Ask The Wild Hunt

[Sybella Demici]

Deciding to explore the bond further, Sybella tried to deepen the connection - with the animal's consent, of course. With some gentle coaxing, it was as if their minds became one, linked by a steady stream of consciousness. Truth be told, the sensation was a foreign one; it was completely different to that of plants, though not in the way many would expect. Plants, to a certain degree, had a degree of awareness, just like every other living thing. Harmonising with them was much more fluid, without obstacles or many complaints. In contrast, sentient creatures were more like a puzzle, with some being easier to decipher than others. @Rahman Bahadir example was a perfect illustration - on any other day, perhaps the tigress would have been more receptive but its instincts proved stronger than the Jedi's influence. It was actually quite impressive. It reminded Sybella that she ought to humble herself; there were things that existed in the galaxy far beyond her scope - a healthy dose of diffidence didn't hurt.

The longer the link persisted between Sybella and her furry friend, the more she learnt about the animal's life. She could actually see its memories and the sentiment was enough to bring her tears. Together, the pair pictured its barrow, with its litter mates frolicking amongst its groves. Though it alone had been captured in a trap, the rest had apparently escaped.

Grateful at being rescued, there was no denying the creature's wish. It wanted, more than anything, to be free once more - to return to its home and its awaiting family. Who was Sybella to deny such desire? Gently withdrawing her influence, the Jedi gestured to the great jungle around them. "Go. Make haste, friend. Be free..."

There was some hesitation. Lifting onto its pair of hind feet, the felinoid scented the air one way before sniffing in the world. It appeared to be gathering its bearings; settling on a direction, it gave a deep yowl as if to announce its departure. Licking at Sybella's fingers, it then scurried to Rahman, scaling him as if he were a tree. Not surprising, given his height. After giving the Orcolan a lick too, the creature took off, scurrying into the underbrush towards what could only be considered as its home.

 

[Rahman Bahadir]

The trip had been quite eventful already, and yet the knight couldn't help but feel at peace with what they had done. It felt good to be out in nature again and to share such sights and wonders with a like-minded person was the cherry on top. Watching with keen interest as Sybella released the little critter, the Orcolan pet it gently before seeing it depart back home wherever that may have been.

Rahman glanced back towards her, with a smile on his dial. "You have a kind heart, Sybella. I hope you don't mind me saying so." He meant every word there, the sincerity apparent. With everything sorted, their adventure might have ended there but that wouldn't have made for a great tale now would it? Tapping away on a datapad, Rahman finished a quick report to request a pickup for their naughty little friend. In doing so, would allow them to depart knowing that he'd get his just desserts without requiring their babysitting.

Taking in a large breath of fresh air, he smiled. "Let me know when you're ready to go back. But if you're still up for a walk, I heard there's a pretty scenic waterfall not far from here."

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Sybella smiled at the Orcolan's words. It had been a while since she had received such a compliment. Still, her expression seemed haunted. "You flatter me, Rahman. Though sometimes, I fear...perhaps I end up doing more harm than good."

Recent experienced weighed heavily on the Jedi's mind. Encounters with dark siders, as well as pirates and thieves, had left Sybella feeling on edge. The opposition appeared neverending. For every good deed Sybella did, there seemed to be double the fallout. It was...exhausting. Both mentally, and emotionally. Small victories, like the one today, were far more meaningful to her. Though small in terms of impact, the knight took solace in the fact that at least one life form or two was saved from suffering.

Choosing not to dwell on her darkening thoughts, Sybella delighted in the idea of taking in the scenery. It was a beautiful world after all, minus the illegal hunting. Having somewhat bonded with the plants as well, the shrouded knight felt a great appreciation for them as well; the vibrant foliage, and their beautiful flowers. Even the tall trees were a marvel. Peace and serenity had settled in and amongst the jungle, now that the Dug and his goons were removed.

"You know, I rather like waterfalls. Lead the way."

 

[Rahman Bahadir]

The chance to simply enjoy the scenery without hopefully any drama unfolding was an opportunity too good to miss and he was thankful that Sybella seemed to share the same interest. With renewed vigor, the Orcolan smiled and nodded toward the direction that they would take, before stepping off.

Passing through some light brush they would get to enjoy the lush sights and sounds of a healthy eco structure brimming with life in all directions. The chirping sounds filled the air, adding to the fun and interesting ambiance that was only barely disrupted by their careful movements through it. "If I could live here, I would," he remarked with warmth before chuckling. "But my family would kick my butt if I didn't visit." The time spent away from them was hard enough as it was, but fortunately, they understood his duty came first.

Pointing up they'd see a small raise in the terrain, signaling that they would start ascending for the next part of the trek. They hadn't much time to speak from the heart with all the drama from earlier and now seemed like the perfect time for such things. While looking forward, he'd ask her a question providing she wanted to speak about it of course. "Are you close to your family?"

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Walking alongside Rahman, Sybella marvelled at the beauty that surrounded them. She also enjoyed conversing with the Orcolan, chuckling somewhat at his casual vernacular. "I must say, I can relate. Time is a thief but he is not subtle. I joined the Jedi shortly before the Sith and its Empire took control of Serenno. Ten years, I spent in exile. Away from my home. My family. I had to secret myself topside just to attend my father's funeral..."

Those were dark days, made worse by the passing of her father. Thankfully, and rather recently, her planet had regained its independence. Making up for lost time, Sybella now visited frequently. She didn't need to hide her allegiance to the Jedi, nor fret over the safety of her remaining family.

"My mother is the current matriarch of House Demici. She worries for me, as all mothers do. If you asked her, she would say I ought to have long been married by now" Chuckling softly, Sybella then shook her head. "- not for her lack of trying."

One or two suitors had already come-a-courting, but (for the moment) the heiress remained steadfast in her duties as a Jedi.

"Tell me about your family, Rahman. Do you have any siblings? I would have loved a brother or sister."

There was Kalique, of course. Her cousin. The two grew up together and were admittedly close, despite their difference in allegiance. How ironic, both were knights, but one served the Jedi whilst the other acted on behalf of the Empire.

Distracted by conversation, Sybella returned her attention back to the lush, vibrant jungle; a breathtaking waterfall began to emerge. Cascading gracefully from the rugged cliffs above, the falling water created a mesmerizing symphony. The surrounding landscape, alive with a kaleidoscope of hues, painted a vivid tapestry of emerald greens, vibrant yellows, and earthy browns. Enveloped by towering ancient trees, their majestic canopies intertwined, creating a temple that filtered the dappled sunlight. Enchanting patterns were then cast upon the glistening water. A delicate mist rose from the impact, shrouding the air with a cool, refreshing vapour.

"Beautiful. Simply beautiful..."

 

[Rahman Bahadir]

Sybella's story tore a hole in the Orcolan's heart, it was such a terrible thing to separate family and worse still when they are within arms reach and yet you cannot. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said solemnly. A family could be a complicated affair, but when politics got added to the mix it could quickly become both dangerous and miserable. He could only imagine the pain that she had gone through, and perhaps still was.

When she mentioned marriage, Rahman joined her chuckle. "It only starts there, and then it becomes a 'Where are my grandbabies'.." Even among his culture, this concept was happening, although he had only come of age the previous year and might be afforded a little more time before it was his turn. "Hmm well, I have four brothers and two sisters. One of the brothers and sisters are twins and adopted but we love them as our blood." The Orcolans all shared parental instincts even for those not their kin, a trait that Rahman treasured.

"As a middle child, it was pretty crowded." Looking out over the trees and through the clearing he spotted the beautiful waterfall as it came into view. Its stunning features made the entire trek worthwhile on that alone, the rippling water tumbling over the rock's edge and hurtling down with thunderous applause brought all sorts of wildlife to this serene place.

"And resources were pretty tight, but that just made us resourceful. Farming your own crop, that kind of thing." On occasion, he would even slip away and spend the night under the stars watching the night sky go by when everything was so very much simpler.

Down below and far from the crashing water's edge they could spot a familiar face or three, teasing and playing without a care in the world. "Look, our feline friends from before." The image brought a smile to his face and a sense of pride after what they had been able to achieve. It was then that he pulled a small cloth from his coat and offered it to her. "Here, a parting gift as a token of my appreciation."

If she peeked between the layers she would find a small whistle carved from a dark stone. It was crude and handmade, but hardy and strong like its creator. "It's silent to most creatures but to a predator? highly annoying. If you are ever in danger, this might buy you enough time to get safe."

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

"What a wondrously large family!"

Sybella could only imagine the happy chaos that would ensue from having so many siblings. Though not directly related by blood, the Knight had grown up alongside a number of padawans. In a way, they were also like family. They grew up together, as well as trained side by side. Perhaps she ought to reach out and check in on them; it would be interesting to see what paths they decided to pursue.

Stranding the peak of the acescent, the heiress couldn't help but smile down at the trio of tigers. They seemed happy, frolicking as nature intended. The mother (no longer a howling, snarling mess) was aware of the Jedi's presence; thankfully though, she regarded them more as friends rather than foes. She lounged rather happily amongst the grass, bathing in the sun and its warmth as her two terrors dashed about by the water's edge. Hopefully, the ordeal they endured today would never again be repeated.

Rahman's gift was certainly unexpected. She took hold of the carving as if it were the most delicate thing in the world; ironic? Yes, consider who made it. At first, she thought it a totem of some kind, but when the Orcolan revealed it to be a whistle, she marvelled at the clever practicality. "Well, aren't you full of surprises? A Jedi and an artisan."

Never one to be out done, Sybella pondered what she could offer in return. She knew her companion wasn't expecting to have something in exchange but (touched by the gift) she wish to reciperaote the considerate offer. Taking off an ornate belt made of cloth and beads, the Serennian tied securely round Rahman's bicep. Soon enough, it was transformed into a makeshift armband. It was actually quite humourous, the sheer difference in size.

"I'm sorry it's not much, but I hope it serves as a fond reminder of our time together. Should you ever need help, Rahman, know that I am only but a call away."

/End