Open Away from it All

[Vanya]

Per my OP template, thread is death enabled​

Vanya had been running so hard over the last several months that it was time to just... slow down. She had spent time on massive city worlds - some of which were decimated - like Corellia, but even after all this time she found such places... overwhelming.

She could have gone to Berchest to the beaches of the planet, but she wanted somewhere she could just be Vanya of the Singing Mountain again. Not Jedi Warden Vanya Mountain.

For that reason, she had tucked her lightsaber away, donning the red robes of her people as she wandered the streets of Selvaris. It was a completely insignificant world and one that no one could probably put a finger on where it was, and that was part of why Vanya was here: just to be.

The people here were friendly, and even though she looked quite out of place, no one seemed to pay it any mind. In all the chaos of the galaxy, this place seemed almost untouched and still seemed to have a peace and joy to it that was sorely lacking.

She wondered what would have happened if she just... moved here. Left behind the rest of the galaxy or even returned back to Dathomir. It would have been a simple life. But that wasn't what the Winged Spirit had for her. In truth, Vanya found what she did tiring and stressful, but... she would have been bored any other way.

She stopped at a small market and bought a meiloorun juice for herself before continuing to stroll through the open air market.

 

[Mallory San Marca]

Mallory had been spending too much time with her research and studies as of late. Nearly all of her time had been consumed by studying a few unique force groups and she needed a little bit of a breather from it. All work and no play made a dull Mallory.

It was for that reason that she had made the trip to Selvaris. The planet's gorgeous untouched vistas were just the thing she needed to relax and unwind. With her ship being minded by the droids, there was little Mallory had to worry about as she strolled into town.

Mule walked behind Mallory as she strode into the small village market. The droids internal pack was full of various gear for spending some time in the wilderness. It also had various art supplies lashed to it's back, a sitting stool, an easel, various sized canvas tightly wrapped in waterproofing material. Satchels containing all her paints and brushes and the ingredients to make more out of local colors. She had enough food for a week or two in the wilderness, and Chef had even packed her a picnic complete with sandwiches and a bottle of wine.

Of course one bottle of wine was never going to be enough and she had every intention of picking up a few bottles of whatever the local wine or spirit was. It was with this intention that she hit the market before being entirely distracted by a woman in authentic nightsister garb, complete with true Dathomir red and facial tattoos.

Well she just had to investigate.

”Excuse me.” She would say in an attention grabbing voice as she approached the red garbed woman, Mule in tow. ”You wouldn't happen to know if any of these stalls sell strong wine or spirits would you?” Might as well start with the thing that brought all sentients together. Booze.

 

[Vanya]

Vanya had no particular plan for the day, and that felt like a rarity these days. Everyone looked to her for answers and leadership and she... barely even felt like she was qualified to be a Jedi let alone someone that everyone looked to for answers.

She didn't want to be a leader, she just wanted to do things. She kind of stumbled from one area to the next and... no one really seemed to notice that she had absolutely no idea what she was doing. Was this something that all Jedi experienced? Was this how the Council felt? If so, then maybe she started to understand why they all just did... nothing.

She absentmindedly bought some "mega ultra spicy sausage" as it was advertised by the small stall, turning over some money and starting to munch on her ridiculously spicy new snack when her thoughts were pulled back to the moment by someone walking up to her.

She didn't actually realize that this woman was talking to her until she was about two-thirds of the way through her sentence, and Vanya had a flat-out deer-in-headlights look with wide, violet eyes staring blankly at the woman.

I'm sorry, were you talking to me? she asked. She'd heard something about "spirits" so did this woman know she was a Nightsister.

I'm sorry, I don't tell fortunes, she said, having clearly not heard the woman correctly at all.

She glanced curiously at the other woman and then down to robomule. I don't know why people don't just get real animals, she thought to herself. There was certainly utility in owning droids for certain things, but if you were going to own a pet, why not own an actual pet, right? Vanya, of course, did not understand.

 

[Mallory San Marca]

The woman turned to look at Mallory midway through her questioning and the look on the nightmaybesister was the strangest thing. Mallory had the sudden feeling as if she were about to run a speeder straight into some wilderness animal stumbled upon in the night. It almost took an effort of will not to stumble back in order to avoid the non-existent collision.

”Yeah sorry.” She struggled to collect herself as she tried to comprehend the woman's words. Fortunes? What? She ran through the memory of her own words for a moment before finding the conflict.

”Oh. No.” She started before wondering if that was even a thing Nightsisters were capable of doing. She would have to ask Reikki. Or this one right in front of her. ”Not those kind of spirits. Wine, liquor, booze.” She made a drinking gesture with her fingers near her mouth in emphasis.

”I'm going camping out in the wilderness, looking for some gorgeous scenery to paint. Liquid fortification of some manner is a requirement in that scenario I'd think.” She said with a wink. Who didn't bring booze with them when they were on vacation after all.

”And I don't really think fortune telling is a thing. Knowing maybe, but telling?” She shook her head. There was likely some universal constant that prevented the accurate telling of fortunes that didn't just turn out to be self fulfilling prophecies. Though if they were self fulfilling did that mean they were wrong?

 

[Vanya]

Now that Vanya was actually expecting and invested in a conversation, things weren't slipping past her quite so badly.

Oh! Uh, right, sorry, she said, clearing her throat in moderate embarrassment. Of course most people didn't even know what she was. The galaxy was a massive place and even with the publicity of the former-Queen, most people didn't recognize a Nightsister on sight. For Vanya's part, though, she was used to a very different view of the galaxy. One that interacted and brushed shoulders with the extremes of the galaxy. Things that were only myth for the rest of the galaxy were Vanya's day-to-day.

That sounds peaceful, she commented, thinking about a trip out into the wilderness to pain. Granted, Vanya didn't actually paint, but that wasn't the point. Instead, her mind wandered momentarily to how nice a camping trip sounded and the beautiful scenery of this place.

You just haven't met the right fortune tellers, then, she said with a lopsided smirk.

But no, you're kind of right. Most of the people out there "telling fortunes" are charlatans, she said. There were some of the Clan elders Vanya had met who could do something comparable to fortune telling, but even that wasn't always reliable. The future was always shifting and nothing was set in stone. Self-fulfilling prophecies weren't uncommon and so divination was often discouraged among the Clans.

Um, I'm realizing I haven't answered your question. I'm not sure about wines. I think I might have seen some that way, she said, motioning with a frown toward where she had just come and trying to remember. She hadn't been in the market herself at the time, though now she thought perhaps it didn't sound so bad.

 

[Mallory San Marca]

”Peaceful is the idea, or at least unwinding.” She said before tapping her head with a finger. ”There aren't many opportunities to turn this thing off in my lifestyle, so making one is what I'm stuck with.” She laughed. It was true, that brain of hers was always working, always puzzling out some new research or digging in to deep philosophical questions.

”Oh I've met all types of fortune tellers in my travels, and you're right, most of them are bunk.” She nodded. The majority were just swindlers looking for easy marks. ”Some are the real deal though, the Baran Do, maybe some Jedi.” She listed off a few before eyeing the strange woman's robes and tattoos. ”I've only ever met one other Nightsister though, and she didn't seem to have a talent for divining the future.” Not that Mallory had asked.

Mallory's eyes followed the motion towards a stall that seemed to be selling bottles of some manner of liquid. Alcohol? She hoped.

”Thanks for the direction. I'm Mallory. Mallory San Marca.” She held out her gloved right hand to offer a lazy handshake. ”Let me buy you a drink for the trouble?” She asked, hopeful. It wasn't every day that she ran into someone as potentially interesting as this stranger.

 

[Vanya]

Vanya cracked a smile as the woman talked about turning her brain off and how she had to get away and force it to happen.

I know what you mean, she said with a knowing nod. Her eyes momentarily took on a far away look and the young Nightsister - for the briefest moment - almost looked much older than she was. As if she'd already seen more in her short life than most saw in a lifetime. The moment passed a second later.

Vanya's eyebrow quirked as the other woman identified her as a Nightsister. It was highly unusual and immediately caused her to take note.

I'm surprised you recognize me, she said, head cocking to the side and the woman would feel Vanya making the gentlest probe with the Essence.

Are you Touched? she asked. "Force-sensitive" was the word the Jedi would have used for it, but Vanya had never much cared for the term. Or just curious about the different faiths? she asked. It wasn't unheard of but also wasn't common for people who weren't Touched to inquire so deeply of the different sects that followed the Force.

Vanya of the Singing Mountain, she said, taking the offered hand in a tight and firm handshake that was just Vanya all over.

I'd appreciate that, she said, though she had a sneaking suspicion she just wanted to question Vanya about her religion. Still, she wasn't going to turn down a free drink.

 

[Mallory San Marca]

There was a moment of surprise, first seen on the woman's face, and then spoken. Mallory felt the faintest wisp of a touch at the edge of her being, like a gentle acknowledging caress.

”Touched?” Mallory asked, having never heard the term before. She concentrated as she spoke, pushing back with her mind ever so gently at the probing sensation. Not aggressive, just a firm reinforcement of the boundary of her person.

”Touched with a boundless curiosity about the different faiths of the Force.” She said with a teasing tone. ”And gifted with the ability to put that curiosity to good use.” She confirmed verbally. Cat out of the bag and all that.

”Well met Vanya of the Mountain Spring.” She said with a smile before gesturing towards the market stall which had a few small tables and chairs set up nearby. ”I hope you don't mind if I just call you Vanya. Let's go get those drinks.”

She led the way, ordering for them a pair of glasses and a bottle of whatever the local good stuff was, as well as another trip of bottles that immediately went into Mule’s pack. Taking a seat, she poured a generous helping of the blue liquid into each cup. She wasn't sure if it was a liquor or wine or something in between, but that was all part of the adventure. ”To what should we toast?” She asked as she raised her cup up slightly.

 

[Vanya]

Vanya nodded knowingly, although the confirmation that the other woman was Touched raised a warning sign to some extent. Granted, she also had been very out in the open about it. It wasn't a secret or a great deception, and Vanya probably shouldn't have been so suspicious. She didn't feel overtly dark, although as Vanya understood it, that wasn't something that could be relied on.

Singing Mountain, she corrected gently, nodding in consent to just being called Vanya. She headed over to sit with the other woman at a table, casting another glance over at the mule.

Vanya had never really loved droids and thought back to those first days meeting Leon and his little BD droid. There was something about their mechanical nature and ambiguous intelligence that made her uncomfortable. They didn't make sense or feel natural. Even after all these years.

To a relaxing trip away from it all, she said. That seemed to be what they were both here for, after all. They both wanted to escape the business of their responsibilities and their own minds.

So I take it you travel a lot? she asked.

 

[Mallory San Marca]

”Singing Mountain.” Mallory repeated with a nod, a blush of shame at her mistake creeping onto her face. How had she mixed that up? It was so clear in retrospect. The clean mountain air must be getting to her.

If Mule noticed the woman eyeing it, the droid showed no indication. It just stood there, waiting for its next instruction as it's dumb little droid brain sat content with a heavy load on its back.

”To a relaxing trip away from it all!” Mallory said rather loudly in agreement as she raised her glass towards Vanya before taking a slug of the drink. It was cool and fresh tasting, like mountain spring water. And then it burned like fire. ”Oh that's definitely liquor.” She said more to herself than to Vanya with a laugh.

”A lot would be an understatement.” She said before taking a more cautious sip of the blue liquor, appreciative of the inebriation it held in store for her.

”My research has taken me all over the galaxy. Jedha, Dorin. Even out into the ass end of the Galactic South to places like Svivreni.” Her stomach began to burn from the drink and she pondered the wisdom of continuing. She had intended to get drunk out in the wilderness, not before her trip even began. ”And yourself? This place is an awfully long way away from Dathomir.”

 

[Vanya]

Vanya took a drink of the alcohol laid out in front of her, swallowing a large gulp and blinking several times in agreement before giving a slight cough. It burned much stronger than the wine she was used to and she was more than a little dubious about it after that.

Yeah, that hits a lot harder than I expected, she sputtered, giving another cough. The two of them choking on their beverages was a comical sight to behold and drew a distant laugh from the barkeep.

Little bit much for you ladies? he said with a smile.

Vanya waved a dismissive hand through the air, giving a fake scowl before turning her attention back to Mallory.

I've been to Jedha before, she said, suddenly wondering if maybe this one was in some way related to the Dark Side cult that Vanya and Jun had busted open. Statistically it was unlikely. In fact, it was more likely that the woman was related to the Matukai out there.

You're not Matukai, are you? she asked. She wore gloves over her hands not unlike them, so perhaps it wasn't such a far stretch.

I decided to get out and do some good in the galaxy. My people have done a lot of bad and I thought I'd do my part to undo it, she said. The few people who knew the Nightsisters either associated them with being freelance assassins or with being allied to the Sith. Neither were strongly positive associations.

 

[Mallory San Marca]

Mallory couldn't help but laugh at the way they both sputtered and coughed with the sudden burning realization of liquor in their cups. She likewise waved away the man who questioned them. None of that now.

The revelation that the woman had been to Jedha as well was surprising and some quick mental math was done as she changed the assumption of worldliness that Mallory attributed to the Nightsister. The question about her being a Matukai was even more surprising.

”A Matukai?” She said in surprise before shaking her hand and raising the glass to her lips with her ungloved left hand, finishing off the drink. ”No, not me. I love food far too much for that sort of rigorous discipline. Though I would love to spend some time among them in the future.” She wasn't entirely sure if she was cut out to train with Matukai though. Weapon Master Keor Po had drilled some muscle onto her on Dorin, but she was still fond of the donuts Chef was always making and couldn't seem to keep away from them.

”I'm not affiliated with any of the force religions,” She said before pausing for a moment as she considered the validity of that statement, ”Well, I suppose I'm technically an initiate of the Baran Do, but that's more of a formality.” She had joined their religion from purely a researcher's perspective… though she suspected they wouldn't be too happy about it if that were ever expressed to them.

”I’m a researcher of the Arcane.” She divulged willingly. ”I would call myself an Arcanist, but I do believe the Sith have spoiled that title of whatever respectability it might have held.” She said as she twisted her fingers into a rather complex position, willing the bottle of liquor to rise and nearly pour another finger of liquor in her cup all on its own before gently settling back down. She gave Vanya a sheepish smile at her little bit of showmanship. Those party tricks always impressed the mundanes, but somehow she got the feeling the Nightsister wouldn't feel as impressed.

”That's good of you, the galaxy could always use more people who want to set things right, fix what's been broken. That sort of thing.” She nodded cheerily as she took another sip of her refilled glass.

 

[Vanya]

Vanya was a little skeptical of Mallory's declaration that she had joined the Baran Do and then said it was a "technicality." She went on to describe how she was an "Arcanist" but made sure to differentiate herself from the Sith version.

A researcher, she thought to herself. It was an interesting idea. She could respect people who were curious about the many ways that others tapped into the Essence. The galaxy was a big place and she more than most understood that the Jedi didn't have a monopoly on its use.

She gave a small smile as Mallory lifted the bottle to pour them new drinks - without using her hands, mind you - although, yes, no doubt Vanya's reaction was far more blunted compared to that of those who had never seen such things before.

Yeah, I hope I can make a good difference, she said, her voice kind of drifting off as she thought about all that had happened. She had managed to free several worlds, driven back abominations on Corellia, and drove back the Killik threat once and for all. She wondered how long it would be until her number came up. She wasn't really afraid of death anymore, but she did have her wonders.

So where are you planning to go for the painting and camping? she asked.

 

[Mallory San Marca]

Mallory smiled as Vanya explained that she wanted to make a difference. Mallory could hear the way the Nightsister drifted off, the shadow of thoughts in her eyes as she perhaps thought of ways she might have already. It put things in a different perspective and Mallory looked away, taking a sip of her drink and looking over the market square, the buildings and the people who lived in them. She glanced at her packs on Mule as she prepared to get away from all of it.

”I don't doubt that you make a difference.” She said as she turned her head back to Vanya. ”History is filled with individuals who were Touched.” She said as she raised her glass in recognition of what the nightsister had called them. ”Who made a difference. It almost makes you wonder if those who aren't touched have any influence at all. They do of course.” She stopped with a thoughtful expression.

”Well, if you are trying to do good, to make a difference. Then you are. Your intention changes reality.” She finished with a tired smile before looking at her glass.

”This stuff is stronger than I thought, got me rambling.” She laughed. ”There are a few lakes and fields I want to paint, and then heading up into the mountains to hunt for good views.” She had scoped out a few likely spots on approach, but half the fun was in the journey. ”And you? Doing the tourist thing?”

 

[Vanya]

Vanya thought about what Mallory said about Touched people making a difference and those who weren't not cutting it.

Of course they do, she said. She would concede that the rates at which they made those differences were probably not the same, but, well, even look at Emryc Thorne. He changed the face of half the galaxy.

Vanya gave a skeptical glance at Mallory. Maybe in the sense that something she thought or did influenced the Essence, but that was a stretch. No, that wasn't the kind of difference she was looking to make. Although it got her thinking... maybe it was arrogant of her to assume that she could make a difference or even should. That she knew better than anyone else. She had so many certainties in her life, but for every one of those there were a dozen more ambiguous things.

Yeah, just... poking around and trying to disconnect, she said almost absentmindedly, her mind now caught up in questions she had been so busy that she hadn't really stopped to face.

Do you think it's wrong to take control of things in order to try to make them better? she asked. Her Crusade was largely based on that idea, but there were those who had claimed it made them no better than Sith. While Vanya didn't subscribe to that extreme idea, the thoughts of a woman who had traveled to all different sects and didn't just hold the Jedi or even the Nightsister views might be... illuminating.

@Arcangel

 

[Mallory San Marca]

Mallory blinked as the further philosophical question entered the conversation. She looked around, the sun was shining and life continued on around them as if she wasn't about to delve into the deeper mysteries of the universe with a complete stranger that she had just met five minutes ago.

”That's the question of the ages.” She said with an amused smile. ”It's what it all ultimately comes down to.” She said before going silent for a while, lost in thought. It was a few moments before she emerged from that state as she tried to puzzle together an answer.

”Mathematically, objectively, there are three options available to someone who is sensitive to the galactic energies of the Force.” She would begin to count them down. ”One, use it to one's own personal benefit and enrichment. Two, use it to the aid and benefit of others. Or three. Do nothing.”

Was it an overly simplistic view? Yes, but unless one committed themselves to doing nothing, avoiding any call or temptation, the touched were inevitably drawn in one direction or the other.

”One could argue, why not both? Which is where the shades of alignment come into the equation. Dark leads to darker and light creates more light. Essentially we are forced to choose a side and follow a path to its conclusion.” She chewed her lip and a troubled look passed over her face and there was a shadow of resentment in her voice.

”The answer to your question is all dependent on your morality. It could be argued either way, but if your desired outcome is to change the galaxy for the better, to make a good difference.” She looked at Vanya for a moment before shrugging. ”If one posseses the power to make change, from that perspective the argument stands that it would be wrong not to.”

Mallory hoped that she hadn't overdone it and she glanced at the drink that just had words pouring out of her mouth. She tried not to think of the implications of her own actions with that equation in mine. What was she doing anyways. Wandering around, dipping her toe in here and there. She was committed to her research, but what would that do in the grand cosmic scale of things. Nothing she supposed.

 

[Vanya]

Vanya wondered if the two women were kindred spirits. She knew very little of the woman, and if she was being honest, she still didn't completely close off the idea that this woman was a Sith. After all, what better mask for a Sith to hide behind than an independent Force-scholar. The Dark Side was manipulative and deceptive.

Still, she listened to the words of the other woman. A woman who had probably seen more than Vanya. Who had spent time among all manner of peoples.

The argument stands, she repeated the words, pouring herself another glass of the liquor that was beginning to grow on her. She wasn't entirely sure she agreed and she was sure there were plenty of Jedi who wouldn't agree, but being sequestered in a temple or even on Dathomir... it wasn't her. Dathomir ran through her blood, but she had chosen to leave in the hopes of changing the galaxy.

Changing the galaxy didn't come from being passive.

Well, I don't know, she finally blurted out with a shrug. We were supposed to both be coming here to get away from these questions. The kriff is wrong with us? she asked with a grin.

@Arcangel

 

[Mallory San Marca]

The repeat statement of the argument standing gave Mallory the visualization of the argument standing on two legs and running away, drawing a giggle out of her that she covered over with her hand for a moment.

”Minds like ours don't just turn off because we ask them to.” Mallory said cheerily before raising her glass. ”That's what the liquor is for!” She laughed before taking another sip. She hadn't been planning on getting drunk well before her journey had even started, but there she was drinking away the morning with a complete stranger.

”Besides, the force works in mysterious ways.” She said ominously while making “spooky” waggles of her fingers and laughed some more.

”Perhaps the force brought us together in this moment of… crisis of faith, all so I could reassure you with the mathematics of it that your actions are reasoned and justified.” She said thoughtfully and spaced for a moment as she considered it. ”Or there is truly no such thing as synchronicity and it's all random.” She nodded sagely for a moment.

”Either way, if I keep drinking, my trip out into the wilderness might have to be delayed until tomorrow.” She looked around at the quaint little village for some manner of inn. She could just go sleep back in her ship but where was the fun in that.

 

[Vanya]

I guess so. I'm more of a wine girl myself, she said, downing another shot of the liquor and promptly choking on it again.

She snorted as the other woman mentioned the Force working in mysterious ways.

Yeah, I always find that so helpful, she said. Honestly, she just kind of threw herself in and hoped that the Winged Spirit worked things out. It had kind of worked out so far.

Or maybe Mallory was right. Maybe it wasn't a coincidence that their paths had crossed.

You don't do any fighting then, I take it? A scholar, she said. It was probably to her shame that she leapt to wanting to fight and kill with the Essence. She'd always seen herself as a shepherd to the galaxy and the job of a shepherd was not only to protect the flock but fight off the wolves.

The Nightsisters had taught her to fight and she had carried that on into the Jedi.

You telling me you've never camped drunk before? she asked. Where was the fun in that?

@Arcangel

 

[Mallory San Marca]

The question of fighting surprised Mallory and she blinked for a moment before covering it with a sip of the blue liquor.

”I try to avoid it, when possible.” Mallory shook her head for a moment. ”But I also believe in preparedness.” She left it at that. Her master had drilled preparedness into her and she hadn't forgotten the lessons they had taught her.

”A scholar.” She nodded, that was what she was if there were ever a word to describe her strange profession. She eyed Vanya for a moment thoughtfully before asking. ”And you. A fighter? Or something more?”

Vanya had the look of a fighter, even beneath the red robes she wore. Nightsisters also had something of a reputation as dangerous warriors. So it seemed likely.

”I have gotten drunk while camping, yes. But I've never camped drunk as in hiked out and set up and everything while intoxicated.” She laughed. The whole idea sounded tiresome, like you would be dragging around the extra weight of intoxication while hiking.