Open Ajan Kloss Honoring the Dead

[Maxims Tionson]

Nashyr.

Saul.

His daughter in all but name and his friend through thick and thin. Both of them dead.

Oh they had died in the line of duty and that was supposed to be a comfort to him but it simply wasn't. It just meant that they had died for something. Did that make it better? That they died for something?

Better than dying for nothing but... loss was not something he had really had to deal with. He had spent so long just existing without friends of any great degree and now the two he had were gone.

He stood there blankly staring at the memorial.

His loss ached within his chest to such a degree that it was leaking out into the Force around him. Running a hand through his beard, Max moved forwards and placed a hand against the memorial. He just... held it there for a long moment before shaking his head and taking a step back.

"Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter..."

Maybe if he said it enough he would believe it truly.

Maybe one day.

 

[Trys Aran]

Trys had discussed with the Jedi about coming out here, but it ended up being over something so devastating. The rain poured over them all as she made her way towards the memorial service. She had only recently been discharged from the hospital herself, and she was still kicking herself for not being at the prison. Others had given up their lives for her brethren and she hadn’t been there to defend.

She hadn’t shown up alone. There was a boy in his early early teens next to her who already stood taller than her. However, his face betrayed his youth. He was a half Zabrak, but he had her eyes. She wanted her son to be here to witness this, and she wanted him to have a glimpse into her life. He took it all in silently, glancing at the Jedi curiously as he faced the gravity of the situation of what was happening in the galaxy today.

Trys walked by all the graves, placing flowers as the others had. She recognized many faces and gave them a nod as she passed. Her son walked with her, not having seen any of these people before. Trys could see Oren up ahead and she made her way over towards him. She spotted Talak then and almost paused, wondering how to handle the situation then.

She watched him step away and made a mental note to go to him after paying her respects. Trys walked till she reached Oren, opening her mouth to offer some words. In the end, she simply closed the distance and pulled him into an embrace, “I should have been there,” She said quietly, and he would be able to sense the pain whirling inside her, “I owe you my life and I couldn’t even be there to defend yours or those closest to you,” She pulled back, sighing.

Meanwhile, her son stared at Oren curiously, not having stood this close to a Jedi before. He kept glancing around to look for a lightsaber, though he was too polite to ever say anything to ruin a somber moment like this. The wide eyed curiosity was obvious nonetheless.

@TWD26

 

[BD 9]

Beedee watched as the procession of Jedi, Sector Rangers, and even politicians made their way to the memorial. He understood the importance of the moment, but the droid couldn't do anything about how he appeared: much like a young child that didn't quite understand what was going on. The droid's diminutive stature did not help that vibe at all; Beedee was shuffling out of the way of others and looking about to gauge each expression of those who towered over him, which is literally everyone.

He stayed close to his grieving companion Riz'kacha (@WiffWaffs). The droid was concerned for the Twi'lek ever since she returned from the prison battered and scarred. She had told Beedee to stay behind before the chaos broke out and the droid could not help but get the sense that he could have been there by the padawan's side. Much like the old days when he was side-by-side with his smuggling friend from the era of the Galactic Empire.

Now the padawan is without a master. At the very least, Beedee could ensure that the padawan still has a friend at her side.

 

[Duke Winters]

Duke had been on Naboo when the attack happened and he regretted what he couldn't have been there himself. With the news of the terrorist captured, he hoped it would have deturned the rest of the reb sabers from making a move against them but it did just the opposite. Instead of gathering for celebration, it was for mourning and it weighed heavily on everyone's hearts, especially him for his inability to have been there.

It was his first time visiting a Jedi temple but he couldn't admire the architecture or the fact that so many of them were gathered together in one location. As he walked through, he saw familiar faces and unfamiliar ones. It was mostly the Rangers he knew as he had been absorbed on Naboo and dealt more with "traditional" crimes that seemed to increase relatively recently. He managed to spot Roland, the Chief, Kal, and even Try after she had been cleared from the hospital. It was nice to see her on her feet and then he noticed the "kid" right beside her with his horns making him stick out next to her. It was as if Crix sensed him and turned around to spot Duke and give him a slight nod. The Ranger returned it and to any of the others that would offer it to him.

But he continued to walk forward and separate slightly from the others, standing at the Pyre mostly by himself as it was supposed to represent where the Jedi would have been buried. Duke's hands were in his pockets but he slipped them out as he awkwardly stood there for a second before wiping his soaked hair. "Uh... I'm not the type for special words and... shit." He exhaled softly, "In fact, I never met both of you so I won't disrespect you with fake stories or a speech." Duke didn't even know why he was talking to the pyre. Maybe it was because he felt guilty that he hadn't been there to help with the others even when he was preoccupied. But even if this was out of guilt, both of the Jedi laid their life on the line to defend the innocent and he didn't need to know them personally to know it took brave and good people to do that.

"But I do know you both deserve this." He slipped off his Ranger shield on his belt and gently placed it on top of the pyre. The Jedi were almost completely different from the Rangers on every level, except for knowing and doing the right thing in their power for justice. Even if achieving it that had the ultimate price and could possibly take your life. While it was for them, it would also represent every Ranger that battled with them that day and could no longer them. Whenever the pyre would be ignited, the shield would melt and infuse into the wood to represent that.

The Jedi had never gone to the Academy but in Duke's eyes, they earned every right to carry the shield with them proudly, even after death. "Thank you." He gave a single pat to the Pyre before taking a step back and making his way to the others. When he peeled away from the pyre he approached both Trys and Crix. Even though he was relieved to see Trys, Duke's eyes went to Crix first and even the kid couldn't hold back a grin as they both extended their hands and shook. "You stay out of trouble kid." He nodded slightly, "Always."

Duke then turned to Trys whenever she had finished with Oren and gave the Jedi a nod before turning to her. One of his arms wrapped around her shoulders and he pulled her in as he placed his cheek against her forehead. "It's good to see you but I wish it could have been under different circumstances." His arm slipped away after that as he stood on the opposite side of her shoulder with Crix on the other. He had never been to a Jedi funeral before, so he just waited there and watched if words were shared or if they would just begin the service.

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren never imagined that his life would have touched so many people, when he was a child he had spent so much time reading and hiding away within the temple, alone from his team and his master, always attempting to get better or to learn more and more, and had denied himself so many experiences as a boy and a teen. His Master had seen something in him that he believed would draw people to Oren, but the Master always felt he had been lying, but it seemed maybe he was right.

The Grand Master had offered him his condolences, and Oren accepted them, with a silent nod, he didn't have time to process his words, as @Hannibal Grayza would offer words of encouragement, that Nashyr was proud of him, and he knew that was true, but still this should have been about her and Saul, not about his own feelings--he didn't feel he deserved them at this point. "She always felt you were the life of the party, she cared about you deeply," he didn't know him well, but knew that they had been close.

He felt the Talak's hand against his shoulder, the two of them were more similar than they most likely realized, and they bore the burdens of others and themselves on their shoulders. Oren would give a gentle nod, "I would like that, you take care now.." He'd watch the man step away. He didn't know what the Force had planned for the man, but he would stand with him, even if he didn't become a Jedi--to walk the path of the Jedi is not the only way to find peace and the light, it would be a struggle and a constant battle, but he seemed to have the makings to beat the odds.

Lastly, he saw her--Trys. The two of them had a rocky history at one point, and it was clear that the two of them did not really care for each other after Naboo. But, the two of them had bonded over the horrors they found on Kafrene and the terror of The Frenzy. She was a strong woman who had a heart as hard as Kyber, but had moments of sweetness and tenderness. She had shown him his first movie, and at the end of the day she treated him like a normal man, and for that he would always be grateful.

He would slowly wrap his arms around the woman's embrace, as his chest slowly inhaled a deep breath. His hand trembled slightly against her back as he shook his head, "You've done so much for this galaxy Trys, don't blame yourself." He'd shake his head as he closed his eyes, "We both saved each other back there, we're both even, and I'll do it gain...Nashyr would want me to." He'd pull away, taking a look at the young man that stood beside her--he had his mother's eyes, and it was no doubt that he was the boy that she had told him about. His heart ached, but he offered the two of them a weak smile as his voice cracked (@Trys Aran ), "I can show you around the temple, after all of this is over." He would give a gentle nod towards, who he imagined to be a ranger (@Duke Winters ), before taking one last look at the old memorial statue.

He'd peer towards the large temple structure, watching as more and more people poured into it. It seemed that the procession was close to starting, He'd peer towards the group that lingered in the courtyard, "The funeral is about to begin, we should head in..." He'd watch as they slowly made their way towards the temple, following behind those that had ventured for refuge inside. But, he would stop, and would slowly descend down the stairs and down the small brick path that eventually lead to a trail that cut into the heart of the Jungle. He would go to the one spot he felt the most at peace, and he would reflect, until a certain someone arrived (@Nara Allam)--this was supposed to be a celebration of their lives, and the Jedi Master felt he hadn't deserved the right to see it.

@Phoenix @Mr. Teatime @Sreeya @Charndley @Orbit
/Exit Thread

 

[Kyp Eridan]

Kyp had made his way to Ajan Kloss from his wanderings. The call had come forth, notification of the loss of colleagues, perhaps even friends. No, not friends, he didn't have friends. Most people found him hard to get along with, with that book of his always open, separating him from the world, from the others. He had devoted himself to studies, research, the Force itself, and he found these things to be quite the burden. No matter, he would attend all the same. Sometimes it was good to remind people that he even existed, if only to bring him traveling companions. It was definitely not due to the fact that despite his best attempts to suppress it, some small part of him sought the friendship of others. No, definitely not that.

He had thought it a poor idea to fly to the memorial himself, and so he had instead sought passage on a tramp freighter heading this way and huddled up in his berth, his nose as always in a book. And now it was the day of, and Kyp had made his way towards the memorial site, the rain soaking through his robes. The book was present in his left hand, not cracked yet, though that may have been to prevent damage by the rain as much as it may have been out of deference to the occasion. He had promised himself that he would be good, that he would do his best not to upset anyone. He had needed to remind himself that there were those who were not Jedi present, Rangers who would not understand the idea of becoming one with the Force. He had promised he would be good, that he would have compassion.

Compassion. He reminded himself as he approached the group, the robes slick with rain and clinging to him in places. He had first felt the sorrow radiating out from this place as he approached. Late as always, he was sure he was to be the last to arrive. Compassion. He reminded himself of this word again as he saw Master Zapan duck away. He turned to face the man. What expression should he have? He couldn't know. It felt weird forcing himself into the neutral expression of grief and sorrow, but was he smiling? He couldn't tell. No, he was pretty sure that he wasn't smiling. That was good. At least he could do that much. Compassion. He reminded himself again as he arrived. He moved towards Master Zapan, as the man left, just a step as he hurried off. Clearly he needed time alone with his grief. He closed his eyes, and took a few deep breaths as he at last entered. The expression on his face seeming almost serene as he reached out to seek the Force for guidance and support as he at last joined the others.

 

[Orenth]

"Uuuuh no." Byron said when his droid asked him a question he probably should have answered with 'yes'. The man had not known any of the people who had died recently but that did not mean he lacked empathy. If anything he felt bad about not knowing them. He stood there off to the side in his only change of clothes he had since leaving his home to join the Order. The other option was a flight suit.

Byron had happened into the Jedi Order recently and now he was learning that their members were dying. While it was not encouraging for him to stick with them it was not like he had a lot of options. People dying in general was not something he considered lightly. Life was precious and while the Contruum native had no personal interaction in the deceased that did not mean their premature departure from the mortal plane was any less tragic.

He had not known them. During his time at the temple he watched people arrive. He watched, trying to understand who the deceased people had been, what they had meant and how important they had been to the people who wept and mourned their loss. It was like being a party nobody knew and nobody was trying to have fun. It was just awkward.

Byron recognized people for what they were but not necessarily who they were. The Jedi acted one way, the Sector Rangers another. It was more obvious than some of them probably wanted to admit but it at least gave Byron something to watch as he tried his best to empathize with strangers. They're my people stilll. At least now they are so that's got to count for something...

Trys Aran was one face he recognized but he was still able to put two and two together with the young Zabrak accompanying her. He even looked like her despite his different complexion. Byron had to stop himself from staring.

Looking around the room he saw an even more familiar face. Thalia Windrider. (@GABA ) She separated herself from the others and he figured if he was going to be alone it made sense to be alone with someone who felt similarly. "Hey." Byron said as he came along side her, facing the crowd of people. Both hands stuffed into his pockets as he leaned against the wall. "Didn't expect to see you here."

 

[Rizkacha]

Riz'kacha finally spoke as the Ranger asked his question, a soft nod gracing her head's movements, "She was my master. ...I didn't know her very well, to be honest, but she was strong in the Force. A better Jedi than many can claim to be." She gave an expectant look to Hannibal, expecting him to say some words, before shifting her attention down to the little droid that had accompanied her. A soft smile flashed on her lips before she bent down and offered him an arm, expecting him to climb up onto her shoulder.

He was there when she had met Nash, too. And though droids don't feel in the same way that sapients did, Riz'kacha could tell that he was concerned about her in some way. She appreciated that; right now she needed all the comfort she could get, and the little droid was a source of constant companionship. It was also a reminder that she hadn't failed everyone; after all, she had saved the poor guy from getting chased by droid hunters back on Geonosis.

To her, what stung the most was knowing that she had failed; that if she had been better, she might've been able to prevent even one of these deaths.

@Lavi @Darasuum @Mr. Teatime

 

[The Gatekeeper]

The mix of Jedi and Rangers had begun to gather in the main area of the memorial, settling in groups before what was to be the funeral pyre. Solemnly, as one, the Council walked their way to the front of the crowd of people and arranged themselves before the pile of wood, cloth, and various tokens offered by by those in attendance.

Several moments of silence passed before Grandmaster Ooto Boan stepped forward and raised his arm in welcome and to ask for quiet. His four throats rumbled, Ithorian translated to Basic by the device around his neck projected throughout the chamber.

"Emotion, yet peace." he began, bowing slightly before the gathered beings. "Jedi Knights Nashyr Ris and Saul Devan, exceptional souls both, have given their lives in defense of others. In the face of a great darkness their spirits burned bright and true, shields arrayed before the people of this galaxy. Be not angered by their passing. Their watch is over, and they have become one with the Force." he stepped back, another moment passing by.

Councilor Sada-Nau Tin stepped forward next, kind eyes somber as she spoke. To her, she may as well have been speaking at the funeral of two of her own departed children.

"Ignorance, yet knowledge. Nashyr and Saul knew not what they would face when they stepped before the Sith on Coruscant. They knew only that they must fight to ensure more lives were not lost, that every second they fought was another second their foe was delayed from their goals. Be not ignorant of the nature of the Jedi. They knew they might fall, that failure was not an option, and they have become one with the Force." She too stepped back when she was done speaking and bowed her head.

Councilor Tedimor Har, the most militant of the four, moved up and began to speak, their voice hard and determined.

"Passion, yet serenity. Nashyr Ris and Saul Devan both were Knights brave and true. It takes great courage to become a Jedi, to walk the path of peace. It takes serenity to become a warrior when called upon, to draw one's blade and fight to defend that peace. Be not passionate about war. With valor and love they fought for others, and with serenity they have become one with the Force." They moved back again, head lowered in respect for the valiant dead.

Councilor Lena Goordayr walked forward after a moment, bowing before the assembly and beginning to speak.

"Chaos, yet harmony. Nashyr and Saul were beacons of of kindness and order in a galaxy on the brink of conflict. They defended and helped others not because it was their duty, but because it was the right thing to do. They strived to bring harmony and balance to everyone they could, to heal the broken and defend the weak. Each act of kindness sends ripples through the Force, changing things for the better. Lose not your way. In the chaos of life they stood strong, and in harmony with life they have become one with the Force. She bowed again and stepped back to join the other four councilors.

Once more, Oota Boan stepped to the front, synthetic voice ringing out.

"Death, yet the Force. Though they are no longer with us, what they upheld in life still lives on in each of us, Jedi and Ranger alike. We must come together in these troubled times to protect the legacy they have left us and all those who stand to suffer should we fail. Though they have passed on, mourn them not. They have all become one with the Force, and have found peace in death."

Then he stepped back and, as one, the Council drew forth their lightsabers from their belts. They turned behind them to face the funeral pyre and lit their weapons, the mixed colors shining across the dimly lit hall. Blue, Teal, Purple, and Yellow descended to the tinder beneath the wood and cloth. It began to burn and each blade disappeared into the weapon, the flame slowly creeping up the sides of the pyre.

As one the council took two steps back and, without another word, bowed deeply before the rising flames in respect for their sacrifice. They held it until the flame had reached the top, the flicking flames waving a final farewell to two souls who had lived and died in service to others.

They would not be forgotten.



​

​

@Nashyr Ris @Saul Devan @TWD26 @Kestrel @Insalius @Phoenix @Wit @WiffWaffs @Feng Mian @TerranSteel @Corbeau @Roentgenium @Charndley @Darasuum @GABA @Nefieslab @Sreeya @Lavi @Orbit @Srota

 

[Maxims Tionson]

They would not be forgotten.

Except... they would, wouldn't they?

On some level, at least, the assembled Jedi here would need to forget Saul and Nashyr and how they made them feel. To do otherwise was to open themselves to grief, to anger and, ultimately, to the Dark Side. As Jedi they needed to let go of what they had lost and find a way to move on with the knowledge that their friends, their allies and more were gone.

Commended to the Force, never to rise again.

Max knew that he needed to do it, that he needed to be strong enough to let go of the fear and the grief he felt over losing both a friend and an apprentice. And any Jedi who could stand and say their apprentice, their padawan, was unlike a child to them could stand there as a liar. So... a friend and a daughter.

Reaching into one of his pockets, Max felt the fur he held there. A padawan braid jokingly woven by himself and Nashyr on their way to Ajan Kloss the first time, from fur that the Cathar woman had shed. Neither of them had really felt the need for such a tradition but they'd done it anyway. So here he stood now, holding it tightly in a hand.

When the pyres were lit and the flames rose high, he withdrew his hand and threw the braid of fur onto Nashyr's pyre. Still a whirlwind of emotion within the Force, Max didn't wait to see the flames truly consume the pyres, instead turning away quickly and, more slowly, walking away from the gathering entirely.

He would discuss what he was feeling with others ( @TWD26 @Mr. Teatime ) later but for now he wanted to just feel and release into the Force as much as he could.

/exit

 

[Talak Rand]

Talak reached out with the Force to feel the pain of the gathered. Of course they weren't supposed to feel pain and loss, but that simply wasn't the human reaction to these things, and Talak couldn't bear them any judgment for the grief they felt.

He was just about to head inside when he spotted Trys (@Sreeya). He had wondered if she'd be here, but then he saw next to her... wait, what? He had to do a double take as he saw the Zabrak standing next to her. He had thought her son was perhaps in elementary school, but that was... not the case. Her son was not only likely in high school, but big. He looked like an athlete and Talak had to immediately resist the urge to begin to pry.

His eyes lingered and he wanted to go over to speak with her, but he'd not met her son before, and he wasn't sure that she wanted them to meet now. Instinct fought with intellect, but eventually his better judgments won out. After a few more moments of trying and failing not to stare, he headed inside the building, hoping she would come by and see him inside.

Inside he found the main ceremony where a funeral pyre was erected for the pair. He took up a position toward the back as the Councilors began to say their words. He practically hung on their every statement. How a spiritual group - and that was what the Jedi were in a way - handled death was telling about who they were. He contrasted this to the death of a Sith, and couldn't help noting the ironies. The Jedi valued every single life while still recognizing that they would become one with the Force. When the Sith died, it wasn't even a blip on the radar, let alone an entire ceremony for the whole faction. Interesting, he thought to himself.

The words of the Jedi were bound up in their code. While Talak had heard the words of the code before, he found it interesting the ways that it was tied into the Jedi's lives. Knights. He remembered what Hannibal (@Mr. Teatime) had told him: some peacekeepers were warriors. Clearly these two had given their lives in defense of others. Perhaps this would be the shock the Jedi needed to shake them into action.

As the Council finished their statements, Talak stood unmoving. He watched the pyre burn. He didn't know the fallen, but now that he saw the Jedi firsthand, he knew that what they fought for wasn't so different than what he bled for.

Be at peace, Knights of the Force, he said quietly. There was a somber tone to his voice, but they were words for the fallen.

 

[BD 9]

Beedee accepted the outstretched arm, perching himself on Riz'kacha's (@WiffWaffs) shoulder.

The droid watched as the more prestigious members of the Jedi Order said their piece, tying their achievements in life and accomplishments in death to the Jedi Code. The same code that Beedee heard time and time again over the years. Much like the source code to his own programming, the Jedi Code had persevered in the mirror image of the same Order from the waning years of the Galactic Republic. Since then, the Jedi Order had fallen, rose back up, fallen again, and rose once again. Will the Jedi suffer the same fate as their brethren from decades past? Of course, Beedee preferred that it does not happen, since that could mean very bad things for his friend Riz'kacha, but there has been a logical trend to the Jedi's presence within the galaxy.

BD-9 scanned the gathered crowd once again, taking in the various emotions. Sadness, solemnness, regret. There is much more of it to come before it is all over. The question remains: when that time comes, how many will be left?

Beedee flipped through his internal files, selecting a soft and somber tune from a century-old sound album, and softly played it for Riz'kacha. Those nearby could pick up its melody as well, but Beedee was not looking to draw too much attention to himself. He simply wished to keep his friend's mind at ease. By following the trends of organics, it will take time for the Twi'lek to move on from the death of Nashyr.

 

[Thalia Windraider]

Thalia saw one she did recognize Max (@Nefieslab ). She watched as he went up the memorial, seemingly to have stood there for a moment too long. His eyes spoke louder than any word he would speak, she could tell he was hurting and as much as she wanted to help him, just as he helped her, something told her to give him his space. There was even hesitation to reach to him in the Force, but her apprehension would boarder on fact she was surrounded by others in the Force and as a non-Jedi Force user, it would draw unwanted attention. However, just moments prior to the service, someone came and stood next to her.

At first she was not going to acknowledge whoever it was, let alone look at them but when he spoke, Thalia knew who it was. She was certain in their last encounter, he would never make conversation with her again. The corner of her lip curled into a small smile, "I did not think I would make here today. I will admit, I'm in a lot of pain." she said as she instinctively brushed her hand over her patched wound. The room had filled quickly and the ceremony started. Each of the council members offering their wisdom and their honoring to those who passed. Thalia caught on to a pattern in their speech, naming a value, and then a contradicting one. She opened her mouth to ask Byron what it was and what it meant, but remained silent instead, waiting until the ceremony was over.

The pyre burned and Thalia observed, finding the ritual a bit...too ritual. She leaned in to Byron, "So did you know them?" she asked softly, wondering how this was impacting him.

@Darasuum

 

[Rizkacha]

Riz'kacha was grateful for Beedee's company, offering him a little pat on the top of his head as he climbed onto her shoulder. At the very least, she knew the little droid would stick with her for a while, and that was all she could ask of him. She had a sinking feeling that the Order might end in ruin once more as it had a tendency to do, but... Right now, she didn't care. She had a gift, and she was going to use it to try to protect people.

As Beedee started to play his music, the Twi'lek looked over and gave him a soft smile. Despite being a droid, he was pretty sensitive to other's feelings and he was pretty good at alleviating them. Her mind was still trying to parse everything, but the soft tunes of the music calmed her a bit. It reminded her that whatever happened, there were still others that shared in the pain. That she wasn't alone. It was a small comfort, but right now the Twi'lek would take what she could get.

After standing with the crowd for a few more moments, she gave the droid another pat and turned to leave, "...C'mon, Beedee. Let's get some rest."

@Lavi

//Exit thread.

 

[Kyp Eridan]

And so he stood there, watching, listening, hearing the words. Showing nothing, feeling the waves of sadness from the crowd as they echoed through the Force. He opened himself to him, his eyes closing, drinking in the emotion, seeking it out. Perhaps that would help him to understand. He didn't quite see things the way the others seemed to. He understood what they had done, and he respected them, but this had clearly been the will of the Force. Clearly the Force had asked the others to sacrifice so that the Jedi might be made aware of those with the red lightsabers, and in return, they had been granted the truest peace of all, a chance to rest, a chance to become one with the Force. He could only hope that he would have the same fate.

He opened his eyes, closing himself off once more to the rush of emotions from the others, as he realized that he had perhaps been allowing his own emotions to be felt by the others. He was sure they would not understand, he was sure they thought him odd. He was sure he would likely have put them off. After all, that was how it always worked. People did not understand him, and he did not understand them.

He looked about the room now, waiting, expecting the dirty looks which he would wince from, which would bring him slinking away. He probably deserved it. Was it a failure of compassion? He did not think so, for he empathized with those they had left behind, he understood how they felt. He understood why they were sad, and he could feel, down within, a hint of that same sadness, not for the loss of the others, but for those they left behind who would have to suffer as a result.

 

[Orenth]

His eyes turned to look at her when she mentioned being injured. It was not surprising, the way she had handled herself in his presence previously. Thalia seemed like the type of person that got hurt from time to time and always recovered. But it still didn't keep him from having some concern for her despite still considering her a bit of a stranger. At least enough to try and see what she meant by injury.

The ceremony commenced. Byron watched intently and trying to understand the meaning of the different actions or the status. The man was unsure what it all meant and the significance of the words but they certainly seemed like appropriate funeral rites. When it finally came to an end he took a deep breath and exhaled in silent good bye to the people he would never get to know.

As if thinking the same thing as he was he felt the Sector Ranger lean on him slightly. His head turned to glance at her. "Sadly no. Wish I could have though." Byron's head turned to look at the others that were around. "Between you and me it feels kind of strange attending a funeral for someone you didn't really know. Here..." He nodded his head away from the ceremony, leaving those familiar to grieve. Part of him felt like he was intruding on their mourning. "Think I'm going to go for a walk if you want to come."

//exit thread//​

@GABA

 

[Hannibal Grayza]

THEME​

Hannibal listened to the words of the Councilors, allowing the Living Force to flow through him, bringing with it the joined sorrow of the amassed people. He watched as they each spoke on behalf of the dead and turned to light the pyre, the flames licking high and sending light and shadow dancing through the chamber.

As the flames reached the top and the Councilors stepped away, Hannibal stepped forward towards the flames. He looked up towards the top, eyes transfixed on the wisps of smokes and burning fingers licking towards the ceiling there for several seconds before he turned back to the base of the flame. Many tokens had been laid there, a Ranger badge drawing his eye. They were finally working together. Hannibal wished it hadn't taken so much death to achieve.

There was a custom of his father's people that Hannibal had learned, a farewell to the world and to the departed. He knew if he didn't properly say goodbye, he would dwell on the deaths of his friend and his fellow knight and be unable to focus. It was time to let go.

"Brave tiger
Dancing sky blue
Among the stars"

"Shining blade
Rises at dawn
Like the sun"
​

Hannibal spoke the words quietly but audibly, bowed briefly before the pyre, then stood and turned on his heel. He retrieved his cloak and drew its hood over his face. He passed by others and did not speak to them. He instead walked back outside to head back towards his ship, his quiet tears concealed in the rain.

//Exit Thread

 

[Ilukai Koa]

She hadn't watched the ceremony inside. She couldn't really dare too. She could feel it through, vibrating through the trees, the walls, the earth through the Force. That was as much as she needed from it, the rain would do the rest. There was a lot taken from her today, from every Jedi. And every Ranger it seemed too, that wasn't hard to know either.

Perhaps that was what she should do next, seek some out and put stock in with them, now that their houses seemed so ineluctably joined. That was for the best, both would need eachother soon enough.

But she didn't want to do that.

She needed to go forward, go out, see the places in the galaxy the Jedi had been or should go. That would help root them perhaps, teach them new and old ways to fight off this menace, and let them be the better version of themselves than they had been until now. The Order was still young, just like her home, there was a whole galaxy out there for them to see.

But right now, she didn't want to do that either.

Right now she just wanted to hear the mumbles of the eulogies, the tingling of sadness in the Force, and dwell in it, try to stymie her own feelings amongst everyone elses.