Discovery

[Tank]

Nal Hutta​

Bet’aani had just flown in from Nar Shaddaa. Her recent past had been filled with more action and aggression than she cared for. Vahl, the goddess Bet’aani and her people served, had sent her on a mission to join the Jedi and serve the will of the Force. Her mission was to save her people from the evils of the Dark Side of the Force. So far, she had failed miserably. She’d left the spice mines of Kessel where she’d worked as a healer and traveled to Tython.

Upon arrival she was met by a Star Destroyer and a wing of Sith fighters. It was everything she could do just to escape into hyperspace. Unbeknownst to her the Sith weren’t done with her. They’d managed to track her ship and follow her all the way to Nar Shaddaa. There she was confronted by two Sith Acolytes looking to dissuade her from her mission of becoming a Jedi. She once again managed to escape the clutches of the Sith unscathed but no closer to the Jedi.

She decided she need to be more blatant. If she couldn’t find the Jedi, she’d make the Jedi find her. She took to wearing her lightsabers on the outside of her cloak easily visible to any passerby. She used the force unnecessarily in the market place and in cantinas. She knew eventually this would attract someone’s attention and hopefully it would be a Jedi, not another Sith.

Today she was in the marketplace, juggling fruit in the force. It wasn’t a technique she’d mastered yet but the fruits were small and easy to control. There was a small crowd gathered around, some small children were cheering and other, older, patrons of the market place were scowling. Such an overt use of the Force would draw unwanted attention in other parts of the galaxy but here everyone was dangerous and force-sensitives topped that list. So Bet’aani felt comfortable that no one would take action against her, doing so would be a death wish; even if she wasn’t as deadly as they perceived her.

 

[Ben]

Orlaan strode through the crammed stalls of the marketplace, harassed by vendors and avoided by buyers; all calm green eyes and muscle. He was clearly a Jedi, tall and wearing a tan robes and his lightsaber in plain view, he typified the galactic guardian stereotype, and the denizens of Nal Hutta did not apparently appreciate justice or law enforcement. Ghess had jumped off at the shuttleport ten minutes ago, having been order into action by his new Master, Gracelyn Maier; she had told him that she would continue on and meet him at the orphanage whilst he helped her old friend and fellow Jedi: Haloburner Lamb, the operator of said orphanage.

Orlaan was still shaken up from the overwhelming affects of the disturbance on Coruscant, and his usual agreeable manner was somewhat ignored in place of a curt and laconic demeanor; his steely eyes unsettling to any who met them. He had felt the Force being used somewhere in the market the moment he had drawn near to the cities landing pad, and now he was honing in on it, it was reasonable to guess that this presence was the Jedi. Ghess rounded a particularly grimy and odorous stall piled with vermin infested meats to see a short, shapely red haired woman dressed in robes and carrying lighsabers and juggling fruit for a nearby crowed of giggling children. She fit the bill, short-ish, fiery hair, shapely and good with kids. Just one problem; she did not seem to be in any sort of trouble. However, all that was is not always apparent, so Orlaan pressed on and gave the woman a slight nudge in the Force rather than a tap on the shoulder as he drew near. His resolute Force aura as open and light as it ever was, and his roguish smile back in place; white teeth setting off green eyes, coppery hair and a handsome face.

"Haloburner Lamb, I presume?" He bowed slightly. "I am Jedi Padawan Orlaan Ghess, apprentice of our mutual acquaintance and friend, Jedi Master Gracelyn Maier. How can I been of assistance?"

 

[Tank]

Bet'aani felt a nudge in the Force. It was light, pleasant, and almost had a feeling of familiarity. She scanned the crowd around her and it took a moment to find the man whom had touched her in the Force. The man was taller than her and thin, his eye were warm and inviting. There was no doubt that this man was a Jedi. Bet'aani let the pebbles she was juggling float gently to the ground and dispersed the crowd as she made her way to the man. Bet'aani was choked up, nothing she could say or do could express her feelings at this moment. She'd spent the past three years working, planning, and searching for the Jedi. Now after all those years a Jedi stood in front of her seeking her out. It was a gift, a gift from Vahl herself.

"Haloburner Lamb, I presume?" The young man said confidently and with a smile. "I am Jedi Padawan Orlaan Ghess, apprentice of our mutual acquaintance and friend, Jedi Master Gracelyn Maier. How can I been of assistance?"

His introduction took Bet'aani aback. The man had mistaken her for someone else. Even more proof that Vahl had truly guided both of their paths to this very moment. A tear rolled down Bet'aani's cheek as she beamed in delight. Bet'aani attempted to make a noise, to speak, but she knew as soon as she opened her mouth that only sobs of joy would ensue. She reached out in the force and touched him, she held up a finger and took a moment to compose herself.

"No, m-my name is Bet'aani Cutri. I-I-I've been searching for your people for three years." At this Bet'aani began to cry. She steeled herself once more and continued on. "M-My people are in trouble, I need to learn your way so I can save them. Can you t-take me to your master? To this, Mistress Lamb?"

Bet'aani got her emotions under control and slowed the quiver in her voice. She didn't want to seem like a beggar seeking the Jedi's services; but a potential Jedi who could offer her service.

 

[Ben]

Orlaan was dropped out of his depth as this sputtering and teary Forceful girl in front of him that was clearly not Haloburner Lamb, but nevertheless a curious find. "Oh, well, hello Bet'aani. Jedi Lamb is not my Master, I have never met her, I am just a mutual acquaintance sent here to aid her with... something. I'm not quite sure actually." He smiled comfortingly again as the girl seemed to loose her briefly collected composure, and broke into sobs of some sort of delirious euphoria once more. She was a little too excited for Orlaan to know how to react, and for a second, he completely forgot about the war, the destruction of Andraste and the whole crisis around him, and was entirely focus on, and worrying about the frantic girl before him who looked ready to feint. For all his travelling, the young and dashing Jedi had no experience with women.

"Wait.. just, just calm down, stop that!" Orlaan tried to pin her hands to her sides to stop her from continuing a slight bobbing and flapping motion as she literally brimmed with excitement. "You can't just become a Jedi like that, snap your fingers and save your people. There is more to it, you're proabably best talking to a Master though. Jedi Lamb is older than I am, she will help... if we find her."

Orlaan cast his gaze around, all seriousness and back in reality again. Where was Haloburner Lamb?

 

[Padmé]

In life you're either in a fire, just got out of a fire or about to enter into a fire.

The words of a wise man Haloburner grew to love echoed in her mind while preparing a short list of supplies for the Jedi Orphanage on Zebitrope IV.
Moments later the same words echoed in her thoughts again- only this time, Speravi (her son) was the one speaking. As though in a trance, the red hair Jedi felt her body transform. She was no longer at her office working on supply list for the orphanage, but rather on a remote plant. Within a twinkling of an eye, Halo was standing in the presence of a man; one whom she was certain she'd never met before. Even so, the man spoke and carried himself as though the two were long lost friends. He beckoned Halo to walk with him. Strangely enough, the red hair simply complied and followed next to the elderly man.

With the tone, akin to a wise man, the elderly man finally broke his silence:
"In life you're either in a fire, just got out of a fire or about to enter into a fire."

As soon as the female Jedi heard his words, her ears perked up. Haloburner Lamb's eyes shot up and she immediately gave the man the attention he had commanded.

"Bet'aani Cutri"
"She goes by "Ember"
The man continued. Vociferously!

"In the past few months she' been traveling the galaxy, searching for something."
Now turning to face the red hair Jedi, the man added.

"You are to find her and help her. Yes, I know you're not as indispensable as you once used to be, however, this is a special case. The orphanage needs your strong leadership, Speravi needs a faithful mother, but Bet'aani needs you the most. You've seen unparalleled violence; have experienced the most trying times, but yet you, my dear, have continued to be a producing member of the galaxy...."

The man went on to talk about the most unpleasant moments of Haloburner's past and the role she'd lived to play in maintain the Jedi orphanage. Uncontrollable saline liquid began to fall on the red hair’s face while a panoramic display of other events proceeded. Lamb continued to walk next to the man while some of the defining moments of the New Jedi Order and Halo's continued to be displayed.

"Yes, the Sith have caused more damage than we'd imagined, but outside of willing hands, coupled with the Will of the Force, I know of no other hope for the galaxy."
+++++++++++


Within a twinkling of an eye, Lamb was back in her office. It was as though none of what she saw transpired.

Hours passed, but yet the experience stayed with her. Days passed, but the red hair Jedi couldn't shake off the elderly man, or Bet'aani from her memory. Finally two weeks after the experience, Lamb found herself with the unfortunate burden of leaving her son behind on Zebithrope IV with a trusted friend, while she single-handedly sought after Bet'aani on Nal Hutta of all places!

The Force led Lamb straight to Bet’aani, however, she proceeded with the utmost caution in capturing the young woman’s attention. Standing by the side of a few shoppers, the Naboo Jedi Knight watched as Bet’aani attracted a few young children. She begun to juggle a few pebbles- though Lamb knew her efforts with the tiny stones where all courtesy of the Force! Nonetheless, Lamb watched- from a distance- as Bet’aani ‘s red hair moved in the direction of the wind as she amazed the children with her pseudo talent. A few minutes into the scene, Lamb sensed the presence of another Jedi.

“Ghess!”
Lamb smiled at the site of Orlaan Ghess, Maier's only apprentice. Though Maier wasn't a close friend, Lamb revered the elder diplomat. She kept in contact since the fateful meeting at the Jedi Orphanage. Orlaan's presence nearly threw Halo off kilter, but like the proper Jedi she called on the Force to assist her with deciphering the presence she was sensing.

Not ever moving from her current position, Lamb stayed put- while Orlaan approached Bet’aani. A few words were exchanged- which brought a wryly smile to Lamb’s face. Apparently- the male Jedi- Orlaan whom Maier speaks highly off (you’re welcome Ben!)- was sent by Maier. Orlaan had Bet’aani mixed up with Lamb. “It must be the red hair!” Lamb thought quietly to herself at the apparent mix up.

Finally, not able to stand the amusement any longer, the red hair Jedi Knight emerged from her hiding place.
“Bet’aani”
She whispered, while trying to console the poor soul- discreetly through the Force.
“I am the one you’re looking for.”

She then turned her attention to Ghess, and offered the customary Jedi greeting.

“A pleasure to see meet you. I take it Speravi was able to transfer my message to your master.”
Pausing- though only momentarily, Lamb moved her gaze back on the seemingly broken young woman, Bet'aani.

 

[Tank]

"Bet'aani." It was a whisper and touch through the force. Bet'aani was caught off guard. She looked around and found the woman whom had whispered to her. The crowd had mostly dispersed and Bet'aani could only see one woman approaching. Her hair was a similar red as Bet'aani's, her smile was friendly and accepting, her eyes were just as inviting and calm. Her touch in the force was light, calming, feathery. Bet'aani calmed just from seeing the woman. Her demeanor demanded respect and oozed of confidence. Bet'aani closed her babbling mouth and waited to see what the woman had to say.

"I'm the one you're looking for." Bet'aani nearly melted into the earth. She attempted to calm herself and even used the force to help steel her composure. She wanted to make a good first impression on this newcomer, as she hadn't done very well with the younger man. She waited patiently as the two Jedi exchanged pleasantries, showing great restraint not to interrupt.

"Mistress Lamb I presume?" Bet'aani asked nodding to the red haired woman for affirmation. When Bet'aani received it she moved on, "My name is Bet'aani Cutri, call me Ember, please." Bet'aani wasn't really giving the woman an option. She'd grown up amongst Vahla as royalty. While she was disillusioned as a child her teenage years were spent as a medic to slavers on Kessel; a few days of that was enough to rob anyone of their innocence. Her name, though, was something she would not budge on. Many humans struggled to pronounce her name and settled on calling her Bethany instead; it was an insult to Bet'aani and she would not have it. So instead she adopted an alias for those who struggled with her name; Ember.

It wasn't just a reflection of her hair it was a reflection of who she was. A prophetess for her people, an ember to light a new flame among her people.

"I am a Vahla, a prophetess among my people, I speak for Vahl our goddess. She sent me to your people, to learn your ways." Bet'aani knew in time the whole story would be told but for now that was all she felt this, Lamb, needed to know. If she asked for more information Bet'aani would be glad to give it to her; but until that time came this was all Bet'aani was going to say.

"I don't know much about your people or their culture, just what Vahl has taught me thus far. I'll do what I have to in order to join your ranks, a council meeting, a trial, whatever it takes. I'll fulfill my duties." Bet'aani realized she was beginning to plead again and decided to keep her peace and wait for approval from the two Jedi now before her.

 

[Ben]

Orlaan's ears pricked as he picked up another eddy in the currents of the Force around him, a whole separate - yet equally vibrant - ambiance surrounding him, and all those less sensitive. The pair where being watched, he could tell that for now, there was no malice in the presence, but it was distinctly Force and unveiled in its attentiveness, possibly Lamb. Orlaan began to stretch out in the Force, like a Nyx limbering before a jump, yet with none of the lethal intent; he merely wanted to discern the location and source of this being. Moments later his efforts where rewarded, he felt the Jedi - which he had now identified her as - approaching as soon as she made the decision to move, his eyes flicked to the location of the red-haired woman without moving his head, and for a moment they shared a brief smile at the case of mistaken identity on Ghess' behalf.

Haloburner Lamb approached and whispered Bet'aani's name, stirring a current in the Force that meant the elder Jedi had probably touched the new comer in ways beyond the ethereal; Lamb bowed to Orlaan, and he returned the gesture in a deep and respectful genuflection, almost too much to be sincere, but not quite. "She certainly did, Master Lamb. Master Maier apologizes for her absence, she felt drawn to the orphanage and sent me in her stead, I hope I can do an acceptable job of standing in her place for you." Maier had actually done no such thing, keeping to her terse manner that Orlaan was beginning to identify as the usual thing to expect from his otherwise brilliant Master.

Orlaan listened to the brief exchange between the two red haired women standing before him, a head shorter on average and probably half as heavy as he was, he reserved comment until the older Jedi had offered her own reply, or gave some indication for him to speak. Orlaan felt that Bet'aani was not quite grasping what it meant to be a Jedi yet; not that she was too rash or eager, nor that she was showing disrespect, but rather that she was seeing the Force as a tool, instead of a gift, to be use for the will of the Force, the balance and the light side... however contrary those terms were. He did not rule her out though, she was just new, by no means in need of saving, not like her had been. The Jedi life could be for a lot of people, and people could be brought back into line, as long as someone looked beyond the surface and lent a hand, as Maier had done for him.

 

[Padmé]

"...call me Ember, please."
The young teen added.

Lamb couldn't help but think back on the vision shed had concerning this very moment. The man in the vision was right. Ember did have needs that only the Jedi could provide. As Ember spoke, Lamb simply listened, soaking in all the details behind this seemingly troubled soul. Lamb could certainly relate to Ember's desires, as she herself was tasked with seeking out the Jedi merely two decades ago. Unlike Ember, however, Lamb did not have the burden of seeking after the Jedi out of duty, but rather out of her love to serve. Serve the lowly, the destitute of the galaxy.

Ember contiuned on with her pleading, and Lamb gave her a hearing. Something struck Lamb odd. Merely moments before Lamb revealed herself, Ember seemed confident, almost comfortable pleasing the crowd f children with her Force joggling skills. However, that all changed within a matter of seconds, bringing the poor teen to tears. Lamb couldn't help but wonder what triggered the stark change...

For the time being, the female Jedi Knight listened to Ember's verbal plead:
"...I'll do what I have to in order to join your ranks, a council meeting, a trial, whatever it takes. I'll fulfill my duties."

"It will be a pleasure to assist you in fulfilling your dreams, Ember."
Came Lamb's response.

Now turning to face Ghess, Lamb gave a wry smile.
"No need to apologize for your Master's shortcomings, Ghess. Knowing Maier, she couldn't be bothered with such a task."

Lamb knew Maier would never take it upon herself to seek out such a lowly soul. In fact, she'll have no trouble turning down such a task, all in the name of her higher duties as the Jedi Prime Envoy.

Now turning to walk, the female Knight beckoned the pair to join her.
"Ghess is already aware of this, Ember. My base is now om Zebitrope IV. I leave town in exactly-"

She paused to look down on her chrono.
"...exactly five hours. You have until then to meet me at docking bay three.
Ghess, feel free to ride with us, or meet us back at the Orphanage.
May the Force be with you."