[Invite] Calm Before the Storm

[Damien Nightblade]

Darix sat within his quarters on the Light of the Force. He had several things on his mind, though he was sure to keep them there, locked away. The Jedi Master kept inward on most issues. Though he knew that even members of his status. Darix could think of few better than his longtime friend, and fellow Jedi. Haloburner Lamb

 

[Padmé]

Unlike most individuals aboard Light of the Force, Jedi Knight preferred the open outdoors. She was after all a Nabooian! But, her longtime mentor and friend was on board, that alone surpassed any (though slight) indignation concerning residing on a ship.

Closing in on the corner to Master Darix’s quarters, the girl would stop and take a deep breath. It was after all the first time she’d seen her deer friend since their return from their mission of mercy on Zebitrope IV.

Taking in another breath, the Nabooian Jedi would tuck her hands in front of her, and then enter into Darix’s quarters- right on schedule….

 

[Damien Nightblade]

He couldn't help but smile when he saw his old friend enter the room. Their mission on Zebitrope IV was disturbing to say the least, and struck a personal cord within the two of them, having had turbulent upbringings. Though they had gotten through it nonetheless.

"Halo, I'm happy to see you.."

 

[Padmé]

With a swift, but very gentle move, the Naboo nearly crushed on the elder Jedi- blanketing her hands around the man before finally pulling away. All within seconds.

"As I am, Darix. Or should I say Battlemaster?" Lamb chided while pulling away from her confidant and friend. "This new council position fits you well. Always the one to respond when needed- without hesitation- and always prepared for the inevitable, like our time on Zebitrope IV-" Now walking away, Haloburner would reach closer to the basket of assorted fruits on the man's table. Lamb has away been a fan of fruits- particularly the fresh kinds from her home-world. Oh how she missed her home-world, but not the nostalgic class feudal societal system. That part, Lamb was certain, to be away from as her family was not a part of the hereditary noble class of Naboo.

As she bit inside the fruit, she lamented the day loudly- "thank goodness I joined the Jedi....Good fruit- not bad for a ship supply."

 

[Damien Nightblade]

Darix smiled, her comments touching him. Accustomed to being alone, or surrounded by military types and younger Jedi he was used to the stern principled demeanor of their formalities. The uplifting words of an old friend were welcomed and cherished.

"Its overwhelming, to be on the council. Sometimes I wonder if its something I'm cut out for. Zebitrope IV was my first official assignment since I've returned from the unknown regions, now I have a new Padawan and a seat on the Jedi Council...its a lot to take in."

Another grin had touched his lips. She bit into the fruit and comment on its freshness, knowing that the usual quality of food was slightly below that of the fruit basket to say the least. He knew it had been some time since she had been home. The Naboo native often spoke of her home planet, its beautiful waterfalls and lush forests. He had sent for the fruit particularly for her. A thank you of sorts. A token of his appreciation, and their years of friendship. He was relieved it was still reminiscent of its natural taste and freshness, thank the Jedi refreshers and food preservation tech.

"I know its not quite as good as it is back home, It had to travel a bit to get here. But I hope it will suffice."

 

[Padmé]

Now sitting comfortably -with her legs crossed- as though in a meditation position- Lamb would watch her mentor/freind speak.

"I know its not quite as good as it is back home, It had to travel a bit to get here. But I hope it will suffice."

"Yes, not bad, but certainly does beat the usual bluemilk and canned veggies," came the young Jedi response while enjoying the fruit. "But you know what? Sadly enough the desire to once again taste the delicate fruits of Naboo does not outweighs my intent to not return home. There is nothing in that damnable place left for me. Not a credit to my name, nor anything to show for. Well that and I refuse to toiled simply to aid the upper ten percent with hording more credits to their names." With that Lamb rose to collect another piece of fruit from the center table. "...But I have you. You've helped me in more ways that you know. Especially with Remy nearly out of the picture....Oh one day, I will help her find redemption."

 

[Damien Nightblade]

"I can understand that. To see ones we care about far so far from the people we have grown close to, loved; Is a difficult thing to endure. Though the force works in mysterious ways, you know that within it, light, darkness, are only what we have come to perceive them as. Do not be too set in your quest for redemption, to comprehend that perhaps..she has always been, nothing other than herself.

His words were not of ill intent. He knew that she had suffered, being forced only to watch as her master had fallen to the seduction of darkness. He understood loss, and darkness was something he had encountered many times in his wild space dealings. Though his time was spent eradicating it. His thoughts consumed him for a moment as he pondered his own advice to his friend. His words held a philosophical truth, in his opinion. That although beings themselves could act with good or ill intent. The force itself, was neither of those. But a singly unified entity. The darkest of Sith, and most noble of Jedi still bask within the same endless unifying glow of energy, and in that, they were more similar than most were willing to admit.
Although being in his position, he felt reluctant to share his views with the Council, and the rest of the Order, he did not fear the dark side, nor did he embrace fully the light. However he did believe in good, in love and in hope, peace. Though in doing so he understood that to believe in any of those, would make the existence of their opposites just as real.

 

[Padmé]

"Did you know I had my doubts after Tanaab?....I literally shut down; waiting for death to consume me. But thankfully Andriaus came knocking. Yes, I'd rather see Remy redeemed, but judging by what transpired at our last encounter, I really don't know, Darix." Lamb's soft words had a hint of sadness to it, but not a tear left her eyes.

Reaching down to her gear, she would take out one of the treasures she found on her mission with Orphen. "See this, it is one of three treasures that I found on my mission with Padawan Orphen. A Rakatan blade. Contrary to popular opinion, I don't think this blade is embedded with darkness. I only see and feel the the light, for darkness disseminates in the presence of light. That, Darix is how I have come to view Remy. It won't be too long before the darkness in her is disseminated by the light that exudes through me....."

"..No I don't plan on walking into Sith territory to single-handedly redeem Remy" she added with a soft chuckle.

 

[Damien Nightblade]

He felt her sadness. Forced only to watch as one she had grow to love, to admire had become consumed my the dark side of the force and take up arms in the name of the Sith. However his confrontation with her also had effected Darix on multiple fronts. The way Illusia seamlessly invaded his thoughts and played upon his vulnerabilities. Though behind it all, there was something. A part of her he himself was all too familiar with.

"Ayisha is far from lost. If anyone can remind her of the light, of the brilliance within, its you Halo.."

He would never allow her to venture off on a mission as drastic as that. Though he knew that everything she had said held truth. Even within the eye of the storm they had created on Zebitrope IV, when he locked eyes with Darth Illusia, he always saw Haloburner Lamb.

 

[Padmé]

While the elder Jedi spoke, Lamb realized anew the breathe and depth of his wisdom-- not that she'd ever forgot that very important detail about Master Darix Talohn.

"Ayisha is far from lost. If anyone can remind her of the light, of the brilliance within, its you Halo.."

The man spoke words that Halo had not only completed in the past, but also sought after. In fact, Lamb had met with her now fallen master merely months ago. Though nothing was accomplished- on Lamb's account- the young female Jedi knew she'd left an imprint and an indelible impact on Remy.

"I concur 100 percent with you, Darix," came the Naboo Jedi soft response. She turned to collect a few more of the precious delicacies from her home world.

"I'm not sure if I shared this with you, but not too long ago I meet with Remy. To the rest of the Galaxy she may seem like a new creature, but to me, and I am certain to you as well, Remy's got the light side codified within her. It is only a matter of time before the light consumes the darkness that has captivated her being." A tear drop graced Halo's soft skin....

... Something far from Remy's demons was on her mind. Looking at the assortment of Naboo delicacies only led her heart to resonate even more so then ever before for the little seven year old she left behind on their mission to Zebitrope IV.

After a rather awkward long pause- at least that's how it seemed in Lamb's mind- she held out a datapad. On the electronic device was the little seven year old that Lamb wants to permanently adopt. The council will of course need to approve her request- seeing as the orphanage and orphans now remained in under the jurisdiction of the Jedi. The head master, Tuhh's death and nearly half of the corrupt staff at the orphanage- left no other choice, but for the Jedi. In the weeks following, Lamb spent nearly the entirely of her free time, visiting with and nurturing the children back to health and normalcy- of sorts. Given the rather unfortunate experience they had to face, each child had to slowly re-adjust and acclimate themselves. Naturally, Lamb found the task pleasurably- considering her background as an orphan. However, Speravi, the seven year old captivated Haloburner Lamb's heart.

As the electronic device reached Darix's hand Lamb inquired. "What are the chances of the council approving my request to permanently adopt Speravi?" Her words nearly caused her to choke. Speravi and the rest of the Zebitrop IV orphans had been dealt far too many bad cards. Not anymore, as Lamb will see to it.

 

[Damien Nightblade]

As he took the device within his hand, his chestnut eyes lay upon a vaguely familliar face. A Zepitrope IV orphan they had rescued and have come to know as Speravi flickered to life upon the screen. He appeared to be in much better shape than Darix had last seen him, no doubt to frequent visits and loving care Haloburner provided.
Though the thought of adoption was an interesting one. She would be among the first he would know of to undertake such a responsibility during the midst of her Jedi training. And although he couldnt say for sure what the council would rule on the matter, he could understand the types of questions they would ask.

"I know you have Halo, though I have to question, are you taking into account all of the underlying details of your desires? Jedi training is not an easy path, to add to its struggles the time and attention of raising and caring for a child. Would you want him left to the cared for by another after what he's been through while your on duty? Or perhaps you intend him to become Jedi.."

 

[Padmé]

A sense of pride filled the female Jedi heart- akin to that of a proud parent- as the Grandmaster looked at Speravi's image. Who would say no to such a sweet boy, she thought. Merely seconds later, questions flowed. She had a feeling he'd inquire. After all he'd known her the longest, not to mention her flaws and weaknesses. With a slight but carefully thought out response Lamb finally responded.

"Yes, I have. I currently have no Padawans. Andreus Makaryk completed his training and was knighted shortly thereafter. As for the others, well, they left. I have a feeling the don't want to be found, thus the reason why I am yet to report their whereabouts to the council. Speravi is old enough to shadow me while I train new Padawans - if and when I do. He is a boy but still, he needs parental supervision, as he is going through the formative years of life. I didn't have that, but Speravi does have the opportunity to receive the care, love and nature that an orphanage can't provide." Lamb's words nearly sent her in tears.

Gathering her wit, she moved closer to the window. The only one in the entire chamber. "Speravi has been through a lot. The galaxy can be a scary place for seven year old lad," Her eyes caught several glimpse of stars some close, others far way, but all nonetheless, shining ever brighter irrespective of the darkness around the ship. She allowed her words to sink in- for a moment- and then concluded with a poignant question. "Can you imagine living a life of hopelessness.....drudged.... and physically over taxed due to excessive exertion of physical labor at age seven?"

 

[Damien Nightblade]

He could feel her pain, and empathised with her feelings all to well. It was to the point where he almost felt bad for asking the questions that he did. His own father, a military man and Jedi leader, was taken from him long before his time was due.
He, as a young boy was forced to watch, stowed away in a helpless escape pod as the only place he could call home was blasted into oblivion, his parents along with it. Had his father not sent Tee-three along with him, to ensure his safety. He wouldn't have had a friend in the world. No doubt one of the reasons why he and his astromech companion were inseperable.

Though within him he could think of no better person to suited for the care of another. In all the years he had known her she had been the quintessential Jedi, very few posessed her way of viewing the galaxy and her kind warm regard for everyone around her. This, despite the turbulence that went along with being a Jedi day in and day out, was a quality he prayed to the force, she would never change.

"To picture something like that is one thing, though to accurately empathise with what that kind of life must have been like, I honestly could not. It is a difficult thing to imagine yourself in the place of another. I knew enough of my parents to remember their warmth, their love. I couldn't imagine a life without love..that kind of emptiness is one I hope to never experience"

He did his best to remain within the shell of Darix the Battlemaster, though among the company of his old friend he knew it was not necessary. Though Darix was a man of few words when he could help it, rarely exposing his emotional depth when it could be avoided. Though a certain softness did exist within the Jedi.

"I do encourage you to continue your thoughts on the matter, though If this is what you want, what will make you happy. Then you have my support regarding the rest of the Council."

 

[Padmé]

Lamb listened to every word the elder Jedi spoke. Darix was Halo’s constant friend and mentor- through it all he remained true to their bond, irrespective of his position. Though when Darix speaks, Halo listens and follows through. He’s yet to fail her.

As his final words came, Lamb couldn’t help but jump with elation- almost akin to the sight of a child receiving an unexpected gift.

"I do encourage you to continue your thoughts on the matter, though If this is what you want, what will make you happy. Then you have my support regarding the rest of the Council."

That was all Haloburner Lamb needed to hear. Speravi was closer to coming to a true home- and that made Halo’s heart sing with sheer joy.

Well, in that case you wouldn’t mind escorting me to the council meeting. The Grandmaster him self, along with you will be my audience.”


Days later the two traveled to the newly renovated Coruscantai Jedi Temple for the aforesaid council meeting. ((Thread can be found here))