Here, in the Come Around (OPEN)

[DeathToll]

Here, he had come. To this memorable home, there had been but one face that shined magnificent warmth. To him, even when not thinking of her, this Temple radiated with her aura; to him. He longed to see her, unaware of most events recent and past. Of course, he could not admit the pull within; his pride all the more powerful, even in this state of return and sleeplessness. The flesh of his palm smeared upon the window as he felt for the welcome of his peers on Empress Teta. He had been away for too long. And yet, was this place ever his home? Regardless, it was his current sorce of peace in searching. He required centering.

The 'borrowed' light freighter fluttered into orbit with an ugly smoke cloud puttering out it's rear. He hailed in the proper greeting and hoped for the best. He didn't wish a reoccurance of that one time with San at the newly distroyed Corruscant Temple. What a terrible day. Lucky for him, he was permitted landing, dispite appearances, and he set down with every intension of donating the trash heep at first light.

The distorted beast of a transport plopped down lowdly, as if it had performed its greatest death scene yet, and the loading dock practically fell away from its hinges. What came out next was a terribly worn out, dirtied and wragged looking man; yet still he retained his somberly styled, in this instance, good looks. He stumbled out, pooling droplets of tears naturally combating the dry sockets there in they carry, he looked on with relief and a sigh of comfort. He had finally made it.

"What... No welcome...?"

He mused to himself, too tired to smile in enjoyment of his humor, deciding to move on. He began walking towards the Temple grounds. He needed rest, but also information. He needed to catch up on current events. And most of all, he needed guidance and training to re-center himself in the way of the Light.

 

[Veritas et Lux]

It was a bench beneath a tree, a small garden centered around birdbath that Ursa sat crossed-legged. The bushes rose high all around and the groundskeepers managed to maintain a wild look about the place. Although her eyes were closed, she could see all that surrounded. It seemed to be a curse sometimes, as if she couldn't turn it off whenever she truly wanted. It was as if she was trying to quiet her mind whenever she had first began her knight training, and she just couldn't keep it from running ramped. Sometimes, the darkness was a beautiful calming thing. Still she continued to meditate though, and quell her ability to see all before her. Her mind began to quiet down, and she could instead hear, smell, and feel all around her until eventually even that began to fade, and time simply stood still. She was as a still pool of water, without ripple or movement.

... At least ... until everything was snapped back into motion by the disturbance of another. Someone entering the temple, even though across the courtyard, caught her attention. She opened her eyes, staring forward with a blank stare on her face before sighing to herself, standing up, and murmuring to herself.

"...Egotist..."

She scoffed.

 

[DeathToll]

"Yaaaawn...!"

Locking his knees with each muscle-worn step, Tris still managed to keep his chin held high as he yawned. It wasn't enough for someone like him however to just let out the breathy tune. Instead, Tris verbalized his fatigued exhilation by speaking the word in addition to making the loud beautiful sound that is his voice. And he spoke it just as he passed by a nice seated area where it looked like a cute woman was just waiting for some company. Namely him. Even in his condition, Tris always seemed to perk up around a lady.

"Well! Hello there.."

Tris dragged his heels as he pivoted to aim his sit just next to her, then plopped down heavily with a sigh; rounding his arm over her and onto the back of the bench comfortably.

"Ahhhhh!"

Clearly, not the typical Jedi; dark brown high-boots split in certain creases, the browns and whites of his open-chested shirt and fashionably tight pants were darkened by burn marks and dirt, and face and hair similarly dirtied -though only accenting his bright blue eyes that sparkled with life. Those eyes just stared straight on at the beauty before them, paying no attention to the woman he'd just nestled up against. And though there were paper bags under those eyes, unsightly for a noble keeping up appearances such as he, he just smiled softly out the corner of his mouth in open relaxation. Tris tossed his full dark brown hair from his eyes and shook his head in disbelief.

"Truly a wonderous beauty."

 

[Veritas et Lux]

(I don't know what it is... But ever since our first rp together you've managed to be the only person on the site that can make me cringe in disgust at how good you are of acting the part.)

In the silence that she created, without a single word expelled, she simply rolled her eyes while beginning to step forward. This man's demeanor steamed from his aura like a less than pleasing odor. If he was a Jed then so be it, but that didn't obligate her to sit and deal with undesirable company. Oh was he so undesirable. She knew virtually nothing of this man, but in the mere seconds of exposure she could tell that he was nothing but headaches and frustration. Best not to pay him too much mind, lest he actually attempt to talk t-

... Too late ....

As the words dribbled off of his chin, she stopped mid-step and placing her foot back to Empress Teta slowly. He was attempting to communicate, but flattering words that revolved around himself did little in the way of keeping her here. Instead, she simply kept walking. The quieted thuds of her moccasins reverberated through the air with a short extending arm's reach. Her robe hung low, whisping to and fro with every step that she made. The red and white complimented each other so well, bringing the attention away from her short chestnut hair and shy brown eyes.

She was a tad hungry. Maybe she'd go get some Dagobah stew...
She managed to keep herself from actually giving away her feelings towards this fellow though. She knew not of where this man was from or where he'd been, and she wouldn't ignorantly treat someone different due to her impressions. But in actuality, she just didn't like him... and that was it. The ruse that she was hungry, fooling herself into a cup of soup was really only a means to escape her intruder.

 

[DeathToll]

((lol! i love it!))

"Oh perfect! I was just about to head inside, though I'm sure my room has yet to be prepared for me."

Tris melted right up into position along side her like the wave of a breeze as he casually matched her pace. His pristine lightsaber glistened as it bounced over his thigh with each step of unutilized muscle. His tone was completely honest, seemingly incapable of picking up on her irritation of him. It wasn't that he was hitting on her, yet, but rather it was just the way he was. Who wouldn't want to keep his splendourous company?

"...You see I've been away. You don't happen to know the Sage Master, do you? My name's Tristian-Ambrose Dario of the Baptiste house, by the way. No particular reason, mind you, but she may be wondering where I am."

Tris had found his umteenth wind and couldn't stop, though his information was outdated. While he was refering to a previous Councilor, she had since been replaced; a fact that could come as quite a shock in context if this particular Jedi knew the details that Tris lacked. If not, then Tris would continue on blissfully ignorant. He just walked along side her, not even giving pause enough for her to relinquish her name in kind; all the while retrieving his hand sanitizer and applying it vigorously in circling motions. Though he payed no attention, in cleaning his hands this way -he managed to leave lines on his wrists like sleeves of dirt beneath his clothes that he couldn't remove unless giving himself a full bath with the lotion here and now.

He continued on, not a care as to where she was leading them; acting as though wherever she was heading was in fact where he was also.

 

[Veritas et Lux]

been moving, ill reply to this either tomorrow night or the next day. :/ sorry

 

[Veritas et Lux]

(Sorry it took me forever. I just moved into this awesome house on the southside. <3 )

Ursa noted the coy Jedi's persistence as a maneuver for attention rather than that of a stalker. She'd rather not place any more bias on him than she'd already had. Still though, the amount of cover judging she'd done on this book had been enough to push her away, and an act so simple as to follow her wasn't of any help in particular. But there didn't seem to be anything she could do to avoid him. Even an imperial knight wouldn't blatantly treat a random man with conviction without reason. That kind of behavior could be almost sith-like, even if she were to simply turn around and with a condescending tone inquire upon the man's problems. It just couldn't be done.

She had for a moment considered a quick change of plans and to leave the man at her dormitory room, but leading your pursuer straight to the confines of your home wasn't really the smartest thing in the world either. She'd learned that from the years of hiding as an imperial knight. And even though this wasn't life threatening, she wanted to make a point not to talk to this man. It was beginning to get very frustrating. On the one hand, ignoring him would simply allow him to stick around. On the other, Ursa wasn't fond of making an ass of herself.

She looked down at her wrist watch as a scapegoat. She'd be departing for Coruscant soon with Jedi master Vainikainen, but she had no indication of exactly when her master would come to free her. Could she wait it out? Possibly wander around in random circles until her master is found? That actually might work, depending on the chances of Sigur finishing up sooner than later.

Ursa attempted to keep herself from giving any form of attention to her benefactor, whatsoever. She'd continue to walk forward so long as he was with her. Her soft footsteps would be matched by his louder repetition so long as she'd act as if she had no idea that he was there. That could work... Yea, sure.

 

[GABA]

The Sage Halls were always a wonder to Sigur, it wasn’t a place he visited too often, but each time felt like he been there for the first time. It had calm to it that his homeworld of Coruscant didn’t have. He had yet to decide if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but nevertheless, he wouldn’t fret over such a minor thought. His originally business here was some last minute inspections with the other Councilors and also to meet his new Padawan, Ursa Phaedrus.

He didn’t know much about the young lady other than what the Jedi had on file regarding her association with the Imperial Knights and her picture. She wasn’t any where he would suspect to find her, and it put him on the hunt for his student. Though Sigur liked this search, it took him throughout the temple and its gardens allowing him to really take in the sights and gain more familiarity with the Jedi Temple.

He was sure he could have used the Force to pinpoint his student, but rather much enjoyed not to.

When Sigur had thought he had covered the entire temple in the search of his apprentice and unfamiliar couple crossed his vision as they crossed an entry way in front of him. Certain that the female was who he was looking for, Sigur picked up his stride catching up to the two. He caught step beside the a Jedi Knight; the man had a familiar face, one he had seen on several occasions especially after his return from Saleucami.

“Knight Dario. Its been a while since I have seen your face, and with all due respect, you look like you haven’t been here for a while.” Sigur referenced to how the Knight was dressed and dirtied, “I see you have found my apprentice, Ursa Phaedrus.”

 

[DeathToll]

"...But the Hutts aren't exactly known for their hospitality.. Ha, ha!"

Tris continued on as if she were clinging to his every word, not even looking at her to see if this were true. A carefree ignorance floated out of his loud mouth, as no doubt every Jedi near the Temple could hear his jibber jabber. And if Ebb could hear him now, beginning to blurt out details as if there were something more to them then what was truth, she would likely have a fit. But Tris lifted the back of his hands to his lips and blew on a flake of dirt that he'd managed to rub into his skin with the lotion.

"Whhww... But there's not a single world I've found that compares to this place. I wonder how long you've been here, but then I'd imagine that anyone could spend a week here with the sole purpose of seeing every room and still they'd manage to fall short of success. Though I'm no ordinary person, I've..."

Then suddenly Tris found himself interrupted, stopped his feet dead in their tracks, and curiously turned his head to see who had called him by that name. Not many referred to him using that name, but for those who had met him some time ago. And indeed it was a blast from his past. And yet, he had failed to remember the man's name... Whoops. But, let's be honest. He'd likely have not responded in kind and focused on the fact that it was -he- who was the one being recognized, keeping the focus on him ...as usual.

"Aaaah! Greetinnngs! ...Yes well, the galaxy is full of tumultuous and begrimed, uh, besmear-besmirched -there's a lot goin' on out there. You know? I- Oh! Ursa! Well why didn't you say so! It's a pleasure to meet you Ursa. They're bringing Padawans to Empress Teta now?"

Tris was all over the place, not even trying to sound as completely pompous and utterly ridiculous as usually does. It's a gift. But then, he was very tired, and that only added to Tris' lovable character.

 

[Veritas et Lux]

Ursa sighed in good spirit once again. The sound of this egotistical curse that she'd been struck with had lain siege upon her nerves. She'd circled the entire campus four times, each one with a different random twisting route. Still he continued to follow her and still she continued to ignore him as she walked ever so slowly. Right before she was about to crack... And I mean right before she was going to turn around and ask the man what sense any of this had to do with her, master Sigur had appeared before her in the flesh.
Her footsteps fell silent as she slowly turned around. First her head, then her body, at her own pace. Ursa's eyes were instantly met with the strong features of the Jedi prime envoy himself. . . Her new master.

She would however remain silent still as it seemed to Ursa that the prime envoy and her benefactor might have been well acquainted.

Still his mouth ran, and still Ursa's head pounded in agony that she refused to display. Instead, she so simply stood there humbly listening for her chance to butt-in.

"Excuse me, but that is probably because I am a knight-errant of the Imperial Knights, and I am aloud induction within the ranks of the Jedi order, sir. Oh. By the way- I've dealt with quite a few Hutts before, and they've all been quite hospitable, thank you.", Ursa said with a humble face and a confidence as she slowly spoke her words.

"It is also rather nice to meet you, master Vainikainen.", she added while giving a low bow.

 

[GABA]

The two paused in their tracks when Sigur spoke, which he was suspecting and had to take a few steps back in order to be a proper distance for conversation. The councilor could tell the Knight didn’t recognize him, but it didn’t bother the Prime Envoy, he knew lots of faces and names before others actually knew him.

He turned his attention to his newest padawan and could feel the irritation spew from the young woman; and though he didn’t know the story before he had caught up to the young couple, he could most certainly tell by the expression on her face, she was not enjoying her company. Sigur raised an eyebrow to the two on their remarks.

“Glad I was able to find you Ursa, I was worried I was told the wrong temple for a moment. We will be heading to Coruscant shortly, Empress Teta is nice, but it’s not like Coruscant.” He replied to Ursa, he looked to Tris, “I’m glad to see your home again with the Jedi, Dario, too many faces disappear without word, and we never see them again.”

 

[DeathToll]

Tris' mouth hung open to the surprise of Ursa's words. She'd completely blind-sighted him and had, for the first time since they met, silenced him. She didn't agree with him? You mean, she didn't care for his company? ...Naw... That wasn't it. And just like that, Tris underwent the Tris system reboot and, in an instant, was like new.

"Yes, well of course you are, Knight Phaedrus! You must have spent a pretty penny to be welcomed into their lair. I myself couldn't be allowed to do business with -that- type, but ...well."

Tris noticed Ursa's bow in reaction and so, in kind, removed his mocking smirk and lowered his head shortly lest he come off rude and untrained to the Master. But then he heard Master Vainikaien speak of Coruscant.

"You are too kind Ma- ...Coruscant? But, Master Vainikainen, are you dragging this poor soul along for your inspection of the ruins? ...Surely the Temple isn't already operational? ...is it?"

Tris had attempted to speak the good Master's name as if he had known it all along. But he could not fathom that he had been away -that- long. It was practically yesterday that he was standing in the midst of smoke and ash, all that remained of the grand Temple of the center hub to all the galaxy. He was so condescending in his tone, yet completely unintentional and ignorant to his own ugliness to others. Though also completely harmless, with no emotion linked to what most politicians and nobles would call their poisonous 'silver tongue'. Tris meant no harm by it, but rather had been trained by those so called poisonous silver tongues to sound just like them.

 

[Veritas et Lux]

Ursa began to move forward now. It was time for them to leave soon, and she was rather interested in speaking with her new master. No offense to this Dario character, but she simply just didn't find his company of any real usefulness... Or pleasure.

Taking in the aura of master Vainakainen, she felt relaxed and alleviated of most troubles on her mind. This man was the politically attuned Jedi, the tongue of the order, and above all her new master. She already looked up to him, hoping to begin her tutelage as fast as she could.

"Well, it was pleasant being within your presence knight... Dario.", she paused.
"But I suppose that master Vainakainen and I should make way for Coruscant prompt. It's bad enough that we've been delayed so far."

Ursa was now at sides with the prime envoy, and without appearing too ready to depart waited for the two to be done with it. Simply allocating herself closer to departing than even master Sigur himself, she was able to remove herself with modest skill in... well, modesty. But before she allowed any remarks or sudden sparking up of random conversations to begin, she added emphasis (neither rude nor hinting of her impatience mind you) on her hurry with one last word.

"Savvy?", she said with a cheerful smile at Dario. She simply played her role as he did, and that role was plain and easy:

"Your company was delightful, but we really must be on our way."

 

[GABA]

The Jedi councilor gave Tris a curious look, he couldn’t tell if the kid was kidding or if he spoke with serious intent. He folded his arms across his chest and opened his mouth to speak, but closed it as Ursa decided to pipe up against the Knight. He could feel the sudden urgency from his new padawan to leave as she took her place beside him.

“The temple was rebuilt. Minor construction projects are still lingering, but otherwise the temple opened a few weeks ago.” Then Sigur grinned and looked at Ursa then back to Tris.

“I’ll extend my invitation for you to join us, we will be departing shortly. It’s really an impressive sight.” Sigur invited.

 

[DeathToll]

Tris perked up, taking every word of Ursa's as complete truth. Tris was, after all, the best looking Jedi there ever was; trust... he has checked the holo-records to be sure. So he just grinned wide with white teeth aglow; the only thing kept clean, besides his newly cleansed hands, at this point. He tossed his hair with a cocky shirk of the head and placed his hands on his hips. If the Sith were fighting with compliments rather than the Force, Tris would be able to absorb their powers up like no other; an endless black hole, able to gobble up all the compliments in t galaxy. His ego was beyond the breaking point, a full galaxy in itself never satisfied by compliments with which to expand that universe.

"Yes, well, thank you! Yes! Yes, we all have our duties to carry out! I see Master Vainakainen. Well, it seems I've been out of it for a little longer than I'd thought ...Whew! Thank you, Master, but I must decline. I was hoping to find the Sage Master here. Do you happen to know where Master Daw is? She is here, isn't she? Although I suppose she could be busy off world somewhere. She had started to travel more, last I saw her."

 

[Veritas et Lux]

gaba can go again. i don't really have anything to post.

 

[GABA]

A wave of sorrow overcame the Jedi Master when the name of the former Sage Master rolled off Knight Dario’s lips. There was a heavy uncomfortable silence as Sigur took on compassion for the young man’s blissful ignorance to events that had happened with the Jedi in past few months. He felt like asking Tris where he had been for as long as Sigur was concluding too, and how he would be in such a position to be cut off from Jedi affairs such as the few they were discussing.

“Master Daw isn’t here.” Sigur started, “She, along with Master Starfall and Knight Donelly went to Ossus. We believed they were ambushed and from their padawans reported feeling, we fear the worst.” He explained, “I’m sorry to bring you such grim news upon your return home.”

 

[DeathToll]

Spoiler: OOC:@Phaedrus

gaba can go again. i don't really have anything to post.

...What, no sigh of relief??! ;)

Silence left Tris wondering. Looking, searching for the reason, his eyes shifted to Ursa and back to Sigur. But his foolish smile hadn't faded yet.

"Oh...?"

Tris tagged the short question on to Sigur's lead, blanketing the news he would now reveal to the returned Knight.

"Whaaaa...?"

His expression melted away as the concern wheezed from his near silenced lips. Almost whispering, through loss of understanding, he had lost even the breath to speak. Eyes widened with disbelief, he needed more answers. He stuttered with an inability to adjust, softly beginning to pump the wheels.

"B-b-b-by who? Did anyone see anything? Did the Padawans get any images, any sense of where they came from, where they might go to? If there's any information...? I, I need to get in contact with Ossus, right away. Wait, what's the status of Ossus' defenses? Has the Empire taken territory near there? I need to know Master..."

Tris hadn't lost it, still planted, weighed down by the news; but his mind was thinking a parsec a minute. He'd lost all joy in his heart, momentarily, and switched to 'analytical Tris'. The dark cloud that loomed over such news had yet to find a stillness over Tris' head as he searched for answers that may save Ebberla from the worst of his thoughts. She must be okay...

 

[GABA]

Sigur could sense the sudden change in the kid's thinking as soon as his words begun to sink in. Tris radiated with a sense of urgency and the Councilor responded by pulling on the Force around them, calming nerves so the boy wouldn't go beyond irrational thought or action.

"Ossus now belongs to the Sith, Knight Hettoran and his apprentice scouted the planet for any sign of the group. They didn't find Daw, Starfall, or Donelly, he did find pieces of a lightsaber we believed belong to Daw and Master Starfall's blade, but other than that, no bodies." Sigur explained, reaching into the confines of his memory recalling what the report's results were, "Daw's padawan, Serg Hitaru, reported feeling her in the Force and then suddenly nothing, same with what was reported about Ayva's padawans. Other than that, we've neither heard nor felt anything in the Force that would help us understand what happened or where they are or even if they were still living."

 

[DeathToll]

"'If'?! I-"

Tris cut himself off, having felt the unknown effects of the good Master's influence and doing his utmost to remain in control. He was about to loose it. But given the overbalance of pure shock, he was quite tempered in this moment. He just couldn't, no he wouldn't believe it.

"But Master, how could -I- not have felt anything?"

And finally, the question that others had always wondered; yet now he was the one asking himself who really mattered in his life. Was it only himself? Apparently it had been all that mattered. And right now, in this very moment, was the first time he'd ever realized the possibility that he could be selfish to the point of being disconnected from the rest of the population. It bopped him on the forehead like a friendly, yet awkward, tap that had messed up his hair. It was as if he'd been walking around with a lettuce leaf stuck in his teeth for a day and no one had bothered to tell him about it. He just starred at Master Sigur, yet glazed as if looking off into the distance. He'd answered his own question. Tris truly was an idiot, and a blind one at that. Well, and a good looking one at tha- STOP IT! Tris' childlike eyes, in realization of his guilt, refocused on the Master's eyes and he was completely defeated; still dealing with selfishness, but in a changing way.

"...I'm a terrible human being."