Return to Tython

[Parthum Lucerne]

Though he had never set foot on the planet before Parthum could now see why many Jedi favored the temperate weather and gorgeous scenery Tython had to offer. All about him he could feel the Force flowing in natural harmony, nature flourishing and progressing without impediment as it should. Parthum took a moment to stop before a particularly majestic and scenic waterfall, a small rainbow forming in the spray it's crystalline waters kicked up at the end of their descent. The placid and harmonious sensation given off by this place simply made him smile.

With a small tilt of his head did Parthum look down at the quivering of his white-robed sleeves and chuckle just a bit as the small silver Nudj he knew as 'Patch' poked it's head out from his sleeve, giving the air a few tentative licks before scampering up his arm to sit precariously on his shoulder. Parthum calmly pet the little creature on the head before turning to face the scenery before him, cross his legs, and seat himself in contemplation. Once seated he gently sat the little Nudj down in front of him and, with a steadying breathe and an idle remark of "I hope my time alone hasn't seen those of the Jedi Order become afraid to approach others."

Patch, being the ever-skeptical creature that he is, simply tilts it's tiny head and flicks it's tongue in the air at Parthum who simply smiles softly in response to words unspoken by his tiny companion. "Now now I doubt I will be alone for long. If I am meant to meet someone here then they will be met, if not then the Force has other plans for me. Remember Patch, there is no passion, there is serenity." Folding his hands within the sleeves of his robes in a matter-of-fact manner Parthum then proceeded to close his eyes and incline his head, extending his senses out to the Force and the planet around him. This allowed Parthum to rest, Patch to do Force only knows what, and await any who may be destined to meet him here. 'Really...' he thinks to himself with a small smile '...only the Force would know such things.'​

 

[Grug]

The Jedi's central world was not one Grug usually visited. He had tended to spend most of his time on the fringes battling Sith and other enemies of the peace. It was only recently that the Gamorrean had begun to spend time on the world due to his Mastery Trials and some attempts at teaching others. Grug knew others were often displeased with the stench of his presence so he tried to avoid cramped hallways, rooms, and indoors in general. A walk through the nearby scenery was often pleasing enough for meditation and meeting other Jedi in a more open, fresh zone. That made first impressions slightly better.

Walking along a waterfall was usually one of the more peaceful trips for Grug. He hopped from rock to rock while crossing the stream and looking down below. It was looking below that he spotted a Jedi he had never met. A long time ago, Grug discovered that the quickest and most entertaining way to reach the bottom of a waterfall was to slide down it. This one seemed ripe for the taking as he essentially cannon balled into the small pond at the bottom. If that did not get the other Jedi Knight's attention, nothing would. Squeals of joy came alongside the fall before the giant splash at the bottom. A soaking wet Gamorrean dragged himself from the water before coming close to the other.

"Hi." Grug grunted in greetings, gesturing to the waterfall behind him. "Is pretty?"

@Force_In_Balance

 

[Parthum Lucerne]

In all his years Parthum had never imagined he would find a more accurate moment to attribute to the phrase 'The Force works in mysterious ways' but the Force would have to forgive him as a literal Gamorrean seemed to fall from the sky and into the small pond the waterfall created before him, squealing happily all the way, and it was all Parthum could do to keep a wry smile from his lips as he keenly sensed the elation and joy the Gamorrean felt at the simply euphoric act. This much alone made Parthum open his eyes and give his head a slight tilt in interest at the approaching figure, but as he felt out the presence of his newfound guest Parthum was equally surprised to feel just how deep the Gamorrean's connection to the Force ran.

In the bushes nearby Patch pokes his tiny little reptilian head out in sheer curiosity at what had just disturbed his afternoon nap and, upon seeing the strange creature approaching his owner, scampered over to curl in Parthum's lap with startling speed. This made Parthum chuckle as the Gamorrean spoke, both in agreement with his question and at the surprisingly affectionate act of the normally-sassy and doubtful Nudj. Parthum looked down fondly at the little Nudj as he gently pet along it's soft, scaly body before raising his pale silver eyes to the Gamorrean. Regardless of what the Gamorrean may have expected, or how others may have often reacted, Parthum didn't seem to mind the smell of wet Gamorrean anymore than he had before the Gamorrean's surprising entrance.

"Yes, I would say it is quite beautiful here." Parthum tucked his hair behind a pointed ear as he rested his hand on his crossed knees. Immediately upon the lack of petting and affection the small silver-white Nudj scampering over to Grug's feet and flickered it's tongue a few times in the air. Unlike his owner, Patch had no reservation about convulsing from head to tail in revulsion and immediately scampering off back into the bushes. This made Parthum give a small laugh and raise his eyes to Grug once more. "I must say I am quite impressed with your entrance." Parthum glances past Grug to where he the water still churned and roiled from the Gamorrean's impact before knitting his brow in a bit of mock-thought before commenting "Could perhaps use a bit of work on your form, however. You could have created a much larger wave. But, that aside...." Parthum rose to his feet, giving the Gamorrean a smile before folding his hands into the sleeves of his robes and giving a bow of respect "I am Parthum, Parthum Lucerne. May I have the honor of knowing who I am addressing?"

@Cazar

 

[Grug]

Grug was always a fan of new people. He was glad this one did not seem afraid of him. The little creature seemed to have an opinion on the Gamorrean but he didn't mind. Life was funny sometimes. This Jedi was yet another random wilderness encounter, but he had a good feeling about him. A Jedi that didn't run or cringe at Grug was a good Jedi indeed. He watched the creature scamper back into the bushes with glee. It was certainly not afraid to show it wanted to be far away from wet Grug. This was even a fairly clean version of Grug. Force forbid the creature be stuck in a ship with dirty Grug.

"Nice meet... Pathem... Parthum..." He trailed off after thinking he finally got it correct. "Am Grug. Yous name hard for Grug say. Am call Thum."

It seemed lately almost every single Jedi knew of Grug. Likely he didn't truly need the introduction but Grug gave it anyways. Not many Gamorrean Jedi ran around the Galaxy. He wondered what type of creature this Jedi had as a pet and if it was raised for food or friendship. Grug quietly hoped it was for food. Baking a little creature was always delicious.

"Am make big wave, but not want splash before meet. Next time make bigger!" Grug grunted loudly as he thought back to his jump into the water. "Did disturb? Hope not. Am like explore."

@Force_In_Balance

 

[Parthum Lucerne]

Parthum gave Grug an indifferent shrug. In truth the Gamorrean's presence didn't bother him in the least and far be it from him to judge the pig-man on his speech difficulties. Instead Parthum was more than a little grateful for the company, years of near-total isolation and meditation tended to make people rather socially inept, and he had done what he could to keep himself a hospitable person for when he would eventually return to the Order proper. In light of all of this, he was simply glad to have the company, normally-disorienting Gamorrean mannerisms aside. "Well then, if Thum is what you would call me then feel free to do so."

Parthum gave the Gamorrean a smile and turned his attention back to the settling waters of the scenery before them. He was silent for a moment, silently contemplating what to say to his fellow Jedi before he glanced side-long at Grug and spoke. "Truth be told Grug, I have been on a bit of...pilgrimage, let's call it, for quite some time now. For the majority of this time I was isolated, alone and heard very little of galactic events during this time. I do not suppose you could inform me as to the current state of the Order?" Parthum pursed his lips in silent consternation before sighing and closing his eyes "As well as the conflict with our exiled brethren? I can still feel their dark presence out among the stars and this is, in part, why I returned from my pilgrimage."

Parthum gave a small, sad sigh and even his pointed ears drooped ever so slightly as he considered what Grug may inform him of. How dark or lost some of his once-brethren may have become in their time away from the Light. Parthum's presence in the Force would slowly, yet starkly, change from calm, friendly and reassured to slightly worried and above all else, saddened by the prospect of what Grug may tell him of the ongoing war with the first Sith.

@Grug

 

[Grug]

That was quite the question to ask Grug, but he could handle it. The Gamorrean considered the friendly Jedi before him and his views. It seemed this was a dedicated young Jedi, but there was much to learn about what was going on and how to handle it. This was coming at the time the Gamorrean Jedi was seeking others to train. Seemed a nice set of timing that he'd be lost and in need of guidance. Grug would provide what he could. He hoped it would not be overwhelming news. The Galaxy was going a bit crazy if you asked Grug. And this guy did ask Grug.

"Things am busy. Bit Crazy." Grug started as he gathered his thoughts. "Jedi Exiles rebrand. Call self Siths now. Always am fight them, but Republic trying stay out so is uneven battle. Republic at war with Hutt. Big war lot of pain. Many bads there to stop too. Am help where can but not official allowed do lot."

A pause came as Grug considered the state of the Jedi Order itself. He had been confused lately by his own Trial of Mastery. It seemed he knew less than he thought. Little Green Ham took over as Grand Master of the Order while new councilors seemed to be popping up as well. The Jedi had been losing temples, losing valiant defenders, and in general being pushed away from the Galaxy into their little safety hole of the deep core. Grug didn't like it and the Jedi Order still had not elected a Battlemaster to truly lead fighting despite Wyck's seeming desire to destroy the Sith. The Gamorrean had opinions but saying them out loud was tougher.

"Little Green Ham lead Jedi now, he am good but not enough. Jedi suffering, pushed back many times. We mostly only has core worlds left while other temples am be destroyed or occupy. Jedi am slowly getting better but have rebuild much from nothing. Republic not supporting so not have ability stop them at scale need yet." He grunted in what he hoped would be understood, staring off into the sky as he finished his last bit of information. "Grug am think galaxy darkness growing lot, but Jedi Republic to see so can help stop. Need band together to stop dark. Jedi only hold off so long."

@Force_In_Balance

 

[Parthum Lucerne]

Though Parthum had expected the Order to be in very strained straits as the war with these 'Sith' escalated from what Grug described, and more importantly HOW he described it, made Parthum think much more deeply on just what condition the Order may be in to face such a threat. The prospect of the Republic regaining itself as reassuring, though a full-scale war with the Hutts was equally dashing of those hopes. He had understood their fallen brethren would be more aggressive, brutal, in keeping with their steeping in the teachings of Bogan, but the thought of the Jedi being all but cornered in the deepest depths of the core worlds was..... astounding... and worrying. In this moment, Parthum was equally glad to have returned to the Order when he did, to do all he could to aid his fellow Jedi. He also had to remind himself that taking Grug's word as absolute on this subject was unwise, not at all speaking ill of his brother Jedi, but rather that people were prone to having widely conflicting views on even some of the simplest matters, never mind what had become a war of galactic proportions.

Despite the grimness of Grug's explanation of galactic events, Parthum could not help a sad grin at the fact that anyone in the galaxy was referring the Grand-master of the Jedi Order, regardless of their stature, as 'Little Green Ham'. His small amusement of this fact quickly fading as Grug blatantly stated that he felt this 'little green ham' was not doing enough. This made Parthum only grimace a bit as Grug relayed the breadth of loss the Jedi had, apparently, underwent as of late. In truth, so caught up was Parthum in processing event Grug's rough communication of these events that it took him a moment to notice that Grug himself had begun to stare off into the distance. Parthum simply watched the Gamorrean Jedi for a moment secure in his assumption that if he had stopped to contemplate his next words more carefully, then he felt what he said next was worth gleaning from. Unsurprisingly, Parthum found Grug's final statement on the topic to be a good one regardless of circumstance. Comraderie and brotherhood, after all, were never a poor decision on Parthum's watch.

Parthum nodded, his own attention mostly on recapping and doubling over what Grug had said, before he nodded. A sense of gentle resolution emanating from Parthum in the Force as he laid a gloved hand on the Gamorrean's shoulder in a friendly manner. Now Parthum smiled again, this smile was just a bit fierce and full of determination, as he spoke. "Well, I know not what difference one man can make in the galaxy but I will do all I can, in any way I can, to see our Order safe. You've my word on that." Parthum took a moment to pat Grug's shoulder before waving said patting hand gently through the air, a small ripple emanating through the Force as he called Patch back to him. The small Nudj scampering back to him across the even grass of the field just a bit slower than before, and Parthum was a bit curious as to the Nudj's sluggish gait until it settled on his shoulder and about his neck, it's small lizard mouth coated with what looked to be the sloppily-eaten remains of some unfortunate berries as Parthum chuckled. "Well, at least one of us has had something to eat." Parthum glanced back up at Grug as he turned away from the waterfall, laced his hand behind his back, and sighed. "I do not suppose, brother Grug, you would like to walk to the grounds? I am, personally, in need of something to eat and there's never such a thing as meeting too many people. Beyond that, if there is someone you would wish to introduce me to, I am rather unopposed to the idea."

@Grug

 

[Grug]

All serious thoughts and deep meaningful conversation would leave Grug's mind the moment his new friend mentioned getting something to eat. Food was one of the four F's of Grug. Food, Friends, Force, and a Fourth one he always forgot. The Gamorrean's stomach grumbled now that his mind was so focused on the next task. It would always be easy to lure Grug to a party with food. The small creature would be spared for now, but maybe when Thum wasn't looking...

"Grug am always happy get food." He looked towards the temple nearby, towering above everything. "Have few friends could meet, but not have anyone need meet. Maybe meet council or masters, see what want of yous. But am know that alreadys."

Grug's mind mostly went to Jubba of course. His best friend was a good Jedi, but in a lot of ways quite opposite to Grug. Many lumped them together as obvious friends due to their odd races and demeanor... but the truth was Jubba and Grug had many opposites just as most Jedi did. Every Jedi had their own method of fighting the darkness. Jubba tried to do it with pacifism whenever possible where Grug was more warrior minded. The Gamorrean Jedi could respect other methods and even wanted to learn them for other situations if possible. Though at his core he'd always be a warrior Jedi most likely. Even deeper in his core would be the love for food.

"What kind of food is like? Not eat lot like Grug, am guess." He grunted towards Thum as they got closer to the main grounds. "Jedi kitchens always am afraid see Grug and friend coming."

@Force_In_Balance