Ask Rise above the Tides

[Yvain]

Yvain had never been truly a good swimmer and the thought of a planet made entirely of water was not a fantastic thought for the old Jedi Knight, but needs must. The Mon Calamari have always been a friend to those who seek to break free from oppression, they had fought against both the CIS and the Galactic Empire and suffered the retaliation of both. Now the planet sat dangerously close to Sith Space once again. Yvain hoped for its people he would not get drawn into the coming conflict, but even so the Jedi and the Galaxy needed the support of this excellent space faring peoples.

The Order was arming itself and the Jedi alone could not pilot the starships that it would need to combat the growing threat coming from Moraband. Having travelled the galaxy longer than most of his colleagues in The Order had been alive Yvain had come to know and trust the excellent capabilities of the Mon Calamari and so he was here on their home planet seeking any who would stand up with them against the Sith. To help his not so agile swimming body he had brought along with him the Nautolan Padawan Toa, it would do the young Jedi good to get out from around the temple.

@Kell Rook

 

[Toa Tajudu]

Toa was absolutely psyched to leave the temple to such and aquatic environment. She always loved the oceans and now the Order finally came around to that love. She was very grateful that Yvain decided to take her with him- she knew that she probably wouldn’t get a lot of action, but she was still excited to visit the new planet. She had read almost everything she could on Mon Cala’s history after she found out she was going to visit the planet. Toa thought very highly of how well this planet managed to survive from it’s countless threats dating back to before the Clone Wars. The purple Nautolan wondered if Master Yvain brought Toa simply because he knew how well she’d get around.

After breaching the atmosphere in her fixed up T-65B, she contacted Yvain through her comm. “I’m ready when you are, Master.” She said enthusiastically as she didn’t even wait for orders. She told the astromech, an R6 unit who agreed to tag along with her from Yavin, to keep the ship ready in case their trip was cut shorter than expected. Then, she opened the hatch and stood at the nose of her X-wing prepared to jump off as if it were a diving board. She wasn’t wearing her robes because they’d slow her down. So she wore a tight dark grey tang top along with her normal navy blue leggings. She didn’t need shoes so she didn’t wear any of those either. After releasing a satisfied sigh, she dove into the water elegantly, almost forgetting that she came here with Yvain to begin with as she breached the water.

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

"Hmph, young people are to excited these days." Yvain said to his astromech droid Spinz, the droid itself beeped back in agreement and spun its head around a few times, befitting its name. The Old Jedi smiled at his metallic friend as he turned to face him in the cockpit. "Let Olorun know we are on our way." Another few beeps followed by a spin signalled the droids agreement. Popping the hatch of his T-85, he looked out over the watery surface beneath him. He took off his long robe placing it back on the seat and pulled out the spare rebreather from the emergency kit on the X-Wing placing it in his utility belt.

Placing the primary rebreather in place he leapt over the side and fell into the water beneath. Padawan Toa was next to him and he signalled her down with a hand signal before diving under the surface. Unlike his aquatic friend Yvain pooled the power of The Force within his body to assist his swim down into the depths of Mon Cala.

A few hundred meters later and they came across their intended targets, a group of Mon Calamari lead by the blue skinned Olorun who Yvain had spoken to a few times over holo. Unlike himself the Mon Calamari was able to speak under water. "Come this way Master Jedi we have an oxygen room for you." The pair of Jedi were then led down further towards the outer city.

@Kell Rook

 

[Toa Tajudu]

Toa had seen pictures of the cities beneath the water but it was nothing compared to seeing it in person. She swam along with her master going astray to get a better look at certain constructs but swimming swiftly back to Master Yvain. The Nautolan wanted to visit her own planet one day. Maybe the cities there were just as beautiful. Then, the thought of her mother entered her mind, which she pushed away. She was dead, and she gave Toa up as soon as she was born. There was no reason to worry about someone who never worried about her. She glanced her master and smiled, he cared about her at least- like the rest of the Jedi Order. They were her new family.

And they are a pretty great one, too.

Toa followed Olorun along side Yvain, “Your city is beautiful, by the way. How long did it take to build it all? How many battles has it seen? How many battles have you seen?” Toa bombarded innocently. There was a lot of lore and history on Mon Cala- and though most of it was boring, the battles always kept the Padawan reeled in.

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

Yvain looked over at the excited Padawan as she bombarded poor Olorun with questions, he was happy to see her so excited for a mission. Joy was one of the rare things you could find in the galaxy so seeing it so actively on show was warming to Yvain's soul. Olorun answered all of her questions thoroughly pointing out some of the newer parts of the city as they descended into underwater haven.

The small oxygen room was lined with comfortable seating and refreshments, Yvain popped through the energy barrier that kept the water at bay and dropped down onto the ground. His undertunic was soaked through, the little Jedi shook his limbs individually to remove some of the excess water before a rather pleasant young Mon Calamari passed him a towel to dry his face. "Thank you." He turned to watch the remainder of the party drop through before passing the towel himself up to Toa.

@Kell Rook

 

[Toa Tajudu]

“Thanks!” Toa gladly took the towel to dry her face and arms off, but the rest of her would be fine. After hearing why Olorun had said to answer her questions, she was sure that if Toa was going to go anywhere the next time she was to sneak out of Yavin, it would be Mon Cala.

“So, remind me, why did we come here again? Just to check up on our allies? Or is there something dark afoot?” Toa asked Yvain in a hushed tone so the others wouldn’t worry about anything. “Or is this just a vacation? Because I’m very okay with that as well.”

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

Yvain looked up at the young Padawan "We need their help, Knight Vahn and Knight Jaesa are hopefully at this moment securing us a ship for the Jedi Order. However we are not pilots, engineers and navigators. So I am here Olorun is an old friend and an excellent Starship Captain. If we can enlist his help we should have no issues in piloting our new ship." The Knight finished and looked over at the gathering group of Mon Calamari at the other end of the room. Olorun stepped forward but was pushed out of the way by a younger looking Mon Calamari, his blue skin matched Olorun's on, perhaps a son?

"Why should we leave our homes to work with the Jedi, what have you done for us?" "Well young Padawan, I leave this answer to you." Yvain said pushing the young Natuloan forward.

@Kell Rook

 

[Toa Tajudu]

Toa looked back at her master and then at Olorun and took a deep breath. This was her chance to nerd out about cool history and stuff! And maybe even be apart of creating a better alliance with the Mon Calamari. Though she was incredibly excited, she did what she could to calm herself as she spoke. “I mean, the Jedi have been working alongside the Mon Calamari ever since the Clone Wars. You guys were their at the battle of Scariff during the beginning of the Galactic Civil War all the way to the Battle of Exegol at the end of the War of the Resistance. You always fought for the good in the galaxy like the Jedi have and the Jedi- when we were able -have always had Mon Cala’s back as we would right now. We protected your prince of Mon Cala all those years ago during the Clone Wars and continued to protect his and the people of Mon Cala ever since. And I assure you, Olorun, the Jedi will not fall as they did almost a hundred years ago. We will stand vigilantly for the light and goodness of this galaxy.” She inclined her head in a respectful bow and looked zealously at Yvain for a sign of approval. Toa hoped her speech wasn’t too rough around the edges and that she made her point clear. The Jedi and Mon Cala have been buddies for years, so why cut that relationship short?

 

[Yvain]

"Ha, so you tell us what we already know. We know, countless of our ancestors died fighting with you Jedi. But what did it get them but only death. And you say you will not fall again, there is half of you than before and where only two Sith stood now a hundred. Father ignore these Jedi we should leave." The young Mon Calamari turned to Olorun and began walking away, before being stopped by his father. A strong arm on the shoulder kept him still. "You will not leave Orisha, we have invited them here to talk. So talk to do not scream and shout."

Olorun turned his son around with a strong arm on the shoulder before nodding his head to Yvain. "Apologies Master Yvain, my son had a hot temper." "No apologies needed Olorun, the fire of the youth is what keeps us alive." He said with a chuckle. "Though he has some points, Padawan?"

@Kell Rook

 

[Toa Tajudu]

Toa only smiled and shrugged. “It sounds like he almost prefers the Sith over us. So I guess it’s just your personal preference- would you rather have a Jedi at your side? Or a Sith?” She teased and then giggled a bit. Orisha had quite the mouth- but Toa didn’t really understand what he was arguing against. Because it did sound like he preferred other forces over the Republic. She glanced at Orisha before closing her eyes and thinking for a moment.

“What’s your angle, Orisha? Some planets can get away with staying neutral, but with what you and I both know about your history- obviously -I think that your planet would suffer regardless of what side you chose. Alas, that’s war for you. It’s never pretty either way- all I can assure you is that I will do my best to stop the suffering. And that includes everyone on this planet. I don’t think a Sith would care as much as I or Master Yvain would about the actual welfare of your people and planet. So, again, what’s your angle? What’s your point to arguing against sticking by the Jedi who have stuck their necks out for you for years?” Toa opened her eyes and smiled a warm friendly smile this time instead of a snarky one. “Do you prefer Sith?”

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

Yvain rubbed his head, Toa perhaps needed learn a little restraint it appeared, never fight fire with fire when in a conversation or debate only gets yourself burned. "My angle, my angle, I am not the one who has come here looking for help Jedi. Its you and your little green friend here. You are asking us to not only risk our lives serving with the Jedi but the retaliation of the Sith upon our families. What do you think the Sith will do when they find out about us helping you. They be here within the month polluting our seas, culling our food, murdering our people." Olorun tried to restrain his son but he shrugged it off taking a step forward. "You come in here, High and Mighty, tell us the history of who we are like we are a stupid Blanca Fish and then start accusing me of wanting to work with the Sith. You are just like every other Jedi who has come to our planet, all you do is take, be it our starships or our lives and you give nothing back except empty promises."

The boy was good, a few of the other Mon Calamari around him were nodding in agreement. Olorun and Yvain looked at each other, they dare not step in now for looking like it was a pre-arranged agreement between the pair and that the rest of the Mon Calamari had no say. It would be up to Padawan Toa to talk her way out of this, Yvain just hoped she would take the more diplomatic approach.

@Kell Rook

 

[Toa Tajudu]

“That’s...my point. The fact that we’re talking to you right now is putting a target on your entire planet. Again, the Sith will pick on you regardless of what side you choose. Simply because you’ve made it known in the past on who’s side you’ve chosen. You’re just repeating what I said- so I think we’re at an agreement. However, about the whole murdering part- that was what I was talking about when I said I’d do everything in my power to stop that, even if that means sacrificing my life. I love Mon Cala and her people. I would die to protect the good hearted people here- regardless of how you all feel about me.” Toa said proudly and looked at her master, hoping he would step in. She really didn’t understand what Orisha was getting at. Like she had said...multiple times...the Sith would turn their hateful glare to Mon Cala eventually, regardless of whether they stay neutral or side with the republic. Orisha had already pointed out what Toa did too- Gal, I’m slowly starting to dislike this place now. Heheh. Except he left out the part where the Jedi Order would die to protect Mon Cala as they did for the other systems apart of the Republic. So the fact that the people around them were siding with Orisha really boiled her blood. They were saying the same thing except Orisha’s point of few was tragic and pessimistic while Toa was offering to give her kriffing life for the people that dwelled on such a beautiful planet.

“Are you going to say anything, Master? Or are you just gonna watch me make things worse?” Toa said sheepishly with an embarrassed smile. She decided she wasn’t going to talk again unless spoken too. “If they don’t want us here than we should leave. I don’t see the point in staying here if they’re just gonna repeat what I say but agree with the other guy that’s saying them.” She giggled a bit and shook her head disdainfully.

 

[Yvain]

Yvain shook his head, she needed to control her temper. This young man had disagreed with her and instead of seemingly sympathising with him and tried to ease his doubts she had fired back at him. Maybe she needed a few more lessons with regards to diplomacy and emotions Yvain thought. "This is a learning exercise Padawan Toa, hence why I have given you the lead so far. But if you insist I will speak." He replied to the Nautolan, stepping forward past the Padawan and towards Orisha and Olorun. The former scoffed at his approach the later giving him a sorrowful look, probably unhappy about his sons actions.

"Yes we are asking you to potentially sacrifice your lives and if I had the choice I would leave this planet and never return. As to risk anyone's life, is to high of a price for me to every easily ask. But our hands are tied, the Sith are growing, more than the two there were before, hundreds now stand against the galaxy ready to make her their play thing and we are weak and cannot hold this tide alone." He looked up at the younger Mon Calamari, a face not full of strength and pride but of knowing regret.

"We were wrong last time, we were too proud, too headstrong, our order did not see the danger and we suffered like all because of it. We relied on our own strength and that of the miracle of the Clone Army, not once did we truly questions its origins or purpose. We took it for granted as we did many of our allies including the Mon Calamari during that great conflict. For that as one of the sole surviving members of that time I can only apologise and ask forgiveness." Yvain dipped his head and Olorun stepped forward, "Master Yvain..." But he was stopped by the outstretched hand of the Jedi Knight.

"Now we come to seek allies not soldiers or servants, people to stand on equal footing to us, we do not ask that your system ally themselves to us, nor much of your population. We come seeking only volunteers, people who wish to fight against Tyranny within the Galaxy, be they external threats or internal. We do not need just soldiers and sailors, but nurses, doctors, mechanics, teachers, farmers and much more. Your Father has already agreed to join our cause, but if he is the only one I will be happy as he has joined of his own free will." Taking a deep breath to allow it all to sink in he looked Orisha clean in the eyes. "As per your initial question, I do not ask for any of you to work for the Jedi I ask any who are willing to come work with us. The numbers are against us as you rightly say but a single person fighting for what they believe in is worth a hundred people forced to do something against their will."

Yvain finished, he could hear grumbling and conversations around him, the language of the Mon Calamari was not one he had learned during his travel as most spoke Galactic Basic fluently. He hoped the message had gotten through to both the Mon Calamari and Padawan Toa.

@Kell Rook

 

[Toa Tajudu]

Toa nodded her head in agreement. “That was pretty good.” She took the lesson to heart though. She needed to handle her passion like the other Jedi did and learn to not bite everyone’s head off all the time. She sighed and watched the crowd wondering what it would’ve been like if she had a normal life growing up away from the Jedi. No, I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed being apart of the Order.

Then, something plopped into her head. Her ADHD fired into a billion different tangents all revolving around her experience on Anch-to. She then stared off into the distance as if contemplating something- and that something was entirely different from what was going on currently in front of her. Then, the glint from one of the lights in the room snapped her out of her trance and she blinked a few times, looking over at her master. “After this meeting, I need to talk to you about something I should’ve mentioned while we were on Yavin. But don’t stress about it. It’s pretty minor actually- probably why I didn’t mention it on Yavin.” She smiled sheepishly.

@Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

Yvain looked over at the Padawan, it was a strange comment to bring up in the middle of all this, but still he was here to help and teach that was what being a Jedi Knight was all about. "Of course Padawan Toa, we can discuss it later." The Mon Calamari had turned from grumbling to full blown conversation, it appeared there was about a two thirds split though to what side he was unsure. Every so often a random word or line of basic slipped in so he got the jest that they may be in the positive here but he could not be sure until someone spoke.

Finally about five minutes later Olorun turned to face the two Jedi. "Thank you Master Yvain, Padawan Toa. Some of my old team are happy to join you in your efforts to help the galaxy." He began pointing to the larger of the two groups. "They speak for their respective crews so though there is only a few here many more will follow. However there are some who still doubt if this is worth the potential cost to our kind." Of course he was referring to the smaller group lead by Orisha who stood off and away from the rest of the Mon Calamari in attendance. "I understand, perhaps one last thing to see if we can change their mind?"

Some of the group perhaps those closer to the fence than Olorun's sun perked up at his thoughts. "I gesture of goodwill from the Jedi to people of Mon Cala?" Yvain turned and pointed at the Padawan, "Padawan Toa here will deal with the Krakana problem you told me about before I arrived. I think that's fair do you not?" There was a grumble of support from the Mon Calamari behind Orisha and a few nodding heads from those already sided with Olorun and the Jedi. Orisha looked panicked he had surely lost this fight but he could not back down. "I will travel with the Padawan. You, Master Jedi will wait here." "I fully intend to, I am not built well for swimming."

@Kell Rook

Spoiler

FYI, I will DM the encounter for you and I will use Dicerolls

 

[Toa Tajudu]

“Wait, really? I get to go do something?? Instead of debating?? Yes!!” Toa smiled excitedly before calming herself and bowing to Yvain. “Thank you, Master Yvain. I won’t let you or Mon Cala down.” The Nautolan turned to Olorun, her excited smile never fading. A krakana? Toa remembered reading about those. They had the scary tentacles and creepy face. Now she got to see one in person- and maybe even get to show off her skills with a lightsaber to Olorun when she defeated it.

She was glad Olorun and the majority agreed to lend a helping hand to the Jedi. Toa would make sure he didn’t regret his decision. The assignment Yvain had for her was the perfect opportunity to show off what she had learned as a Padawan not just to the Jedi but to Olorun as well. Still, she wondered about her meeting with Antorigas. What was he really looking for? What was the Sith doing on Anch-to? Those would be questions for later. For now, she needed to go take care of the krakana problem. “Alright, Olorun, sir.” Toa stretched and cracked her knuckles. “Where’s the krakana?”

@Braden Drake

 

[The Storyteller]

"It has been spotted over at the western reaches of the city, it has mainly attacked our fish nets and a few civilians but no one has luckily been seriously hurt. Orisha knows the way." The older Mon Calamari replied before handing over to his son, the purple skinned Mon Calamari was not happy having to escort the Jedi but he knew that her power would be worthwhile when taking out a threat to his people. "Come, I will show you."

Orisha exited through the shielded bubble of oxygen and out into the wild oceans of Mon Cala beyond, he did not wait or look back to see if Toa followed immediately making his way down deeper into the oceans. They would swim past much of the outskirts of the city, both Dac and Mon Calamari alike went through their daily lives, a few waved to the pair as they past and Orisha waved back.

Finally they reached the fishing grounds on the far side of the city. Orisha turned back to see if the Jedi was behind him and ask. "Have you hunted anything this big in the past? I hope that sword of yours works underwater!"

@Kell Rook

 

[Toa Tajudu]

Toa swam along with Orisha without any trouble. Again, she marveled at the site of em everything underwater. When she realized that Orisha was not stopping for anything, she decided to keep up with him and pay attention to the beauty later. When they arrived at the fishing grounds, she instinctively ignited her blue lightsaber which made a fizzing and hissing noise as it ignited underwater. She had missed Orisha’s comment about her lightsaber as she scanned the terrain for anything that resembled a giant scary fish monster and stayed alert.

“Hm? Oh, never mind. Just keep a sharp eye out for anything fishy. I hope you fight as well as you debate.” She said with a smile. Toa was always smiling. For the Nautolan Padawan, there were only two ways to go through life; laughing or crying. And crying gives me a headache. She mused.

 

[The Storyteller]

Orisha scrunched his nose at the Padawan, for someone from the Jedi Order a typically peaceful group of individuals she was very combative, almost aggressive at times. He decided to ignore her for the time being hopefully if she got rid of the beast he could at least ignore some of her rudeness. Orisha moved around in a small circle just above Toa keeping an eye out for the beast, they were now in its hunting grounds.

As if from nowhere the Krakana appeared from the depths beneath both the Jedi and the Mon Calamari warrior, its teeth gnashing at the pair. Its vicious talons snapped out and cut the legs of both Orisha and the Jedi Padawan drawing blood from both the pair, as the red mist began to pool around them the creature banked out of range before turning to advance on the pair, it aimed for the Jedi first its open maw ready to devour the Jedi whole.

Spoiler: Dice Thread

You can find my rolls here.

 

[Toa Tajudu]

Toa tried to dodge the Krakana and managed to tread out of the way of its gaping jaws, but the rest of it blundered into her dizzying her while cutting into her side and causing her to drop her lightsaber. When she gathered herself, she focused on the hilt of her weapon and brought back into her hands, taking a defensive position like she had trained on Yavin. “For the record,” Toa said as she focused on the Krakana. “I was complementing you just then. You really are a good speaker- but words won’t do us much good right now.” The Nautolan gritted her teeth after she felt her wound on the side of her torso. Her blood drifted amiss through the water almost clouding her now- which gave her an idea.

“Hey, sea-slug! Why don’t you give that another try!” She taunted the Krakana and swung her lightsaber around her which continued to fizz in the water. She gestured to Orisha to guide the beast to her to which she would then dodge to the side using her cloud of blood as a distraction and cut diagonally downwards on the Krakana to bisect it.

@Braden Drake

(OOC: My dice rolls.)