A Redefining Moment

[Mistress]

The Jedi Knight was teaching a class when she felt a most powerful movement in the Force, and it was meant for her to feel. It was that of unbridled love. Knowing none in her life so closely, love like that can only come from one, her twin Xotomi. Along with the feeling came that of another presence. Who was surely its originator, she can only speculate. And she does have a suspicion, only cannot be certain because it felt so different than she knew it to be. She took comfort to know that Xotomi did not die alone.

Lutomi left that night for the Hutts, seeking the Renelo's. It wasn't until just recently she had received word of their location. To great dismay, after the fire bombings, she could not reach Xotomi Telepathically, and for safety reasons she hadn't been alerted to their new location. Her focus in the Force got all out of whack; she couldn't meditate. But in time she learned her sister lived, it was exactly what Lutomi needed to get on in life.

She left the Jedi so abruptly, because she did not want to infect the Padawans with such strong negative emotion that she is feeling. She hopes she can forego the necessity of a meeting with the Council, to discuss the changes which are effecting her. On the voyage she tried to meditate the anguish away, but it would not be ignored. It is a most dangerous state for a Jedi, one of which she is adamantly mindful. But the risk so great as it is to fall to the Darkside, actually has her terrified. That's just another thing needing to be controlled.

The Knight had always been successful at guarding well her emotions. But Xotomi's plight had always been a struggle for Lutomi. She hated to know her sister was hurting. Now she's dead. All along Lutomi had encouraged Xotomi to face her challenges and surpass them. Some are just not so easily conquered. Maybe in time...

Lutomi, grasping at a sense on belonging, researched fully her biological roots as a Mandalorian. She got to experience the culture firsthand when Sisk had stowed her away to keep her from the Battle of Corscant. She had remained with the Clan for some time, gotten to know her brother, and many of the family. To honor her sister's memory, she decided she would finally join her family by taking on the name, Lutomi Renelo. She has no idea what her last name is exactly. She could have picked her Father's name, her Mother's. But a strange stirring arose, and Lutomi needed something that felt more real to her.

She never did get to meet her sister's children. She had intended to before, but found herself to be sidetracked by her sister's Master, a man whom Lutomi felt that the Force protects. It was ironic, for he was a Sith. But the Force had bigger plans for him. Had Lutomi been free from his imposition, she might have been caught in that firebombing herself, maybe so even Xotomi and her children. Maybe the Force also protected her?

She touched her vessel down on Nar Shadda, as near to the Mandalorian Barracks as she could. It felt strange to be here, in such a an overly developed city. She could see how it might seem appealing at first, all the hypnotic lights along with lure of gambling and drink for the men, until such a place entraps a person. She thought that certainly this is not the preference for a home, for anyone of Sisk's Clan. She walked through the streets, allowing herself to be guided.

 

[huntressofworlds]

Nereza Temar-Renelo was not happy, not happy in the least that her riduur had gone off on some fools errand back to the Mandalore Sector. She had also not exactly kept her displeasure in the performance a secret either. Being left with people she didn’t know and carrying what was like one of the last of the new generation that had been conceived on a world that no longer existed now, seemed more like abandonment. No, Neri Renelo was not happy. She’d only found her way into the Renelo clan through her marriage, and while she felt them as an extended family, the risk in returning home had been too great to the one aliit she was foremost ingrained into, yet James had gone anyway.

She’d spent the day on the trip back to Nar Shaddaa working on her ship’s systems, even pregnant she wasn’t about to risk the Sniper’s hands at her own systems and inner workings. When they’d approached the Smuggler’s Moon, she cast a glimpse out her port towards Nal Hutta in the distance, a inhale ensued as she finished what she was working on and began to finish dressing herself in her armor following, a slight adjustment here and there around the torso and she waited for James to take them in to their private docking facility they’d managed to secure for a time longer on Shaddaa. They’d used it thus far without any incident, tucked away from view.

Neri’s eyes had followed James as he’d come down from the cockpit, not a word passed from her lips, her eyes still attempted to drill holes in the man like the deadliest of lasers and with her hormones fluctuating, and her already volatile Mandalorian heritage, she was like a miniature thermal detonator primed and ready to explode. Of course she vented just a little bit of it as she walked up behind James who had let the rampway down and had just picked up his helmet. A sharp and well deserved smack to the back of his head came as she passed by him on her way down the rampway for making her come back to this accursed planet.

Tatooine had been a preferred place to all this criminal activity and spying and with her maternal instincts running at their peaks, going to such a potentially deadly place seemed like a bad idea, but she wasn’t about to let him go at it alone. She’d been quite careful as to how close she came to the line, knowing James had just lost a friend, one he considered a sister. It seemed an honorable thing he was doing, but that didn’t mean she had to like it, perhaps the only reason she’d not sent him dancing with blaster bolts licking at his heels. Ah well, perhaps she’d get back to the sandy waste world soon enough. Ever the mindful warrior she checked her weapons and their cells before casting her T-visored gaze back up the rampway towards James.

“Any idea where we’re going?”

 

[Grim]

He couldn't lie, He deserved it. It was stupid, it was brash and it was unfair. However, it had to be done. The force had screamed it into his head after picking up his injured clan mate. He had tried for push it a side and tried to forget it, however the Force would not let it go. On that mission, he had tried and tried to warn her that something bad would happen. Time and time againg she had turned his words in her darkness as an attack against her. Now, he knew what the force was trying to protect her from. At least in the end she had died a Mandalorian and had lost that darkness, her sickness in the end. However, it was no consolation to the children. He gave each one a piece of her armor and for now he had one more piece. He didn't know who to give it too. That was until he herd that she had a sister. He didn't even know where to meet her, but he had a feeling in his gut that he would meet her here. He had felt that she was here on the this moon and hopefully he would be able to find her. For now he figured it best to head to where most of the clan had holed up.

He didn't even see the slap coming, he was just getting his scattergun holstered up and getting ready to put on his helmet when he felt the sharp stinging pain of a smack right to the back of his head. He let out a small grunt and rubbed it while he walked down the ramp. It appeared she was still slightly mad about the whole thing. Just slightly though so an improvement from earlier. For now he slipped on the sleek helmet of his suit waited for it to pressurize and exited down the ramp making sure everything was in working order and ready to rock.

"You know, you didn't have to hit me that hard." He exited into the hanger and let out a short sigh, not happy himself to be back here but duty called again. He scanned around and got his bearings "Its this way, I think." He started them on their trek towards the lodgings of his clan. "Have I told you that you have been looking radiant lately?" He asked just as they left the hanger behind.

 

[Mistress]

She felt absolutely tired from feeling so terrible for so long. It had been at least two months of worrying, guessing and turning up nothing to try and find these people. It took its toll on her, which shows in her eyes. Now that its too late, Xotomi is gone, here she is. And she feels worse than ever, unable to let go and move on. That never happens for the surviving twin, moving on, not for two people who had been so utterly tied up in one another for their entire lives.

Hearing the news that Sisk might be alive, because it is the belief of the children, has peaked Lutomi's interest. She certainly wants to speak with them about why they adamantly believe this.

As Lutomi walked she ran over the memory of Xotomi's final departure in her mind. She seemed stuck on the presence of that second individual who lent her sister his power to send her farewell message. 'It couldn't be.' She patted her Lightsaber that still held the signature of its original owner. 'Nope. It just couldn't be.' The two felt so entirely at odds. But she wondered if she shall meet this person today, here in the Clan.

One thing about Lutomi, she doesn't fit in with the crowd very well. She is proud of her station. When necessary, say on a Mission, she will do as instructed. But she is not afraid appear to be the Jedi she is, in public. The Mandalorians wore their armor everywhere, and the Jedi walked, protected in the Force.

She walked the path to the Barracks, but felt a tugging at her back. Lutomi turned around just outside the main doors, to try and spot who it might be that was demanding her attention.

 

[Grim]

The two walked around the corner towards there destination of the clan barracks. While the trip was rather quick they did have to make a few stops to get some vendor foods that seemed to be as addictive as drugs to his pregnant wife. He would have made a joking remark, however she still gave him an Icy stare from time to time that said she still wasn't completely happy with what he had done. He still didn't know how he was ever going to make it up to her, but until he could find out a way back into her good graces he would do what he could. Admittedly that wasn't much as she seemed completely dead set on not letting him help like he felt he should be.

There was one last stretch to go and he was about to say something when he felt something odd. It wasn't the feeling he had when Xotomi was going to do what she had done. Instead it was like something was watching them almost but it wasn't a dangerous feeling but more of a curious feeling. He hadn't felt this before but he did straighten up some and rested his hands on his pistol and gave a look to his wife to step just a bit behind him. Then they rounded the corner not sure how or what if anything was waiting for them.

 

[huntressofworlds]

Neri was still moderately displeased with James, but her frustration with him would subside in time. Of course Nar Shaddaa held it's own allures and addictions, she'd recalled the first time she'd found herself before one of those damned vendors, sampling the coated slivers of edible heavenly renderings. In the end she'd had to have a small clutch of them as she walked alongside James, her helmet at her hip as they made their way towards the barracks. Fortune favored her that she'd just finished her edible treat when James made his motion for her to fall back, still chewing the last piece she drew her helmet back up and resecured it atop her head, her hand fell upon her own blaster, a slight ease of it out of it's holster as she held it at her side, finger resting alongside the trigger as she stepped herself closer against the wall, her eyes dead set on James who was taking point around the corner.

 

[Mistress]

If there is one thing a Jedi truly detests, it's lead bullets. It takes a sound mind, secured in the Force to deflect them, for sure. However the Knight had to trust that she would not meet the end of her journey here among her distant family!

She knew she wouldn't find it difficult to spot anyone; Xotomi was her identical twin. It is only expected, that in time someone will have a strange reaction to her presence. This would perhaps be a most uneasy experience for one who has suddenly lost her own twin.

And it began. Lutomi faced the street before her, with the barracks at her back. First there was Parja to exit the barracks followed by Heron and Nakshi. They rounded Lutomi, and stealing a casual glance at her, stopped dead in their tracks in awe and heart wrenching confusion. Each little face focussed entirely upon Lutomi, who was in turn so moved by their striking resemblance of blond hair and curls. She knew Parja from her rescue at the Battle of Coruscant. The Knight, so accustomed to fighting to keep emotion in check, forgot her station as she knelt down and welcomed them into her arms. Their shared acceptance of her, she found to be rather intense and fulfilling.

Time stood still. Nothing else mattered for a moment, until someone else rounded the bend with his hand resting upon his gun. Lutomi quickly slipped from the children's grasp, and with a swing of her arms gathered them behind herself, as she stepped forward from the entrance. She stood unthreatening, focussed on James, certain he was the one whose presence she had felt just moments ago. Unsure as to why she is to meet him, she can assume he was close to Xotomi.

 

[Grim]

James relaxes, noticing the family resemblance of the stranger in front of him. He relaxes and gives a nod to Neri to relax. He keeps moving forward until he is close enough to look over the woman before him. There was little doubt that this woman was the person that he had felt "Watching" him. There was even less dobut that she was the sister of Xotomi, they must have been twins or at least could pass for it. When they finally got close enough that James wouldn't have yell he waves to the children then stops in front of the woman.

"Greetings I take you are the sister I have heard about?" He held out his arm, "My name is James Temar-Renelo, this" he gestured with his free hand, "Is my wife Neri. Its a pleasure to meet you."

 

[huntressofworlds]

Neri relaxed as James nodded to her, holstering her sidearm back at her side she followed a few steps behind him, her eyes taking in the woman before her and the children behind her, a protective material display if there was one. Only recently did Neri understand that instinct. She was quiet however, as she listened to James greet Lutomi, and introduce themselves.

Gestured towards, Neri gave only a nod of her own greeting to the woman as she scanned her with her visor’s sensors, looking for weaponry or equipment on her. She stood at the ready, contemplating how the news was likely to be taken by the people before her. She would offer her condolences, but only after James had gotten that far, for the moment she was quiet otherwise.

 

[Mistress]

"Lutomi," the Jedi Knight exchanged, gripping her small bare hand into his armored crushgaunt, while attempting to lock with the eyes behind the visor. "It had been my plan that I might meet my distant family under far better circumstance." Lutomi currently inwardly struggles with reasoning, as to why the Force would permit such intense hardship to befall a single race of people. Her story seemed to be one of constant struggle, having been born Mandalorian but only recently aware of the fact. Not to mention Sisk's people nearly killed her and her when they abducted her, believing her to be Xotomi. She nodded in turn to Neri, before adding, "It was a long hard wait, to discover your whereabouts this time." The Mandalorians had done rather well at concealing their presence to the rest of the galaxy. "It was more by a factor of omission that I found you here." She was tormented with thoughts about 'what if's.' 'What if I had discovered this base earlier? Perhaps Xotomi could have been saved.' She looked down at the little faces who suffered the most. She could tell they were still captivated by her uncanny resemblance to their mother. She could do nothing but want to love them in return, an entirely new awakening she just now discovered about herself.

She glanced to Neri again and easily determined her condition, while the children showed their affection by clasping to the hands of all three adults. Lutomi did not wish to put anyone at risk by her presence here. "If you don't mind, I'm not one to be typically met with open arms by most local authorities; might we go inside to talk?"

 

[Dargeth The Hunter.]

Kyouteki was sat in the a dark corner of the meal room his Vorn-cat beside him as he tried to pull himself deeper into the shadows, his wounds were healing but slowly and even the bandages showed spots of blood that had leaked through, he had denied the use of bacta and had worked with a crude doctor who had once worked as part of his network. As he lifted a spiced ale he took a sip his mind still reeling from the news that Xotomi was now gone, the day he had found out the poor Renelo had ran from the room as Kyouteki smashed everything inside his screams of rage echoing the corridors, the Renelo's had been giving him a wide berth since knowing he would explode again sometime soon. As he grunted and drained the last of the ale he grumbled and tossed the cup onto the table with a small clatter mumbling something and rising with a sharp sway and began to walk down towards the exit, the cat remained her eyes watching Kyouteki with sharp movment's sensing his mood. As he passed the weapons check he withdrew two large Baton's his eyes narrowing as he turned to exit knowing he was going out to vent his frustrations and anger, as he swayed he heard voices and stepped to the side to allow those who entered to go past un-checked and his eyes closed as the images of him and Sisk running through training and Xotomi and Sisk laughing together cut at him. Sisk, the brother and father he had never been allowed to have, Xotomi, the woman who loved the clan like her own family, now one dead and the other imprisoned, he knew what he would have to do and already he was putting out the word for Damien, the one man he trusted without a doubt, the next being Dargeth but the man had vanished months ago and not even the Hutt's knew of Dargeth's status.

 

[Grim]

James nodded and led the group back inside the barracks, or what passed as them. They were rather bare but they worked for what was needed. It was inside that James started to wish that he was back in his home on Tatooine. The barracks were less solemn than it had been the last time they were here. However, it was still a dark feeling place but it seemed day by day it was getting better. Hope was always a hard thing to kill. He watched as the children looked quizzically from time to time towards there aunt unsure who she truly was.

"This is it, its not too much but its been home to most of us for awhile. Its not quite what I think we should be in, but until we can do something about it, it will do." He paused and reached onto his belt and pulled out a smaller piece of metal and offered it out to the woman in front of him. "Its not much, but it is custom that a small piece of armor is taken from the body and given to family. I collected an extra piece just for something like this, the children already have theirs."

It was a small gesture and he wasn't so sure she would even accept it. He hoped she would take it and maybe find some comfort in it from the current situation.

 

[Mistress]

Just within the door James reached out to her. Lutomi was surprised to see the small piece of armor gripped in his hand. He explained it is their custom. Lutomi looked down at it in his hand for a moment. She became aware that there is so much about the culture she was born into, that she still doesn't know. And she wants to know. Her closeness to her Late sister's family is the most fulfilling in life she ever had. She became aware that there is nobody in the Jedi who truly know her today.

The instant she gratefully took hold of it, she became flooded with emotion brought on by visions of her twin. She nearly winced as tears flooded her eyes. Parja noticed her struggle and immediately grabbed hold of her. Lutomi fought back hard to control herself, when she would have been better off just permitting herself this natural need for mourning. "Thank you, James," she managed. "It does mean a lot to me. Also, thank you that you had been there to witness her fall." Regrets about 'what if' rushed through her mind; somethings a sound Jedi shouldn't experience.

A wave of emotion just as intense as her own emanated from another who stood near them, but did not cast his gaze upon the group. Lutomi reached out a hand to gently grasp hold of Kyouteki's forearm as she turned to face him. "You're hurt," she acknowledged, hoping there is some way she can aid him. There are so many new faces since she last stayed with the clan.

 

[Dargeth The Hunter.]

The hand grasping his forearm startled him for a moment and his eyes lifted and for a second surprise flooded through him as his nose flared and pupil's widened, it was not Xotomi but the resemblance was there and it was scary, as his eyes closed a wave of anger and guilt flooded through him as he muttered " it is nothing ". The surgeon had been trying for days to get Kyouteki to a Bacta tank or some form of healing centre but he had refused, the pain that went through his body was his own sort of self punishment for the fact he had not been able to save those he cared for.

As he looked to James he grunted " i am going to see the Hutt's, if they will not help up get our brother, i will tear their empire down around their ear's " his voice was soft and held no emotion, even the orphan's had noticed that something had changed deep within him, something that scared them even more then their years in slavery ".

 

[huntressofworlds]

Neri followed in silence. Truth was she didn't know any of these people her time with the Renelo had been isolated more or less to James, she was particularly curious as to how the children and Lutomi reacted to the news and token that James gave her of her sister. There was a slight tilt of her head as the emotion welled up in the woman, it was enough to make Neri's jaw clench a bit. Truth was, it was another tragic loss of one of their people, only further dwindling down their sparse numbers. Still, compelled as she was Neri took a step forward next to James and extended her hand out, placing her palm on Lutomi's shoulder she focused her T-visored helmet on the woman.

"Mando'ad draar digu." Neri stated calmly, "She wont be forgotten. Its the finest way to go any true Mandalorian desires, in battle, fighting for those we care about."

There was truth there, though Neri retracted her touch and took a glimpse towards James before letting Lutomi divert her attention to Kyouteki. James was all she had left in the galaxy, she'd fight for him to the last breath, so there was a great understanding there.

 

[Grim]

Jame didn't see Kyouteki sitting in the corner. He had figured that after being dropped off he would have stayed in the hospital until at least he was in better shape. It seemed though that was not the case, in his absence the injured man must have left. He turned toward the man and looked him in the eyes. "You shouldn't go anywhere until those wounds are healed. Least of all, you shouldn't go to the hutts. They have nothing to truly offer us besides making us their slaves, for now we should rest and recharge."

This time he looked back towards Lutomi he could feel her mind run some, 'There was nothing that I could have done. She had her own mind made up and even with the force shouting at her she ignored it. When she left for the darkness, she was not your sister. Only in the end was she once again the woman we knew. So worry not about the could have beens."

James reached into his belt and pulled out three sweets and offered them to the children. He had already given them their pieces of their mothers armor, but he still like to give them treats. He did to all the children when he came across them. This time he looked to the sister and the injured, "Worry instead about the here and now. Then worry about the future. Too often we worry only about the past or the future, when we need to first see where we are."

 

[Mistress]

Lutomi was grateful for the kind words from Neri. She felt the woman quite a resilient spirit. She admired the strict adherence to culture even after such a terrible attempt by the Sith to destroy them. After having spent many months with her sister and the Renelo family following the Fall of Coruscant, she also learned the value of her roots. She missed the widespread familial closeness they had shared. The time spent with them had forever changed her life. The Jedi were her family, and although were ritualistic, were not actually rich in any formal culture. Her nieces and nephew, she deemed precious. But these barracks, here within this city just didn't seem right for them. Many of the women and children were lost to the attack. This is no place she wants to see the children raised. This is no place for them to remain. The sense of anger and hurt permeated throughout this pace, and it showed on their faces.

Kyouteki's withdraw from her, she can't claim she did not expect from a Mandalorian warrior. He was filled with anger, clearly dead set on his revenge. The men were in no position to raise children, let alone Force Sensitives. Lutomi knew this mentality when oppressed upon Force Sensitive children, is very dangerous. They would become targets for the Sith.

James' words of wisdom she took to heart and nodded. “I am grateful you had been there." She thought for a moment before she asked, "I do not believe it was your presence I detected when I felt her struggle in the Force. Was there someone else present?”

She returned her gaze to the children, as she spoke to James and Neri. “A galactic rebellion has been formed. It is my intent to join them. Let the children stay in my care until their father is rescued. They will benefit much from in the mean time, expanding their knowledge and fighting styles.” She would teach them everything they need to learn. To the children she added, “I would be delighted for this time to get to know you. Would you like that?”

“It’s been nine years since I have been free to visit family. So many new faces here. Please, if you ever need me, I vow my services to you." She passed on her comm link number. "Of course, you use code. What little Mando’a I did learn, I'm sure to find quite rusty.” The three little ones standing at her side, would gladly fix that shortcoming.

 

[Dargeth The Hunter.]

At the mention of the force he stiffened having managed to remember brief glimpses of the time of Xotomi's attempt to heal him and the emotions that had flooded him, as his hand curled into a fist those same emotion's rose and his arm trembled and he murmured " i have to go " and turned towards the door. He felt the same pressure building and knew he had to go before the bubble burst, the youngling's had told him of what had happened and he had instantly become afraid, he looked to James " if nobody from the Renelo's will step up and show them what mandalorian's truly are, then i will ".


Even as battered as he felt he lifted his chin stubbornly and he suddenly felt the Vorn-cat beside him growling softly as it slipped beside Kyouteki, as Kyouteki dropped the baton's he held out an arm " you saved my life, for that i will always be there, but i cannot stand idly by as the clan's become a splintered shell ". He knew a few haunt's of local hutt peoples, places he had met Dargeth more then once during his youth and he grunted, as his eyes flickered back to Lutomi he nodded softly " your Sister healed me, for that her children will always have my loyalty, but i cannot let Sisk rot away in those scum sith cells ".

 

[Grim]

James nodded to the woman, "There was aye, an old master. He was the first one there." The man had buried her on that planet and that was the last he had seen of him.

"You can take them if you want, but realize that they are Mandalorians First and Foremost. You would be insulting us and them if they were not raised as such."It was the truth laid simple, he had no control over them and he wasn't going to start a fight over it. It would be unfair for the children. It was unfair to force them to go with her but if they wanted to go they could. A Mandalorian was always allowed to do what they thought best.

Then he looked towards Dargath, "Some times friend it isn't worth it, they have nothing to offer us and as such we probably should do the same." he looked him over again, "Besides that, you need to get some proper healing before you can show anyone anything. You are in no shape as it is to go demanding stuff." While he had been out and about in the galaxy, deciding that he had to do something save stay here and take the meaningless jobs the hutts offered. "As for the clans splintering, I think you may find yourself surprised that the view you see in your eyes is not in fact the truth."

 

[Mistress]

The man who is hurting, Kyouteki, seemed dead set on heading straight into his destruction. James truly intended to help him. Lutomi saw that the best thing for Kyouteki is to be convinced to hold off on acting out his convictions. "There is a time and place for everything, good sir. It is the people as a whole who are successful, rarely a man acting on singular intentions."

James expressed his concern over the children. "Rest assured, the time I spent with the Renelo's was deeply enlightening for me. I have no intention of changing a hair on their head let alone their cultural inclination, only to expand their experience." Lutomi feels that the inner spirit of a child is strong enough to transcend their placement within the galaxy.