Ask Meraki

[Roanoke]

He doesn't know that the planet Sorgan exists until recently, and Roanoke is absolutely floored when he sees how peaceful it is. The planet seems untouched by conflict between the Jedi and the Sith, nor the threat of abominations, and even from the dirty, bloody hands of the Syndicates.

The ex-Sith brushes away stray strands from his face before jogging after a pair of carpenters as they carry roofing materials towards the nearest hut in construction. With a hopefully friendly smile he volunteers to carry the bundle for them, chest puffing with pride and humility when they thank him for his aid.

He's here to help a group of Jedi who are aiding a small group of refugees with settling down on their new home. Since Darth Raze and his abominations wrought chaos, death, and destruction in Coruscant, many residents from the lower levels of the ecumenopolis were hard-pressed in finding a safe haven away from the monstrosities and the threats they pose. Roanoke doesn't pry about their decision to choose Sorgan, more so any other Outer Rim planets, but he understands that they must be prioritizing peace and safety before anything else. A backwater planet like Sorgan seemingly offers both, and so he leaves his thoughts at that.

He remembers Shaw, remembers him sharing about his family and why he came to be with the Jedi in the first place. Roanoke hopes and prays that his friend's family are safe, wishes that they would be reunited soon.

The Padawan blushes and stammers a shy "you're welcome" at the two older males once he's deposited the roofing materials where they instructed him to place them. Finding a momentary respite from the work, Roanoke glances around in search of his loth-cat, Lady, before finding her soaking up the children's attention and their gentle petting. He huffs out a soft chuckle before going back to work.

He passes by a group of Sorgan natives who offers to help the Jedi and the refugees, overhears snippets of conversation about krill farming and raiders. Roanoke frowns thoughtfully, but before he can eavesdrop further he hears a Knight call his name and asks him if he can cook. Answering an affirmative, the former acolyte is then nudged towards an open kitchen where six women are preparing ingredients and cooking food over a fire pit. Bashful as he is when he asks the ladies if they need assistance, Roanoke feels how full his heart is at the moment, knowing that he's here to help and that he's never been more in his element all his life after escaping an escapeless Order.

@Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani was already on the planet playing multiple different roles. At one point she was kitchen staff and still wore an apron over her robes. The apron was stained and dirty, but it was hard work feeding all the refugees. She was since transferred to a different tent to help with medical aid. Her healing abilities came in clutch for minor injuries and pain.

She was notified that another Jedi had arrived to help share the load and she felt relieved. With her rounds in the medical tent done, she thought to help in the kitchens again. Prani’s hair was tied up, a few strands hanging to frame her face. Exhaustion was clear in her appearance, but her spirits were high. This was exactly the kind of work she loved to do.

Prani approached the cooking pit and brightened at the sight of a familiar face, “Hey Roanoke!” She called out, waving eagerly at him, “I didn’t know you were comin’ here! I made somethin' for ya so I'll give it to ya when we're back at the temple,” She had a habit of making a gift for each new friend. Prani looked around for his signature companion, walking over to give Lady some ear scratches.

“Here lemme get ya an apron,” Prani said as she grabbed one for Roanoke, “Much cleaner than mine,” She said with a sheepish smile, glancing down at her own messy attire, “I ain’t about to win no fashion contests, I’ll tell ya that,” She said with a chuckle.

@Graveyard Shift

 

[Roanoke]

Before Roanoke can really start with anything, his gaze flickering from one ingredient to the next that needs tending to, he hears a familiar, melodious voice calling his name. The mohawked teen lifts his gaze and spots Prani approaching the cooking pit. A smile instantly lights up his face, but before he returns her greeting he lets her say hello to Lady first. The loth-cat lets out the longest meow he's ever heard from her, clearly pleased by the petite Padawan's offer of ear scratches.

"Prani, hey," Roanoke greets his fellow Padawan, clearly happy to have not just as familiar face around but more so a friend. "To be fair, I t-thought I was gonna be sent somewhere else. I'm more than happy to be here, though."

He doesn't mention being more at ease with humanitarian work rather than engaging in combat. Roanoke has never been comfortable with fighting, but he knows it's a necessary part of being a defender. He's not going to start acting like some holier-than-thou spouting stuff about things he's yet to fully grasp.

The ex-Sith tilts his head curiously to the side when she mentions making something for him and giving whatever it is to him for later. His interest is piqued, but he's not going to push her into giving whatever it is now. Dad taught him the art of patience, and regardless of context he decides to follow it and instead gives Prani another smile. "Oh, cool. I'm looking forward to it!"

He accepts the proffered apron and wears it. The apron looks a bit small for him, and instead of feeling awkward an amused chuckle escapes him. Surprising himself with his own boldness, he gently nudges Prani and gives her a reassuring smile. "Hey, I ain't gonna be competing in fashion contests, either," he tells her, then chuckles as he gestures with one hand at his own simplistic attire of grey, long-sleeved shirt, faded jeans, and worn boots. Then, he kindly points out, "And your apron might not be just as clean, but it just proves to show you're hard at work before I even got here, yeah?"

Wanting to coax a much more confident smile from her, he says, "Looks like I g-got a lot of catching up to do. Whaddaya think?"

Gesturing at the ingredients they've been instructed to prepare for cooking, Roanoke spots meat, fish, and a wide variety of vegetables. Remembering that Prani doesn't eat meat, he feels that she would be averse to prepare it, either. Well, he doesn't really know, but the former acolyte doesn't want to take his chances.

"You handle the veggies, Prani," he tells her, a thoughtful glint in his eyes. He rolls up his sleeves but just enough to keep most of his forearms still covered. "I'm gonna go deal with the rest."

With that he sets to work, grabbing a knife and starting with the fish, making sure that his broad back is blocking her view as he descales and guts them one after the other.

@Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani smiled as Roanoke put a positive spin on her apron looking like garbage. For all the ways the Jedi were supposed to be the good guys, many of them failed to adopt a positive outlook on things. Roanoke was refreshing, “Well ya better get to work then, Padawan!” Prani said, using a mock deep voice as if she was the kitchen head in charge, “Them refugees ain’t gonna feed themselves! Chop chop!” She said, trying hard to keep a straight face.

Prani was happy to chop the vegetables, humming a song to herself as she did so. She was almost done with her portion when she heard a commotion near some of the other tents. Prani frowned and set the knife down.

That was when one of the other kitchen volunteers, another teen, burst into the scene, “Raiders!” She screamed, “They’re armed! They came to take all our supplies!”

@Graveyard Shift

 

[Roanoke]

Still grinning from Prani's joke, Roanoke falls into a quick routine, one ear twitching as he listens to the methodical beat of her knife as she chops up vegetables. His hands move steadily from one fish to another, his knife work passable enough for the older ladies keeping watch while they take a well-deserved break.

His smile becomes appreciative when she begins to hum a song to herself. The ex-Sith listens to her for a moment, memorizing the nuances of the song before trying his hand and hum along with her. He's still content even if he's missed a beat here and there or hums a note a tad too slow or too fast. The mohawked teen is enjoying himself, more so her company, making their task of preparing ingredients less of a chore and more a makeshift bonding between friends. It surprises him that he doesn't feel awkward with the interaction despite the lack of conversation. Well, he's just happy to be silent with someone—or at least hum a song with them.

Roanoke looks up from the fish he's descaling when he hears the commotion before Prani does. Unlike her, though, he doesn't put the knife down. His grip on it tightens when another teenager comes screaming about armed raiders. The former acolyte purses his lips, a worried frown knotting his brow.

He's just overheard the Sorgan natives earlier about those raiders, and now they're coming here to take all of the supplies? Typical raider behavior, he thinks as his frown turns into a scowl. As much as he dislikes fighting, Roanoke knows that he must set aside his aversion for it and help. Turning to his fellow Padawan, he tells her, "Grab a weapon, Prani."

Realizing what he just said, he gives her an apologetic smile. "Just to defend yourself and the others, yeah? You, um, don't have to fight if you don't want to," he assures her understandingly. Pressuring her into taking action and actually fight isn't something he'll force on her. He jerks his head to the ladies who are now glancing around with varying frightened and troubled expressions. "We gotta get these ladies out of here. I'll cover you, don't worry!"

He tightens his grip on the knife, mentally cursing himself for leaving his blaster back in his assigned tent. But Roanoke holds true to his word and will try his best to help Prani, and protect her if she needs protecting. He stays in the back of the group, teeth gritted as he spots some of the raiders bully their way into stealing the supplies meant for the refugees. The refugees themselves scatter, shouting in terror while others rise up against the ruffians and fight with whatever weapons—makeshift or not—they can get their hands on.

Righteous anger bubbles up in Roanoke's chest when a raider begins to set some tents on fire, said bastard stomping towards his and Prani's group with a menacing grin. Fanged teeth gritted in ire, he doesn't think twice and throws the knife at the raider, aiming to nail them on the arm holding the torch aloft.

@Sreeya