Open In Search Of A Plant

Gram Van Alasdaire

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It seemed the Vahla and the Kiffar were of the same kind. Though Gram did offer a reply to the Kiffar’s words even as he mentally prepared himself for what was to come.

“I couldn’t agree with you more. Consider yourself excused... just don’t get us killed.”

Truthfully, being that this was the first time Gram had ever encountered a Rancor and so was slightly out of his element. Not to say that he hadn’t faced abominations in the past, or beasts of great stature. However, those creatures paled in comparison to the aura of natural savagery and might a rancor gave off. Gram would have joined the Jedi in attempting to enter the beast’s mind - however he knew the method that he was taught was too aggressive. Less suggestion and more a command. And that would not have sat well with a predator of any kind - those beings unwilling to compromise to those they considered prey.

Gram rolled to his feet as the Rancor’s left crashed downwards, catching his momentum and preventing himself from being toppled to the ground from the shockwave of the single stomp. He continued to dash a short distance away, determined to draw its attention from the Jedi should his attempt at ‘giving it a chance’ failed. The words that the other Jedi confirmed their mission was a success.

Though his focus was more presently oriented - as the Kiffar began to grip at the Rancor’s legs, Gram began to focus on the palms of his hands. Pooling a whirlwind of energy into his mind’s eye and making it thusly in reality. The rancor attempted to move, and as it did so, the Vahla waited patiently - shifting his focus between energizing a possible attack and his target - the Rancor’s forehead. Sufficient force to that part of the skull usually knocked any being unconscious, and though it would likely require several bouts of pushes to achieve, Gram was more than willing to unleash torrent after torrent of kinetic blasts.

Enough is enough, Rancor

The Van Alasdaire’s focus was broken momentarily as he realized that in the gap of time it took him to concentrate on potential force blasts, the Kiffar had taken to walking directly at the beast. More so, his aura in the force had mounted to a point that he was nearly indistinguishable from the aura of the lifeforms about him. It was an impressive feat, similar to Gram’s own use of aura manipulation to vanish from sight on occasion. Adding on to the complexity of the ability the Jedi was unleashing, he could also hear the words in his mind.

The Rancor, once preparing to tear them both asunder, was now calm. Though the Vahla did not like how close it was to his person, and in second nature did not like how close it was to the Jedi. Through the Force, however, he sensed that its aggression had past. It was now... almost happy. Happy that it realized it was not alone, that it would not be harmed based on it’s predatory abilities, nor the threat it potentially posed. At that moment, Gram understood the rancor - understood that like him, it had the potential to be more than merely a beast. And like that, the mystic’s caution and apprehension vanished away. He released his concentration, the energy pools dissipating. And all was at peace as the creature returned to it’s forests, the domain over which it rules, freed of the shackles of a guardian.

“Isen Ramm, eh? Gram Van Alasdaire. A friend of your Order. Quite an impressive show of control, Master Jedi.”

As he spoke, Gram went back to his old vice and withdrew a small metallic pipe from his robes, puffing on the calming herbs within. It helped him concentrate, an old tradition from his home world.

@Isen @Fantasy Liver
 

Drow Venn

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"Where'd your big friend go?" Drow asked Isen and Gram, coming into their view as he emerged from the temple. Whatever Force ability Isen had used on the rancor, the Ishi TIb was impressed. For a beast of that aggression level and size, it couldn't have been easy to scare him off or calm him down.

"Glad you two have met. Thanks for the assist, my new friend." Drow said to Gram. "Isen, he was saying that he was hoping for passage to a safe Jedi world. Think you could provide that for him? I was hoping to stay here and repair the droids I sliced the legs off of. Seems only right that I at least give this place its guardians back after we broke in and took these cuttings."

At this, Drow patted his pack, satisfied that this would be more than enough for old Nestor Praji. He found himself slightly guilty that this venture had forced them to upend the security measures that Dune Tarn had put in place for his botanical gardens and his final resting place. But he felt the ancient Jedi would have been happy knowing that his life's work had ended up in the hands of a fellow Jedi.

@Isen @Aurius
 

Isen Ramm

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"Pleasure to meet you." The Kiffar Jedi bowed at the stranger. Isen looked back over his shoulder to where the rancor had drifted off into the jungles and then back to Gram. "Still came too close to a haircut for my tastes inside the monastery. But, thank you."

He grinned at Drow as he made his way to the pair with what he came for. "Oh, our rancor friend? He had a lot of good life yet to live. I thought he should live it like a rancor should. I broke his bond with the previous Jedi so he could be free. He's king of the jungle once more."

Isen listened as Drow explained what Gram wanted. He wasn't sure he could comply. There were strict rules about taking those who weren't in the order to the Yavin IV. He looked at Gram. "Jedi world? What do you mean? The Jedi don't govern any worlds. There are a lot of places that are friendly to us, some more that at least tolerate us. But, we don't rule anywhere."

@Fantasy Liver @Aurius
 

Drow Venn

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"Come on Isen; the kid says he's trying to be a Jedi. He's certainly got the guts to be one. Worth at least a tryout, no?" Drow asked joivally, before giving some more thought to the manner. The Kiffar did have a point. Maybe on a neutral world?

"How about you just take him to a friendly system instead? Get him acquainted with what a Masters and see if the Order's a right fit?" Drow asked, nodding towards Isen and Gram to see if that arrangement would work for the both of them.

@Isen @Aurius
 

Gram Van Alasdaire

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Gram finally caught his breath, chuckling slightly as he removed the pipe from his mouth, turning back to Isen and clapping his shoulder with a friendly hand.

“Don’t be modest. That bond would’ve been impossible for me under such stress. Credit where credit is due!”

At that moment, the second Jedi re-emerged from the Temple ruins. The Ishi Tiib had already given them information through the Jedi comm system - the tree had been found and the seedlings had been collected. The Vahla turned to him and nodded, removing his hand haphazardly. Semi-realizing, to himself, that he had only just met the pair. Getting overly friendly was a risky, no matter how kind they were.

“It’s no trouble, really. Your partner did the heavy work. Quite a sight up close, that rancor...”

The conversation then turned to his request. The Ishi Tiib went ahead and relayed his question per his wording, explaining that he desired to remain here on Teth to repair the damage done to the droids. As the pair spoke, Gram felt some form of hesitation from Isen, less through the Force and more based on his body language as he turned to ask the Vahla what exactly he meant, or for where he was bound. The mystic wished he had a short answer to give.

“I’m seeking passage, for both myself and a Padawan. Liu is his name - apparently he was marooned.

I need help controlling my abilities. And refuge. Attempting to protect one of your Knights, I made myself a target of the Sith. Izel Thral would likely vouch for me. There are others, though I don’t remember their names.”


He left out his past as a Maurauder. Mainly because he did nothing as a Sith of note beyond gather information and actively seek to undermine them. And because he had seen firsthand how many reacted to the information.

Without guidance, however, he was likely doomed to fail against one fully trained - such as the Sith Lord who took his limbs. The Ishi Tiib once more what seemed to be - potentially - his apprentice.

“I don’t mind the destination. So long as I am not looking over shoulders, for assassins or the like.”
@Isen @Fantasy Liver
 

Isen Ramm

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"How about you just take him to a friendly system instead? Get him acquainted with what a Masters and see if the Order's a right fit?"

Isen turned his attention to Gram. See if the Order is a fit? This stranger wanted to be a Jedi? Isen knew Gram was a Force user. He had gotten the attention of the rancor with it. Somewhere...there was a padawan he picked up along the way? And if he was telling the truth, he fought off the Sith to help a Jedi Knight.

Of course, what really got his attention was the mention of Izel Thral, his own Master. And she was his reference. To Isen, there couldn't be a better one. He didn't feel it necessary to let him know she was his master just yet.

"There is a lot to unpack here, but I'm interested in how you know Master Thral? I know her quite well as it turns out. I'm sure I could set up a meeting. She's wiser and more experienced than me," Isen said. "If you are interested in joining the Order, she would be an excellent Jedi to speak on your behalf to the Masters and the Council."

@Aurius @Fantasy Liver
 

Gram Van Alasdaire

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“I met Izel some time ago...”

Gram thought back to their introduction. Back then, he was still struggling internally with the Dark Side. Utilizing it only as necessary. Through conversation, the Jedi had drawn out a simple confession; he used the Dark Side because he had learned to hate the Sith. For what they had done to him, to his flight. That, and if he did not find a way to find balance within himself, his mind would shatter and his body transformed into a host of evil. Izel and Nykoria both had a warm and welcoming presence about them. Izel had also proven herself a capable warrior, and more than worthy of his attention.

“...Helped her and the Knight I failed to rescue - Nykoria - while on Fondor concerning your Guardian thing. We got along well.”

Gram had elected to donate his share for the initiative, and so began the closest thing he could describe to friendship. They had offered to help him, but the war began shortly after - and the pair of Knights understandably had new responsibilities to attend to. His ailment continued, despite his attempts at meditation and distance for dark side techniques. It was only when he discovered that his financial advisor Vasser, Nykoria and her Padawan were being held by Sith that anything truly changed. Gram had arrived with two Vahla as an escort, engaged their captors - all with the intent of diverting attention and freeing the Jedi from confinement. In the end, in the moment after his arm and hips were severed from his person, he found clarity.

Apparently, accepting his death for the sake of others broke him from his hatred. Gram had acted selflessly, and so, the Mystic learnt in his own way; that a Light shines brightest when surrounded by darkness. Raising the metal vaporizer once again, he hauled another mouthful of smoke, thinking.

I wonder what she has been up to...

“While I’m sure she wouldn’t complain, I would much rather speak to the Council on my own behalf. Though maybe that’s not an option? Whatever works best.”
@Fantasy Liver @Isen
 

Drow Venn

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"The Council tends not to like being dropped in on without warning and, believe me, you don't want to be on their bad side. I'd say your best bet is to meet up with Master Izal again and have her vouch for you to the Council. She's a great Jedi and, from the sounds of things, you two have some catching up to do." Drow said, tilting his head towards Isen to see what the Kiffar would think. Drow had already gotten in some hot water for rescuing refugees from Utapau and bringing them to the Temple; he didn't want a repeat of that fiasco to happen again so he was willing to tread with an abundance of caution now.

@Isen @Aurius
 

Isen Ramm

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The Jedi Knight looked between them and tried to come up with something. There was no way he would take him to Yavin. The rules forbade it and with the Ajan Kloss tragedy, common sense wouldn't allow it. But, Isen was a problem solver.

"Tell you what. I don't have a ship. I get around with credits and hitching rides from starport to starport," Isen said. "I was planning to head to Kashyyyk and practice making more friends like our rancor here. That would get you in the general direction, and there's usually a Jedi presence there. Maybe we can get you connected with someone who can pull some strings there. How does that sound?"

Truth be told, that was the best Isen could do.

@Fantasy Liver @Aurius
 

Gram Van Alasdaire

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“I’m not so sure Kashyyyk is a safe place to take a Padawan... but if it’s our best bet.”

From what he had heard the AMS outbreak on Kashyyyk was in the pool of infected planets. That would make the Jedi presence understandable, but also make it a rather dangerous place to be. Perhaps, however, through the pandemic’s progress he might prove himself useful. If this was Gram’s opportunity however he would not deny it to himself. What caught him by surprise was that Isen lacked transportation. The Vahla realized should have worded his question better.

“We can take my ship. You won’t need to travel public. I’ll just need landing codes and the coordinates.”

When Gram has said passage, he had meant more permission to travel than an actual method of travel. Leaving the Mantis, his ship, behind wasn’t much of an option - especially considering it was a family heirloom of sorts. Besides, if it saved the Jedi the hassle of chartering a public freighter for the group, all the better. The ship was hidden in the underbrush some 2 kilometers away. They could set off for that location and arrive at their intended destination rather quickly.

@Fantasy Liver @Isen (sorry for the late reply, IRL got randomly busy)
 

Drow Venn

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"It's settled then. I'll stay here and repair the droids and study the temple a bit more while you, Isen, and your Padawan friend go off to Kashyyk. I'll take my Y-Wing back to the Temple." Drow said to Gram.

"Thank you both for your help. I hope to see you both very soon at the temple." Drow said, nodding to his two companions as he made his way to the monastery to begin fixing what he had broken here. He didn't know what he was expecting when he went out in search of Cin Drallig's holocron but it certainly didn't involve a rancor and a wayward Jedi-to-be.

@Isen @Aurius

/EndThread
 
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