Lost

[Nova Elgrin]

The skyscrapers reached so high, their pointy spires appeared to have wounded the horizon, which bled in fibrant crimson and scarlet. However it was actually sunset, who coloured the sky in its warm nuances. It was also sunset who gifted the young girls golden curls with a - what a boy once called it - sinful foxsheen. The rest of her appereance was wraped in a redish veil of light as well, yet the eye area together with the skin surrounding it were claimed by that very color before she even set foot on Coruscant.
Master Alister never took her here, as he didn't seem to have any wish to see his old home, he even avoided the sector as a whole. She always wondered what had caused him to break with his former life back then..
The first time . The first time to witness Coruscants iron beauty, that long ago had banished every form of natural green of it's surface. The air didn't have a sour taste, as she was once been told , yet it wasn't as soothing as on other planets Nova had visited. Planets which weren't subjected to it's own children yet.
Her right hand, the unscathed one, rose, her fingertips slid over the fine fabric of her scarf, following the path it was taking, from one shoulder to another. Maybe it was a unconciously adjusting move, for she had dressed in her finest robe for this occasion. She knew the ones she intended to see were more in favour of an unadorned style, still she was afraid that her dressing up in a similar way would give the impression of her being an intruder in the disguise of a member.

She had left Rudy and BEE in the ship, as she knew this path was hers, and hers alone. But paths weren't always easily followed and an unexperienced pilgrim, who had just lost his guide, sometimes seemed to have a tendency for poor decisions of which route to take.
The young Elgrin found herself in the depths of the lower levels without being able to recall how she came to be there. Stale air flooded her lung, which fullfilled its purpose with growing effort. The green of her eyes fled from one grimm face to the other, sliding of square jaws and squinty eyes, hoping to find a smile, or sense a hint of light in someone. Concern conquered her heart, and grew quickly into pure desperation. Master Elgrin had always claimed the force would guide her, and yet she could not hear it's calling nor feel it's subtle tinge.

Her vision blurred and she could taste salt on her lips, even though her lashes were unyielding guardians of her tears so far. Her steps took her just a small strech further, before she remained motionlessly. All of the sudden something alerted her. Surrounded by all this darkness, her emotions dulling her judgement even further, she wasn't able to tell the spark apart from the blackness which threatend to suffocate it.
In an astonishing quick move she hurrled around, causing her curls and the seam of her tunic to dance. Her body exposed her apprehension of an attack, as she was taking a defensive position. Her eyebrows furled and underneath her green was glowing fiercly, insinuating she wouln't be the easy prey her youth and doll-like features actually promised to someone with bad intent.
A moment, the wing stroke of a butterfly only, passed by, as Novas glance bound to a deep, clear blue, that dominated the clear-cut features of its master. Calmness defined the face she was looking into. The young girl was shaking, her right hand hovering just above the hilt of her lightsaber. Yet as her gaze fell, she finally became aware of the robe he was wearing. She let go of the breath she was holding, embracing the relief it granted her. Yet she wasn't entirely able to stop trembling. Nova wanted to rise to speak, but remained silent. She just held the strangers gaze, her expression softening when she finally not only saw him, but felt his presence in the force, bright and pure.

@jamessour

 

[jamessour]

It seemed that this trip to Coruscant wouldn't end. It's not that Tarnit hated it - in fact, quite the contrary. He was doing what he thought he could do best for the Order. He was investigating the lower levels for any connection with the organization "The Exchange." He had helped in the arrest of a criminal, and he had confessed to work with them. If there was a criminal organization, the underbelly of Coruscant was a good place to start looking.

He looked blatantly out-of-place, and yet appeared in his natural habitat. His jedi robes were in stark contrast to the grungy street wear of lower-city Coruscant fashion. Walking to a busy intersection, Tarnit stopped at the corner. There were so many possible places to look, it was nearly impossible. He breathed deep, and the stale air entered his lungs. Tarnit relaxed and closed his eyes, extending his senses through the force.

Thousands of souls appeared to him, many with ill-intentions, but most just going about daily life. The Force wasn't making him aware of anything. Squinting, he focused, extending his sense further...

Suddenly, a burst of light nearly blinded his closed eyes. His eyes opened quickly, as he turned and quickly walked down the road to his left. He had not felt this presence for years. Elgrin...? He thought to himself as he strode faster.

His mind was locked onto the light he had felt. Turning a corner to a nearly abandoned road except for.... a girl?

This is not what Tarnit had expected to find.... This is not who he thought he would sense.

The girl turned quickly, and defensively to face him, her hand falling to a light saber. Their eyes met and they were both silent for a moment. Tarnit spoke first:

"Who are you?"


@Nova Elgrin

 

[Nova Elgrin]

Novas left hand hid behind her back in a discreet move, her right one meanwhile chlenched to a fist. She saw the gaze of her counterpart scouting her features, before it lowered to her hips where her lightsaber, a precious piece defined of soft flowing shape, was attached to a leather belt. The saber as well as the hardly oppressed tears of hers were narrators of their very own story, easily interpreted in the right way by a attentive observer.
The desperation gave way to shame. Finally she met someone who might, if she was lucky, could be her ally, and yet she humbled herself with this burst of emotions. She musn't show weakness! Fath...her Master, he counted on her, where ever he was..Nova braced herself, blinked the tears away as good as she could.
Finally she found herself able to give sound to the silence "F-Forgive me.." she said in a rush, suggesting an urgent matter forced this manner of expression upon her "My Name is Nova Elgrin, Master" She didn't know if he indeed carried that title, yet she'd rather call a knight a master then the other way around, afraid it could be perceived as affront "Please.." her bright voice didn't sound like it was about to break, but as it was broken already "I beg the aid of the Jedi Order...Please..I need to speak to the Council"

@jamessour

 

[jamessour]

The way she looked. The way she moved. The tears in her eyes.... They were all so familiar. He couldn't quite place why until: "My name is Nova Elgin, Master." At this comment, Tarnit's eyes filled with tears. His heart skipped several beats, and his mind raced away to a place he hadn't allowed it to go for a long time.

The surname was that of one of Tarnit's best friends, Alister Elgrin. Alister had left the order some twelve years ago. Tarnit hadn't heard from him since. The thoughts of Alister were almost too much to bear. His minds eye flashed images of Alister, his wife Lenna.

He shook his head. He must be mistaken. Surely this can't be the child of his dear friend.

"I..." He muttered. Trying to find words. He wiped a tear from his eye and coughed, clearing his throat. "We should go talk."

It was all he could think to suggest.

 

[Nova Elgrin]

His reaction was suprising, but not unwelcome. She didn't expect Master Alisters name to still carry such weight, after all this years, that it could make his former acquaintance whip. And a former acquaintance he must have been, considering his expression. His lips openend, his voice fighting to give tonally shape to his thoughts, yet he needed to clear his throat first. A spark of hope lightend the darkness and managed to claim the throne of Novas feelings. Her heart dictated a quick rythmn and her breath followed in an obedient manner.
The young girls lips formed a mild bow as she forced a smile upon them. She nodded before her eyes went squinty and she discreetly speered around "But...not here?" it was half a request, half a question, her words barely more than a whisper.

@jamessour

 

[jamessour]

Tarnit nodded. "I know a place we can go that's safe. Will you follow me?" Tarnit knew of a place on the surface that was sympathetic toward Jedi. It would be a safe place for them to talk. And he needed answers.

 

[Nova Elgrin]

Her still anonymous savior, and a savior he was even though he maybe didn't know so, led her out of this oversized gutter that scolds himself lower levels. Nova had felt enough vileness during her short stay to know the name matched all to well to its inhabitants.
Her companion escorted her to a small Inn, a lovely place with a rounded spire that hid itself almost modestly behind its taller sisters, great buildings of shimmery steel.
'The Three Beebleberries' Nova spoted on a sign just above the entrance. As they entered Nova let her gaze slid through the room in a viligant manner. The interior was mostly of dark brown wood, highlightend by the redish glow of Aluma bronze. Three Berries were carved into the front of the bar. Broad windows welcomed the last sunlight, which scared the shadows off into corners. The smell of fresh herbs made her stomach growl. She touched her belly. When had she last eaten? She couldn't recall. Ever since her father was gone, everything just left the taste of ashe on her tongue. She hoped her companion didn't hear the noise though..priority was to inform him of what had happend, not some empy belly.
They took a seat. Nova was just about to speak up, when an old lady came to their table to take their orders. "Bantha-Milk please.." Nova mutterd, her hands resting in her lap, the filigrane fingers nervously playing with the fabric of her tunic. The Lady took her companions order as well, before leaving them. The young girl finally managed to meet her counterparts gaze. Concern reflected in the deep blue.
"My..." father or Master? She didn't know how to begin. An old uncertainty, one that was never really resolved. "Master and I got attacked. On Iridonia. His name is Alister Elgrin.." she hesitated, a heartbeat or two passed by "he is my foster-father as well, he raised me to serve the light side of the force..." her voice was trembling, fighting for clear pronuncation "We were in an Inn, but our drinks got poisoned. I can barely recall what happend. I just remember feeling sick and dizzy, then running, falling, being carried...." a tear draw a wet, glistening line down her cheek, "When I woke up the next morning, I found myself hidden behind a stall on the basar close to the Inn. But Master Alister was gone...I couldn't find him anywhere!" she took a deep breath "But..I know he's still alive! I know it! I can feel it!" her eyes were glowing as heated steel "That's why I need help. And the Jedi are the only ones I can ask...I know my Master had many friends back in his days in the Order. So did his wife....the Jedi are my only hope.."

@jamessour

 

[jamessour]

As they sat down, Tarnit couldn't look away from Nova. Taking her in, watching her every detail. He was captivated by her.
The waitress came and took Nova's order before looking at Tarnit. "Corellian Ale." He muttered. The waitress ran off.

Tarnit listened patiently as Nova began her exposition. "he was my foster-father." Tarnit shifted as she said this. He was a kind-hearted individual, so it didn't surprise Tarnit to here that Alister would have would have raised this girl.

Tarnit could barely contain his own emotion as Nova told her tale. He would have lost it and cried had the waitress not come back with their drinks. Tarnit nodded to her and cupped the glass in his hands.

As she finished Tarnit nodded. "He did have friends. I was one of his friends." He sipped his ale as he leaned back to remember what once was.

"Alister was slightly older than me, and we were like brothers for many years. When he left the order... a part of me did as well."

Tarnit looked directly at Nova as he continued, "I agree that he is alive. I will assist in whatever way I can... However, I can't take you to Tython where the Jedi are..." His voiced trailed off.

 

[Nova Elgrin]

Like brothers....the words wouldn't let her mind rest. Her father never spoke much of the past or the Order, yet when he did he often called his former fellows brothers and sisters. Of course some of them were mentioned more often, and even though Master Alister had the tendency to stay vague in his words, he still brought up names from time to time. Nova sorted the few ones she had kept in good memory. "Are...are you Master Tarnit?!" she finally asked excitedly, her eyes lightning up. However what story excatly she had in mind about him stayed hidden behind her sweetly smile, yet it was likely only a positive background would cast such a reaction.
But her smile died as a sapling to drought when she heard that he couldn't take her to Tython. Her hands clutched into fists. It took all her willpower to choke the hint of accusation that in her voice "But...but why?!" her words were suffused by desparation, and her expression mirrored it all too well.

@jamessour

 

[jamessour]

As Nova spoke his name, Tarnit smiled. "I am."

But suddenly her demeanor changed... In fact she looked upset... "But... but why?!"

Tarnit let a moment pass before answering - it is never wise to increase emotion in an emotional situation. So he waited a good twenty seconds. "Nova... The Jedi aren't the answer to your problems. The Force is. The Jedi are currently on a crusade to fight the Sith who are back for vengeance. Many Jedi are no longer servants to the light... even if most are, the Order is becoming corrupted." Tarnit stopped and observed the girl for a second.

"Again, I will help you find Alister, I will even pay for you to head towards a temple... But, I can't go there myself."

 

[Nova Elgrin]

As she listend to her counterpart, her eyes went squinty in a subtle manner, a little bit more with every word he spoke. In a rather unconscious move the young girl slightly leaned back as to gain some distance. But of what? The accusation against the Jedi or the man who annouced it?
For a moment she pressed her lips together, then her mouth formed a soft bow whichs ends pointed downwards. Something about her attitude changed, first in her heart and mind, followed by her expression, even though the last one didn't quite show how deep this change truely was. Did he speak the truth? A hint of distrust grew in her.
"What do you mean by....corrupted?"

@jamessour

 

[Nova Elgrin]

After some further explanation the distrust in Nova kept growing. What he stated didn't match her imagination of the noble Jedi, nor the tales of her master. He had told her to seek the aid of the Jedi, if ever something happend to him. And she planned on doing that, she wouldn't let a deserter poison her heart and taint the reputation of her heros!
She apologized in a somewhat cool manner right before claiming that she needed the warriors, not the diplomatists rallying by her side as the attack was an act of war and negotiations were not the weapon to chose.
She wished him farewell, and left the Inn, her heart heavy by disapointment, and her head heavy by concerning thoughts...

-Fin-