Ask Search For Strength

[Sevrin Valtiere]

“I understand,” Sevrin stated, “I just come from a very modest and proper background. Therefore I still grapple with removing articles of clothing...sometimes to an unreasonable degree,” He took the time to explain, having sensed her being taken aback. He wanted to make it clear it was simply his own strange attitude and she hadn’t done anything wrong. Sevrin didn’t offer a smile, but his usually icy gaze softened as he looked at her to reassure her.

He finally glanced down at how she had patched him up, finding himself genuinely impressed, “You’ve had to do this many times before..” He observed as he flexed and moved his arm, surprised at how much support and comfort there was. There was still a lot of pain, but he had far more mobility than he had been expecting.

Sevrin rose to his feet, once again towering over her, “Thank you, again. It feels much better than what I would have accomplished,” He stated as he looked at the wound. He put his sleeve back on and finished dressing himself before they kept moving.

“How are your knuckles?” He asked, wondering if they had actually been damaged. They had been focused on his injuries and he hadn’t even had the chance to assess hers. Being a Jedi was a constant occupational hazard.

They were back on the path that led towards the hermit according to his notes. A few times throughout the trek Sevrin’s keen eyes spotted rope traps here and there. He also tested the ground for where the earth was soft and intended to send the victims down into a pit. Whoever had put all this together had been trying their best to keep people out.

After a bit more walking, Sevrin could spot what appeared to be a hut in the distance. His eyes widened and it was the first time there was some semblance of visible excitement on his face, “I believe that may be our destination,” He stated as he thought about the best approach. Sevrin cast her a side glance.

“Any interest in trying out your charms on him?” Amusement glinted in his eyes.

@ModernMarvel

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

"Oh," Bri nodded. She was not exactly expecting an explanation of his recoiling at the bandaging, but still welcomed it, nonetheless. It helped to ease any misunderstandings between the two, and the Knight could tell, despite a minimal change in his facial expression, that the meant it to try and reassure her that no offense had be caused. "Yeah, don't worry about it," Bri added with a smile.

"Well, you get it," Bri explained as they both got up to start walking again, "there are a few occupational hazards that come a long with being a Jedi. I find its often best to be prepared for these sorts of situations." Though she didn't vocalize it, Bri pondered on the usefulness, sometimes necessity, of coming prepared with healing skills, or at least some basic knowledge. Practicing such skills on real injured patients was not exactly the best way for stress-free training, but it was better than the alternative - doing nothing.

Her attention turned as Sevrin inquired on the status of her knuckles, "Hmm? oh, they'll be alright," she nodded reassuringly, holding her left hand up and wiggling the fingers. The redness had already started to dissipate, and Bri had since regained full mobility and motion of each of her digits. "Ready for the next round," she added with a laugh, putting both her fists up in a classic boxing stance, and throwing a few practice jabs.

The chazrach detour having been navigated, the Jedi returned on their path to the 'hermit' who supposedly had the information they were after. Bri refocused on the next task ahead, still unsure what result they may actually end up with. The word 'hermit' carries some negative connotations with it. At least they were on the right track, as multiple times on the route, and with increasing frequency, Sevrin's eagle eyes spotted traps. Ropes on the forest floor designed to be tripped, throwing objects, the classic pitfalls into the ground. The Knight would have been impressed with the quality, if it wasn't for the fact that they were about to converse with this person, and it had become abundantly clear that this was not something he probably wanted to do.

The last trap bypassed, the two Jedi both looked ahead to spot a dark looking smallish building on the distance. The ramshackle nature of it suggested 'hermit.' Bri looked over at Sevrin as he posed a question. Wait...what? The softest of pinks hued the woman's cheeks in slight embarrassment. "My..uhh, my charms?" she repeated back, hoping for some additional clarification. Bri was not completely oblivious to her outward appearance, that most - usually men - found appealing. However, it was not a skill that she had a great amount of experience with.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin’s gaze softened as she did the few practice jabs, once again marveling at her lighthearted nature. He walked in silence with her before he spoke, “My padawans always lecture me to ‘lighten up’. Perhaps you can show me how,” He stated rather flatly. Sephi weren’t known for being especially playful or expressive with their emotions and it made him less than approachable most of the time.

As they were crouched and he asked his question, he was surprised to see the pink on her cheeks. A single eyebrow rose and he tilted his head slightly as he regarded her. After a moment, he pointed back to his own face, “Does this look like a friendly face?” He asked, pointing to his default stoic expression and frosty gaze.

He assumed Bri would have a far friendlier demeanor and would perhaps be less likely to draw fire. Nevertheless, he wouldn’t put her in situations she didn’t feel comfortable about. The Sephi rose from where he stood, deciding that he would confront the man directly.

The entire time they walked here, Sevrin had been exceptionally keen on picking up traps and obstacles the man had set in the way. However, that didn’t prepare him for the near invisible tripwire that had been set en route towards the hut.

Thankfully, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end and he had a sense of dread. Sevrin quickly put up a Force barrier just as an explosion ensued, sending him sailing clear back the way he came.

Sevrin landed with a thud on the ground near Bri, his robes singed and his face covered in ash. His hair was a mess and he coughed as he gazed up at the sky. Wisps of smoke still rose from his robes but thankfully the barrier prevented him from getting completely blown up.

“I’m...open to other suggestions,” He rasped quietly with a cough.

Up ahead, the door to the hut was kicked open as an old man hobbled out. He had what appeared to be a frying pan atop his head and the tops of dumpsters as his torso armor. In his hand was what appeared to be a molotov cocktail of sorts, and he was actively taking aim to throw at the two Jedi.

@ModernMarvel

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

“My padawans always lecture me to ‘lighten up’. Perhaps you can show me how,”

The flatness at which Sevrin issued his statement forced Bri to stifle a giggle. She could tell he was being earnest, and so didn't want to turn it around by laughing back in his face. Something about the juxtaposition between the word lighten up, and the deadpan delivery at which it was spoken tickled the Jedi. "I'm sure you're making progress," she tried to sound optimistic. "but then again, nothing wrong with who you already are!"

Bri was provided another opportunity to not laugh, as the Sephi pointed to his own face, asking the straight question of its friendliness. Again the absolute dry nature of the question elicited a giggle from Bri and helped to ease her own slight embarrassment at the original inquiry. She knew what he meant. "True. I think you're right on that one," again she tried to be as polite as possible. "Not saying that you don't have a friendly face, but I might have a bit more luck with a smile," she added, flipping her ponytail behind her shoulder.

Sevrin took the first few steps towards the hut. However, the following proceeding moments appeared to happen in near slow-motion as Bri watched them unfold. A small click sound was heard near one of Sevrin's footsteps, before the Sephi threw his hands up and shielded himself with the Force, as a minor explosion sent him flying backwards.

Landing with an unfortunate thud, Bri quickly rushed back to his side and helped prop him up with her arms. His face and robes now sported a more charcoal smear effect, with his neat hair in a new messy style. "Are you alright?" Bri asked, looking down at him, a slight look of concern on her face. Immediately following, Bri's head snapped back to looking at the hut as the door cracked open with a kick and an old man sauntered out. The Jedi's attention was immediately drawn to his unique sense of style.

"Well this ought to be good," she muttered quietly where only Sevrin could hear. Bri got up and waved a friendly hand towards the old man. She made extra careful effort to ensure no more explosive tripwires were stepped through, walking both gingerly and slowly. "Hi there, friend!" she added, trying to display her most dazzling smile. "Just have a few questions for you!"

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin coughed a little as he laid there and Bri asked if he were okay.

“Ah yes, having the time of my life,” He stated flatly, his delivery deadpan as always.

He slowly began to peel himself off the ground just in time to catch Bri making her way over. While she may have appeared friendly, Sevrin had decided the man was completely kooky.

“Bri! Careful!” He got out moments before the old man hurled his molotov cocktail. If Bri didn’t jump out of the way, she would be caught in a small explosion and the ensuing fires. Sevrin quickly sprang to his feet, channeling the Force to aim at the man.

Before the old fart could launch any other attacks, the Sephi coiled the Force around him and hurled him straight back. Sevrin quickly rushed towards him, keeping him pinned to the ground with the Force.

“DEMON MAGIC! I KNEW IT! DEMON MAGIC!” The man shrieked at the top of his lungs while he thrashed about and struggled. His eyes looked almost feral and his teeth appeared rotten. The man was clearly delusional as he hissed and spat towards the Jedi.

Sevrin used the Force to calm his mind till he was unconscious and peacefully asleep. The Sephi exhaled and rubbed his temples before glancing over at Bri, “Are you all right?”

He cast a sideways glance at the hut, “I don’t think we’ll get any answers from him. We can search his house or abandon the mission here,” Sevrin looked back at her. As a Jedi Shadow, he often blurred lines when it came to rules and moral dilemmas. He would let her be the judge on what to do.

@ModernMarvel

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

Bri scoffed at Sevrin's reply: "Ah yes, having the time of my life." An old adage manifested itself in her mind, it can always get worse, but she chose not to verbalize it out of fear of karmic repercussions.

Despite the woman's best attempts at being friendly, she was not met with a like emotion. Instead, the old man materialized a flaming bottle, chucking it with surprising accuracy right in Bri's direction. Her blonde ponytail whipped as her head turned attention, and managed to jump out of the way, rolling onto her shoulder just in time to avoid the splash-crash of the flaming alcohol. "Not a friend, then," the Jedi murmured to herself, groaning slightly.

Just about simultaneously, the Sephi had managed to get back onto his feet, and channeled his abilities with the Force. A burst of energy sent the old man flying backwards, fairly comically, before he began to shriek and curse about the 'demon magic.' Another manifestation of the Force calmed the thrashing kook into unconsciousness. Bri got up off the ground, wiping some dirt and dust off her pants, walking up to Sevrin. "Peachy," she commented, smoothing her jacket and stretching her neck in a few directions.

Not one for giving up, Bri automatically jumped to her answer. "Let's see what we can find inside," she nodded in reply. "After that," referring to the odd series of events that preceded, "I'm not confident we'll find too much of use, but doesn't hurt to check, yeah?" Before taking any further action, she waited to hear what her partner's thoughts were.

@Sreeya