Open Yavin IV Drawing the Wildlife

Wilvick Aureud

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Runyips were a species new to Wilvick Aureud. Thick, stout, and with a wide snout, they reminded him a little bit of the thunes back home on Dantooine. They were of a grumpy temperament, and weren't afraid to attack strangers, despite being herbivore. Or, at least, Wilvick thought they were herbivores. So far, he'd only recorded them eating some of the plants that grew alongside the river.

He looked down at his notebook, an antiquated thing made of actual paper, and continued the sketch he'd started of these strange mammals. Though it wasn't something he did much of these days, drawing was an old skill of his. His pencil made quick, skillful lines on the parchment, until he had a rough likeness of the creatures he'd spent the last few hours tracking.

There were other things in the notebook as well, little notes he'd made about the runyips as he'd discovered them. They seemed to like sifting through the dirt a whole lot, and he was relatively certain that they shed their antlers. He wasn't sure how useful any of this information really was, but getting out of the temple like this was something akin to a break to Wilvick.

"Come on now, move along the river," he found himself muttering under his breath, hoping the runyip would do something.

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Momo Ultab

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Today was a day free of classes for the Padawans of the Jedi temple on Yavin IV, and for Mo that could only mean one thing. Some of his classmates would spend the day reading, mingling with their friends, or perhaps catching up on the latest holoseries episodes. For the Ithorian Padawan, a day off meant another opportunity to explore Yavin's rich jungles and today he had a special plan of hiking up one of the nearby mountains and picnicking up on its summit. He was dressed for the occasion too, with his light, breathable Padawan training gear, and a bag of supplies slung over his shoulder.

Yavin IV was a veritable paradise for the teen. He loved how lively the planet felt - every little species of plant and animal had it's role to play in the planet's ecosystem, and through the Force he could feel the delicate web of connections between each life form. He walked down a familiar jungle path, taking in the scenery with a growing excitement for his adventure. Yup, this was the place to be today.

He noticed a runyip drinking from a nearby watering hole and decided to observe it for a bit, following at a respectable distance as the herbivore left and walked upstream. Maybe there were more nearby! Mo always found some humour in the way runyips plodded their way around around the jungle - they looked so clumsy to him. He was so caught up in his observations that he almost walked right into a man sketching in his note book.

"I'm very sorry! I didn't see you there." He rumbled, averting his gaze downwards. The translator collar attached to his mouths interpreted the Ithorese into Basic. The voice emitted by the collar was youthful and bright. "I really like your runyip sketch, though you only see that particualr striping pattern on females and the one you've drawn has antlers... Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, I just noticed and I thought..." He trailed off. I'm sooo awkward, I've got to change the topic somehow. "Anyway, what are you up to?"

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Wilvick Aureud

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Wilvick heard footsteps slogging through the forest, too heavy to be any animal he knew of. Through the Force, he felt no ill intent, no dark swirls about whomever was about to join him. So, it must have been another sentient being, and one of a nonthreatening disposition. That suited the young Jedi Knight just fine, though he kept his eyes on his drawing for now.

At least, until the newcomer nearly bowled him over.

He was an Ithorian, far from a rare sight in the galaxy. Wilvick was a little bit surprised by the translator ring, however. Yet, he was grateful as well: while he knew enough Ithorese to get through pleasantries, having an extended conversation would have proven difficult for him.

"There's no reason to apologize," Wilvick gave a simple shake of his head, "you saw me before you walked in to me."

Then the Ithorian made note of his drawing. It seemed that Wilvick had accidentally drawn a female runyip with a male runyip's antlers. Unsurprising. He wasn't familiar with the species, and hearing about their sexual dimorphism was new information to him. Now he knew for the next sketch.

"It would seem I still have much to learn about the local fauna," Wilvick chuckled, "which I suppose was the whole point of coming out here. My name is Wilvick Aureud. Might I ask your name?"

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Momo Ultab

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Oh no I totally forgot to introduce myself!

"It's nice to meet you Master Aurend." He replied. Mo wasn't sure as to the rank of his new acquaintance, but he could feel the man's aura in the Force and it seemed mature, certainly in comparison to his classmates back at the Academy. "I'm Mo Ultab, Jedi Padawan."

'Jedi Padawan'? Good thing you clarified, Mr. Obvious. Mo cast his gaze back at the runyip he was following and found that it was mingling with others of its kind by the river. He wondered whether animals ever felt awkward as he stood next to the older Jedi. Mo hoped he wasn't bothering the man.

"Sooo, what have you learned so far? I go walking around this part of the jungle pretty often, maybe there's some cool things we could share!"

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Wilvick Aureud

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"It's a pleasure, young Padawan," Wilvick gave a short bow to his new companion, "what brings you so far away from the temples?"

Perhaps calling Momo a "young Padawan" was a bit hypocritical. Wilvick himself couldn't be more than five years older than the Ithorian, and he often still felt like a Padawan himself. Even so, his new companions addressed him like he would a proper Master, and as per usual, the young Knight didn't know how to feel about that. Maybe he just needed to get used to it.

"As for what I've learned? Well, not much I'm afraid. These runyips are the first things I've tried to draw, or catalog."

He was hardly the right person to record any findings on these creatures. He had no basis in biology, or ecology. Wilvick didn't remember any of Keira's lessons being related to anything like that. He was, at his core, a swordsman. But he was trying to be more. The blade didn't call to him, as it had when he was a Padawan learner.

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"Oh this isn't far for me at all! I've got a day off from classes at the temple today so I'm out for a walk. I'm planning to hike up that mountain over there." He pointed out a plateau off in the distance. Geography wasn't Mo's strong suit. "Actually it looks more like a hill now that I'm a bit closer."

The Ithorian drummed his fingers absently against his leg. The runyips by the river were still doing runyip things. Mo took detours out of his walks around the jungle to observe the wildlife whenever the opporunity presented itself - he had a passion for biology and you could learn an awful lot just by observing if you had the time to spare. As far as the runyips went though, it seemed there wasn't a whole lot more to discover, at least not presently.

"Hey Master Aureud, if you wanted to catalogue some more animals, maybe you could join me? Even if just for a bit? I mean runyips are great don't get me wrong, but I bet I could show you something a little more exciting. I hear there have been sightings of mawgax near where I'm planning to picnic. That's actually one of the reasons I wanted to go!"

If the Jedi Knight was willing, Mo would lead the way back towards his path.

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Wilvick Aureud

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Wilvick found himself smiling. He remembered being a Padawan, as his promotion hadn't been but two years ago. Having classes at the temple cut early, or canceled entirely, was a rare treat for Jedi. It was a breath of freedom, and he remembered using that time for his own passions, and enjoying it immensely.

For Wilvick, that had been sketching landscapes. Something he hadn't done for some time. It left a pang in his chest, and he felt... hollow. When had he abandoned that passion? Art? The sketch in his notebook aside, when was the last time he'd tried to freehand anything?

Before Dantooine.

"A hike," Wilvick nodded at his newfound companion, "I'd be delighted. Please, lead the way."

Because even if his own passion was lost to him, it seemed that Mo still had his. That was something worth fostering; worth protecting. May it was too late for Wilvick to pick his art back up, or maybe not. All he knew was that he didn't want this young Ithorian to follow in his own footsteps, and abandon something he loved.

This was a worthy endeavor. At least... it was to Wilvick.

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Mo beamed, or at least did the Ithorian equivalent, as the older Jedi agreed to accompany him. It wasn't an opportunity Mo often got, and so he happily complied when Wilvick prompted him to lead the way. The jungle was picturesque as ever this morning and the Ithorian was content to take it all in just for the moment, letting the sounds of nature fill in for the lack of conversation.

Soon enough though, Mo grew curious about his new acquaintance. "What made you decide to be a Jedi, Master Aureud?" He paused briefly before continuing. "Sorry if that's a bit random. I just like hearing people's stories, it's really interesting to hear about all the different backgrounds we have here at the Temple - they're all unique and everyone's got their own ambitions and dreams for the future too!"

As soon as he asked the question, Mo noticed something come into view further down their path. It appeared to be an animal, not identifiable from this distance, and he could feel there was something not quite right with it. He wondered if Master Aureud saw it as well, but he wouldn't say anything until the Knight answered his question.

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Wilvick Aureud

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"I've always been a Jedi," Wilvick replied easily, "I was orphaned very young, and brought to the Jedi Temple on Dantooine. I was raised as a Jedi Youngling."

It was the only path for him, as far as Wilvick was concerned. He didn't feel as though he lacked a choice, as some might have. Yes, being a Jedi was fraught with peril. It could be tragic. You were forced to see death, time and time again. But there were redeeming qualities too, like that feeling that bloomed within the chest, when offering aid to another.

The Jedi lifestyle suited him, even if he wouldn't wish it anyone.

Wilvick was about to ask a similar question of Momo, before he noticed something in their path. At first he felt nothing through the Force, but as they crept near it together, he could feel pained anguish. It winded through the Force, like a snake through grass, disturbing what should have been peaceful and natural.

"That animal... tell me what you see, Padawan?"

There was always time for a lesson.

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A Jedi for as long as he could remember? Mo had met a few like that at the temple and he had always felt a little sorry for them. The life Mo had before the Order had its ups and downs but it had given him valuable experience and taught him what he enjoyed in life. It had led him to join the Jedi after all. He wondered what it was like to be given no choice in the matter - being able to dedicate your whole life to the Jedi would give you a lot of time to practice the teachings, but how did that compare to what you missed out on in exchange?

That was a question he'd have to ponder another time. Master Aureud had indeed seen the animal and he prompted the Padawan to look a little closer. Mo closed his eyes and opened his mind, allowing the Force to wash over him and bring him closer to the life all around. He could feel the flowers stretching out towards the sun, the leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, and distinctly, he felt the animal's presence.

"It's...it's... in pain." Mo's shoulders drooped and he began slowly shaking his head as he tapped the animal's feelings with the Force. "A whole lot of pain, but... I can't tell why?"

Mo opened his eyes. That was strange - he could normally get a grasp on emotions quite well. He had a knack for using the Force in these empathetic ways, but he was still only a Padawan. Maybe that explained it? The look he gave Master Aureud prompted an answer - he was eager to help the creature however he could.

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Wilvick Aureud

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"I don't see any blood," Wilvick stroked his beard, "perplexing. What ever is ailing this creature isn't physical. Or, at least, isn't externally physical."

Yavin was home to many species of both flora and fauna. Most of which he had no real knowledge on. So, the young Jedi Knight knew he was the wrong person to try and assess this situation. What they really needed was a zoologist, but they were alone in the middle of the woods. As inexperienced as they were, there was no one else capable of handling this situation.

"First, we need to identify this creature. Have you seen another of its species before, Momo?"

The Ithorian was prone to taking walks in the wilderness, right? In that case, he was much closer to an authority in this field than Wilvick himself. Though it was his job to guide the Padawan, as a Jedi Knight, Wilvick felt no shame in deferring to someone with more knowledge than him.

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"Oh yeah of course. Sorry, I just assumed you already knew. it's a stintaril. They normally stick to their hunting territory higher up in the trees. It's a little rare to see one just by itself like this now that I think about it. Maybe we should have a quick look around and see if there are any more?" Mo said.

He tilted his head, regarding the little rodent with sympathetic eyes. Healing physical injuries wasn't always an easy task, in fact it often required a specialised skill set and knowledge to ensure that you were in fact doing more good than harm. But physical injuries were simple - the source of pain was plainly visible in many cases. This seemed like something else entirely.

The sintaril twitched, releasing a shrill squeak. The poor thing looked like it was shivering. "Is there anything we can do for it?"

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Wilvick Aureud

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Wilvick's eyes scanned the forest around them, looking for more of these "stintaril." But his physical senses failed him, as he spotted no more of the odd species. So instead, he reached out with the Force, casting his senses far and wide. He felt many things; many different forms of life, both flora and fauna, but he did not feel another stintaril close to them. There was, perhaps, a pack of them a ways away, but they were beyond their reach. At least, if they wanted to help this poor creature.

"Reach out with your feelings, Momo. Reach into the stintaril's mind, past its surface thoughts."

Wilvick was typically not fond of invading a living beings mind, but this creature wasn't sentient, and thus there were fewer complications with such a technique. There was little chance of destroying a beast's sense of self, as they usually lacked one. And even if there was a chance of harming the creature, it couldn't be worse than the way it was suffering now. Perhaps a glimpse into its mind would reveal what was happening to it. In the young Jedi Knight's opinion, this was the only choice to make.

"Be gentle. It will not enjoy the intrusion, and trying to be forceful will only cause it more anguish."

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