Ask Ajan Kloss Crystals? Come Along!

[Ece Tanith]

Middle of the morning, in a library on Ajan Klossn​

“BROTHER DREYS? Brother Dreys!”

Normally, Ece wouldn’t be shouting.

She also wouldn’t be dashing madly through the halls either, narrowly avoiding several other patrons. They called after her, maybe to offer help themselves, but there was no time to explain; this was important. She had to find Jedi Pallodrin and him specifically. Surely he’d be willing to help, once he understood the situation. Only problem was, Ece (only recently arrived on Ajan Kloss) hadn’t actually met the man yet, let alone attended one of his lectures. Admittedly, a mistake on her part.

But Ece was certain, without a doubt, that as a fellow Miraluka, Jedi Pallodrin would see the merit in her proposition. She just needed to find him first, and fast!

“Brother Dreys? Are you here? Please be here.”

Ducking and diving through the growing channels of shelves and books, Ece ran up to whoever she could find in the library, hoping they could better direct her. She had been told if Dreys would be anywhere, it would be here. Unless, of course, he was leading a class. Dare she interrupt? Hopefully, it wouldn't have to come to that.

She tried again, calling out “Brother Dreeeeeeys?” Light on her feet, the pinklette covered a fair amount of ground, nimbly skidding to avoid the sharp turns and corners.

Where could he be? Maybe one of the secluded nooks. That’s where Ece would be.

@Dreys Pallodrin

 

[Dreys Pallodrin]

Dreys was blind, not deaf, but the purpose of meditation was to block out the outside world, to hear only the ambient hum of the world, of the living force around him. Sitting cross-legged on one of the library's secluded end-tables in front of an open book, this particular meditation was a bit different. Dreys was using a meditative exercise to digest and put together a text he had just read, studying the book as a relation of concepts, images and quotes in his imagination rather than just a wall of text. It wasn't so much for his own edification as much as it was trying to apply what he had read to what he already knew, trying to place the text in his worldview and if possible, how it could enhance it.

But with a jolt Dreys was knocked out of his meditations on the text by the shouting of a young woman. His vision came back to the real world and standing in front of him was a young lady, with pink-hued skin, standing before him, clearly quite eager to get his attentions.

"You have me at a disadvantage Ms...?" Dreys sighed, uncrossing his legs and getting off the table as the young woman introduced herself.

 

[Ece Tanith]

Remembering her manners, as well as their location, Ece sheepishly lowered her voice, "Forgive me. My name is Ece Tanith. My mother and I were members of the Luka Sene, back on Alpheridies." She said this, hoping to endear herself to him. Their people had a strong sense of community, more often than not giving aid when another requested it.

"I'm sorry to disturb you but if anyone can help me, it's you." Ece was practically tittering, barely able to contain herself, "My sources have told me that down in the city market, there is a collection of meditations crystals and due to be sold today! I've read about these crystals and I believe they could benefit the Jedi greatly. Reading about them is one thing, but imagine actually having one."

Meditation crystals were naturally occurring rocks, farmed only from one particular planet, far in the deep core. Perhaps not as valuable as kyber crystals, these gems were widely sought after for their meditative properties. Some previous scholars suggested that with the proper guidance, these crystals could aid users in strengthening their connection to the force. One account even suggested using one of these crystals in their saber. Overwhelmed with possibilities, Ece let her mind wander; could a group of Jedi use the crystal in a collective session together? What if the crystal was placed in a fixed location, would it act as a beacon? If the crystal was shattered or carved, for the purpose of a saber, would it lose its properties?

Lost in her thoughts, Ece finally caught herself and continued. "My last outing wasn't very successful. The masters say if I plan another excursion, I must be accompanied." They were never going to let her forget that time she got lost on Felucia...

Desperate now, Ece bowed to Dreys, hoping he would understand. "I am truly sorry for this inconvenience, I know the request is an unusual one but would you possibly consider coming with me ? Please?"

 

[Dreys Pallodrin]

Dreys could only sit, nod and try to process the flood of information the young Padawan flung at him but luckily for her his mind was trained to absorb large quantities of information quickly and he required no repeat. Lucky for both of them really.

Meditation crystals were rare things even during the Old Republic. The Jedi had used them historically but so had many other mystical sects and most now sat as oddities and artifacts in museums or private collections. Dreys had seen a few in such states at the Reena University, he remembered writing a paper on it though he never got the chance to handle one personally.

"If the seller is here on Ajan Kloss they must be seeking a Jedi buyer, they're of little use to anyone else beyond their aesthetic or historical value. Do your... contacts," Dreys wondered what sort of 'contacts' she could've amassed and how reliable they were. "or anyone else at the temple, know who our competition is? They might intend to approach the Temple directly and negotiate their sale."

 

[Ece Tanith]

Again, Ece became sheepish, seeming to know more than what she was originally going to let on. Dreys was more perceptive than she first gave him credit. It appears the knight was indeed cautious and not so easily mislead. "Not...exactly. You see, the man selling the crystals isn't, perhaps the most...reputable. He's a merchant trader, he won't stay on this planet very long." Oh, there was more though. "...He's also not very fond of Jedi."

At first glance, it didn't look a very favorable situation. Other Jedi might have accepted this as a loss and not pursue further but for Ece, that wasn't an option. Her original plan was still very much viable. The pair of them could still approach the vendor as two average Miraluka, Luka Sene scholars. Maybe then they could stand a chance of acquiring the crystals without the seller's prejudice getting in the way. "We can go down to the market, maybe plead our case."

Her expression was so hopeful, her mind racing with all the theories and ideas she'd like to try. She trusted in the force and believed it would grace them in this endeavor. Ece believed this was fate. The Jedi were destined to retrieve these crystals. "I have a friend in the market, a Mirialan. She understands the good our order is trying to do, so she wants to help. She's the one who told me about this in the first place." Once again, her conversational skills reaped its own rewards. It was good to make friends, even in the most obscure of places.

"Our competition is a private collector. If we let him have these crystals, they'll be lost forever and who knows when we'll get another chance like this."

Ece was desperate at this point to go, so much so she may risk leaving the temple unaccompanied in order to achieve her desire. Time was of the essence.