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Leon Baudelaire

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ELLORA
Main Continent || "Spaceport"
Leon stepped off the transport and scanned the rural “spaceport.” In reality, it was just a manicured piece of land in the middle of a field. His job here was simple. Touch base with the locals and learn what he could about their cool-ass force martial arts. He wasn’t a knight yet, but according to the report from his training mission on Kashyyyk he’d been elevated to Padawan+ and been allowed to take on this educational mission on his own. Of course, what the council didn’t know was that Leon had spent the past week gaslighting his buddy Ezra into joining him.

The Padawan was outfitted in his full gear this time. He wore a white tunic under his olive blastvest, his utility belt was freshly stocked, and he carried his blastsword on one hip and his heavy blaster on the other. His dark grey trousers were tucked into his black boots. He glanced down at his datapad, opening his messaging app he could see Ezra had read his last message, but of course, the ding-dong was radio silent.

Leon posted up on a fence and sighed, maybe ole Jabs didn’t have another adventure in him. The Padawan took in his surroundings, the force was thick on this planet. Every breath was a reassurance that he was being guided. His eyes spotted a strange monolithic silhouette in the distance. A monstrous storm stretched out around it nearly hiding it from view, but he could feel that familiar urge to follow the call. He was just about to take a step when a voice called out.

You there!” called out someone in heavily accented basic. Leon looked away from the shrouded peak and saw a native waving to him. Leon smiled and waved back jogging over.

Hey there, you must be Motep, I’m Leon, thanks for having me,” the padawan bowed formally to the four-armed simian sentient.

The Elloran mirrored Leon’s bow, “You honor us Jedi. We welcome all who seek to learn the opportunity. I thought you mentioned there would be another?

Leon laughed, “Uh, yeah, you haven’t seen him around by chance, have you? He’s about your height and has a habit of leaping raging rivers with a single bound. No?

Concern emanated from the man, and Leon said, “Uh, I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. I must have misunderstood.

Ah, crap, this dude was going to report back to the council and Leon would lose his Padawan+ privileges if Ezra didn’t materialize soon.

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Ezra Thorne

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“Fuck!” And a series of other expletives erupted not long after Leon had his exchange with the local. If he looked, he would see a very displeased Ezra -or Jabba as he still likely knew him by. He gave the impression of ignoring the messages entirely, and truthfully, he had genuinely considered forgetting about it. However, Leon brought his martial combat prowess into question. Plus, he hinted that Dash (@Alhon) would be here which ultimately sealed the deal. Ezra arrived on a luxury transport that garnered quite a bit of attention from the locals.

The first thing he did as he stepped off the ramp was walk into a pile of shit left behind by a passing niseag carrying a local. Mercifully, he didn’t wear his expensive trando boots this time, opting for heavy duty hiking boots. In fact, since Leon failed to specify what to wear, Ezra showed up in full on hiking gear. He had a hunting knife and his handy dandy bowcaster as a weapon. As always, that crystal shard he found was with him, now dangling around his neck as a cool necklace.

Ezra walked over towards Leon, scowling immediately. He stared at the other teen for a few seconds, “Dash was never a part of this, was he?” One could practically see his temper slowly rising through the gauge. In the end, he exhaled and calmed himself, glancing over the horizon and then looking over at the natives.

“I’m not gonna leave this planet until I get one of the locals to bitchslap you with all four hands,” Ezra declared before he jutted his chin for Leon to lead the way.

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Leon Baudelaire

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The expletives ringing through the air was like music to Leon’s ears as he spun around to see Jabba trying to scrape the shit off his shoe, classic.

Oh, there he is!” gestured Leon, a wave of relief washed over him as Jabba closed in. The glowering pretty boy brought up Dash, “Wow, honestly, I’m a little hurt you’re playing favorites and no. He’s not here.” Leon shot back with a shit-eating grin.

Jabba made his proclamation and Leon smiled, “With your warm and loving disposition, I’m sure someone will jump at the chance.

Turning his attention to Motep The Padawan said, “Sorry for the wait, we’re ready to head out now.

The Elloran fixed them both with a curious stare before smiling and saying, “I feel as though the great one has a lesson for the both of you.” With that, he turned on his heels and headed off down the path. Leon looked at Ezra and shrugged then trotted off after the simian.

Once he was pretty sure Motep wasn’t paying them any attention Leon would slow a bit to talk to Jabba, “So, you still in denial about the force thing?

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Ezra Thorne

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There was something about this planet, something he couldn’t quite place. It was not unlike when he felt that hum and call of the crystal. In fact, the crystal actually shined brightly here. He pointedly ignored it, but he couldn’t ignore how easy everything felt. The atmosphere, the air he breathed, an inexplicable feeling of strength. He felt sure in his steps, walking forward as if he knew where he was going.

Of course, Leon had to ruin it by blurting out about the Force. Ezra pretended not to hear at first, but with those fluted ears of his, he knew the Jedi would see right through the bullshit and continue pestering him, “What good does it do me to embrace it?” He asked after a moment of silence.

“I’m supposed to just ditch my entire life and leave everything I know to clean up other people’s messes?” Ezra said as he glanced over at Leon. He had considered the Sith at first, but they sounded more and more absurd by the day and it culminated into them attacking the ISC. The Jedi could be cool, but they often became the laughing stock of the galaxy or considered a nuisance. He went to school on Coruscant. Was he supposed to give up any means of a future and get himself banned from that planet to be a laser sword-wielding hobo?

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Leon Baudelaire

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Jabba tried ignoring Leon for a moment, but The Padawan was standing right next to him, staring at him. Was he being obnoxious? Sure. But when one of your only friends won't even tell you their real name, you throw some of the normal rules of etiquette out of the window. Plus, it helped that they’d taken turns saving each other's lives.

Jabba’s response threw him for a bit of a loop. “Why wouldn’t you? Like, the thought of having something in me that I don’t understand drives me nuts. Plus, you can do stuff like this,” with a small gesture of his hand, a rock, equal to the size of his fist, dislodged itself from the ground and floated into his open palm.

Leon dropped the act for a second and said earnestly, “Even if you don’t want to know it, it’s obvious the force wants to know you,” he nodded at Jabba’s kyber crystal. It seemed to sparkle with new vigor as if empowered by the force of this world. Leon was more than a little jealous. Even after their elevated training on Kashyyyk, he’d been denied a real saber. He’d been hurt by the ruling, considering how helpful the weapon would have been, but he didn’t argue. He wasn’t on Adumar anymore, and he wasn’t with The Owls, any fame or notoriety he’d enjoyed was gone.

Jabba’s next thought wasn’t much of a shock. Leon still regretted leaving his home. He missed his Pops and his pals. He missed training and dueling in the arena… he missed his life, but his circumstances were a little different than most that joined the order. He probably wasn't the best salesman for the Jedi right now, but he was the only one here so, he answered with the truth, “You're right," he started very aware Jabba enjoyed hearing those words, "It's a pain in the ass, but it's also pretty rewarding, plus, you don't have to give up your old life, you just get the opportunity to go places like this," Leon gestured to the raw beauty of the force saturated planet, "Would you have ever come to this backwater planet without me hounding you?"

A sly smile slid across his lips, "Plus, Dash is a member of the Jedi," Leon waggled his eyebrows at Jabba and laughed, "You'd get to see a lot more of him if you joined."

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Ezra Thorne

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“The Force wants to know me?” Ezra repeated with a scoff. He made it sound like the Force was a person and that sounded incredibly unsettling. He listened as Leon spoke about having something in him that he didn’t understand. Truthfully, Ezra despised that part of him and never feeling comfortable bringing it up. Due to the nature of his father’s work, it felt like a dirty secret he kept under wraps for as long as he could remember.

When Leon mentioned he didn’t have to give up his old life, Ezra looked over in surprise. Was his understanding of how the Jedi worked outdated? The quarter Sephi remained quiet in thought, surprised to find himself even considering the idea of joining the Jedi. How did that process even work? Was there a recruitment center to just waltz over to?

Ezra scowled at Leon, “Oh yeah, why wouldn’t I give up a day of sailing to come to a new shitty planet that tries to kill me?” He asked dryly. The promise of the martial arts, however, was enough to keep his interest.

“Man shut up,” Ezra said as he shoved Leon to the side a bit at his quip about Dash. His ears immediately turned pink and he stared ahead.

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Leon Baudelaire

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Leon laughed as Jabba shoved him, “Alright, alright! Sheesh!

Motep’s pace slowed and Leon’s attention was stolen from his blushing buddy. As the wind carried in the smell of the sea. The forested path they’d been walking on opened up to reveal a modest village hiding in the coastal highlands nestled in a cove under the cover of a massive mountain whose peak was adorned by a waterfall that fed a natural oasis located at the village's northern point. The center of the town was host to an elaborate temple decorated by what Leon assumed were various deities.

This is Hōseki.” said Motep with a touch of pride in his voice, “Home to the most fearsome warriors in all of Ellora, The Ettuna” He turned back and took in his home with reverntial pride, “The temple at the center of town is our destination,” a small smile began to tug at the corners of Motep’s lips. “How about a little contest? A way to gauge one another?

Leon’s eyes lit up. “Yes!” he blurted.

Motep’s smile widened, “Good. Last one to the temple is Maru bait!

With a whooping holler, the simian took off down the path like a gymnast performing their floor routine. The Elloran flipped into the trees and out of sight, calling out, “Follow if you can Jedi,” all the while laughing and whooping as a man possessed.

Hope you’ve been working on your cardio,” Leon teased, giving Jabba a playful shove as he started trotting into the brush, “Last one there has to clean the other’s boots!” he called before reaching into the force and shooting off into the dense brush.

The mixture of tropical and mountainous flora gave the countryside of Ellora and serene elegance, that wasn’t totally lost on Leon. It reminded him of the Coastal straits back on Adumar, and the memory only encouraged his movement. He was just behind Motep now. The Elloran was swinging from branch to branch with surprising agility.

You are quick young master, Leon, But can you think on your feet?

Suddenly, Motep attacked. Leon just bearly managed to slip to the side, “Hey, I thought this was a race?!

Motep rebounded off a tree taking another swipe at The Padawan, “Gah!” grunted Leon as Motep’s blow glanced off his shoulder and threw him off balance. Leon wasn’t about to be outdone, so he fired off a burst of the force toward the ground correcting his plummeting trajectory and putting him back on balance, but, the little display didn't dissuade his attacker. Motep was there barring down on him, The Elloran unleashed a flurry of blows, and Leon was forced back on his heels.

A warrior of light must be ready at all times. We will show you this. It is true,” said Motep in new singsongy manner. Was this a test? That didn’t matter to The Padawan right now.

If you make me lose to Jabba, I’ll never forgive you!” barked The Padawan regaining his composure and taking a fighting stance, but before he could engage Motep laughed and disappeared into the trees. “Oh, this… this might actually be hard.” admitted The Padawan before, hurrying off in the direction of their crazy guide.

Roll: 12/20
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“What?” Was all Ezra managed to get out before he could even process that he was signed up for some stupid race. He half considered just not participating. What would happen if he didn’t? He wouldn’t be out of breath and he could watch Leon get slapped around by a local. However, the Padawan had just the way to get under his skin.

And so he found himself bolting into a run after Leon. He wanted the Jedi to clean his boots, especially since they had stomped into a pile of turds before. Ezra could see the exchanges between Motep and Leon and the sight amused him greatly.

“Serves you right,” He said as he watched Leon almost eat shit after a particularly sneaky attack. However, Motep had ideas for him as well. Ezra’s brief gloating cost him as the guide abruptly shoved him from behind before sailing through the trees. Ezra toppled over and tripped over a root, landing with a heavy thud.

With a curse, he quickly peeled himself and a few shards of his shattered pride off the ground. Pissed, he ran harder than ever, falling behind. He could barely see either of them and he was definitely out of shape. His heart felt like it was going to explode and he almost needed to vomit.

He could make out Leon’s outline ahead and out of the corner of his eye he spotted Motep. Ezra acted on instinct, reaching out towards him. However, by some unnatural force, Motep was abruptly yanked down from the tree and towards the ground. The exertion of his will was effortless and far more seamless than it ever had been before. The guide just barely avoided landing on his back, glancing up with surprise at Ezra as he caught himself on all sixes on the ground.

Ezra, of course, was also shocked by his own actions and couldn’t stop his momentum. As a result, he ran right into Motep, tripped right over him, and slammed into Leon, sending both boys into a heap on the ground.

"Did we win?!" Ezra asked in between untangling himself from Leon, a hand planted on the other's face to keep him on the ground. However, that was when Motep casually stomped on them both and sprang back up into the trees with a chortle and kept swinging ahead.

Force on Motep: 11/20

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Leon Baudelaire

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The Force fluxed behind Leon, a shudder ran up his back and he chanced a look backward just in time to see Ezra’s body flying toward him.

Herk!” was the heroic sound Leon made as Jabba slammed into him from behind. They toppled to the ground psudo-grappling as they both fought to get back up first. Ezra’s hand pushed Leon’s face into the dirt. You son of a— was all he was able to think before Motep’s raucous whooping laughter bounded off their backs. Leon's face was once again shoved into the dirt.

I’ll let you take a wild guess,” he grumbled spitting leaves as he shoved the other guy's hand off him. “Why are your hands so soft?” Leon shook the thought away suddenly remembering their bet! He scrambled to his feet but as he rose to full height both of Motep’s feet slammed into his chest sending him backward and sliding across the ground. Why was everyone so interested in touching him today?

Oh come on!” he wheezed. The blow had knocked the wind out of him, but he’d be damned if he was going to clean the shit out of Ezra’s boots.

mo'fuckin 8/20
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Ezra glared at Leon, “Why does your face feel like a shoe?” He quipped back. Seriously, Jedi really needed to invest in deodorant and moisturizer. He stumbled behind the others, breathing heavily as his lack of cardio was becoming very apparent. Ezra told himself he would start working out since Kashyyyk, but he had been way too lazy.

He lumbered behind the others right as Motep dropped down on Leon again, the gesture causing the Jedi to fall. Ezra was so busy with his smugness that he ran right into a tree. His head woozy, he simply sat down in front of it, seeing stars.

He groaned and was wobbly on his feet. By now, Motep decided the two boys were completely hopeless. He stood at the end of a path, two of his arms poised on his hips, “Never mind, no contest,” He said with distaste, deeply unimpressed, “We walk the rest of the way.”

He was met with Ezra and Leon looking at him, both sporting new bruises and caked in mud and who knows what else. His ears turning red and his ego badly wounded, Ezra silently walked with Leon. He could see the temple looming ahead, stone steps leading up to the main entrance.

There was a courtyard outside and Ezra could spot multiple Elloran training. It was a sight to behold – they moved with grace, practicing katas and combat maneuvers. Their feet barely touched the ground they were so light on their feet.

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The gritty taste of defeat soured Leon’s mood. The disappointment in Motep’s expression was humiliating. A coastal zephyr whipped through the trees, as it blew past the padawan, he heard the calling of the force. As Motep turned and walked off, Leon turned in the direction of the blowing wind. Perfectly centered by the outcropping of trees was the tip of the silhouetted mountain. He went to ask Jabba if he’d felt anything, but the other dude was already walking off.

Leon knew what the force wanted him to do, but he’d made a commitment to the Order to bridge the gap between them and the people of this planet. Which he was doing an absolutely terrible job at. He shook the call from his mind for now and followed after the others.

Hōseki, was more beautiful up close than it was from the ridge. The architecture mirrored the surrounding nature. Leon noticed it integrated the mountains, forest, river, and coastline into the flow of the village. He’d never seen anything like it. Then he stepped into the shadow of the temple. Stone steps lead the ornate gates which spilled into a courtyard filled with Elloran Martial Artists. He suddenly felt very outclassed.

Leon was damn good with a blade, but he’d only been training hand-to-hand since he joined the Jedi. He’d pictured this mission being a kind of force-led kick in the butt to put some application to what he’d learned, but it was very clear now, that he’d jumped into the deep end. He glanced over at Jabba remembering the surprise attack he’d pulled back on Kashyyyk. Shit…

Motep led them into the temple. He didn’t turn around, but he did give them a general tour. The sun was starting to go down. Golden beams of light filtered through the windows as they passed through a corridor and into another lined with rooms.

You both will be staying here,” said Motep standing next to the room at the end of the hall. When Leon saw it he struggled not to groan. The room was bare, just walls, floor, and roof. Motep pointed out a couple of bedrolls, “Once you’ve settled in, come to the dining hall. We will formally welcome you there.

With that, he left. Leon stepped in and dropped his pack in the back left corner. The room was tiny, and neither of them would get much privacy during this trip.

Well, that could have gone better,” he said cracking up laughing. “Dude, he hit me so hard in the chest I thought he kicked my lungs out my back!” he rubbed his bruised chest and then asked, "Did I see you walk into a tree?"

Defeat sucked, but it was an opportunity to learn. Even if he didn’t feel like joking, it beat pouting about it. Besides, Motep had said it was a race, not guerrilla warfare 101. He wondered if that style of training was common. All he could be sure of was he wouldn't fall for it again. At least he hoped.

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Ezra Thorne

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Ezra was disgusted at the sight of the room. And he was supposed to share it with Leon?

“Uh excuse me, I need ergonomic pillows and a firm mattress,” He eyed the bedrolls with skepticism, “And where is my personal bathroom? I'd also like an assistant-” Ezra was about to say more, but Motep simply turned and walked off in the middle of his speech. The Thorne was appalled at the display of rudeness, not used to anyone treating him like this. He was internally seething, but he walked over to sit down on a chair and take off his boots.

Ezra had his own bruises, and he scowled at Leon’s question, “That fucking monkey made us his bitch,” He said, shaking his head in disbelief. He slumped into his chair, unbuttoning his jacket. He tossed it aside, down to a simple t shirt and pants.

“This place feels..different,” Ezra said after a moment of silence, “I feel different here. Is that because of the Force?”

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Leon stretched resting his hands behind his head watching with amusement as Jabba valiantly tried ordering the monks around. Motep’s mood was sour as he left. To say he was disappointed would be an understatement. Oh well, they’d do better next time. Hopefully.

The Padawan undid his utility belt and pulled Lionheart from it’s sheath setting it across his legs, from the spot he’d landed next to his bag on the floor. Leon studied his blade in the waning golden rays trickling through the one window. He found peace in it’s upkeep and since he was still licking his actual and emotional wounds he set to work.

That’s real. Pretty easy to get the jump on people who’re just running a race, right?” he scoffed. He pulled a whetstone, a little bottle of blastsword oil, and a polishing rag from his pack. In an even soft stroke, he ran the stone down the blade.

Leon couldn’t believe how present the force was on this planet. It was so thick he felt like he should be able to see it. His whole body buzzed with the power and he didn’t seem to be the only one. Jabba asked, “I feel different here. Is that because of the Force?

Leon flashed Jabba a knowing grin, “Yeah, it’s kinda in your face here, huh?

Prior to taking on this mission, Leon was assigned a research report on Force Theory. Now, sitting in the power, experiencing it… It made some of the outlandish claims he’d read about seem possible.

I’d read Ellora was strong in the force but I feel like I’m swimming in it. Honestly, I think I’m still kinda like, acclimating to it,” he tried thinking of a way to explain. “I feel like an overcharged battery,” he laughed at how stupid that sounded.

What’re you feeling?” he asked. It hadn’t been too long ago that he’d experienced the same struggle. Luckily for him, he’d had a chance encounter with a Jedi Counselor, unlucky for Jabba, he was just a stupid padawan.

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Ezra felt slightly better knowing that Leon was experiencing the same thing. This was all new to him and this planet made it almost feel effortless.

“I normally have to really try to get the Force to…listen,” He didn’t have any other way of putting it, “Here it seems…” Ezra looked ahead of himself, watching as his own boot began to float up and spin in the air. It was the most control he had been able to exert over the Force. After a moment, the boot dropped with a thud.

“We need to prank Motep,” He declared suddenly as he looked at Leon, “Tonight,” He said, a mischievous glint in his eye, “He won’t know what hit him. What do you say? Or you porgshit?”

Ezra didn’t have a plan yet, but it involved some type of inconvenience like getting something sticky all over his fur. It would require the boys to be crafty and it couldn’t be traced back to them or their whole mission would be a fail. However, Ezra wouldn’t let the race humiliation slide.

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Leon chuckled as Ezra mentioned getting the force to listen. “From what I can tell, it doesn’t work that way. We don’t command the force to do anything, it’s more like a mutual understanding. You trust it, it trusts you, and magic happens,” he could tell he wasn’t helping so he pulled a force puzzle out of his pack. When he turned back around Ezra’s boot was floating in the air, “Hey, there ya go! That’s awesome!

Catch,” he said tossing it to Ezra. “It’s a puzzle, the trick is only using the force to solve it,” he chuckled scratching the back of his head, “If your brain feels like mush after using it you’re doing it right, or at least that's how I always feel.

Honestly, it wasn’t until Kashyyyk that I understood the trust thing, I’ve got a feeling you’ll pick it up quickly. You should hold that Kyber while you do it. IT'll help you focus.

Leon would be happy to demonstrate how to operate the puzzle.

I’ve never agreed with another person more in my life,” said Leon as Ezra mentioned they needed to prank Motep. “Tonight’s perfect! What are you thinking?!” he leaned forward mischievous smirk settling on his face. This was going to be awesome.

A couple of hours later…​

Leon sat at the end of a long ornate table directly across from Ezra. Motep sat a few seats to the right of an Elloran that was clearly much older. The Padawan assumed the older being was the boss of the tribe, but what position the older being held wasn’t clear until he raised both hands and silenced the chattering crowd.

It is with great honor that we welcome the Jedi to our humble village,” most of the Elloran’s clapped or whooped, but Leon noticed that a handful of the warriors by Motep remained stone-faced. He could barely contain his excitement, they were gonna wipe that superior look right off that dirty cheater’s face tonight.

He glanced at Ezra and nearly lost it. Ugh, he had to get it together. He just couldn’t get over how perfect the idea was. As soon as everyone had gone to sleep, Motep was gonna get the rudest awakening of his life. Then he realized the Elder was waiting for him to speak and he coughed a smaller surge of panic running down his spine, "T-Thank you, elder," he stood and bowed formally to the older member of their order. "It's an honor to be your guest, and we look forward to learning much from you and the Wind of Life."

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Leon would notice that Ezra was glued to that puzzle for hours. The quarter Sephi was analytical minded and, like his Pops, he could do puzzles and logic games obsessively for hours. He was completely fixated on it, even though he finally solved it. His brain was mush and his head throbbed, but he kept trying it again for a different result. It kept Ezra quiet and occupied for ages, allowing Leon to snore like a freighter engine in the background.

As a result, later on, Ezra was exhausted and still trying to solve the puzzle under the table. He looked up suddenly when Leon nudged him and the elder was addressing them, “Yes, Lind of Wife,” He said confidently. Motep gave him an entirely unimpressed look and then went back to his business.

Later on as everyone went their separate ways, Ezra fell into step beside Leon. He had scoped out where Motep went - it was one of the many huts the Ellorans used. He pointed out the hut in question, crouching behind some hedges. Of course, given his height, the top of his head was still visible.

Ezra had in his arms a bowl of porridge, “Okay, you gotta knock on his door a few times and get him to come outside. I’ll float this bowl over his head and dump it on him,” It sounded absolutely brilliant. No flaws whatsoever, “What do you think?”

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Addiction takes many forms. The shapes at which it shifts to meet the needs and desires of it’s host truly are a manifestation of pure evil. Unless you’re Jabba apparently. Then it was a freaking force puzzle. Leon chucked and set back the chore of sharpening his sword, before dragging Ezra to the dining area.

Lind of Wife?” he hissed at Ezra in a harsh whisper, then quickly back to the elder’s perplexed gaze he mouthed, “Sorry, he’s slow,” The Elder bellowed with laughter.

I see.” said the elder humor still coloring his words, “I am glad the order sent the two of you. I believe you both have an important lesson to teach us here as well,” his grace lifted both hands and the whole hall fell quiet. Leon elbowed Ezra so he’d look up from his crotch for a freaking second, “Warriors! The Wind is with us, may we revel in it’s breeze and give thanks for it’s power!

The dining room burst out in whoops and howls as Elloran warriors around them banged the table and their chests. Leon smiled, the concept of the force on the wind had never occurred to him with such clarity before. He breathed in, held it, then let it out slow. Where ever he was, so was force. Food was delivered and they spent the remainder of the evening enjoying the company of the Elloran warriors, that is except for one Motep. Leon watched as he stood from the table, his eyes bore into Leon’s before he turned on his heels and stormed out of the room.

What a drama queen,” Leon muttered as he watched Motep go. What was his problem anyway?

A few hours later...

It was taking every bit of discipline within him to not bust out laughing. The bowl of porridge Ezra was carrying was so big that the giant himself could barely fit his massive wing span around it. Leon knew exactly what the plan was before Ezra even got started, “K-keep your voice down,” said Leon through snorts of laughter, “I think it’s perfect!

A few seconds later the porridge was in the air over the door. Leon slinked up to the door and knocked twice. He waited until he heard someone moving toward the door, then bolted for the bushes. He practically dove back in whipping around with so much anticipation that he thought he was going to explode!

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Ezra Thorne

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Jedi Order
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“Keep my voice down? You’re gonna piss yourself from laughing,” Ezra hissed, “Keep it together, man!” It was a credit to having a very stoic father that he could keep a straight face and cool head even in the most absurd circumstances. While Leon was losing it, he was all focus and chill with his oversized bowl of porridge and his hair half sticking up over the plants suspiciously.

Ezra focused on the Force and concentrated hard, floating the container up. It took a lot of strength, but the Force flowed easier here. The bowl wavered a bit, globs of porridge landing on the ground as it traveled and hovered. Leon did his part, knocking on the door and disappearing from sight.

Seconds later, the door opened and a very moody Motep stepped out. He was clearly irritated at being interrupted late in the evening. He took another step and the bowl tipped and dunked right on his head. There was an audible yelp, but Ezra was already ducking down.

It was only as he heard Motep being loud and indignant that he realized they didn't really coordinate an exit plan. Ezra looked back towards the bush where Leon ducked, and he had no way of contacting him. It was every man for himself. He wished his buddy luck as he practically crawled on all fours on the ground to get out of Motep’s visual radius.

After a while, he was back towards the quarters where they had their shared room. Ezra returned all right, but he didn’t spot Leon yet. He looked around, starting to feel nervous. Ezra couldn’t wander around outside since it would give away who pulled the prank, but not spotting Leon gave him mild anxiety.

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Leon Baudelaire

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Independent
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Exalted

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Zay
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A wet splat followed by a howl of surprise and disgust broke what little discipline Leon had left. It didn't help that Ezra's head was still sticking up from behind the bush on the other side. Motep grunted frantically wiping the porridge from his eyes, so he didn't see Ezra bolt out of sight behind him. He did however hear the cackling laughter of the boy he'd literally locked the soul out of earlier. Leon realized as Motep lept into the air that he’d been spotted.

He rolled out of the way, struggling to stop laughing long enough to defend himself. The Elloran was PIIIIIIISSSSSSED, but his anger didn’t make him stronger it made him more predictable. Leon managed to roll over his should and press up off the ground coming to his feet as Motep attempted to bare down on him. The Padawan slipped to the side, throwing a leg out at the last possible moment. This trip caught Motep’s forward momentum and sent the four-armed dingleberry toppling into the dirt.

Leon wasted no time getting the hell out of there. Before Motep could scramble to his feet The Padawan shot off around the corner. He didn’t have time to think, he just kept running until Motep’s hooting and hollering faded away. He found himself at the crest of a hill overlooking the village. The lanterns looked like fireflies in the night from his viewpoint. He took a breath and sat down to enjoy the view. The sound of grass crunching scared the shit out of him. Leon lept up taking a fake echani martial arts stance.

The Elder was standing there, two arms clasped behind his back and the other two resting on the top of a gnarled staff. “Enjoying a brisk run this evening I see,” said the elder with a small knowing smile.

Uh, yup, you caught me!” he lied. Well kinda, he had been running, but it was more for his life than for exercise. He got the feeling this Elloran wasn’t a fool though so he dropped the act. “I’m guessing you somehow know about the porridge?

The Elder laughed, “Oh, I had an idea when I watched your companion carry what I would call a vat of the porridge out of the kitchen.
Leon winced, “Ah, I see.
The Elder bared his teeth in a baboon’s smile and laughed, “Motep will get over it. I suspect he isn’t completely innocent,” One of his hands came up to his face and smoothed the long white fur down, his brow furrowed in thought. “Padawan Baudelaire, I have a favor to ask of you.
Uh, okay,” replied Leon.
Have you ever heard of Felwinter Peak?
An image of the mountain shrouded in the storm flashed through his mind.
Maybe?

An hour later…

Leon walked back down the path leading to the temple. The Elder’s favor was a big one. He was starting to think he should have read the fine print on the mission, but he hadn’t seen anything about a force anomaly in the briefing. He didn’t have a choice as the representative of the Jedi on this mission he had to check this out, but that didn’t mean he had to endanger Ezra.

The Padawan sighed, he’d really hoped to just have a fun weekend hanging with a buddy and learning something cool, but that didn’t look like it was possible now. He knew dwelling on it would only make him feel worse, so he did his best to just accept the outcome.

He stepped into the room and was surprised to see Ezra still awake. The dude seemed a bit worried, but Leon didn’t tease him about it. “Please tell me you saw Moteps face before splitting?” A smile lit up his face as he reenacted the event. He’d fill Ezra in on his rematch with the Elloran being sure to embellish the entire thing in grandiose fashion. As he wrapped up his story, his smile faded a bit and he sighed, “I think you should head out tomorrow…

Leon would explain this situation he’d been presented by The Elder. The real reason the Elloran’s had reached out to the Jedi was to ask them to investigate a series of force anomalies, or Storm Aberrations, as the locals called them, on a mountain known as Felwinter Peak.

There’s a pretty good chance this is going to be dangerous, and I can’t ask you to come along,” of course, he wanted to. It was one thing to gaslight someone to come to a fun training camp, it was another to ask them to come along on an adventure with real danger.

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Ezra Thorne

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Ezra lost his patience waiting around in the room. Letting out a stream of profanity and giving voice to all sorts of scenarios that consisted of bashing Leon’s face in, Ezra walked out of the room. He wandered aimlessly looking for his friend. Wait, when did they become friends? Whatever, he was too pissed to think about that now. He plodded through mud, walked in on an Elloran taking a bath and immediately needed eye bleach, almost got into a fight with that Elloran’s lover and stumbled towards where some of the Elder’s council were wandering around.

One of them spotted him and ushered him over. Ezra’s normal routine of pretending not to hear or see someone didn’t work this time.

“You are Padawan Thorne, yes?”

It still felt weird hearing that, “Er yeah..”

“Your presence here is not without purpose,” The Elloran said. Ezra could tell this was serious and he stopped thinking about their prank and other nonsense, “You may be new to this world, but your destiny weaves into it all the same. You have felt it, called upon it..and now it calls to you.”

An hour later…

Ezra was staring vacantly at the wall of his room wondering if someone had slipped some spice into his food. The entire encounter felt like a spice trip. To occupy himself, he resorted to messing with that Force puzzle again, finding new outcomes each time.

Ezra looked up when Leon entered, his eyes betraying his relief. He cleared his throat, “Took you long enough,” He said curtly. Ezra rolled his eyes, “All I heard was you laughing like a hyena. Did you get your ass beat? Please tell me you got a four handed bitchslap,” He asked eagerly, genuinely thrilled at the prospect.

After Leon laid out what the Elder had told him, Ezra’s face fell slightly. He said nothing for a long moment. Eventually, he nodded his head in agreement, “You’re right,” He said, “I’ll start packing,” Ezra said as he stood up. He started to put a few things in his bag. That was when he gave a dramatic pause.

“I wouldn’t know what to do with this anyway,” Ezra said as he held up a piece of paper that looked like a map with handdrawn details on it. A map that thoroughly outlined the path towards Felwinter Peak. Ezra said nothing else, simply giving Leon a look.

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