Ask Waters of Jabiim

[Laeonas Tannaras]

The feelings of apprehension were noticeable almost immediately. Laeonas gulped, bracing himself for another onslaught as he saw the master's face turn to a frown. He was partially confused, not entirely sure as to why the Jedi was so disturbed. She obviously had a weapon of her own, but perhaps she hadn't expected one on him. In retrospect, a lightsaber carrying force wielder clad in black did almost entirely match the stereotypical lightning shooting, madly cackling sith caricature he had in his head... though he was significantly more ugly than Laeonas could ever dream of becoming.

The younger Jedi began asking questions again, and this time Laeonas didn't hide the groan. "By tha force..." He muttered, rolling his eyes and turning to her. "Why... why d'ya think Ai took it from a Sith? It's a saber; it's a metal rod that shoots plasma out that can cut through anythin' but cortosis, or beskar, or thick enough... it can cut through most stuff." He grumbled, his crude description of one of the galaxy's most infamous weapons being put aside.

His thoughts drifted back to Mataou, and the look of indignation on his face was replaced by melancholy. That cursed mission that had led him to own the weapon now strapped to the Jedi master's belt still haunted him. The knight's guess was correct, in the most basic sense. It was implied that the Sith he stole it from was alive, which wasn't the case, but he didn't bother correcting her. With a frown, he gave her a simple nod of confirmation.

When they arrived at the site, Laeonas heart fell into his stomach. They'd described a landslide, but this was far worse than anything they could imagine. Soaked Earth, several tons of it, had fallen onto the entrance of the mine. He could only tell that this was where they were supposed to be because there was an abundance of rescue workers all around. A tent had been set up for the few injured that they'd been able to recover, while bodies wrapped in plastic bags were neatly lined up a few meters away.

When he got his orders, he nodded, before turning to the irksome Jedi. "We shouldn't try 'aulin' it all at once if we don't think we can manage." He stated, anchoring his feet into the muddy ground. "These people need our 'elp as quickly as we can provide it," he concurred with the Jedi master, reaching out with both hands. He wasn't formally trained in the force, but deep within him was power. Power enough to fight a Sith and live, power enough to escape Mataou and live. He was nothing next to the Council level Jedi, but against this rubble, and with the help of another, he could persevere.

"With me!" He shouted, unleashing his strength. The mud and rocks began to rumble a bit, and his outstretched hands would clench into fists. "Grab as much as ya can!" He shouted, wheezing from the exertion on his body. Physically it did nothing, but what he felt didn't echo what was happening. With the level of exertion he was using within the force, it felt like he was trying to lift an unpowered speeder all on his own.

In spite of the strain, it began to pay off. A chunk of soil the size of a small shack was ripped off, though dripping onto the ground. He tossed it a few meters away, past the hospital and into the jungle besides him. The environment be damned, these people weren't going to die. They didn't have his permission.
​

@Valen Pelora @LouJoVi

 

[Ephiny Daivand]

Ephiny was surprised that Laeonas seemed to be oblivious to why his lightsaber could only have a Sith origin. She also was irritated with his simplistic explanation of how the saber works. The Archivist felt an urge to explain to him "The lightsaber's plasma blade is the result of the energy focused in its kyber crystal." she made a pause and looked directly to the man's eyes "When a Jedi is going to build their saber, they will need to listen to the Force, because it will guide them to their crystal. The crystal will chose its Jedi, who will hear its music or feel harmony with it." the Jedi stopped talking for a moment, remembering when she found her kyber crystal. "The colors will depend, usually it will be blue or green. However, there is cases of purple and yellow."

"I asked if you took the saber from a Sith because only they have red lightsabers. This color means that they used the Dark side to bend the kyber crystal to their will, in a process know as bleeding. I can feel the darkness and corruption coming from it." she looked in the direction of Master Voran, who was with the lightsaber. "I read in the Archives that is possible for a light sider to purify a crystal that was bleed and when it happens the color will change from red to white. However, I don't know how to do it."

After Master Voran gave her instructions, Ephiny closed her eyes and focused in the Force, feeling it around her. Then she opened it and stretched her arms with the hands open, focusing on the debris before her. The rocks and mud started to move, she pulled it with all her strength and tossed it in the same direction that Laeonas tossed what he already removed.

After some time, the entrance was almost completely clear. Ephiny was feeling tired, there was more debris than she expected. However, the Archivist wouldn't stop, the lives of the miners trapped inside depended on her. With the cooperation of the three Force users, the last debris would soon be removed.

@Valen Pelora @Tom

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex was fully immersed in the Force. Dimly she was aware of the conversation continuing between Laeonas and Ephiny but paid it no mind. The hum of the corruption on her belt was an annoying distraction. She could feel that slight pull of Darkness at her waist. Alex set that aside. Her focus was holding the bubble steady. As the others cleared the debris, the mountain shifted and shuddered. It wanted to collapse. Mudslides combined with loss of vegetation had destabilized the entire surface. As the pillars of debris were moved, that mountain shifted. She could not hold the entire mass in place. That stretched far beyond her strength, but Councilor could hold pieces. She kept the bubble pressed out as she fortified moving sections of mud. It was exhausting, made doubly so by being unable to see where she worked.

The ever-present fear of the miners was a constant reminder to stay focused. Sweat dripped down her neck, running down the sides of her face. Her muscles were clenched tightly against the strain. In time, she could feel the clearing opening. Alex was unaware of how much time had passed. Rather, she felt relief and elation as the blockage was cleared. She continued to hold the bubble. Her eyes opened to see the miners pouring out. Their combined efforts freeing the trapped people. Alex released the Force after the last miner was clear. A thundering thumb accompanied her efforts as more mud slide over the entrance again…the cave within totally collapsed.

Her mind fought to stay in the present as miners were swarmed by emergency medical personnel. Thank yous flooded into the open air. She barely paid them any mind. This was her job. Alex straightened to look at Laeonas. “Thank you.” Her voice was sincere. “You have a choice to make.” The exhaustion in her tone was clear. “I don’t want to put you in a cell and throw away the key. You have a chance to change your path and leave that Darkness behind.” Alex would not take him to a Temple but she could find a Jedi willing to help him learn to combat the Darkness.

@Tom @LouJoVi

 

[Laeonas Tannaras]

Some would consider being forced to help in a rescue operation on pain of imprisonment as a punishment. For anyone else, it might have been, but not for Laeonas. In spite of everything he was, and everything the Jedi said he could become, he wasn’t a monster. Helping them save innocents was a job he’d wanted to do anyway. The man had hoped they’d pay him, or at least provide him with some insights on the force. But they hadn’t… and he was okay with that.

What he absolutely could not stand was the younger Jedi’s know it all prattling. He hadn’t expected that his crude description of a lightsaber would earn him an explanation that even his elementary holo reader would’ve found verbose. Bright blue eyes rolled as she explained everything. Some things he already knew, and some things he didn’t. But he wasn’t as interested as he was ignorant.

Apart from the knowledge that his saber was “corrupted,” and that it could become uncorrupted, nothing she’d said had mattered. It took everything he had to not scream a loud “SHUT THE FUCK UP!” At the Jedi, but he wasn’t going to gamble on a negative reaction from her master. So, he literally bit his tongue. These thoughts passed him by as they got to work… mainly because the Jedi had shut up.

It took… long. Visually, he hadn’t comprehended just how much dirt there was. Every speeder sized load he hoisted, there would just be more. It was endless, endless and exhausting. But at last, when he pulled up a load, there was nothing beneath. Nothing but the bubble, invisible to the eye, but open to his awareness thanks to the force.

From there, he and the Jedi powered through what was left. Ton after ton, pound after pound, ounce after ounce. Enough to create a path for the miners to escape from. They filed out one by one, and when there were none left, the three of them let their efforts collapse. Finally, the mine caved in as it should have— with the minor difference being that the miners weren’t buried.

Than, the thank you’d came, pouring from the miners. Poured for the two dressed like Jedi. Laeonas’ arms dropped, and he fell to his knees. He had power, but the Jedi had a focus he didn’t. They could handle the stress better than he could have dreamed. So he sat, glancing up as the Jedi master spoke.

She offered him her thanks. The only one directed his way. Bright aquamarines looked up at her, and though he looked fine, it was clear that he’d exhausted himself. When she continued, and she offered him that choice, he let out a sigh. He reached out a hand; but regardless of whether or not the Jedi master would help him up, he stood.

“…yknow, ai used ta think Ai was tha only one in tha galaxy that could do what we just did.” He said, not really addressing anyone. “It was silly, if ya think about it. Because Ai ‘adn’t seen anyone do it besides me. It’s… it’s what kids do.”

“Ai thought all those stories were stories… but when Ai saw that nut cut through a building of gangsters, Ai knew ai wasn’t alone. Ai realized that there had to be… there has to be thousands, thousands laike us…” he muttered, looking off in some random direction. The scene played out before him again. He remembered the blaster in his hand, the man with the saber. Bright blue eyes staring in confusion.

“…or laike me. Normal, decent or indecent people, who might do bad things, or act rashly when they shouldn’t…” He stated, glancing at the older Jedi again for longer than normal. “…or laike them. Ruthless, ‘eartless, murderin’ bastards. People who lost their minds, went nuts thanks t’tha wrong… tha dark side.”

He stood there for a few seconds, before looking at the both of them. “Do you… do you think anyone capable of what they did… would ever do as I ‘ave?” He asked, the look in his eyes growing pleading.

“Do you see a man, or some… some thing, some monster that ya need ta lock away?”
​

@Valen Pelora @LouJoVi

 

[Ephiny Daivand]

After the last of the miners left the mine, Ephiny felt Master Voran release the Force. She watched as the hill immediately collapsed, closing the entrance completely. Really the Morellian Jedi was really powerful, the Archivist would never have been able to save these people alone. Of course, Laeonas’ help had also been essential to the success of this rescue operation.

The Archivist remained silent as the Jedi Master talked to Laeonas. Then the man asked if the two Jedi saw him as a monster. Ephiny could feel his sadness through the Force. “I don’t see a monster. I see a man who has suffered a lot.” she said looking at him “However, you need to be careful with your rage, because you can really become a monster if you let it consume you.” then she pulled from her bag a holodisc “There are some meditation techniques recorded in this holodisc. Perhaps it can help you control your rage.” the Knight gave the disc to him.

At this moment, Captain Hulmdenn approached them “Thank you very much!” she said looking at all of them, including Laeonas. “The miners are all fine, they only had a few minor injuries.” Ephiny could feel her happiness. “The people of Jabiim are very grateful for your help.”

@Valen Pelora @Tom

 

[Alexandria Voran]

“I believe in redemption.” The words cut through the celebration. Alex would always hold out hope the galaxy could be better. Would be better. No matter her journey, the piece of her that believe in good would remain. People could be saved when given the chance. “But the path you walk now will end only in suffering. You will become the monster you fear.” She took the saber from her belt to hold in her hand. The corruption continued to ring in her sense. “I can find you a teacher, one who can help you find the right path.” Her voice was soft as she spoke, soft but clear. “All you have to do is say yes.”

The saber flipped in her hands. “But I can’t return this to you. Not as it is.” She would not turn the blade on. Cursed thing that it was. “The kyber is weeping, perverted to a Sith’s twisted needs.” She turned it over in her hands again. “It can be healed, and it must be healed.” Her eyes drifted back to Laeonas. “Again, you have a choice. Your path can change…all you have to do is say yes.” Alex’s plans for the saber were simple. Ephiny could handle the purification of the kyber, the hilt would need to be destroyed. There was only torment associated with that piece of the creation.

@LouJoVi @Tom

 

[Laeonas Tannaras]

He had expected a gift in return for his services before the Master had decided he'd either help them, or get shipped to prison. When the younger Jedi gave it to him anyways, he stood in surprised silence. Glancing a final time at the woman who annoyed him so, he snatched the disks from her hands. Meditation was a technique he'd been perfecting over years, but insights from a Jedi were always invaluable. He nodded in thanks, not bothering to say anything as the master spoke.

She seemed so... certain of where his path would end. The inevitability of it, the totality of his failures. Could that really be true? Had he simply been stumbling from world to world, slowly approaching the point where he'd become a shadow of his former self? It was hard to believe, but as he reexamined his behaviors over the past few months... a pattern started to emerge. He'd been acting with increasing aggression, behaving with reckless abandon and far less regard for the wellbeing of others.

But at the same time, he'd been getting stronger. His connection to the force hadn't been defined by pain, or anger, or suffering. There had been times in the past when it was... but not now. Had he simply fallen asleep to it though? If his path was towards evil, he probably wouldn't wake up in the morning one day and see a Sith staring back at him in the mirror. It would be gradual, drawn out over years, soul slowly rotting... like an amphibian, boiling in a bot.

His casual choking of the guards would have terrified him years ago. He remembered when he'd brought down that gang trying to castrate him, choking them all until they dropped unconscious. He'd felt so powerful in the moment, and for hours he'd felt justified-- and he truly was. But beyond that, all he could feel was shame, and fear for what he was capable of. What would that fifteen year old do if he saw the near twice as old man so casually choke a man out? Would he recognize him, or would he see the evil that this Jedi believed he was turning to?

He was uneducated, but his mind... it was an analytical machine. He'd sieved through memory after memory, searching for something that could wholly disprove the master's assessment. Yet he found absolutely nothing... nothing but what he'd just done. Nothing but an act of mercy, dedicated to saving others. So what if it had been motivated by a fear of prison? It was a good thing that he'd done... but she'd recognized that, and her assessment hadn't changed. Why should his?

It did seem some things simply weren't negotiable. The woman refused to return his lightsaber, which caused the look on his face to sour. "Th'at... th'at means somethin' ta me. Ai fought 'ard ta take it and live. Ai want it back... one way or another." He muttered the last part, focused on the "as it is" in her own words. Thinking back to the younger Jedi's words on purification, the master brought up healing the saber, which he assumed was the same thing.

"Ai... Ai don't know 'ow ta make those. If yer plan is ta open it up, or laike, take out tha rock in there, be my guest. Just laike... show me 'ow ta put it back t'gether when yer finished." He went on, kicking some of the wet mud as he looked down at the ground. Eyes trailed up to meet theirs again, an exhausted look still present. He remained fatigued from what he'd gone through... very fatigued.

"...all Ai've ever seen from tha Sith is wrong. They've all killed without 'esitation or mercy. Doesn't even compare t'tha worst of what Ai've seen from yer kind." Laeonas spoke up, glancing at the master again. "Yer... not monsters. Yer a mixed bag, but yer mostly tryin' ta make this galaxy better." Laeonas went on, before a small smile tugged up the corners of his lips.

"...Ai guess what Ai'm tryin' ta say is th'at tha only difference in what we want... is that Ai want t'be swimmin' in creds by tha taime Ai'm grey." Laeonas cooed, finally letting out a low, tired chuckle.

"...but joinin' ya doesn't mean Ai've gotta wear those stupid fuckin' robes, raight?"
​

@Valen Pelora @LouJoVi

 

[Ephiny Daivand]

Ephiny was surprised to hear Master Voran offer to find a teacher that could help Laeonas. However, the Archivist totally agreed with the Counselor, the man deserved all the help to not be consumed by the Dark Side.

After Alexandria said that the hilt of Laeonas lightsaber would need to be destroyed, Ephiny remembered of something “Master Voran, I can help him make a new hilt. After I did mine, I studied a little bit about the construction process in the Archives.” the young Jedi looked at the man “Of course, if you want my help with it.”

Making a hilt would be easy, but the lightsaber would need a purified kyber crystal."How are we going to purify the crystal? I only read about the possibility, but never did it myself."

Laeonas comment about the Jedi robes annoyed Ephiny. "Well you don't need to use the robes, but I think that you could use some colors. So much black makes you seem like a Dark sider."

@Valen Pelora @Tom

 

[Alexandria Voran]

The Force rang with finality. Alex could see the paths in the future crystallizing. Her feet were set firmly on the road she intended. The war clouded so many paths but this she saw clearly. She smiled softly at Ephiny, always the scholar. “You can make the galaxy better, and I know in your heart you seek to do the same.” This would not be easy. Laeonas had a lifetime of grime built on his soul. Years of slowly feeding his heart to the Darkness. There was no magical fix. Months of hard work rested before them. “You should accept Ephiny’s offer to help you craft a new hilt.”

Alex reached out in the Force. The saber floated before her, slowly twisting to come apart. In the air, hung the ruby red crystal, and the twirling saber hilt. Her formed a fist…crushing the hilt…scattering broken pieces on the ground. The glow of the crystal remained. She shuddered. The corruption was strong. Gently, she took the crystal and put in a pouch at her waist. She would not want to carry it long. “You’ll need a new one.” Her focus shifted again.

“I’ll show you both how to purify the crystal but Laeonas, you must be the one to do it, and we can’t do it here.” Alex laughed. “Another learning experience, Ephiny.” She turned to begin to leave the village. Their work here was done. “We need space for what we are about to do and fewer distractions.” There was room on Jabiim for purification, just not here. “Once the crystal is free, we can discuss what comes next.” The Morellian looked at Ephiny. Her meaning was clear to the Jedi Knight. No Temple or secrets to be shared until they were certain Laeonas was on the path of Light.

@LouJoVi @Tom

OOC: Exit Thread

 

[Laeonas Tannaras]

Their immediate focused seemed to be on making a new hilt. Laeonas had to process what that meant, but whatever it was, the master seemed to appreciate it. She'd smiled for the first time since they'd met; or at least, it had been the first time Laeonas had noticed. She finally offered the younger Jedi's name-- Ephiny. A name he'd struggle to pronounce; thus, it would be as annoying as she was. How fitting.

She'd offered help in constructing a new hilt, and asked the master about purifying the crystal again. The master had chimed in, agreeing with the junior Jedi. "...Ai don't really understand what's wrong with it, all Ai did was take it off a Sith. Ai've taken blasters and knives from people Ai knocked out or brought down before; ain't much difference... except this one's a kriffin' saber, Ai suppose." Laeonas tried to explain, but eventually conceded. He had no understanding of how these weapons worked. That Ephiny offered him knowledge should've made him curious, even excited at the prospect of learning.

But instead, her voice only caused his temple to throb.

Everything else happened quickly. The lightsaber hilt floated out into the air, hanging there for a few seconds. Laeonas had remembered the first time he'd seen it, flashing to save his life in the hands of the Sith who'd created it. He'd remembered the first time he'd held it; yoinking it off the floor as he ran for his life. He'd remembered activating it the first time, the hiss of crimson flashing to life. It had been a unique weapon, one that was different from any he'd held before. It would not be the first lightsaber he'd seen, or even held-- but it had been his.

And in an instant, it was destroyed.

The hilt was crushed, and within seconds, the parts were thrown off to the side in a variety of directions. That partially torn grip of human skin was destroyed; gone. The rest of the hilt was scattered over several meters, tiny flecks of unrecognizable, half crushed metal. Nobody could repair it now, not even the Jedi. He'd turn to her, a look of shock, dismay, and genuine anger. He'd watch the subtleties of the Jedi's body movements, how she shuttled when she focused on the crystal-- the faint, red stone.

When she said that he would need a new one, he paused, and his mouth would hang open slightly. His brow furrowed, and he stammered a few times. "...really? Ai didn't notice, Master Jedi." He said, voice dripping with sarcasm. That she'd so casually destroyed the weapon that had saved his life on multiple occasions produced... mixed feelings. It was his property-- something he'd made his by right of taking it. Still... she'd promised to help replace it.

She began speaking about purifying the crystal; a concept that the younger Jedi had brought up. The Jedi master had been shuddering at the mere presence of the crystal. Obviously, there was something wrong with it; if it were enough to make a Jedi master tremble, it had to be bad.

But... they'd destroyed his lightsaber. Destroyed his weapon, destroyed his prize. Even if what they'd done made sense-- even if it were necessary-- the Jedi hadn't even consulted him. "...Ai 'ope this isn't 'ow trainin's gonna go..." He muttered, shaking his head. "Ai won't 'ave mae shite destroyed on a whim; Ai... Ai get why ya did it, but just... just talk t'me next time, a'right?"

He wasn't... ready for this. Wasn't ready to perform some weird ritual to purify a crystal; which he still didn't fully understand. The crystal had been with him for so long, and he'd been blind to something that was clearly wrong with it. Spending any more time in it's presence, even like this, probably wouldn't end well. He needed to leave-- collect himself.

And he needed to tell his Mom.

He stood there, glancing between both Jedi. He'd smirk at the girl's irritation at his comments about attire. "It doesn't just make me look evil, it makes me look goddamned gorgeous." The man said, a coy grin slipping across his face. "...a'right, Ai'm assumin' that Ai'm allowed ta get off planet. Ai've got... business. Tha... people Ai care about need ta know."

With that, Laeonas would turn on his heels. He'd do what he always did if the port authority refused him leave; leave anyways.
​

@Valen Pelora @LouJoVi

OOC: Exit Thread.

 

[Ephiny Daivand]

Ephiny became a bit annoyed when Laeonas said that he didn't understand why it was necessary for him to make another lightsaber. She explained it some moments ago!

The Archivist was going to make another speech about corrupted kyber crystals, but was interrupted by Master Voran saying that Laeonas should accept her help to make a new hilt. She turned to the man and saw him nod in agreement. "Excellent! We can start as soon as possible!" The Knight said smiling, while looking at the man.

Then Master Voran started to use the Force to destroy the lightsaber, exposing the corrupted crystal. Ephiny could feel the Darkness and agony coming from it. The Archivist became even more excited when the Jedi Councilor said that she would teach both of them how to purify a kyber crystal.

Ephiny snorted from what Laeonas said about black making him gorgeous. While he walked away, the Jedi did a childish thing "You would be better with something blue, it would match with your eyes!" She screamed at him. When the man was already away, the Archivist remembered that he didn't ask him if he was from Brentaal. "I'll do it when we meet again." She said to herself. A curious and annoying man was Laeonas Tannaras.

@Valen Pelora @Tom

OOC: Exit Thread