Odd Couple

[Topher Ridge]

Jedha City, Jedha
Around Mid-day
​

So here Barad finally was, the new home of the Jedi Order. As he walked the streets he couldn't help but feel a bit out of place. He was still used to the tranquil scenery and quite peace offered by Tython. Jedha city it self was the polar opposite to his old home. The place was a especially busy at this time of day, as people bought and sold local produce and wares. Barad simply breathed in the force to center himself again. He doubted he'd be here long and this trip was more to see the new headquarters of the order and potentially get to know some members of the order since his journeys around the galaxy.

He pushed through the crowds toward the sight that clearly dominated the sky; The Temple of the Whills. The sight finally came into view and Barad had to admit it was a sight to behold up close. As he got closer he could feel the force radiate from the building. He approached the massive stairs he noticed many of the locals gathered speaking with members of the order. Well some spoke, most where shouting. The ranger appreciated what the order was doing here, going back to their roots as guardians rather than a military force. Though as the Sith grew more and more powerful even Barad had to admit strength of arms would be the only way to fight them back at this point.

About half way up the stairs Barad was stopped by a hand gently grasping his arm. He turned to see an older gentlemen who had clearly spend most of his life doing some kind of hard labor; as his back was bent and his hands rough and rugged. Barad offered him a smile not sure what the old man spoke in a gentle tone.

"Ah hello...I'm Sarban. I own a livestock farm outside the city, about 2 hours away. You see honorable Jedi...some of my herd has gone missing"

The old man began to tremble and Barad could see tears start to form in the poor mans eyes and he continued a bit more hysterical than before.

"If...if it continues I won't be able to feed my family sir!. We're humble folk, please can you help me!"

Barad placed his hands on the man's shoulders and looked to the temple. He doubted it was going anywhere and he could already use a break from the noise that was Jedha City. He didn't see anybody else taking any interest in the old man so far, though that could change at any moment. Barad shrugged figuring the temple could wait.

"Sure old timer I'd be glad to help"

@Vosh Deo

 

[Vosh Deo]

Each temple was a little different, Celax knew this fact quiet well. The winds that hit his face plate skidded and little sounds of sand hitting a certain metal rang out. The people around this holy land had been... an oddity, no two people were ever the same. Now days people came to the temple for help, or a false claim on being a Jedi Master trying to get into the Temple just for a nights rest. Nothing had changed upon this planet, besides the new home world of the Jedi as the sith kept ripping all their holy lands away. This should have angered the Temple Guards, yet they took no mind to it, they kept with their duties.

Today's issue was with a local, one who had lost their daughter earlier that day. Celax had placed a calming hand against the Twi'liks shoulder as he spoke in a soft soothing tone. But loud and bold at the same time for others to hear his message.

"Now, Ma'am I will try to find your daughter. Our Brothers and Sisters will aid you in your time of need but you must not allow yourselves to rely on us as much as you do. We are here to help you yes, but there are problems we cannot fix. It is not the way of the force, nor is it the way of the Jedi. We will not harm others no matter how much you ask. For Peace, we are doing our best but you must give us time..Please. Allow us to do our duties while aiding you the best we can."

His voice lowered as he moved the Female towards another Temple guard to help her with the missing daughter. After the hand off was made Celax took a look around the Temple, he was strucken with an odd site. That was no normal jedi, let alone a Jedi Templar. His head snapped side to side while his confused look was hidden behind his mask.

"Now who might you be..."

He thought to himself while moving over to the Man.

"If...if it continues I won't be able to feed my family sir!. We're humble folk, please can you help me!"

"And help you we will...Take head in the force my dear friend. We will help you in all that you need..your family will have food..after we...?"

He looked towards the other Jedi as if asking what they may be doing to help the man.

 

[Topher Ridge]

Barad eyed the newcomer, who oddly enough was a temple guard? What was he doing out here. He remembered the men and woman from his days back on Tython. They seldom left their posts during the day, much less the temple itself. Looks like the day was going to be more interesting than he thought.

"After we go out to your farm sir and take a thorough look around. We may be able to find something that could lead us to a solution."

He offered a friendly smile to this new comer and a nod back to the old man who happily nodded and went off to procure mounts for the 3 of them. Barad turned to the guard now.

"Thanks for stepping up friend. Names Barad. Mind if I ask what a temple guard is doing out here?"

 

[Vosh Deo]

"It is my duty to aid those in need. Just as you have done. You were quick to help another. So it is the way of the force."

His white cloak shifted while a gust of wind that rocked through the open area. He let out a gentle hum while he gave a slight nod towards the other Jedi. His hands shifted to his belt where his Light-Pike hung at the unlocked hilt.

"I am Celtax, you are not from around here..nor are you of any jedi I have seen before. I might ask you the same thing, what brings you to a Jedi temple at such an odd..place. You seem to be one of adventure, not protection of the holocrons."
@Topher Ridge

 

[Topher Ridge]

Barad nodded and offered Cetax a smile as he explained his reasoning.

"Well you'd be right about the adventuring part. I'm a Justicar, or some just calls us Jedi Rangers. I guess I'd have to say my job is about the polar opposite of your's. I go out and spread the will of the Jedi to those who need it. I'm just here to see the new digs since we lost Tython."

As the ranger mentioned Tython he couldn't help but feel a small sense of loss. The place had been his home for much of his life. He wished he could have been there to help defend it, though he doubted he'd have been much use against the might the forces against the Jedi that day. He mentally shook off the thought. If Tython had to go, then it was the will of the force. He couldn't help but think that it may have even been good for the Jedi as a whole. Especially as he looked around and saw all the help and support the Jedi offered to the locals.

"Well any way we'll have time to get to know each other while we help out this farmer. Ready to head toward the gates?"
@Vosh Deo

 

[Vosh Deo]

MUSIC​

The Jedi Guard raised a brow under his metal mask, giving a slight nod as he turned over his shoulder. He waved over a young jedi who was in the same armor, yet the gold upon her mask was vastly different. Calex's soft voice whispered some orders into her ear, whisking her away he turned to the Ranger. His steps clacked against the solid ground below their feet, he waved his hand for the Ranger to follow him as he made his way down the long steps that lead down to the smaller town below. A sense of calmness washed over all those who had felt the force, perhaps it was the soothing air, the sudden quietness as the two made their way through. It seemed.. almost peaceful. Calex finally spoke, his tone shifting to more friendly than the hard-ass he was earlier.

"Forgive my rudeness, See I have little interactions with those who are not part of the temple, who do not follow the same things we do. But we are just like you. Same training, Same ways of the force but we ..I like to think, we have a sworn duty to protect those we have lost, to keep their memories alive and with that it's through the teachings of the force. I do long for a student one day to pass my own teachings such as my master did to me. And his before him. I am rambling again, I am sorry, dear Ranger. I tend to do that.."

Calex hummed softly as his hand rested on the larger saber hilt that rested upon his belt. His cloak flapping as the sandy winds flowed through their very being. His movements were one of grace, practiced. He wanted to show others the way of the light and with that he learned to be bold, yet collective. Something that would change over time, but here, in this moment he was at peace with the galaxy.
@Topher Ridge

 

[Topher Ridge]

Barad listened as Calex explained his role as a jedi. Barad couldn't help but smile at the man, he loved to meet people and it seemed Calex was going to be an interesting character. They made their way through streets and soon came to one of the city gates. Beyond was simple lift that would take them down to the base of the massive plateau that the city rested on. Once they reached the bottom the due would have to do a bit of a search, but they would find old Sarban holding the reigns to 3 tall, long legged, and long necked animals. Barad practically jumped for joy at seeing the creatures, he much preferred the company and feel of a live mount over speeders.

"Well Sarban I gotta say you couldn't have made this jedi any happier! What are these fellas called if you don't mind my asking?"

Sarban looked to Barad and simply smiled and shrugged.

"We've used these creatures for travel here for generations. They tend to be easier to navigate over the terrain here than speeders Most don't remember their true names any more, so we just call them Striders."

Barad approached one of the striders and open himself to the force, letting it flow out of himself like a gentle stream. He soon felt the mind of the beast. He projected calming thoughts and a general sense of friendliness toward the animal and it bent down it's long neck and nozzled Barad's shoulder. The ranger chuclked and returned the gesture with warm pet on the beasts leathery skin.

"Simply wonderful."

He looked to Calex and then back to Sarban as he continued to pet the strider.

"Well I believe we're ready to get started so I say we get underway."

Sarban gave his strider a quick double pat on his striders leg and the large beast knelt down to allow him to climb onto it's large saddle. Barad did simply implied the suggestion to the beast and it did the same and the ranger hopped up and into position. He gripped with his thighs as the powerful beast stood and he directed it to follow Sarban as they made their way out into the Jedhanian wilderness.

@Vosh Deo