Ask Growing Pains

[Zana Ari]

Zana rubbed her temples with a sigh as she heard the squabbling among the locals. This planet saw an influx of refugees from Firrerre and like several other planets, the locals weren’t too happy about it. While ISCRA had seen to proper rehoming of a lot of refugees, many civilians fled on their own and went to neighboring planets or other planets that weren’t congested already. Even then the inhabitants weren’t thrilled about what they saw as an intrusion.

“Have you seen their fangs?” One of the farmers in a local village yelled as he waved about a rake, “I don’t want their kind near my chickens and sheep.”

“They are humanoid,” Zana hissed at the man, “These aren’t rabid wild animals. They’re people.”

“Then they shouldn’t need them fangs or claws or COLOR CHANGING SKIN,” The man yelled right back.

Zana already had an uphill battle here on account of being a Jedi. The local population was at odds with the refugees and there was supposedly an uprising being planned to antagonize the Firrerreo enough to make them leave. The Jedi had been called in to preserve the peace but the twi’lek was having to fight to keep her patience.

She shook her head and made her way towards the camps where the refugees had set up a few miles away from the local villages and farms. It was a peaceful camp and the survivors were grateful to have any temporary home at all. They had set up deep in the forests and near a waterfall where they often hunted for their meals.

Zana sighed as she walked over towards the tent that housed some of the more diplomatic Firrerreo. She had to notify them that the farmers were still being thorny and they had to change up their negotiation tactics.

@Braden

 

[Wodan]

His once proud people had been shattered, spread across the Outer Rim in refugee camps. Once in paradise many now lived in squalid situations, only the memories of their home or the optimism of a better tomorrow kept them from giving up on life. A few had found better lives, their skills and expertise being swallowed up by hungry neighbours who were more than happy to use the Firrerrian’s abilities if it helped them.

But that was the minority, many lived in camps such as the one he visited today. Originally temporary homes they had now become permanent shelters for his people. There were around ten thousand in this single camp, originally built for only two thirds of that number. It hurt him to see his people like this, but it was also beneficial at least for the Acolyte's own plan. Who would move to a wild uninhabited planet, with no infrastructure and little financial backing if they were living it up on the outskirts of another.

But he had to be patient, his people even when bowed and broken were still proud and few wanted to follow a teenager even if he promised them peace and freedom. So instead of going straight to the leaders and announcing that he had secured a new planet for them, Wodan had let rumours of the planet filter out through the camp. He would let the optimism and hope grow among the young and restless before capitalising at the right moment.

Wodan was walking between the tents, when he spotted the blue skinned Twi’Lek, the women stood out for a number of reasons. Firstly as she was not a Firrerrian, that was clear but also the lightsaber on her belt. “A Jedi?” He said aloud to only himself. The young women could be a bottleneck to his plan, the Jedi often liked to stick their nose in where it didn’t belong.

Walking up to the woman he tried to catch her eye with a smile. Before finally getting close enough to call out to her. “Master Jedi, welcome to our camp.” Wodan was dressed like most of the other refugees, in a pair of beaten up trousers, deep cut black vest, gloves and boots. No trace of his Sith heritage had come with him, the only weapon he brought was a blaster pistol hidden in the small tent he had moved into a few days earlier.

@Sreeya

 

[Zana Ari]

Zana was almost to the tent when she heard someone call out. Master Jedi. That stopped her in her tracks as she briefly glanced around for who that could be. After a moment, she realized someone was referring to her as the title Master. Her face flushed a bit as she turned to the Firrerreo and smiled, “Just Zana,” She said, “I’m a long way from Master,” The Firrerreo was certainly attractive and looked to be her age. She hadn’t met him before now, but she was making an effort to get to know the individuals.

“Thank you,” She said warmly, “Though I wish it could be at a more permanent home,” Zana sighed as she glanced out across the encampment. The Jedi turned back to look at the refugee.

“Are you hungry or anything?” Zana asked after a moment, “The hunters had prepared a stew at the tent over there and there’s plenty for everyone,” She pointed ahead at a particular tent set up as a food station. There had been a few scuffles here and there over food and multiple helpings, but Zana was able to diffuse the tension and help get things into a rhythm.

@Braden

 

[Wodan]

“Apologies Zana, all your ranks are a little confusing. So I never know what to say.” He answered with a bow of his head in apology. Wodan looked round at the tents as she commented on their home, his face visibility dropping as he looked upon the state his people had fallen into. “You are not the only one.” He said more to himself than the Jedi.

“I could eat.” He replied with renewed enthusiasm. Not at the thought of food, but the thought of getting the Jedi away from the Firrerrian leaders. Hopefully he could kill enough of the young woman's time that she would get bored and leave. Allowing his little scheme to continue without Jedi interference.

“I hope it's a bit better than last nights.” He said as they made their way over to the tent. The ten thousand Firrerrians had eaten through much of the local wildlife, so meat was getting harder to come by for dominantly carnivorous species. Last night's stew was mostly vegetables and roots with only a little bit of meat to go round.

As they stepped into line, the smell of fresh meat reached the Acolyte and he immediately began to salivate. Blending in with the crowd ment he had eaten as poorly as the rest of them these past few days and was craving the sweet juicy tenderness of properly cooked meat. “So what brings you hear Mast… Zana?”

@Sreeya