Voyage Down the Run

[Nostromos]

Space was cold.

Mjou had always been told as much, but the reality of the matter hadn’t ever struck home until she found herself crammed behind a shipping crate in the cargo bay of the Mother Gorrnie. A XS stock freighter lovingly referred to as Big Mama at the spaceports of Corellia.

While the ship was much loved by her three man crew, Mjou was slowly growing to consider it an ice queen and hater of children. It groaned loudly in the cargo hold, was easily several degrees colder, and it stank to high heaven in the corners she was forced to inhabit.

The stains were also cause for concern.

Huddled under a stolen blanket, the youth hid for days upon days; venturing out only when it was safe and the crew was preoccupied with sleep. Mjou did well to leave no trace of herself, a voorpak in a maze which even the most scrutinizing gaze couldn’t track.

It only became difficult once her personal supply of rations began to run low and stealing food became necessary, she couldn’t pilfer too frequently lest she be noticed; going without food was a very real threat. Thankfully, the freighter was fast and light; and the pit stop was to be within the next day.

Tynna | Late Morning | Lutris City

Mjou only had to wait the better part of a day before the barge landed on Tynna. The spaceport was nestled across a forested plateau, humid and tropical; rough trunked palms and sapling tawau that lined the ports perimeter bent under the morning condensation. A wispy fog hung over the oceanic valleys below, hugging the coastal cities like a warm shawl. The sun was just cresting the distant mountains, casting an orange wash of color across the forests and cityscape. Mjou had never witnessed anything like it.

Once the crew exited the ship, leaving her to refuel as they sought out the port city further down the mountainside; Mjour snuck out of the cargo hold. Avoiding tired workers and pilots, she made a quick escape from the Lutris Municipal Spaceport, following the crew of Big Mama to the tram that would take them down the mountainside to Lutris. The capital city of Tynna.

It was crowded but warm, and the hour long journey gave the youth a perfect time to sleep; an activity which she had not been consistently indulging in for the past five days. Mjou was haggard and irate, but mostly she was hungry; sleep was a welcome reprieve from her hunger but it was only a temporary fix.

The Tram arrived in the Central Activities District,a perfect place for tourists or pilots looking for a quick bite. Cantinas, restaurants and shopping centers littered the downtown district. Side street vendors were in decent supply, Mjou had little trouble stealing a few gruuvan shall kebabs from a cart and scampering off to devour her prize. The food was much needed and greatly appreciated, her mood lifted; Mjou could take her time now enjoying the city AND the content of it’s citizens pockets.

 

[Undine]

Jade had been on Tynna training with Jedi Master Reland Gil in the lightsaber form known as [thread=51749]Telekata[/thread]. The training session had just ended and they were both hungry. They ended up in the market of the capital city, Lutris. Jade had managed to find a fruit vendor with a remarkably large selection of Meilooruns, Barabels, Veejys, and Shuura. She was slightly disheartened that the vendor didn't have any Jogan fruit, but she decided on getting a Shuura. She sat on a bench in the marketplace, as Reland Gil went to find something to eat himself. As she bit into the Shuura, Jade was surprised by sweetness of the fruit's juice. In her opinion it held no comparison to the Jogan, but it was delicious she had to admit. When she noticed the Jedi Master's return she called out to him. "So, Master Reland what did you find?" Smiling she held up the now half eaten Shuura and said, "I bet I found the better of the two." She was laughing as she noticed a teenage female nearby, trying to steal some food from a vendor. "Master, look over there, what should we do?"​

 

[Raydo]

Reland had business on Tynna, but he had already met with his contacts for the day and he had held a small training session with a Padawan by the name of Jade Evoyn. It was hard to imagine someone so young learning the ways of the Jedi, but he was no older when he began learning...and he had started late. She had been asking for sometime to learn the basics of Telekata, a form his Master had invented when he hand was injured in battle. He often remembered her gloved hand after the battle of Coruscant. It had been so long since he had seen his former Master.

The form was difficult, and the basics were all about improving your control with telekinesis so one didn't impale themselves, or get the blades ripped from them. She was learning the basics well enough, but it would still be some time before she could begin real practice with the form. Reland was confident that this Padawan would learn well.

They had stopped to eat lunch. Jade quickly picked a fruit from the first vendor she saw. She was obviously disappointed that had not had a certain kind of fruit, and had chosen another one instead. He reached out with the Force trying to feel the young Padawan's thoughts. She wanted a Jogan fruit. She was not yet well trained enough to hide her thoughts from other Force users, especially ones as experienced as Reland. As the girl sat on the bench Reland said he would return in a few moments. He browsed from stall to stall, all while keep a close eye on the Padawan. They were not in Sith Space and they had taken care to not be obvious they were Jedi, but there was always the threat of attack by the Sith. He found a vendor that had been just around the corner from where Jade was sitting.

There it was. There were two jorgan fruit left. After haggling with the man for a few moments he handed the merchant the credits for the two Jorgan fruit and a Muja fruit. He had grown up eating the Muja fruit. If he thought hard enough he could almost smell the Muja Fruit Muffins his mother used to make. He took the fruit up and returned to the Padawan.

"I bet I found the better of the two."

"You know what us old Jedi Masters are good at?" he said jokingly. He was only 40 and he didn't consider himself old by any means of the world, but to this young one he probably looked like one. His hair had already turned a light gray, and Reland suspected it was fade to a pure white within the 10 years.

"By the Force, I am getting he old" he thought to himself.

He paused for a moment before giving an answer "We are excellent at turning totally mundane things into long, boring lectures. While, I have an excellent lecture planned for you today, I suppose I could spare you just this once"

He pulled both Jorgan fruit from a pocket behind his cloak.

"Sometimes, we just need to keep looking a little bit longer to find what we search for."

He handed the fruit to the girl.

"Good Job today. I am sure given enough time you will be an excellent practitioner of Telekata."

They talked back and forth while he took bites out of his own lunch.

He saw the girl before the Padawan did, but not too much before. This girl had excellent perception in the Force.

"What do you think we should do, young one?"

He watched her for a moment while Jade replied. He could tell she was at least somewhat sensitive to the Force. He would need to look more closely to determine how much so.

He stood up. "We are going to watch her. Don't give yourself away. There will be times when secrecy and stealth are a better weapon that an lightsaber."

He watched the girl snatch the fruit and begin to walk off. Reland walked to the stall she had just been at and laid down credits on the counter. It was more than the worth of fruit. He watched to see what would happen next.

 

[Nostromos]

Mjou traversed the crowd like a ghost, bumping into no one; making no ripples in the flowing tide of people crowding the market streets. Keen, sharp eyes darted from one person to the next; lingering on a woman with many jingling bracelets only to lose interest and continue a shrewd appraisal of the rest.

A fat, double chinned Gran hobbled passed her, a small tear in a heavy back pocket catching the little thief’s attention. Perfect. Mjou did not turn around immediately, instead letting the Gran get a few meters passed her before she rounded about. She moved like a sleek fish against the swift current of people, darting to and fro before finally she was on the man’s heels.

The youth followed him closely, letting the crowd push her around as not to appear too out of place within it. This close she could see how the fine hairs on his head were matted down with sweat, he was wheezing and one of his large hands grasped the front of his strained pilot uniform. Mjou could practically smell his distress, distracted was the perfect state for someone to be in to suddenly find themselves out of a few belongings.

Idly, she reached out and grabbed a hold of the frayed split in the Gran’s pocket, flexing her thumb and pointer finger around it until her knuckles turned white. With one mighty pull, Mjou yanked downwards; splitting the fabric and causing the content to fall free. At the same time, she overextended her step and pressed down on the back of his heel, causing him to stumble forward.

“AH! Oh Sir!”

Quickly, Mjou ducked down to her knees to pick up the contents of the Gran’s pockets, stuttering and fumbling as her sudden stopping caused the thick crowd to falter and sputter behind her. The heavyset Gran had spun around, only to stare at the distressed girl trying desperately to pick up his things from the street. Embarrassed, he leaned over to watch Mjou gather his things up in her arms and offer them up to him. “Please, I am SO sorry. I wasn’t paying attention”

“Mmm, yes; it’s fine here just give me those--” The Gran held out his hands and began plucking things from the girls arms, who was red faced and looked to be about as embarrassed as him; if he had had more time he might have assured her that she had no need to be distressed.

“Sorry, sorry oh man sorry!” Mjou looked like she was about to cry, holding her arms out away from her body to offer him everything she’d picked up. The Gran merely grunted at her and shoved his things into his other back pocket, turning away to walk back into the crowd.

Mjou continued to stare after the man, before that pleading, watery eyed expression morphed into a triumphant smirk. Slender fingers held a gold and black square up to the light, Mjou began to walk with the crowd once more as she admired the credit chip.


"Heh, Sucker"

 

[Undine]

Jade hadn't been sitting there for long, before Reland returned, and he was baring gifts. "A, A Jogan fruit, Master Gil you are to kind, this is my favorite fruit you know, they grew near my home on Pantora, I was so young then I can't remember much of my homeworld but the taste and smell of them have always stayed with me." Jade replied with a smile as she took the fruits and put them in one of her robe's pockets. "I'll safe those for the trip home." she thought to herself.

When Reland asked her what she thought to do regarding the petty thief, Jade felt they should follow her. Not really out of regard of the law nor the Jedi Code, yet something seemed to just make her want to find out more about the girl. "I think we should tail her Master." Master Gil agreed with her and moved forward into the crowd. Jade followed suit letting the flow of the people around her take her where the force willed her to go.

When the fruit thief seemed to bump into a Gran male, Jade knew better, she had seen exactly how the girl had landed the Gran on the ground. Her talents were impressive but they didn't change Jade's force sight. She moved closer to Reland, looking to the Jedi Master for guidance. "This is not Jedi related, we have no reason to do anything." Jade thought to herself, knowing all the while what the right thing to do was, but she was worried, if they got involved this could end very badly for them. Jade was caught between morals and their safety. "Master, what do we do? She stole from that man, but if we get found out we could be turned over to the Imperium or the Cartel." Jade turned back just as the thief began to walk away.​

 

[Raydo]

"We will be alright Jade." The Jedi Master replied in hopes to comfort the young Padawan.

He felt the tugging of the Force. Normally he wouldn't get involved in such matters, but this female was sensitive to the Force.

He assumed she had an unconscious ability to use the Force to sense her surroundings so Reland hid himself and Jade in the Force and began moving towards the towards their target.

He moved up beside the female before speaking.

"Hello there child."

He readied himself incase she bolted. He could easily grab her if she ran off. He also moved his cloak to reveal one of his lightsabers to female. He made it so it wasn't obvious, but he was sure someone such as herself would see it.

If she later turned them into the Sith of Hutts it would be far too late as they were about to leave the planet anyway. He just had a feeling that he was supposed to speak to this girl.

 

[Nostromos]

Mjou’s heart gave a few painfully slow beats before it picked up to a gallop, instantly her hand was tugged down and the credit chip was tucked into a inner pocket of her jacket. No one snuck up on her, it just never happened; it made the panic tangible and the very real fear of being caught even worse.

She moved at the pace she had been, walking with the sluggish flow of the crowd as she shifted her eyes to look at the older gentleman without really turning her head. Mjou didn’t need to face him fully to catch the glint of something at his hip, while she didn’t fully comprehend it as a lightsaber; the notion that it was a weapon was received and the youth had to steady her breathing.

Calm. Collected. Don’t act caught.

Finally, the girl turned her head and appraised the Jedi Master with a sharp eyed glare, looking him up and down and then at his Pantoran companion. The presence of a lightsaber was more than enough to solidify that she had infact been caught, but these---Jedi weren’t going to take her away. They had no authority here.

“Can I help you Gramps?”

It was harshly spoken, supplemented by a flowing aura of aggression. She was good at exerting her emotions, she did so now to appear too troublesome for them to bother.

 

[Undine]

Jade followed the Jedi Master as they followed the girl, once she turned around and snapped at them, Jade was certain that the girl was a thief, she could even see the credit chip in the girl's pocket with her force sight. But there was something else about her. The aggression coming from this pickpocket wasn't just her emotions, but something more. "Could she be force sensitive?" Jade asked of herself, the glare from the girl was lost on Jade as she couldn't see the fine details of facial expressions. "Calm, we aren't here to hurt you we just wanted to talk." Jade hoped she was read Master Gil's intentions correctly, this wasn't the first time Jade had discovered another force sensitive and she doubted it was Reland's first time as well. These things could go many different ways. From Jade's experience it was important not to be pushy and to keep the conversation as calm as possible.​

 

[Raydo]

The Jedi Master let out a short chuckle at the term "Gramps". He raised his hands in a non aggressive manner.

"I just want to talk."

He felt the aggression flowing from her. There was potential, but if she wasn't taught to control her emotions she would be lost.

"May name is Reland Gil, and this Jade" he pointed to the Padawan standing next to him.

"I noticed your...demonstration of your abilities back there. Would you care to get something to eat with me and my friend? There is a shop near here that makes pretty fantastic food, and of course I am buying. What do you say?"

He had been to the small restaurant the last time he was on this planet. It was private enough that they could talk without much fear of being overheard. He knew they had already eaten, but Reland had learned that the way to many people's hearts was through their stomach.

"If not, we will be on our way, but I warn you...It is really good food." he said with a smile.

He would not force anything upon this child and would let them leave if she so desired.

 

[Nostromos]

Mjou rounded on Jade, teeth bared in a manner verging on feral as she made to lay into the girl about how flashing one’s weapon for the sake of mere conversation wasn’t a good way to convey one’s passivity. But then the old man had mentioned food.

The thief paused, even going so far as to stop walking as she stared at Jade; or more accurately , stared at the space between them. Her mouth shut, Mjou swallowed down her harsh words and thought hard on her decision. This Reland obviously wanted something, him more so than the girl it would seem but still; whatever they wanted could it be so bad?

Perhaps they wanted her to do a job? Or maybe they wanted some information? She didn’t have any info that would be useful for surviving on this particular planet but she was amazing at coming up with legit sounding nonsense.

Her belly and her brain protested against each other for dominance.

What could they want? It could be a trap

Who would want to trap us? We just got here?

Maybe they want to report us for stealing? Don’t want us bolting!

But--But---But food!

Hng. Yes, food.


The youth gave a lazy smile as her eyes came in and out of focus, her internal monologue rendered her uncaring to the passerby’s; even the Jedi went beyond her notice as she processed and considered the options. Food won out in the end.


“Yeesssss” Mjou came to attention and looked from Reland to Jade and then back again. “---I mean. Sure. Ok. If you’re buyin’ I got no reason to say no” The youth then made a point to step as close as she could into the Jedi Master’s space without actually touching him; short of the slender finger she poked into his chest. Mjou bared her teeth again, this time in a smirk as she gave him a few rude pokes. “But if you do anything I don’t like, I’m screamin.”

Mjou turned to look at Jade as well, she’d realized the Pantoran was blind a good ways into this introduction; but she didn’t let stuff like that affect who she intimidated. “Goes for you too, Sweetheart” With that said, the youth crossed her arms and gestured with her chin for Reland to lead the way.

 

[Undine]

Jade was content to let Master Gil handle this conversation, the pickpocket didn't seem to friendly and Jade was a perfect example that age meant nothing in this galaxy, other than you had more time to better yourself. Reland had offered to take the young teen to some sort of diner so the three of them could talk. After a few moments of consideration the girl accepted.

When she pointed a finger into Reland's chest Jade started to become weary of the thief, but then she did the same thing to Jade as well. "As far as I'm concerned you may do whatever you like, but I do not care for unfettered and irreverent insults." Jade spoke with a calm voice as was her norm, but it held a hint of indifference as well. She wanted to make sure this girl was force sensitive, but she was uncertain if such insolence could even help the Order.

Turing to the Jedi Master at her side Jade asked, "Now then, where is this diner you speak of?" Jade followed Reland and the girl as they walked to the diner, they had been planning on leaving this planet but things seemed to at least be getting interesting.​

 

[Raydo]

He smiled as the girl defiantly poked at his chest.

"You have my word. Just something to eat and talking."

He led the two to an unkempt building near the spaceport. It was clearly a business but the building itself was in desperate need of repair. A neon sign lit over the front door read "Joe's" but all but the "J" had burned out.

"It may not look like much, but it really is quite good."

He walked inside and they got a small table in near the back of the restaurant. Reland gave the owner a few credits to ensure no one was sat too close to them and he was confident they could talk in peace here. He refrained from asking any questions until a heavy set man with a grease stained white shirt came out. Despite his dirty appearance, the man had a sense of jolliness around him.

"Welcome to Joe's. I am, of course, Joe. Is there anything I can get for you fine folks this afternoon?" he said with a smile.

"I will take tea and a bowl of your Nerf Steak Stew." The Jedi Master asked and then looked to the other two as they ordered.

After the man had taken their order and walked towards the kitchen, Reland finally turned towards the girl.

"So, we told your our names, what can we call you?" he pointedly didn't ask for her name. He didn't want to spook the young girl. She could give him her real name or a fake name. The outcome wasn't really any different in this situation.

 

[Nostromos]

Mjou sneered at Jade but made no further comment as she instead turned all her attention on following Reland to his little diner. Joe’s seemed like the cliche port city set-up; which put the little thief at ease, she’d spent the majority of her life in seedy little dives like this one. She made sure to seat herself across from Reland, and attempted to isolate herself as much as possible. Clearly defining the line between herself and the two.

The youth looked up as Joe approached, offering up a genuine grin she’d yet to cast to either Jedi. “Gimme a Fizzpop! Wait! Diet Fizzpop” Didn’t want these Jedi to think she was a fatty after all. “And uh---the Giju Slider” Mjou grinned as she passed her menu over, pleased that she’d chosen the largest, most expensive sandwich on the roster.

She’d need the protein later if she was going to escape this lightsaber wielding maniacs. Once she was done ordering, she leaned back in her seat and waited for Jade to Order.

After Joe moved off, Mjou crossed her arms over her belly; tapping her fingers along her elbow as she considered what she should tell them. On the one hand, telling them her true name would only result in trouble; on the other they were Jedi and from what she understood they could read her mind or control her body and make her tell them anyway. She’d settle for a half truth.

“Frisk. People call me Frisk.”

 

[Undine]

Jade had decided to sit next to Master Reland, as she didn't want the pickpocket filching anything from her robes. The diner was messy and smelled like grease, it was nauseating and reminded Jade why she had chosen to become a fruitarian. She kept her gaze on her hands as they sat on the table, but of course this meant nothing when it came to her. With her Force sight Jade kept a close eye on the girl across the table.

When Joe arrived to take orders, Jade merely looked at him. "I'll take a glass of your finest purple wine, Pantori Vineyards if you have it." Turning to Master Gil as Joe left she spoke, "I pay for the wine don't worry." It wasn't at all expensive, nor was it considered the best purple wine on the market, but it was Jade's favorite.

When the pickpocket gave them her name Jade had to keep herself from smirking, failing in this regard she spoke, "Frisk? How appropriate I think." She spoke with a hint of amusement on her tongue, but her words lacked any real malice.

(OOC - Spoiler)

Spoiler: Jade's Favorite Wine

~ Wine Song ~

 

[Raydo]

Reland and Joe both gave Jade a puzzled look when she ordered wine.

"She of course means non-alcoholic, Thanks Joe."

Joe's face faded in relief and the cheeriness returned.

"Then I will have this ready in no time!" the man made his way back to the kitchen.

They were still technically training, and Reland was not going to allow a Padawan, especially of her age, to consume alcohol. He hoped she would not challenge him on this, but would elaborate if needed. He then turned back to Frisk.

"Well it is nice to meet you Frisk." The Jedi Master said warmly.

"I am not going to ask for to much information right now. I can tell you are on the edge of running right now as we speak, and I can assure you, you can leave at any time you like. You will not see me again."

He leaned forward putting his elbows on the table.

"I don't think us meeting today was a coincidence. I am sure by now you sense that you are different from others around you. You think quicker, are not easily surprised, or your body reacts to situations immediately. I could sense it as you passed us. I believe you are sensitive to the Force, meaning the cells in your body are constantly in communication with the Force as it flows around us. Even untrained, it allows you to react with hesitation. This ability can be fostered and your abilities increased. I don't know what you know about the Jedi, you may not care about the Jedi, but we could help increase your ability. We could also provide you with a life that doesn't revolve around stealing your next meal, you could find a true purpose. There are those that use the Force for their own gain, but they only experience a small amount of what the Force has to offer us. It is a guide and ally."

He was taking a risk of sharing this information with the young girl, but the true promise of purpose was something he believed this girl longed for, even if she hid behind this wall of sarcasm and hardness.

He paused speaking as the food came out and was placed before them. This gave Frisk time to think about one he said and to reply if she so choose.

 

[Nostromos]

It was so much to absorb; too much really, and trying to work it all out made the figurative cogs in Mjou’s head sputter and stall. How could she even begin to believe this man? Trust was never something one gave freely. And yet, she knew in her gut that he was genuine and spoke true.

It only made her more conflicted.

When the food arrived, the thief didn’t even reach for it; an oddity in itself and one that her aching belly protested quite enthusiastically. Mjou felt her face grow hot and flushed, confusion and distress etched across her straining expression. “ You can’t just---I’m not. I’m not sensitive to any such nonsense. I’m a thief. An AMAZING thief!” The youth grew a bit more shrill as her emotions whirled and churned; a violent tempest in a barely restrained mind. No one had offered her hope or security since G’ymk; nobody had taken the time to tell her she was more than the sum of her most basic parts.

It was too much to hope for, and the stuttering youth could do little more than put her face in her hands and hunch over the table. “--You’re lying--” Shakily, Mjou pulled one hand down to wipe the back of her knuckles across her nose and chin. “ Y-you’re just havin’ a go at me---Jokes on you I just got to this planet; do know nothing and ain’t got a thing of value on me”

It’d be so much less complicated if her delusion was true, but she knew it wasn’t and was hoping to merely buy herself enough time to comprehend that this was in fact happening. She desperately needed that time.

 

[Undine]

Jade looked in Master Gil's direction, she was a free person and could make her own choices. Still however nothing good would come from making a seen when they were trying to show this thief that she could have a better life. When Frisk made mention of herself only being a thief, Jade smiled. "It is good for you to be a thief, sometimes our Order needs people with a stealth nature. As for you only being a thief, is it so hard to think that you could be more than what you currently are? Do you not seek to better your life and the lives of those you care for?" Jade had never been recruited into the Order, she had grown up with them and could remember how she had lost friends and teachers when the temples were attacked only a few years ago. She was glad this girl, Frisk had at least known a life other than constant hiding and lost.

Smiling She excepted the non-alcoholic glass of wine. "I don't know what the big seal is anyway, purple wine has the least about of alcohol because it is meant to be a sweet wine." Jade sipped at her beverage, it was cheap and left a foul taste in her mouth so she pushed it away from her. At any rate Frisk looked a little confused so Jade would let her mule it all over while she ate.​

 

[Raydo]

As denial washed over Fisk he continued.

"I could explain the science to you, but I think it would not rather bore you, but I can if you would like."

He took a spoonful from his stew and blew on it before putting the spoon in his mouth. It was still hot, but it tasted great.

"Many in the Galaxy have been given a gift. Some use it to help others, while some choose to help themselves. Of this last group, some people help themselves because they want to and some do so out of necessity. I don't know you, and only you can decided which group you are in now and what group you would like to be in. If I had to bet, deep down, you dislike taking advantage of others. I suppose I could be wrong, but even then you are being presented a different path."

He took another bite and gave the girl time to process the information. He didn't believe they were being overheard but lowed his voice anyway.

"The path of a Jedi is not an easy one. Its a life of selfless service to others, but through that sacrifice you find purpose and meaning. It isn't just surviving."

He hid a flash of guilt. The Jedi Order had turned into a group just trying to survive as of late. They hid in the shadows as the Sith conquered and subjugated more and more systems. Reland was practiced at guarding himself and no sign of the guilt would touch his face.

"The Path of the Jedi is not for everyone, and perhaps its not for you, but perhaps it is. Today, you are given a choice to choose a different path. If choose not to take it, that is fine as well."

He took a small stack of credits out of his pocket and placed them on the table.

"I can sense you are running from place to place. This would be enough to get anywhere you need to get to and get established. They only thing I ask is you give me your word you don't steal from anyone until this money is gone."

The stack wasn't much but it was enough to peak the girl's interest if she so desired to take that option.

"Or you can come with me and my friend here. The choice is yours."

He sat back up and began eating his stew again. He waited for what she would do next. He could tell that she was thinking hard about it. This was good. This was not something to be taken lightly.

 

[Nostromos]

Mjou had to think, but that particular train of thought kept circling and repeating; there was only one choice for her to make. She was going with them.

Tucking her hands down in her lap, the youth stared at the table top for a few more moments as she collected her thoughts. On some level she resented them both for trying to appeal to her better nature, no one in life was kind and selfless like that; well----one person had been.

The thought made Mjou visibly wince, lowering her head in shame at the thought of her surrogate father and how disappointed he’d be in her for what she’d become. No, she needed to make something of herself for herself, but his memory definitely lit a fire under her butt.

“I’ll---” Swallowing her pride and her distrust for these two was not something she had fully comprehended till the moment she made to accept Reland’s offer. Bitterly, the youth reached or her soda and drank deeply of the fluid; giving herself more time to come to terms with the inevitable blow to her pride.

Mjou drank the whole thing before she was ready to continue.

“I’ll go. With you. Keep your creds, I don’t take charity” She did, but that was besides the point. “But if you--or you” Mjou turned her attention to Jade before snapping a hostile glare to the older Jedi. “Do anything funny--If I think you’re tricking me even for a second. I’ll--” She didn’t know what she’d do, but it’d be messy.

“I don’t like being tricked”

 

[Undine]

Jade sat there listening as Master Reland spoke, the girl Frisk seemed to be pondering the former offer and seemed upset at the thought of charity from the Jedi Master. Once Reland finished speaking and Frisk accepted to join the Order, or at least give it a shot, Jade smiled. She wasn't prone to being threatened nor the threatening of another member of the Order, but she would let it slide as she understood where this girl was coming from and pose no real threat. She held up her glass of wine and called for a toast. "To new friends and family. I never had a family so my friends are my family. I shall protect and serve you with my life Frisk." Jade bowed her head slightly to show her new found respect for Frisk, this was a joyous moment. She then tilted back her glass of non-alcoholic purple wine that tasted like trash and drank it in one gulp, smiling and laughing all along.

Looking to Frisk, Jade spoke once more. "The Order has given me everything, some have even been injured or died to protect me and others, I offer them and now you the same in return. You are my family, and so long as you don't attack or kill another member of the Order you may ask of me nearly anything." Jade smiled calmly, she had no doubt that most if not all members of the Order felt the same as her, but she had grown up in time of war, she had seen with her own eyes as her peers and teachers had been killed and slaughtered. To young at the time to do anything to stop it, Jade had made a vow to never let such horrors befall her family again.​