Days Before Dying

[Levi Solus]

Jedha, 1413 local time​

Maybe taking the Sith prisoner to Jedha had been a bad idea, but Levi knew that was wrong. Sure, he knew there was a rebel base there, but it wasn't like he was getting out anytime soon. Or running back to the Empire, for that matter. A few weeks ago, he would have given anything to be back on Korriban. Now, he didn't really care for the Empire he'd spent years fighting for. None of the rebels had been able to change his mind and convince him that he'd been fighting on the wrong side of the war—none until he met Arda Breaux.

Their meetings had been surprisingly frequent, despite her busy schedule as Jedi Master. Though she'd never disclosed to him what exactly it was she was doing, Levi had heard guards talking about her, and how the departure of some Hugo Ion had left as the de facto leader of the resistance. He knew it was because she actually cared about the rebellion and the light—enough to seek to redeem even the Acolyte down in the dungeons that everyone considered a lost cause.

He knew this meeting would be important, mostly because of how much time had passed since their first and the progress he'd made. Levi was ready to become a member of the Alliance now, for better or for worse, and today would be the day he actually confessed it to Arda. He wasn't completely sure if he'd earned her trust completely or if she would even let him out of the cell, but anything—even rejection—was better than another day rotting in the dungeons of Jedha. It had been months since he'd last seen sunlight, and claustrophobia was so common to him he was surprised when he didn't feel it.

The cell was completely made out of durasteel and consisted of an uncomfortable cot, a toilet, and a sink. He was kept in by durasteel bars that crackled with electricity most of the time, only being shut off when someone was to enter. He'd been given a blanket and pillow at Arda's request, and it had helped somewhat. The cot was where he sat now, waiting for her to arrive, aware that it was that time of the day by the pattern of the guards changing shifts.

@GABA

 

[Arda Breaux]

She didn't like it but it was the old protocols that the members of the GA were following from Commander Ion before he had disappeared, but now that she was in charge, she had yet to decide on changes, an inch of compassion might go a long way for them. Though for this individual in particular, she had felt even more motivated to show the GA weren't narrow minded fighters to an extent while keeping everyone safe in the meantime. Regardless, she made sure Levi was comfortable, but not too comfortable, but their meetings have not been unproductive, some their discussions have been serious, others more light-hearted, she had enjoyed them though.

Now, Arda was back, a pair of guards followed on her heels as she approached Levi's cell, she glanced at him through the bars until the guards allowed her inside, she paused, her thoughts seemed more busy lately than usual and then entered the cell. The guards closed the cell's door behind her and Arda leaned against the wall, sliding down until she sat on the ground, trying to come as close as she could to be eye to eye with him.

"How are you doing today, Levi?" she asked him, lacing her fingers together before resting them in her lap. She studied for any obvious changes within him, generally some prisoners never did well in a cell, others were more resilient, though she thought in Levi's case, it could have been because she visited him fairly often in his stay.

@vamp

 

[Levi Solus]

He heard her footsteps approaching even before he saw her frame turn the corner, and Levi’s eyes turned to the corridor. His heart skipped a beat as she entered, even though he knew there was no reason to be nervous. Levi greeted her with a tired smile, moving down from the cot to the floor so that they were sitting face-to-face.

”The usual,” he replied, motioning around the room. ”I asked the butler to move my bed from the Eastern wall to the Western, pointed 27 degrees toward the window so that I may have more sunlight. As you can see, the maid has done a stellar job with the cleaning,” he added, in an exaggerated noble accent. He dropped it. ”Could be worse.”

Though Jedha was a warm planet, the dungeons beneath the Holy City most certainly were not. A mix of cool rock and durasteel, the ambient temperature sometimes even reached icy; Levi had grown used to the cold, but he still found himself rubbing his upper arm to warm up. Noting, the glint of worry in Arda’s eyes, he gazed at her thoughtfully, squinting a bit as though she knew something he didn’t.

”What about you? You seem stressed.” Look at him, being empathetic toward others. Sith Levi would have never even considered asking someone else how they felt, let alone pick up on cues like that—he just used to not care about others at all. Then again, when the only peers he had were constantly looking to take him down, he supposed it was natural that he’d become so drawn into himself.

@GABA

 

[Arda Breaux]

He was still in good spirits as one could be in such circumstances and Arda would except that optimistically as it was not easy. She had must been showing her unease and worry as he inquired if she was doing ok. Arda smiled, "Just weary, that is all." she told him, knowing it wasn't as simple as that. Not only had she just became the leader of the entire Alliance, she was also one of the most experienced Jedi in the Order, it was difficult to juggle these duties as she tried to keep everyone in good spirits and encourage their survival against a galaxy that wanted them dead. Who would have ever thought she would be where she was now.

"I won't lie and say I have been given a great many duties that will age me a decade by the end of the year." she explained, her eyes light up and the heaviness of her responsibilities lifted as she focused on Levi.

"So what lesson shall we do today?" Arda asked, she had enjoyed their conversations and had begun to curve them to more on lessons of the Force, to show a path that would be harder, but more rewarding for himself. "Your pick this time, Levi."

@vamp

 

[Levi Solus]

The cramped quarters of the cell made it rather hard to avoid eye contact and added much more intimacy to conversations, since both of them were so close together and had to speak directly. It was why Levi noted when the stress seemed to be lifted from Arda's eyes as she changed the subject. Rather than keep probing and stressing her out, Levi offered a reassuring smile as she glanced at him.

"How about Jedi history? It's rarely taught at the Sith Academy." He was quite curious to see what was being hidden from the Acolytes and Crusaders still learning—which parts were true and which were just Imperial propaganda. Come to think of it, he couldn't even name any of the Jedi Masters at the time of the Order's collapse—hell, he only knew who the Chancellor of the Republic had been because he willingly surrendered to the Empire, and the history books had been kind.

As much as Levi would have liked to do some more Force stuff, he had a collar around his neck that prevented him from it, and it would be pretty embarrassing to have to ask Arda to turn it off. Another discussion would have to do for today.

@GABA

 

[Arda Breaux]

He let her own well-being go, which also brought more relief to the Jedi Master, however, she did regret letting him pick the topic. She had spent many hours reading through the texts that had been salvaged from the Sith's eradication of all Jedi artifacts. They were not light reads, heavy, boring, coma-inducing at times, and she couldn't imagine ever living a life that buried her in such materials.

"I thought they would have taught you a specific history according to their records," Arda grinned, "You know, about how the Jedi were evil, they cast out the first Drast, there was a frog, and a fox possibly..." The woman sighed and chuckled softly to herself, "What we need to know today about the Jedi five hundred years ago, are the mistakes they made." she explained, leaning forward, focusing on the lock on the device, the Force flowed gently, releasing the collar, "Mistakes that set off a chain of events that doused this galaxy in the dark side. They were blinded by fear, the unknown..." she paused, finding this pattern similar to her own fears, "The same mistakes the Masters made before disappearing."

Her eyes settled on the wall behind Levi and she shook her head, clearing the thoughts, "Master Wyck, Master Fennex, are really the only two Masters I remember reading about, but there were others, gone too soon." Arda rested the collar in her lap, "Its hard reading about it sometimes, to think of something that was respected and wide speed, to be stamped out of history so quickly." she explained, reflecting how it could very well happen to her and the Order as in little time as tomorrow.

@vamp

 

[Levi Solus]

"Oh, they did," he replied knowingly. "But I don't trust Imperial 'history' to be too accurate." He had heard something about a frog and a fox, and it seemed that the lessons had focused mostly on the frog being old, rickety, and a hindrance to his peers. Levi had a feeling that wasn't really the case.

"The Galaxy is never kind to Jedi," Levi added as she stared at the wall. "But maybe a little change is what we need to fit in." He looked around the cell for a brief second. "For example, actually talking to prisoners is a pretty cool way to deviate from the norm, but in a good way." The former Sith winked.

"Speaking of which..." He felt the nervousness resurface, but pushed it back down. "Should I get my hopes up? I know it's been a few weeks since I've been locked up down here, but I don't think Jedi spend hours talking to any random prisoner for no reason." He was, of course, alluding to his release, which he was tentatively hoping for.

@GABA

 

[Arda Breaux]

She smiled softly as he insight about how the galaxy has never been kind to the Jedi and the woman nodded. It was in her hopes to see for the Jedi to have them adapt to the needs of the people and not stay with rigid traditions that ultimately destroyed an Order. He specifically mentioned talking to prisoners, and though she knew he meant it as a jest in his own light-hearted observation. When she had met him, there was something inside of him that called to her, he would not find this fulfillment within the Empire and she was surprised as compliant has he had been, even when she thought she was being stringent on regulations.

His attitude shifted, more hesitance came than before as he asked about his current status. He had been here for a while now and she including others in her trusted advisory circle have interviewed him time and time again, changing things every so often to cause slip ups, more or less on purpose. However, the Force told her the answer long before the others gave their approval.

"You walk out this door into your first steps to becoming a Jedi." she explained, "As you said, the galaxy is never kind to the Jedi and this will be a thankless, selfless pursuit in order to see balance restored in the galaxy."

Arda rose to her feet and gestured for Levi to do so also, "You are welcome to stay here on Jedha or find refuge on Ifrane, however, this cell is no longer suited for you." she looked around, eyeing it, "Kind of cramped, dull, not suitable at all for a Jedi learner." she grinned.

@vamp

 

[Levi Solus]

He was still a bit surprised how seamless he had made the transition from Jedi history to his current predicament conversation-wise, but Levi instead listened intently as Arda spoke. When she finally opened her mouth and gave her verdict, he couldn't help but let a grin break out, features soft for once. Though he was generally guarded, he let his joy through, just this once.

"Damn, my father would hate me," he blurted out, chuckling. It was the first thing he said, and it was mainly a joke, but he knew there were more than a few people back in his tribe that would have wanted a word with him if they could get their hands on Levi. "Thank you," he said a moment later, grin gone and his expression genuinely grateful. "I won't let you down."

Levi rose, stretching his legs out for the first time in what felt like ages. It was hard to stay in shape in a cell like this—Arda was right. One of the guards had come up to the bars and opened the door, a knowing look set on Arda. The two exited through it, finding themselves in a narrow corridor in the bowels of the Alliance's base on Jedha. Once they were out of earshot of the other prisoners, safely in an elevator, Levi finally spoke again.

"Kad, and I was starting to enjoy the cramped space. Lovely amenities. Land value must be through the roof, being so deep in the Holy City." Assuming the building even was in the Holy City. They could be in the middle of the desert for all he knew—he'd been taken there blindfolded.

@GABA

 

[Arda Breaux]

She could feel and see his joy when she finally told him that he could leave the cell and free to start his path as a Jedi. She walked beside him as they left the cell to the lift in order to reach fresher air. Arda leaned against the wall on the back of the lift, carrying them up to the main level, "Well, to your luck, some of the private quarters are cramped to your liking and even at times you get to share with a mate." she grimaced knowing that most of what she spoke was true, bases weren't usually a place of luxury, it carried all the essentials for survival, but it came at a cost. She knew many Rebels had private homes scattered throughout the galaxy, safe places for them and their families and away from the dangers of battle.

"We're just outside the Holy City, the mountains though provide a great cover from curious eyes." she explained, "I personally don't like it here." she said with a small shrug, "But I make exceptions when I need to see priority individuals." she patted his arm. The door of the lift opened to the main level and she exited, "Ever been to the city?" she asked walking over to a speeder, giving several small salutes to passing soldiers.

Arda stopped at the speeder and nodded for him to climb inside as she did so too, "I love seeing all the different pilgrims who come."

@vamp

 

[Levi Solus]

He'd forgotten how underfunded the rebellion was, large as it may be. Decent living quarters were not available to all, and even when they were, they were considered a luxury. Most Sith had a penthouse or two to call home, but many rebels didn't even have a closet-sized bedroom.

Levi, however, was not at all worried. Having spent a few weeks in confinement and years living in a ship—missions constantly required that he be ready to move—he could pretty much sleep anywhere, from benches on the street to the floor of any enclosure good enough to protect him from the elements. When he slept, since it seemed that was becoming rarer and rarer as he found himself constantly occupied.

"Never been," he replied, smiling and winking as she mentioned priority individuals. "I hear it's relatively quiet. Most Imperials assume it's just another desert planet." Maybe that was why it was so easy for the alliance to hide there in plain sight. It was rare that the Sith ventured this far out of the Galaxy.

He stepped into the speeder next to Arda, his eyes already floating to stare at the landscape. He was excited to finally be outside. "Day out in the Holy City?"

@GABA

 

[Arda Breaux]

Arda grinned, taking off as soon as Levi sat down in the speeder before anyone could stop her with a comm call to discuss Alliance logistics. The desert looked as though it extended for miles, the land would eventually reveal its dark stoned cliffs and Arda guided the speeder through narrow canyons leading them to exit into another wide dry valley, however, the Holy City could be seen in the distance. For its isolation, the city was still busy with the hustling of those living their days here; many holy visitors came for refuge, away from the eyes of the Empire and it certainly stood out as something different.

The Jedi Master left the speeder at the base of the city atop of the plateau, leaving the two Jedi to ascend via foot along the stone stairs that wrapped around the mountain. Climbing out of the speeder, she glanced at Levi, "I hope you enjoy cardio." she told him.

She was quiet though as they walked, taking in more of the feeling of the moment, a calm that she doesn't get to experience too much anymore unless she actively sought it away from her duties. "We have a small temple here for the Order, but also on Ifrane and Ellora, I hope one day we can have Tython as home again." she explained to Levi; she knew with the creation of the UP and the weakening of the hold of the core, their chances of returning to a Republic would soon gain ground.

@vamp