Ask Burning Palms

[Shaw Amaris]

Qatamer. An oasis in the sparsely inhabited desert region of Kinyov and the providence's capital. It lay just over the horizon according to Devek, the graying Jedi Knight the two padawans traveled with. Over one or two or maybe even three dunes. He really hadn't specified how many or how long it would take them to arrive at the oasis. Just that it wasn't far. "Why don't we just land at the spaceport?" Shaw asked as the boarding ramp began to lower with a pressurized hiss. He really wasn't complaining. He was just curious.

"The satrap wants us to be as discreet as possible," the knight replied. Shaw drew the conclusion from the older man's tone that whatever the satrap wanted was what he usually got. "Spaceships tend to draw attention, and this could be construed as a bit of an embarrassing situation. Best not to call unwanted attention. We want to remain on good relations here." He gave each of the padawans a look that they would probably understand to mean so don't make me regret bringing you.

Shaw had learned over the last few days that Devek was the type of guy that wanted to say as little as possible and expected you to pick up on the rest by inference. The teenager looked over at the other padawan with a plafyul smile. Shaw hadn't pegged her as any kind of type yet. Her name was Theia Durand, aaaand yeah. That was pretty much all he knew about her so far.

"Make sure you've got everything and then head on out. Oh, and make sure your lightsabers are hidden." No worries there with all of the layers of light, loose-fitting clothing he had provided each padawan. At least the material was super breathable. "I don't care where you stow 'em so long as they're not seen. Shove 'em up your—" Then he remembered that he was talking to a couple of teenagers and his voice petered out, "...for all I care. Just go on." He shooed them off the shuttle so he could wrap up some last minute things. "Keep an eye out for our ride."

Fine by Shaw. He was eager to see the desert for himself. Slinging his pack over his shoulder, he descended the boarding ramp and stepped onto Llord for the first time. Onto desert sand for the first time. Brown eyes drank in the barren land mass. Every single inch of it made up of tiny, singular grains of sand. It was incredible! "Whoa," he breathed out, never taking his eyes off it. "You ever seen so much sand in your life?" he asked Theia. There was a good chance she had, but Shaw certainly hadn't.

The teenager sunk to his knees and scooped up a handful of sand, allowing the grains to slip through his fingers and scatter in the wind. A grin split his lips. If he looked like a kid experiencing play sand for the first time it was because he felt like a kid experiencing play sand for the first time. @GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

Theia was busy scrolling through her EZphone when she heard Shaw speak up; the padawan looked up to pay closer attention to the response from the Knight since it was a question that was eating at her also. She had a feeling the three of them were going to draw attention to themselves regardless if they arrived in the port or not, in her opinion, the satrap was just being...difficult. A common trait she was discovering among many in the galaxy, though would not fully accept how stubborn she could be herself. Shaw gave her a grin and Theia returned one, eyebrows raising slightly, expressing some concern as to how this whole thing was going to go over.

She probably should have gotten to know Shaw on their way here, Knight Devek didn't seem like the chatting type, but her mind was distracted and couldn't help to think she had forgotten something. She had gone over and over in her head what she brought in her pack as she pocketed her EZphone and then adjusted the strap of her bag over her shoulder. As she stepped into the sand, she felt her feet sink just a little, the warmth of the ground hotter than the air itself. An eyebrow rose as the padawan realized Knight Devek was still speaking, going off about his lack of concern and suggesting where they could shove them...

She wondered if he had his in the unmentionable place as implied because he absolute fit the description and had to practice some willpower to not spit out a response. Instead, Theia reached along her lower back, checking for the saber and that was not there...

Now she knew what she was forgetting, but there was no way she was going to admit that now.

Mentally Theia kicked herself for not getting it the evening before when she was packing, she would have needed to borrow one, still she didn't have a saber of her own. She thought she would remember in the morning before they left, but... she was proven wrong. Just act normal Theia...

Act... normal... Theia took in a deep breath and scooped up a handful of sand also, feeling it between her palms, "Tatooine...but this doesn't even feel like the sand there, this is... softer in a way." she said letting it fall from her hand, brushing her palms together to clear the last grains.

"Who is picking us up anyways?" she asked Shaw, feeling a little uneasy to be getting rides from "strangers", she was still getting used to letting others pilot and take her places who were not security detail. "It would stink if no one came and we had to walk."

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

Shaw watched the grains of sand carried by the wind. Individually so miniscule, and yet together, one by one, they made up the floor of this entire desert. It was incredible to think about. Nothing like Coruscant. Nothing like any of the other worlds he had been to so far. Theia's voice drew his attention. "Tatooine, huh? Never been there." That could be said for most of the galaxy. "What's it like?" Other than the sand. He got that part.

Waiting for her response, the teenager plunged his hand into the sand again. This time burying it up to the wrist where a colorful friendship bracelet hung and wiggling his fingers around. He thought about burying his face in it, just to see what it would feel like, but thought better of it when he remembered that Theia was standing right there. He glanced over his shoulder at her and shrugged. Nothing suspicious to see here. Nothing at all.

"No idea," he replied. He knew as much as she did. Apparently neither of them were as good at reading between the lines as Knight Devek thought they were. As if on cue, that was when the teenagers would see a small cloud of dust moving toward them over the ridge. Two male riders atop purple, long-legged creatures that looked like something his little sister would draw. Three more identical creatures trailed behind the riders, led by reins. "Here comes our welcoming committee now."

Shaw stood up, brushing his hands off on his pants. Knight Devek joined them, and the boarding ramp closed behind him. "Ready to go?" he asked the padawans but didn't wait for a response, plodding ahead and expecting them to fall into step behind him.

"Sulmu, Jedi!" one of the riders greeted the three Jedi as they jerked their mounts to a stop. Both men stared down at the Jedi. "Our satrap anxiously awaits your arrival."

Shaw's gaze traveled the length of the creature's legs, muttering to Theia, "Wouldn't wanna give me a boost would you?" That was when one of the riders tossed down a rope ladder that the Jedi could use to reach the saddles. @GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

Theia cupped her hands around her eyes, trying to make out anything on the horizon, listening to Shaw, "Its more barren, more rocks, still a lot of sand." she said glancing down to see him burying his hands into the sand, "I would rather be on beach sand, with the ocean, a smoothie, a vacation..." she let out a long sigh as she looked back out and then glancing up the ramp of the ship, hearing the Knight banging around, hoping he didn't come running down to reprimand her for speaking the "v" word.

Though when she turned back to look out for their ride, Shaw expressing his uncertainty of what they were supposed to be watching for, their transportation arrived...and it wasn't anything Theia expected. She was always surprised when it wasn't a ship or a speeder, or anything, organic. The creatures towered over them, Knight Devek walked out and toward their escorts. Theia walked beside Shaw as they approached, "I think they're called spamels." she told him as she was preparing to help lift him up to the saddle, awkwardly crouching down as the ladder came unwinding from overhead, "Easy enough..." she shrugged and went to her spamel, climbing up the ladder, patting its side gently as she took the reigns.

Theia felt absolutely out of her element, there was no speed, no hair whipping behind her head, split second decisions, none of it. It felt exposing. The redheaded teen leaned down rubbing the side of the creatures neck, it turned to look at her, a low rumble grew louder as she pet him, seeming to enjoy the affection, "Hey, go easy today, I haven't done this before." she spoke softly, catching the dark eyes of the creature, and for a moment it seemed like it was really listening to her, a feeling of peace and even reassurance as she leaned back up, smiling. She glanced to Shaw to see how he was doing, but Knight Devek was finished talking and gave the men the okay to get back to the city.

"What's Qatamer like?" Theia asked, getting a quick warning glance from Devek as to not embarrass him, but she ignored him, hoping their guides would have some information about the city.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

A nice vacation on a beach did sound nice right about now. Shaw didn't really need a vacation strictly speaking, but he did have a fascination with the ocean. Just like he was fascinated with all this sand. It was something new. Something he had never seen before. Shaw had seen the ocean only once before, back on Ellora, but that mission had quickly gone off the rails. He wanted to visit a nice, warm beach sometimes with lots of sunshine and palm trees. He wanted to go swimming and surfing. More accurately fall off a surfing board, but even that sounded like fun.

"A spamel?" he repeated, staring up at the purple, four legged creature. It didn't return his interest, staring off into the distance with a vacant look in its eyes as it chewed on something. He looked over at Theia, surprised to see that she was actually about to give him a boost up into the saddle. Shaw couldn't help but laugh. "I can't believe you were actually gonna give me a boost! You know I was joking, right?" What he appreciated even more than her willingness to give him a boost—although he did appreciate that—was the fact that she had taken the time to inform him of the creature's name. Most people took it for granted that he just knew stuff like that, but he didn't. He wasn't well traveled like a lot of the Jedi.

Shaw scrambled up the rope ladder and into the saddle, pulling the ladder up after him just as Knight Devek and Theia had done. He noticed the way Theia was petting on her mount and decided to give it a try. "And what's your name?" he asked, scratching its stubby neck. The spamel took an instant disliking to Shaw and grunted.

"Qatamer is beautiful," the first man would answer Theia's question, nodding slightly in her direction as if he approved. "Truly a city on a hill and an oasis in the desert. Blessed with more color than any wilderness could—" That was when the group's attention would be drawn away from the Llordian's fond description of his home just in time to hear one of the spamels let out a squeal and to see Shaw get bucked off. He hit the desert floor with a thud.

Three pairs of eyes glared down at Shaw. "You slow us down," the first Llordian stated, eyes narrowing. "It is a bad omen. To be thrust from such a noble mount. Like the desert, no second chances are given." The second man was muttering something under his breath, and his companion took it upon himself to explain, chuckling. "My friend is superstitious. He says you are cursed, young Jedi. He wants to leave you to the desert. Perhaps he is right."

With that, they turned and continued to lead the way. Shaw's spamel followed without him. He could tell by the look on Knight Devek's face that he had half a mind to leave him behind too, but he begrudgingly waved for Shaw to catch up.

Shaw got up and started dusting his pants off. When he reached Theia's spamel, he stuck a thumb out like he was hitchhiking. At least the fall hadn't knocked a sense of humor out of him. It was definitely gonna leave a bruise though. "Looks like I might need that boost after all," he said. He grinned up at the other padawan. "Unless you think I'm cursed too." He did not want to have to beg Devek for a ride, but he would if he had to. @GABA

spamel bond roll 2/20

 

[Theia Durand]

Theia was listening intently to their guide describe Qatamer, it almost sounded like a place from one of her fairy tale books. A hidden gem in barren lands, now what they just needed was a beautiful princess looking for her handsome prince, and a mystery of unknown magick to create intrigue. She felt herself drifting into a daydream when she heard the commotion with Shaw's spamel and turned exactly in time to watch as the spamel bucked him off its back. The girl's eyes grew wide for concern, but the Knight didn't seemed concerned and the guides seemed annoyed, and one was even irritated that this has happened. The padawan's lips pursed as she gently pulled on the reigns of her spamel, stopping to help up Shaw when he held out his thumb, "You okay?" she asked helping him up.

The red headed padawan grinned when he asked if she thought he was cursed too, "Nah..." she said, but then she lowered her voice, turning her head slightly so he could hear her better, "However, I know for certain the real curse is having to do this mission with master Devek." she winked and caught up with the others. Her spamel didn't seem to mind the two passengers.

"Qatamer sounds amazing." she said, trying to change topics back to the lightheartedness of the guide's admiration for his home. She adjusted her scarf covering her head as the desert winds begun to pick up; the last she needed was to catch sunburn from the unrelenting sun. "Will we have time to stop for some food? I read about zaalouk and it looked so delicious." Clearly Theia had not been in the mood to study up on the political background of the Qatamerian city, and instead took to what there was to eat. Knight Davek shot her a warning look. Though Theia remained unmoving, she felt her stomach sink knowing the lecture she was going to get later. He spoke up before one of the guides could answer, "We're meeting the satrap first, padawan."

Theia frowned, glancing to Shaw and giving him a shrug, before her attention turned back to the approach city in the distance.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

"Oh, you know. Straight vibing," was Shaw's answer, climbing up into the saddle behind the other padawan. He was being sarcastic of course, but his lips still tugged upward into a grin. He was fine. Just a little sore. He didn't have to walk, so that was nice, and he hadn't had to bum a ride off of Devek, so that was even better. Plus now he had someone else to talk to as they rode, and Theia seemed pretty witty if that wisecrack about their accompanying knight was any indication. That was a bonus. Laughing, Shaw started to slip his arms around Theia's waist to hold on but thought better of it and clung to the sides of the saddle instead. "Thanks for the ride."

The other Lorrdian threw an easy smile between Theia and Knight Devek. "You will not go hungry, Jedi. Not while you remain in my master's house. A feast fit for a king awaits you by his order." A feast fit for a king? Now that sounded promising. Shaw was always hungry, practically licking his lips in defiance of the dry desert air as he leaned forward to ask Theia, "What's zaalouk?"

At the top of a sand dune the party would get their first glimpse of Qatamer, a city nestled along and atop the slope of a mountain. It was everything their guide had said and more, its colorful buildings and water source a vivid, unmistakable contrast to the surrounding desert plains. Sweeping a hand toward the oasis, their guide would say, "Qatamer. Blessed by Ather himself who once dwelt amongst us. Fed by a spring deep within the mountains. In my grandfather's lifetime, after a heavy rainfall, it flooded the entire valley."

Entering the city by a less used side gate, their guides led them through the city's by streets. The padawans would catch glimpses of daily life in Qatamer, of vendors and pack animals and children playing and laughing, but always from a distance, always from two or three streets over. The satrap took the whole not wanting to call attention to them thing very seriously apparently.

"We draw near," their guide would announce suddenly, and Theia and Shaw would look up to see a great palatial house that overlooked all of Qatamer. Servants stood waiting to usher them inside and attend to their every need once they had climbed the duracrete steps of the great house.

In the entrance hall, awaiting their arrival with his hands pressed behind his back stood a tall, slender man. His face was long and gray and severe. "Jedi," their host would welcome them, head bowed to Knight Devek. The calculating eyes of the satrap took their time, studying each of them. "Padawans. Welcome to Qatamer," he said. @GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

Theia perked back up when the guide spoke about a feast, glancing at Devek with a look of satisfaction as though she were in a fierce battle over getting to eat. She heard Shaw ask about zaalouk and her eyes widened, excited that he just gave her permission to recipe dump, "It has chopped eggplant, tomato's, spices, and then there is a roasted meats in a tajine with more spices and veggies, I really want to try it all especially if it just cooks all day..." she sighed happily thinking about it.

Finally reaching the peak of the sand dune, they could see the city in the distance; the guide announced his blessing and its continued miracles. Theia frowned when she noticed they were entering from a side gate, avoiding the main entrance of the city. She really wanted to see what life was like for the people here, but she guessed this was just because the satrap didn't want anyone to know they were here. Curiosity bit at the girl as she wondered why they were being called here, and was starting to pick at the idea that this situation may be more dire than what was being said.

When they arrived at the satrap's home she was mesmerized, it was certainly bigger than her and Mama's home back on Naboo, and they definitely didn't have servants like this place either. "This place is waaay bigger than the presidential palace on Naboo." she told Shaw in awe. Theia waited for Shaw to climb down and then she followed, patting her spamel as it lowered its head for her to give it one last scratch before it was taken back to the stables. The red headed padawan studied the starap as he approached and then greeted Knight Devek first before taking his time to study herself and Shaw.

Theia gave a bow in respect, "Thank you for having us." she said glancing to the starap and then to Devek to make sure it was okay to speak up.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

"Rest assured, Miss Durand," came the satrap's full-toned voice. For emphasis his long, boney fingers stretched across his chest. "The pleasure is mine." The Jedi were led into a spacious dining hall, but it was unlike any dining room Shaw had ever been in. It felt more like a balcony, with stone railing the only barrier between it and the outside world. A fire burned in the hearth at one end, and in the center of the room sat a low, extended dining table surrounded by pillows and cushions. Shaw had never seen so many tassels in his entire life.

Not to mention the food. Their guide hadn't been joking around when he said a feast fit for a king awaited the Jedi. More like a feast fit for two or three kings. Shaw had never seen so much food. Stews, chicken, kebabs, meatballs, flatbreads, and every type of vegetable and fruit imaginable. In the center of the table sat a large plate piled high with golden grains of rice. The smell of saffron and turmeric hung heavy in the air. Amidst all of the food four places had been set—three for the Jedi and one for the satrap himself. That was when Shaw noticed that the servants had gone, and the doors had been shut for privacy.

Shaw was suddenly starving, but Knight Devek seized the opportunity to give the padawans another lecture while the satrap was over by the fireplace retrieving his pipe. "Mind your manners," he warned the teenagers in a low voice, "Satrap Mortez's family is one of the oldest and most influential bloodlines on the planet. He was appointed to this position by the king himself."

"I trust everything is to your liking?" Mortez would ask the Jedi once they had all settled in and begun to eat. Given the fact that Shaw was already on his second plate? Yeah, it was to his liking. He pulled a bowl closer for inspection and asked Theia, "Is this zaalouk?" She had him at roasted meats.

"You have a lovely home, your excellency," Knight Devek ventured to make conversation. If he hadn't been busy stuffing his face Shaw might have wondered when they were going to find out why they were here.

"Mmm yes," Mortez replied in an even tone, studying his immaculate fingernails as if he had heard that exact compliment more times than he could count. "This great house belonged to my ancestors. It was Ather's will that I walk these halls again. Destiny that gave me favor in the eyes of the king. Fate that persuaded him to appoint me to the position held by so many of my forefathers." A smirk lifted his gray lips. "I tenured at the University of Pangalactic Cultural Studies of course, but it was Ather's will that I shape history rather than merely study it. So here I am. Who am I to deny the will of the gods?"

The satrap spoke like all of that was common knowledge, but Shaw was hearing it all for the first time. He wasn't sure if Devek had just neglected to fill he and Theia in on all of the details regarding this assignment or if Shaw was supposed to have done some research. There was a good chance it was a combination of both. @GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

The positive reception from the satrap gave Theia reassurance she was doing the right things so far. She glanced again to Knight Devek and then back to Shaw as they were lead to another area of the home. Theia, along with Shaw, was just as mesmerized by the hall; the colors and silk, the tassels, the endless spread of food, made her feel as though she just stepped into a fairy tale. It reminded Theia of the parties she would have to sit back and observed as her mother mingled with business prospects and politicians. There was always so much food at such events, but she was always stuck observing from the mezzanine.

Just as Theia was about to sit and dig in, as her stomach seemed to be on one continuous growl since entering this space, Knight Devek spoke. Theia was just really getting tired of his "warnings", did he not think she didn't have manners? Did he know just who her mother was and who she was associated with growing up? Suddenly the teen's irritation was killing her appetite. For a moment, Theia carried a scowl on her face as she sat down beside Shaw who had already filled his plate. Her fingers ran along the soft fabrics, luxury she had to forgo when she arrived at the temple to start her training. Homesickness trickled into her thoughts as she filled her plate with rice and stew. Shaw pulled over a bowl and Theia looked at it, her eyes brightening as she remembered wanting to try zaalouk.

"Yes!" she said, taking a big spoonful for herself after Shaw and then shoveled it quickly in her mouth while Devek spoke with the Satrap. She heard him mention the University and she looked up, recalling the name from her studies in art, and the incorporation of folk tales. "What was your area of specialty there, at the University?" she asked him.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

Interest percolated into the satrap's features. Theia's inquisitive nature interested him far more than Devek's unimaginative compliment. "Lorrdian history and mythology," came Mortez's reply, dark eyes drifting from his manicured nails to Theia just long enough to study her face and then back again. "All the repositories of the university are nothing more than a drop in the desert when compared to the floods of my knowledge. I know this planet like the back of my hand, like—" a smirk twisted his features, "if you'll pardon an old desert expression—like a slave knows the crack of his master's whip."

Shaw froze midbite and gave Theia a look, a forkful of chicken covered in sauce hovering near his mouth. Weird way to put it, but okaaaay. Mortez continued, practically floating over to the railing in his long, flowing robes. "Its real history. My resignation left a hole in the university that I fear will never be filled, but my king bid me to Qatamer. Qatamer—this home—is my past, present, and future just as it was my ancestor's. My road has always led to the desert."

Now they came to the reason the Jedi had been called here in the first place. "Imagine my malaise when a fortnight after our arrival my family and I are terrorized by desert specters. At first it was nothing more than an uneasy feeling, as if we were being watched, as if there was always someone lurking just behind the shadows." The satrap's nostrils flared. "But there can be no denying it now. This is... otherworldly. My ancestral home is being haunted."

Haunted? Like by ghosts? Shaw couldn't stop the chortle that escaped between bites of zaalouk. Mortez's dark eyes flashed to the padawan. "You laugh, young Jedi," he said, ignoring Shaw's shaking head trying to play it off like he had choked, "You who are already cursed by the desert, but this night shall not pass before you too believe. Not a night passes now without incident. Yours is merely the voice of ignorance and inexperience." I mean, Shaw couldn't deny he was right about that.

"Any idea who is responsible?" Knight Devek, who seemed more open to the idea, asked.

"A family as old and powerful as mine is not without its enemies, amongst the living and the dead." Mortez cast a sweeping glance across the city below. The sun was setting behind a distant dune. "There isn't a family on Lorrd that doesn't have slavers in their past, deny it as they might. Mine is no different. The ghosts of long passed slaves I imagine, troubled by some conceived grievance toward my family. Hoping to plague my family." He glanced back at the Jedi. "Of course I've tried all the old 'home remedies,' but I think—the king thinks this might require a special touch. Yours." @GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

Theia was hooked when he spoke of mythology, though she found it odd that he would gatekeep such information. Why wouldn't one want to share it with the university? She wondered if his parting from the school was less than amiable which happens from time to time, however, it would seem that possibly that tidbit of information wasn't too important to Mortez as Theia believed it to be. She noticed how Shaw froze to the slave reference, glancing at him before returning her attention to the satrap. She felt desensitized to such things, there was an arrogance that the wealthy carried and certainly did not go unnoticed as she learned their mannerisms to fit into the parties and dinners.

Continuing to eat, Theia found herself slowly leaning in to listen closer to the explanation to why they were called here. He spoke of spirits, perhaps ghosts, the shadows were certainly living to which Theia believed every word. Her intrigue was interrupted when Shaw couldn't hold back his smirk, "Dude, ghosts are real, like haven't you heard stories about Captain Tihsllub? And the masked ghoul that swallows cities whole?" she whispered to Shaw; her mother seemed to have a knack for scary stories. She took another big bite of stew with rice, trying to shovel in as much as possible before they started doing more...official jedi work. Though she wasn't too sure what he thought they would do as Jedi, like ghost banishing with padawans? She didn't think she was that good with the Force yet.

"Do you think they will show with us here?" she asked.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

"You can't be serious," Shaw whispered back to Theia, this time concealing his mouth with a large piece of flatbread. Brown eyes glanced at the satrap, just to make sure he hadn't overheard. He wasn't looking to get another lecture. Between Devek and their guides he had already had plenty of those today. Still, he couldn't deny he was curious to hear more. About Theia's ghost stories, not about the satrap's problems. Captain Tihsllub and masked ghouls swallowing up whole cities? Sounded like a good story if nothing else.

Mortez leveled his dark eyes on Theia. "I do not doubt it," he replied, drawing out his pipe and lighting it. Rings of smoke began to rise, a sweet and spicy aroma filling the air. Misinterpreting why she had asked in the first place, he waved a dismissive hand. "Do not fear, young Jedi. Your rooms all share a corridor. Your knight will not be far. Nothing but the best for my honored guests."

Devek wiped his mouth clean. "Once this is all cleared up," he began, confident for a man that had yet to talk any strategy or come up with a game plan with his accompanying padawans. "I thought I would take the padawans out to the Crypt of Martyrs. Hear it's a sight to behold. Would be an excellent peak into your planet's history."

Something flashed in the satrap's eyes. "The Crypt of Martyrs?" he echoed before taking a large puff from his pipe. "Quite the site indeed. Propaganda, mostly, I fear. Better to see the performance square." With the clap of his hands, the doors behind them flung open, and two attendants stood waiting to show the Jedi to their rooms. "You must be tired from your long journey." It sounded more like formality than actual concern. "My attendants will show you to your rooms. Come morning I will give you a guided tour, acquaint you with my home and the... incidents." He frowned. "Unless our local haunts decide to fill you in themselves before morning. Sleep well, Jedi. Do not let the scorpions bite." @GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

The light eyes of the padawan widened with a bit of excitement when Shaw seemed to be skeptical of her stories. They seemed like they were real enough, just as the shadows here seemed to be causing a real issue for the satrap. Though she didn't like the emphasis of his "honored" guests line that made it seem like he was mocking them. She glanced to Shaw with a seemingly concerned look and an even more annoyed look took over when Devek spoke. He was really just a real bother with his mere presence to Theia at this point. She was already used to solving things on her own, it was hard to have any trust in the Knight who couldn't trust them enough with information on their mission.

Crypt of Martyrs? Propaganda?

There was something not adding up to the padawan as she looked down at her plate, her thoughts connecting, new ones appearing until it all seemed to vanish when he mentioned scorpions. She looked at Shaw with concern, "Do they really have scorpions here?" she whispered as their attendants waited for the Jedi to follow them to their quarters during their stay. She walked more slowly, keeping the attendants ahead of herself and elbowing Shaw gently to keep him from getting too far ahead.

"Are you getting an uneasy feeling about all this?" she asked in a hushed whisper, "Not the ghost part...but...I can't help but to think there is something else. None of the remedies helped, it sounds like the satrap has rivals no doubt, and why would he be concerned about us being here and others knowing?" she softly spoke, "It just rings that there is someone else in this story who is a rival, and they have more power than he feels comfortable with... and if he is able to banish "ghosts" with our help and takes all the credit...well...he will win back the people." it seemed logical to Theia, her differential explanation, "Just want to make sure we have more options than just ghosts." she said as to what could be happening if the ghosts seemed phony.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

Before the attendants escorted the Jedi from the dining hall, Shaw nonchalantly slipped a couple pieces of flatbread in his pocket for later. He might need a midnight snack, and there was no way he would ever find the kitchen in a place this big. "Probably," Shaw shrugged. Maybe the satrap was just pulling their leg, trying to spook them right before they went to bed, but they were in the middle of the desert so scorpions were probably a given. But what did Shaw know? He was from Coruscant. Noticing the concern in her features, he quickly added with more confidence than he could back up, "But don't worry. They probably spray for them or something."

One of the attendants cast the padawans a wicked smile over his shoulder. "Our master's pet snakes keep the scorpions at bay." Shaw gulped. Snakes? Was that really a step up from scorpions? He couldn't tell if the man was being serious or trying to freak them out.

Mortez's attendants led the Jedi through one expansive hallway after another, up a flight of stairs and past more potted plants and over more silk rugs than Shaw had ever seen in his life. From the stone walls hung bright, intricate handwoven tapestries detailing the history of the Mortez family. Shaw would have wandered off after the attendants, caught up with all of the eye catching decorations if Theia hadn't elbowed him. "Sounds about right," he replied in a low tone so the others couldn't hear. "Isn't hard to imagine Mortez having a rival. I've only know the dude for five minutes, and even I want to haunt his house."

Coming to a stop in front of a row of three doors, the attendants bowed to the Jedi. "Your rooms. We trust everything will be satisfactory. Hot water, a warm fire, all of the amenities the desert can afford await." Then, as quickly as they had arrived in the dining hall, they were gone.

Devek suppressed a yawn. "It'll be an early morning. Go to bed. I'm sure nothing will happen tonight," he assured the padawans, as if he was doing them a great favor by comforting them. Closing his bedroom door behind him without any further discussion, Theia and Shaw were left alone.

Before Theia could disappear into her own room, Shaw caught her by the sleeve and whispered, just in case Devek had a habit of listening at doors, "Wanna sneak out once he's asleep? Explore the town a little bit?" They had been rushed into Qatamer and up to the palace without getting to see any of the sights, without getting a taste for every day life. Shaw loved getting to explore new places, so he hoped Theia wasn't a stickler for the rules. @GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

The concern look was even more pronounced when Shaw seemed certain about the scorpions, knowing they had to spray for them didn't help Theia feel any better about it. She felt her skin crawl when the attendant mentioned the snakes eating them, and though Theia normally liked snakes, it was still the idea of scorpions being mentioned that bothered her.

Her thoughts would be distracted, thinking about Mortez, even Shaw agreeing that this guy was hauntable. She couldn't help but to wonder if the hauntings were real though, she had heard many ghost stories in her life; despite them being mostly folklore, there was still a realism to them that made Theia respect the dead as though she would for the living. When they arrived to their rooms, Theia peeked inside, more impressed as she saw a real bed and not like a cot that was offered at the temples or on a ship. She never thought something as simple as a bed would ever cause her to miss it, but here she was wishing she had her finer luxuries like back at her home on Naboo.

Devek was quick to retreat to his own quarters, leaving Theia and Shaw in the hall. The redheaded girl was about to go into her room for the evening she felt Shaw give her a tug, "Explore?" she felt uncertain, more so she wanted to just lay in a bed of silk however, she quickly remembered the scorpions, "Yes, lets do that. Plus I want to see what type of sweets they have." she said in a whisper, grinning as she shut the door to her room. "How do you think we get out of here?" she asked him, hoping he remembered their path in and out of this building.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

"No idea," Shaw admitted. Focus wasn't one of his strong suits, so between all the intricate tapestries and flickering braziers and whispered conversation he hadn't paid attention. Getting lost was probably a given, and they certainly didn't want to run into one of the satrap's attendants or guards. "Let's duck in here, wait for Devek to fall asleep."

As promised, a fire burned in the hearth of the fireplace at one end of the room, a bed with silk sheets and carved columns that stretched from floor to ceiling on either side at the other end of the room. A bowl of fresh fruit sat at the center of a table near the fireplace, but Shaw wanted to save his appetite for dessert. Like Theia, he wanted to see what kind of sweets the city had to offer. Beside the bowl of fruit sat a bottle of wine. Shaw picked the bottle up and made a face at Theia before putting it back down. Looked expensive, but what did he know about wine? Was there no legal drinking age on Lorrd or did Mortez just not care?

Hinged doors opened onto a balacony that ran the length of each of the bedrooms on that floor of the palace. Shaw peaked his head out, just to make sure Devek wasn't out for a nightly stroll or a late night cigarra before he wandered out. It was dark now, and the pair of padawans would be able to see the lights of Qatamer below and hear Devek snoring through the balcony door one room over. Looked like the coast was clear. Now for a way out of here.

Shaw peered over the railing and got an idea. "Think we could climb down?" he asked Theia. If they could get to that ledge below, they could shimmy over to the top of an oriel window and then make the jump to a juniper tree growing beside the great house. They wouldn't be able to get back in to the palace that way, but that was a problem for later. In recent months Shaw had discovered that he was actually pretty good at climbing trees. The sides of a building? That remained to be seen, but how different could it be? @GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

Theia followed Shaw into the bedroom to wait, just as impressed with their guest quarters as the rest of the palace intricately decorated with the finest details. She stood in front of a large painting, her nose nearly touching as she examined it carefully, "I think this has real gold in it..." she said turning around just in time to see Shaw pick up the bottle of wine. Her own eyebrows rose, seemingly impressed with probably high end amenities, though she wondered if they even knew they were going to be hosting some teenagers and their grumpy chaperone. She would have liked some real snacks, such as a smoothie or cake.

"That looks expensive..." she said walking up to the table, looking at it closely. It reminded her of the wine collection her mother had and no guest was allowed to touch it. She grinned to herself, and then took off her pack and slid the bottle inside along with the fruit. She found herself making a wide path to loop far from the bed, still lowkey worried about the scorpions before walking out onto the balcony. Shaw came back, giving them the clear that Devek trusted the two of them a bit too much with the loud snoring nearby.

The redheaded padawan looked to where they could climb down and she nodded, seeing it seemed reasonable and not too difficult. There were plenty of edges for them to scale and then make their way down. "Yeah, easy!" she agreed and climbed on the ridge, carefully watching her balance, and feeling her steps with the Force as she made her way across and to the protruding windows. She crouched down, nearly sitting as she tried to slide down the top and grasp for the tree branch. Though as she did, Theia would miss her mark, sliding too quickly as she desperately grabbed onto anything as she fell through the branches of the juniper tree. The ground was much harder than she expected, and there was a distinct crack as her outstretched palm hit the ground before the rest of her. Needles and twigs fell around her as she laid face down in the sandy soil; it was certainly one way to get out of the satrap's home.

"Oww...."

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

Shaw nodded along as soon as Theia agreed that it looked like an easy climb. "Totally. We're the next Popo and Nana." Just a few careful steps, and then out the great house gates, down the steps to the city, and the rest of Qatamer awaited. Shaw could practically taste the sweets and the adventure just beyond the walls. They could stay out as late as they wanted. Eat as much as they wanted. Go wherever they wanted. Do whatever—

"THEIA!" the teenager screeched as he watched the other padawan fall through the branches of the juniper tree and hit the ground with an audible crack. "Oh krrrrit!" Several steps behind her, Shaw slid across the top of the oriel window and, by watching how Theia had done it and not doing it that way, managed to successfully scurry down the tree and reach the ground.

"You okay?? Did you break something?" Shaw asked, flustered and obviously very much out of his element. Stupidly he touched her hand and wrist because that was something he had seen people do in the movies, not because he really had any good reason to. He just didn't know what else to do. "Does this hurt? What about this?"

A door at the other end of the garden they had landed in flew open, and light poured out. Someone had heard them. Whatever they were going to do, they had better do it fast if they didn't want to get caught because someone was coming. Or maybe that was for the best, if Theia needed medical attention? "Can you walk?" Another stupid question. @GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

Theia was already pushing herself up on all fours, or well, at least three as she avoided weight on her right hand. She heard Shaw as she turned herself over, sitting for a moment to look at her wrist; it was definitely swollen as she let Shaw look at it. "I...maybe?" she asked, "Ow... don't do that." she winced as he touched closer to her wrist, however, there wasn't much time as someone had heard the commotion. Even with one hand down, she was still as limber as ever as she jumped to her feet, "I can run," she said when he asked if she could walk, "C'mon..." she whispered, leading the way out of the garden and into the city itself. There was no way she was going to surrender now for little discomfort in her wrist, and then have to explain to Devek or anyone else how they were at the bottom of the gardens as they were.

"I'm sure it will be fine by morning..." she said breathlessly, moving her wrist slowly to gauge the pain as she did so; it was still greatly uncomfortable as she winced again. She was used to injurious as a ballet dancer, no breaks would be given; it was as much an art as it was a sport of endurance and tolerance. No rest permitted by her instructor, they had to practice through because a performance would not stop just because they were uncomfortable. "When I started pointe in ballet, I used to hurt my ankles and knees all the time, so this I'm sure will be no issue." she told him with confidence. Then the padawan grinned, "But we did it! Where should we head to first?" she asked him as they made it to one of the main streets of Qatamer. There was music and laughter, people out to enjoy the cool evenings; the air filled with an assortment of spiced foods and some were even sweet smelling.

The redhead seemed to easily follow wherever her nose wanted to take her, but kept close to Shaw, last thing they needed was to get separated out here.

@throwitintothefire