Troubles of a New Home

[Austin Wolfe]

theme​

The view was nothing short of beautiful.

It had been years since Masters Austin and Galahad visited this small village on Dantooine, though the sunsets certainly had not changed in the least. With the last light of the sun escaping over the hills of the settlement, the sky turned fiery red and purple while the first stars began shining above. This time, the Jedi had their own ship that they were able to fly closer to the settlement instead of having to rent a speeder for their trip. However, the Azarael was weighed down much differently now — all the medical equipment had been removed to be installed into Deep Stone Crypt. To both Austin's chagrin and relief, he and his fellow Jedi Master had not needed to make use of the substitute hospital. The doctor would have liked to at least test its capabilities once or twice, but he put such desires aside for the good of the Order.

It was good that the equipment was no longer on board, because they instead had cargo of a different kind. With them, Austin and Galahad brought two Jedi Knights and three younglings from Brighthome along with all their meager belongings. In accordance with Wyck's directive that the Order should go into hiding, the Jedi Masters had thought it prudent to make use of their influence with settlements across the Galaxy to ease this process. Setting down the Azarael in the closest available clearing, they were all still some distance from the village. The loading ramp hissed as it opened up, blowing steam into the evening air of Dantooine. "Knights Eris, Bracus," Austin addressed the two Jedi standing nearby. "Are you ready?" They both nodded reassuringly. "As ready as I think we can be, Master Wolfe," Bracus replied with a small smile.

The laughing and giggling of children echoed from the depths of the medical craft. It seemed they had taken great interest with Tennant, and were having great fun pestering the D-0-C Medical Droid. Eris straightened the civilian clothing she had donned as part of their guise. "Young ones! It's time to leave," she called out, eliciting several moans and sad replies from the children. "Say goodbye to your friend!" Tennant came wobbling through the ship's corridors, with one of the kids dangling from his robotic leg. "Confound these children!" he exclaimed, having had quite enough of the shenanigans and tomfoolery.

@Shalken​

 

[Galahad Vult]

Though the time and circumstances of their visit had changed, the one thing that remained constant was the landscape’s natural beauty. The sunset had lit up the evening sky in a glorious array of blazing oranges and yellows, accented with iridescent indigo that faded into the umbral blue of night. Once again Galahad realized he had to remind himself that they had not come to Dantooine to sightsee. ⋮⋮ Even so, ⋮⋮ the bearded Jedi reflected, ⋮⋮ I could become accustomed to this view. ⋮⋮ However, that was a privilege that only Knights Bracus and Eris and the three younglings under their care would be able to enjoy.

It had been a long time since Galahad had visited Dantooine, and though many events had happened since then, time had passed so quickly that it only seemed like yesterday that he and Austin had cured the ailing village of the pestilence that plagued it. Now free of illness, the agricultural settlement had prospered greatly, having expanded to more than twice its previous size. Willing to grow their numbers even further, the village’s leaders had gladly accepted the request of the two Jedi that had saved them years before, and had prepared a cozy habitation that the refugees could begin their new life immediately.

With the Azarael parked close by the homestead, Galahad and the others disembarked, carrying the Knights’ and younglings’ meagre belongings. Though the children seemed to be enjoying themselves a great deal, currently eneamoured with the medical droid, Knights Bracus and Eris’ dour expressions betrayed their less-than-enthused outlook on their new life in hiding. Seeing this, Galahad pressed a firm and comforting hand against Bracus’ shoulder. ”Do not fear for the future,” he reassured in a lower voice. Master Vult knew that the male Knight was more of a warrior than a farmer, and gladly would have joined the final fight against the Sith. ”I understand going into exile to stay out of the Empire’s grasp is not the glorious end that you would have wished for, Bracus. But there is honour to be found in defending our own. You are a strong and capable warrior, and in the event you are discovered, I am confident you will be able to protect yourself and the others.” Galahad placed a finger against the other man’s chest. ”That is where true courage and honour lies: laying your life down and sacrificing it for the protection and salvation of others.” Thus encouraged, Knight Bracus nodded before stepping forward to catch up with the others. Master Vult looked on, knowing that the man’s acceptance of his duty would be difficult. Someday, Galahad hoped, he would. He needed to. The future of the Jedi Order depended on it.

Once the younglings had said their farewells to their new friend 10-NT, they followed along behind Eris until they reached the door of their new home. A forlorn silence had fallen over the group, and though the habitation was a comforting sight to behold, the children were not so happy to see it. ”I want to go home...” one of the younglings pouted, tears forming in his eyes. Galahad could sense the fear and sorrow rising in all three of them. It seemed this would be a more difficult transition than he first anticipated. Eris knelt down beside the one that spoke up, attempting to comfort the child. ”Hush, little one. It’s alright; this is our new home now. Don’t you like it?” Galahad smiled to the younglings, doing his best to help raise their spirits as well. ”Yes, that is correct! This place will feel like home in no time; it will just take some time to become accustomed to it.” This, however, did little to encourage the little ones. ”But I don’t want to live here. I want to go back to Tython, where it’s safe and nice!”

@Vosrik​