If they didn’t kidnap him, Zessel would have baked something nice, but now they didn’t deserve anything.

Suddenly, the bag was removed from his head and he was now staring at a familiar face. “Caul!” he said, smiling for finally being rescued. “For sure! These people need to learn that touching others without permission isn’t cool.” Zessel said, turning to look at the Ellorans. Now was time for some good aimed kicks.

@Zay @Graveyard Shift @throwitintothefire

Shaw Amaris · Apr 9, 2024

Scrambling to his feet and getting sand everywhere, Shaw came out on the other side of the Elloran. Boy was he glad to be on the other side. Passing under had been an experience and not a good one. Trusty walking stick in hand, he brought it down over the curled Elloran's head like a club. The native let out another yelp, massive hand shooting to the injury where a knot was surely going to form, but he was still not down for the count. Shaw blew out a breath. What was it gonna take to knock this sucker out?

Realizing his opponent was about to turn on him, the padawan panicked and did the first thing that came to mind. He jumped onto the Elloran's hairy back, arms wrapping around his neck in a lame attempt to choke him out. "Get... off... me..." he could hear the Elloran's deep voice grumble, but Shaw clung to him for dear life, "tying" him up as it were. He didn't let go, not even when the Elloran began to spin around trying to buck the padawan off.

Starting to get dizzy, Shaw spotted movement at the edge of the forest. "ROANOKE! BUDDY! A LITTLE HELP!" @Graveyard Shift @Zay @LouJoVi

10/20

Roanoke · Apr 11, 2024

Ordeen's silent observation is correct about Roanoke's feelings being all over the place. The teenager is finally allowed to feel all sorts of emotions he was taught to suppress, and right now?

The kid is just downright embracing all of them.

Roanoke's stomach does a sickening flip when Motep confirms what the Padawan is seeing and hearing as they neared the beach. But it's the intimately familiar sensation of the Dark Side stirring from his friends' general direction that makes his skin crawl. It compounds the mohawked Padawan's fear, guilt, and shame, bathing his vision in hues of lurid green, sickly yellow, and bilious scarlet. Bitterness floods his tongue, even as Ordeen drapes a supportive arm over his shoulder and offered him words both comforting and educational. The Dark Side, however, is sweet, cloyingly so, like viscous molasses ready to drown him in.

And with the bitterness of guilt and fear coating his tongue, Roanoke thinks that it wouldn't be held against him if he reached out and had a little taste of that sweetness like what he was taught before—

He sees Shaw struggling on the back of an Elloran and clinging to the latter like a limpet as they spin around, and remembers what he told Shaw and Victor back in Starlight. He hears Natalie's voice in his head, of Glorious Leader praising him for escaping an esapeless Order.

Shame is a taste that will continue to stick to his tongue for quite a while, he realizes.

Sticking to Natalie's teachings, Roanoke doesn't waste time unzipping his jacket and pulling out his WESTAR blaster pistol from its holster. He slows to a brisk walk, booted feet leaving imprints on the sand, as he takes aim at the Elloran intent on throwing Shaw off their back. For one wild moment, a small, insidious voice in the back of his mind tells him not to switch the blaster's setting to stun. As payback for kidnapping Zessel and putting the pale teenager in an uncomfortable position. For endangering his three friends. And yet the kindness that defines who Roanoke is rebels against the alluring sway of the Dark Side, and fires a shot.

It whizzes harmlessly past the spinning Elloran. Roanoke tuts disapprovingly at himself for missing the first shot, and takes careful aim again. This time, the stun bolt finds its mark on the Elloran's left lower back, narrowly missing Shaw. The four-armed hairy sentient's muscles tense before they fall flat on their face. Roanoke dashes towards Shaw, looking so fucking scared for nearly hitting his friend.

"S-Sorry!" he exclaims, voice tremulous as he—unable to help himself—worriedly gives his friend a once over. "Shit, I-I almost hit you! Are y-you hurt?"

Dice: 11/20

@Zay @throwitintothefire @LouJoVi

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