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[Roanoke]

Roanoke likes the cold, but not this kind of cold.

He's been to Maldo Kreis before, and right now all it does to him being here on this planet is dredge up awful memories of his deceased Sith master. The Padawan is shivering despite the layers of thermal insulated clothing, so it's easy for anyone with psychological knowledge to discern that the subtle tremble of his huge frame is psychosomatic.

Roanoke doesn't complain, however. Nor had he shied away from the mission once Knight Althea Lucis told him that she's to bring him and another Padawan to assist her on her mission. According to her, a small town located on the outskirts of a nearby spaceport reached out to the Jedi for help regarding an increasing incident of missing persons. Initial reports yielded no helpful information, except for the odd occurrences of people just getting out of bed one morning, going on with their daily routine, then walking away from the town to never return. No bodies have been found yet, and cautious locals hold on to a fraying hope that their relative, friend, or lover might still be alive.

The former acolyte follows after Lucis as she disembarks from the ship. Rubbing his gloved hands anxiously, Roanoke looks at Zessel over his shoulder. His breath comes out in misty wisps, nose and cheeks red from the biting cold, jagged scar across his right cheek and bridge of his nose pale against his skin. The mohawked teen adjusts the thick scarf around his neck, as well as the fur-lined hood of his jacket.

"You bundled up real good?" he asks the half-Arkanian, making sure that the latter is properly geared up for the weather.

@LouJoVi

 

[Zessel]

Zessel had never heard about Maldo Kreis before and would never be able to point where it was in a galaxy chart even if his life depended on it. Maybe he would have learned that in the astronomy or the navigation classes, but he never paid much attention to them. He preferred more practical stuff. However, what mattered for the Padawan was the fact that he was going to see the snow.

He never saw snow before!

Not that the half-Arkanian could remember it, though. The memory of his first years of life were missing, but if he lived in the Nubian orphanage since he was a baby, it was very probable that he never saw it. After all, Nubia was a tropical world, and he was born here, right?

This was an answer that he didn’t have at the moment and probably would never have.

When the door of the ship opened, Zessel could see the landscape completely covered by snow. The Padawan stared in awe how the snow covered everything. He never saw so much white in the same place. Everything had the same color that his hair!

He followed Knight Lucis out of the ship, staying next to Roanoke. His booted feet crunched the snow and he smiled. For some reason, the sound brought to him a feeling of nostalgia. As if he had walked through it before. The Padawan crouched and grabbed some of the snow from the ground. Zessel played with it on his gloved hands, admiring how it slowly melted.

“Uh?” Zessel turned to look at Roanoke, when he hear the other boy talking with him. “Yes! I'm really warm wearing this.” he gestured to his clothes. Since he started his baking channel, the Padawan had become more aware of his appearance, especially when filming videos. Due to that, his clothes became a bit more stylish and he started to do skin care.

“Oh, I made chocolate fudge. We can eat while playing Magimania after we return to the ship. I still have to teach you how to play it.” he smiled, remembering the offer that he said to Roanoke in Ellora.

@Graveyard Shift

 

[Roanoke]

He watches as Zessel acquaints himself with the snow, the mohawked teen's smile growing wide. At least his friend seems to be having a good time. Roanoke bends down to scoop up snow, forms a snowball, but doesn't throw it at Zessel, not wanting to push boundaries and even mindful of the half-Arkanian's preferences. Instead, he hands it over to his fellow Padawan.

"Good!" he comments lightly when Zessel confirms that he's warm and properly geared up. Waiting for his friend to accept the proffered snowball, Roanoke can't help but chuckle brightly when Zessel mentions chocolate fudge and Magimania. He never forgot his promise of teaching Roanoke how to play the card game, and the ex-Sith is utterly chuffed.

"Looking forward to all of that," he tells Zessel with a bright smile.

The Knight, who's been content with watching the two Padawans interact for a moment, decides that it's time to proceed with the mission. She clears her throat then offers the two teenagers a kind smile.

The ship is parked just outside the spaceport, giving the three Jedi a perfect view of the village they are about to head off to. Althea lifts one hand, finger pointed towards the village, and reminds the two Padawans of their mission just in case either of them forgot to read the mission agenda that she sent to their comms.

"The village you're looking at is called Selka. It's a fishing village, and one that's been recently established. As of now, it has a hundred and three residents... that is until recent events diminished their numbers to eighty-nine."

Beckoning the two Padawans to follow her after she closes the ramp and locks up the ship, she begins to lead the boys on a hike towards said village. They follow a path that's been dug on the snow, and she's mindful not to stray out of it. The head of the village warned her prior to their arrival about the frozen lake just beside the spaceport, and she doesn't want the two Padawans to fall into a crack and into the icy depths below.

"People began missing two weeks ago, and initial reports made no mention of a kidnapping once they made sure that it's not the cause for the disappearances," Althea continues, a worried frown marring her features. "There were no signs of the missing people being forced. In fact, reports said that the missing persons acted normally prior to their disappearance. But family members and friends of the missing people all agree in one thing: Their missing loved ones simply got up one day, walked out of the village, and never returned."

Stopping briefly to look at the pair of teenagers over her shoulder, she tells them, "It's our duty to find those missing persons, investigating why they disappeared included. We're here to investigate the cause of this phenomena, and..." she steels her gaze, but both Roanoke and Zessel would be able to see the concern flashing in her eyes. But she cuts herself off, not wanting to even consider the worst just yet. Besides, it wouldn't be setting a good example for the two Padawans for her to be disheartened this early on their mission.

They soon reach the border of the village. Fishing vessels line the shore, and houses made from steel and rock rise from the snow like a cluster of dark monoliths. Villagers bundled up in appropriate snow gear look on as the three Jedi enter the village, their eyes flashing with curiosity and cautious hope.

@LouJoVi

 

[Zessel]

Zessel stared while Roanoke grabbed snow from the ground, wondering what the other Padawan was going to do. Was he going to start a snowball fight? The half-Arkanian felt excited with the idea, it would be the first time that he was going to participate in one of those.

It was going to be epic!

To his surprise, Roanoke offered the ball to him rather than throwing it. He could have never participated in a snowball fight, but he was pretty sure that giving your ‘weapon’ to the ‘enemy’ wasn’t part of it. He was a bit disappointed that their epic battle wasn’t going to happen anymore. Perhaps in another opportunity.

He stretched his hand, accepting the ball that was being offered to him. Zessel played with it for some time, moving it around while wondering why that sensation felt so familiar to him and yet he never touched snow until now.

“Nice! I’ll teach you the rulers first and then we are going to play.” it had been a long time without having anyone to play the game with him, leaving Zessel excited for the opportunity of finally having a partner.

His excitement would need to wait, because Althea was going to introduce the two Padawans to their mission. Zessel dropped the snow that was in his hand and approached the Knight. She was showing the village, which was smaller than the half-Arkanian had expected.

The white-haired boy followed her and Roanoke through the path toward the village. This time, Zessel had read the mission agenda, just in case it mentioned cannibal villagers. It didn’t, but the information there was scary. People simply leaving the village and disappearing in the snow was like a story out of a horror holomovie.

It was very creepy.

He noticed how Althea stopped talking and the look on her face, she was obviously concerned. And, while they entered the village and locals stared at them, Zessel also started to feel a bit of concern. What could be causing the disappearances? Could it happen with them too?

@Graveyard Shift

 

[Roanoke]

Roanoke can feel both Zessel and Althea's unease as they enter the village. He won't lie and say that he doesn't feel the same, but he doesn't let it show for the sake of his friend. Knight Lucis might not say it, but the ex-Sith feels the need to take responsibility and offer whatever semblance of comfort he can to the white-haired teen.

He knows Zessel isn't too cool with having his personal space invaded, but the mohawked teen makes sure that he's right beside his friend as they follow the Knight. Althea doesn't stop until they reach the very heart of the settlement. She leads them inside a common house where an older woman seems to be waiting for their arrival. On a table before her sits a family of four, the husband consoling his weeping wife while their four year-old son quietly watches his parents with confusion.

"You the Jedi?" the woman asks, her voice grave. At Althea's nod, she briefly purses her lips and sighs. "The name's Kana. I'm kind of the chief of this settlement."

"We came here as soon as we can," the Knight begins, then presses a hand to her chest. "I am Jedi Knight Althea Lucis. These two," with that same hand she gestures towards Zessel and Roanoke, "are Padawans Zessel and Roanoke Maaari."

Roanoke gives Kana a respectful nod, before his gaze flickers to the distraught family. His stomach twists, already guessing the cause for their distress.

"Thanks for answerin' our call, ma'am," Kana acknowledges, her wizened eyes sweeping over the two Padawans. It looks like she's about to comment on their youth but she refrains from doing so.

Althea gently shakes her head. "Please, just call me Althea," she softly corrects the village chief, a look of pure compassion on her face as she, too, glances at the family. She's quick to put two and two together and asks Kana, "Who...?"

"Their firstborn," Kana replies knowingly, a concerned frown marring her weathered face. After exchanging soft words with the family and assuring them that help is now here, Kana instructs her twin sons—who are watching by the counter—to escort the family back to their home. Turning to face the three Jedi, she adds staidly, "She's the same age as your boys here. Told me she went up this morning, did her chores, headed off by the lakeside to meet with her friends... except her friends said she never arrived. And then a neighbor said that she's spotted walking towards the canyons."

"Did the neighbor ask why she's going there?" asks Althea.

Kana sighs, her frown deepening. "Well, he said he did. Tried to run after her when she didn't respond. But he lost her in the morning fog, and she hasn't been seen since."

The older woman places her hands in her jacket's pockets, giving the three Jedi a contemplative look. "I wish I could give you more answers, but we're grasping at straws here. 'Round these parts, there isn't exactly law enforcement that can help. But the Jedi... I have faith the Jedi will help, so I reached out to my old contacts, and, well... here you three are. And right now, you bein' here is more than enough." She smiles at them, then gestures for the three to follow her. "Follow me, I'll show you to your temporary quarters."

Climbing up the stairs, Kana shows them two rooms, one for the Knight and the other for the two Padawans to share. They're spartan and clean, but with sufficient heating that provides an additional sense of comfort. The older woman gives the three Jedi time to rest from their travels and to set up any gear they brought. Promising more points of conversation to start their investigation after they are rested, Kana politely excuses herself to tend to her own business.

Facing Zessel and Roanoke, the Knight offers the two Padawan a reassuring smile. "I know you two have been antsy during our flight," she kindly tells them. "But Kana's right. You two should rest for a bit. I'll head out and ask around, but I'll be back quickly."

As Althea descends, Roanoke peers into the room, steps inside, and makes a beeline towards the window. From there, he watches Althea head out of the common house and approach a man and his son conversing by the well. Shifting his gaze to Zessel, the ex-Sith comments with concern, "It's... odd for people to just disappear for no reason. To be honest, I'm... anxious about this."

He sighs, running a gloved hand through his mohawk after pushing the hood of his jacket down. "I'd rather face some kidnappers, you know? At least w-we know what we're up against..."

@LouJoVi

 

[Zessel]

Rather than feeling uncomfortable with Roanoke being next to him, Zessel felt his concern disappear with the presence of his friend. He felt that together, the two would be able to face any danger. The half-Arkanian felt in a similar way when working with Caul and Shaw.

He never thought that it could be so good to have friends.

They continued walking until arriving in a house located at the center of the settlement. The Jedi were greeted by an old woman, with her hair being more white than the original color. Zessel turned his attention to the other people there. They were a family and the wife was crying for a long time, since her eyes were very red.

The old lady, Kana, explained the situation. Zessel stayed looking at the family, they were so desperate with the disappearance of their daughter. It made the Padawan remember that he never met his parents. He wondered what happened to them and if they had cared about him like how that people cared for their daughter. Perhaps they did, but he couldn’ remember of the facts from before he woke up in the orphanage ten years ago.

When Althea mentioned his name, Zessel mimicked Roanoke’s respectful nod. Then, Kana told them what had happened with the couple’s daughter. The way that the old lady described how she disappeared, without answering the neighbor calling for her, sent a chill through the white-haired boy’s spine. It seemed like something that came out of a thriller holomovie.

After that introduction to their mission, the two Padawan were left to rest while Althea went to talk with the other villagers. If horror holomovies taught him something was that going out alone in a creepy village wasn’t the best strategy. However, she was a Knight and would be able to defend herself. Zessel was sure of that.

“Me too.” Zessel said, while approaching the other window. He could see Althea walking toward a group of locals. The village wasn’t big, so there couldn't be many people living in the settlement. Looking away from them, the half-Arkanian could see the frozen sea with some boats in the harbor.

“Kidnappers aren’t nice either.” he didn’t forget the events of Ellora. “I didn’t want to see more people being snatched. The feeling of being carried away is horrible. You feel so vulnerable.” Zessel didn’t want to continue thinking about it. He turned to look at Roanoke. “What should we do while waiting for her to come back? Watch some videos?”

@Graveyard Shift

 

[Roanoke]

Roanoke is glad that he's not the only one nervous about this mission, and yet at the same time he doesn't want Zessel to feel anxious. He listens as his friend talks, and the ex-Sith internally cringes as Zessel shares his own thoughts about kidnappers. Roanoke remembers clear as day the sheer panic he felt when he realized Zessel had vanished during their mission on Ellora. The mohawked teen suddenly feels as if he was being insensitive with his initial comment about the kind of enemy he'd rather face when the half-Arkanian himself had been abducted.

"I-I'm sorry, Zessel. I didn't mean to d-dredge up awful memories," he apologizes to his friend sincerely, his brows knotted with guilt.

Roanoke fidgets with the hem of his jacket this time, before shedding it along with his scarf. The guest room's internal heating proves sufficient enough to chase away the chill. While pulling his gloves off, he lifts his gaze to look at Zessel when the latter suggests watching some videos while waiting for Knight Lucis to return. Roanoke sits on one of the beds and flashes the half-Arkanian a hopeful smile.

"Well... how about you teach me the rules on how to play Magimania first?" he eagerly asks Zessel. It's both a desire to really learn the game, as well as to help take Zessel's mind off of the uncertainties of their mission, if only momentarily. "I didn't look it up on the Holonet 'cause I wanna hear your explanations more!"

@LouJoVi

 

[Zessel]

Zessel stared at Roanoke while the dark-haired boy panicked. It wasn’t the first time that it happened, he had already seen his friend reacting this way during their mission on Ellora and once again during the party in Takodana. The half-Arkanian couldn’t stand seeing him this way.

He held Roanoke’s arms, while the other teen fidgeted with his jacket. Zessel’s grip had no strength on it, he was only trying to comfort his friend. “Dude, it’s fine. It was a bad experience, but I’m not traumatized by it. My therapist helped with that.” he smiled at the other Padawan, staring at his face. “You shouldn’t be feeling guilty because of something that wasn’t your fault.”

“Do you want a hug?” he said playfully. Zessel would not mind if Roanoke said yes. Anything to make his bro feel better. Some months ago, it would be impossible to see the half-Arkanian doing something like offering hugs.

His blue eyes shone with excitement when Roanoke asked to be taught the rules of Magimania. “Of course! I thought that we would get bored waiting here, so I brought two deck.” he said, while searching for them inside his backpack. Zessel retrieved two blue-colored deck boxes and offered one to his friend. Then, he sat cross legged on the carpet.

He removed some cards and put them on the floor between them. "There are five types of cards: characters, equipment, magic, trap and location. The characters have defense and attack points, you’ll win if your attack is higher than the defense of your adversary. But you can use equipment and locations to increase these attributes of your characters.” he would continue explaining all the details necessary for them to play. Including how to use traps, magic and put the characters in defense mode.

After some time, Zessel would have finished the explanation. “I think that the best way to learn is by playing. Let’s begin!” the half-Arkanian smiled, before shuffling his deck. Once he finished, the Padawan picked seven cards. Then, he waited for Roanoke to fo the same.

@Graveyard Shift

 

[Roanoke]

Roanoke is surprised when Zessel initiates contact by holding his arms. Even the offer of a hug, despite being said in jest, is kind of jarring. He knows the half-Arkanian isn't really big on physical touch, but to see this side of Zessel, to witness the other boy's caring nature...

The ex-Sith declines the offer for a hug with a shake of his head, but the smile that tilts the corners of his lips upwards clearly conveys his gratitude for his friend's desire to comfort the mohawked teen. He's so proud of Zessel for breaking out of his own shell. Roanoke reaches out, large, rough hand hovering tentatively for a moment to give the half-Arkanian the opportunity to back off if he so chooses, before softly falling on Zessel's shoulder should the attempt be welcomed. "T-Thanks, Zessel," he shyly but gratefully tells the white-haired teen. "I really... I really appreciate it."

Roanoke realizes that asking Zessel to teach him Magimania now is the right thing to do when he sees how eager his friend looks right now. The excitement in those blue eyes are unmistakable, and the former acolyte secretly feels proud for helping ease Zessel's apprehensions for now. He lowers himself on the carpeted floor across Zessel once the latter retrieved the cards, and accepts the deck handed to him. He listens attentively to the other teen's explanation, understanding shining in his eyes as Zessel clearly elucidates everything there is to know about playing the card game. And then he finishes it off by saying that the best way to learn Magimania is by playing.

Roanoke is slightly nervous, but he's more stoked about playing!

He picks up seven cards, holding it so to keep the faces hidden from Zessel. Roanoke chews on his bottom lip thoughtfully. Six characters, one magic card. Going through the rules over his head and reading the description boxes in the cards, Roanoke chooses a character than can be normal summoned and places it face-down on the carpet.

"Okay, uh, I'm gonna go with this card," he declares before making sure it's in defense position. Then, he meets Zessel's gaze and asks, a bit self-conscious. "Is it okay if I go first? I mean... I already set a card down... but I can pick it back up if you wanna go first!" Despite the self-consciousness, though, it's clear that Roanoke is eager to play.

@LouJoVi

 

[Zessel]

Zessel stared at Roanoke’s hand, hovering over his shoulder. He could see that his friend was still wondering if he should touch the half-Arkanian. The white-haired boy raised an eyebrow. “Bro, it’s fine. I don’t mind if you do it.” he said, smiling when the other Padawan’s hand finally rested on his shoulder.

He watches the dark-haired boy eagerly pick the deck and a large smile appears on his lips. His friend seemed excited with the idea of playing with him, which was enough to make the Padawan feel happy. Zessel never had a friend that would be interested in the game. To be honest, he never had many friends. Caul, Shaw and Roanoke were his first friends ever.

The white-haired boy was so grateful for that.

“No problem! You can start first.” Zessel said, not wanting to have Roanoke think too much about it. After all, this was his first time playing. “Next time, we’ll throw a coin to see who starts. This is the official way to decide who starts. Also, you need to shuffle the deck before pulling the cards. But it’s fine!” he was fast to reassure his friend that there was no problem for now.

With that settled, Zessel looked at the cards and gears started to spin on his mind. He had one card on his hand that would help him, he only needed to pull the right one from the deck. For that, he would need to make the game drag for a time. Unfortunately, the white-haired boy was very competitive when playing Magimania. He was already planning how to win.

In the end, Zessel selected two cards from his hand. One, a creature, he left in defense position. The other, a trap, was left turned down. “Your turn.”

@Graveyard Shift

 

[Roanoke]

"A coin toss," Roanoke nods with understanding, then flashes Zessel a bright smile. "Gotcha!"

At the half-Arkanian's additional reminder of shuffling the deck first and foremost, the mohawked teen blushes lightly with embarrassment. But the way he still keeps smiling despite it shows that Roanoke is getting more and more comfortable around Zessel. The fact that he, along with Caul, accepts Roanoke even with his past as a Sith is more than enough to make the dark-haired boy grateful beyond words for their friendship. The two of them accepted him like Shaw did when Roanoke first met the latter. He just wishes that the other Padawans who still harbor suspicious thoughts about Roanoke would change their minds about him someday.

"Okay, you can just chalk it up t-to me being all excited 'n stuff," he jokes lightly with a shy grin. "'Cause I'm really so stoked to be finally playing with you right now!"

He watches as Zessel sets a monster card in defense position before putting another one face-down. Chewing thoughtfully on his bottom lip, Roanoke picks another creature card after making sure to read the description box, this time leaving it face-up and in attack position. Contemplating if he should attack, his gaze flicks over Zessel's card in defense position to compare its defense points to his card's attack points. Deciding against it, Roanoke meets his friend's gaze and declares, "I guess I'm done for now. Your turn!"

Roanoke doesn't know what Zessel is cooking, but it feels like he's facing off against a Magimania master. He's got to give this friend his best and make the half-Arkanian proud no matter the result of their card duel!

@LouJoVi

 

[Zessel]

”Me too!” Zessel said, beaming at the other Padawan. “I never had the chance to play with someone else before. He could play only the online version, but it wasn’t the same.” not everyone liked Magimania, with some believing that it was a game of nerds. The half-Arkania didn’t consider one himself.

Well, at least not a big one.

He was grateful that Roanoke was playing with him, but it doesn’t mean that Zessel was going to play easy mode. His friend was soon going to learn that the half-Arkanian was very competitive.

The half-Arkanian stared at the card that Roanoke put on the field. This was concerning, especially if he got the others. Once it was his turn, Zessel pulled another card from his deck. While he looked neutral, the white-haired boy was grinning internally. He got lucky that one of the three copies that he had in the deck came out so early in the game.

Now was time to start his game.

He left a creature upside down in defense mode, while also setting another trap card. Zessel would need to wait for the next turn for his plan to work.

@Graveyard Shift