Ask Questions That Need Answering

[Vanya]

Vanya decided that the pizza ordering could have gone better, but she was unperturbed. She listened to Leon order and piped up.

Oh, meat lovers, that sounds good, she said. It was a little known fact that Dathomirians were a naturally carnivorous species, and Vanya ate very little that wasn't hunted by the Clan before leaving Dathomir.

She headed over to the boot he indicated, and slid into it as he asked his question. After all, he had been more than patient with her barrage of questions.

The Essence, she corrected, though there was no judgment in her tone. She was certainly learning new things, and she could hardly expect someone else to immediately pick up on subtle nuances.

There are different ways we can draw on it, she said, trying to find the best way to describe the sensations she felt when she drew on the Essence.

Some of my Sisters who are not as naturally close to the Winged Spirit use things to assist them: incantations, gesticulations, and runes. These are necessary for some of our rituals, she explained. She - and most Nightsisters - had to know these things.

But some of us are closer to Her power. The Essence flows through everything, and we just adopt the skills and abilities we find in nature. The speed of the Toocha or the ears of the Chiroptix. The ur-Spirits of these creatures lend us their strength and allow us to do what we must, she said, having no idea if any of it was making sense, but she was happy to continue explaining if he so desired.

Meanwhile, the pizza arrived, and Vanya looked down at it, reaching out to grab a slice before biting off the end.

Oo, aah, she said, as she sunk her teeth in and promptly burned the roof of her mouth. Still, she was undiscouraged and went on to take another bite a moment later. An explosion of cheesy, meaty, bready goodness erupted in her mouth and her eyes went wide.

This is amazing! she said with a mouth full of pizza and promptly took another bite as soon as possible.

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon gave her an approving frown at her comment about meat lovers. She had good taste. Of course, he had no idea at all what she ate on Dathomir, but to his credit he didn’t let that line of thought distract him. Was he actually maturing? Nah.

When she corrected him he thanked her, then rephrased his question replacing the Force with the Essence. Political correctness was all the rage, who knew its reach extended to the Nightsisters themselves.

Jokes aside, Baudelaire listened with rapt attention as she explained her understanding of the Essence. Since adopting the burden set forth by former Grandmaster Tolan Kar, Leon had fallen in love with learning about the Force and it’s many forms. Deep inside he knew they were all fishing from the same river, but seeing the different variations of manifestation was incredibly fascinating.

He crossed his arms over his chest, cupping his chin in his palm and tapping the “X” shaped scar on his cheek. “That’s really cool, so you’re sayin that people without a strong attachment to the Winged one can still access the Essence using tools to do so?”

His understanding was crude but he didn't think he was far off. It sounded like they operated similarly to the Hindsnake cult. A shiver ran down his back as the image of a screamer flitted through his mind. Rotted mottled flesh cobbled together by dark intent that emitted a piercing mental attack from the maw of a severed head. Great, he was having nightmares tonight.

Leon pushed the horrifying thoughts away and said, “I see,” in response to those closer to the Winged Spirit. “So I’m guessing the names you mentioned, the Toocha and the C one, are those fauna from Dathomir?”

Over Vanya’s shoulder Leon saw Gio come out of the kitchen and his eye lit up as it fell on the famous pie headed their way. He practically did a little happy dance as the Pizzakze set down his work of art. Vanya’s excitement got the best of her and before Leon could do much more than lift a warning hand she sank into a piping hot bite.

He winced empathetically.

Then she took another bite and he got to watch fireworks explode behind her eyes as the amazingness of Gio’s Ithroian Pizza blew her mind.

Leon laughed as she stuffed her face and took a piece for himself. She was doing work on the meat lovers so he opted for the veggie. Everything was right about it, in the worst way. The cheese was ooey and gooey. The crust was crisp and soft. The sauce to topping to cheese ratio was impeccable. This truly was the best pizza in the galaxy and he’d stake his honor as a Jedi on it.

“Right?” he said, devouring his own piece. “Alright,” he said, shedding the rest of his stuffy Jedi Knight business persona, “What was your favorite food back home and why?” he asked. Obviously, she didn’t have to answer, but they didn’t know anything about each other and it would be weird to eat in silence.

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Yes, Vanya said with a nod. That was pretty much the essence of it. Haha puns.

They are, she confirmed. The Toocha is a feline species and the Chiroptax is a chiroptera, she said.

Vanya probably wouldn't have even noticed if they opted to eat in silence as she was now completely lost in pizza-land, but his question did bring her back to the present and then moments later into the past across the galaxy.

Bacon, she declared after a moment. Dathomirian boar was a staple of our Clans. They were plentiful and we used it for all sorts of different dishes, but it was hard to pass up bacon and some Gibbit eggs in the morning, she said. The Gibbits were often raised alongside the beatwarden's rancors to assist with hygiene, and also managed to produce eggs for the clans.

What about you? Is it pizza? she asked. She would understand if it was.

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

”Uh, okay, I don’t really know what I expected you to say, but bacon wasn’t it,” he laughed. Dathomir carried a reputation of being a terrifying planet. So, picturing Vanya chomping on bacon and eggs was a weird image for him. Then again, he shouldn’t have been surprised, Ellora, in all of it’s primitive understanding of the galaxy, made some bad ass bacon. He made a mental note to snag her some the next time he went to Hoeske.

When she turned the question back onto him he frowned. How long had it been since he’d even thought about what his favorite food was? Gio’s was up there for sure, but nothing beat Adumarian barbeque.

“It’s not actually,” he said with a chuckle to Vanya’s follow up, “It’s Adumarian Barbeque,” he said almost wistfully. “Boar, smoked over cherry wood for hours. It takes forever, but when it’s done it’s so tender it melts in your mouth,” he signed, “Paired with veggie and fruit kabobs,” he did a little chef kiss. “It’s so good…” a pang of homesickness crept up out of nowhere, but like a good Jedi he stuffed it down.

His homecoming was coming closer and closer. He could feel it. Soon he’d return home, but what he’d find when he got there wasn’t something he looked forward to.

Leon took a drink of water and then leaned back in the booth. He was stuffed. Couldn’t eat another bite if his life depended on it.

“Oh! I know where I’m taking you next!” he exclaimed, he’d found a lookout just above the Jedi temple that gave a near perfect view of Starlight’s city. It was one of the growing list of secret spots he frequented, this one however was especially cool at this time of day.

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

She listened to him talking about Adumarian Barbeque, and her mouth started involuntarily watering and a tingle went down her taste buds just thinking about it. It sounded absolutely delicious and she decided that one day she would have to travel there and try it herself.

That sounds so good. I would be getting hungry if I weren't so busy eating pizza, she said, quite happy to be trying this new experience.

Vanya knew that look all too well. She had seen it in her own mirror many times and knew that it was the face of someone who missed their home. Perhaps missed their family. Her face grew serious as well.

He started to get up to lead her somewhere else, and she followed, thinking about what she had just seen and said.

What is your home like? she asked.

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon laughed, “Well, play your cards right and I might make it for you sometime.”

He waved to Gio on the way out, and cocked an eyebrow at her as she asked a question few others had heard the answer to. He considered her for a moment. Remembering how carefully she’d spoken about Dathomir. He decided to be open. The truth was freeing no matter how painful it was.

“It’s amazing,” he said wistfully, “I was born in the plains. Waves of amber grass shifting like an ocean under the gentle breeze of the wind. Then the Sith came.”

The lights in the shops around them began to flicker on as the daylight emulator shifted to night.

“My parents were killed for defying the Sith Empire, I was taken in by my uncle and moved to the planet's capital, Cartann, Sorry, take a left here,” he said slipping between two buildings, “I grew up in a subterranean section of the city called the Downbelow,” a loving smile touched his lips, “It was incredible. The people were vibrant so full of life and culture.”

He stepped up to a maintenance ladder, “It’s a bit of a climb, but it’ll be worth it!”

Leon started up, calling over his shoulder, “Life was good for like ten years. Then the Sith’s inquisitors found me, I had a choice, I chose to protect my family, and leave.”

Baudelaire reached the top of the ladder, then turned to offer Vanya a hand up.

“Long and boring story, I know, but look at that,” he pointed over her shoulder.

The cityscape of Starlight Beacon was lit up like a life day tree. Lights glimmered like gemstones across the darkened station. Leon sat down on the edge of the maintenance deck. Wind tousled his curls as his verdant eyes swept across the city. His patented mischievous smirk on his lips.

He glanced over at Vanya, “So, what do you think?”

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya followed along with his instructions as they came, thoroughly lost by this point and simply trusting that he knew where he was going because she was far more interested in listening to his story. And it wasn't a happy story.

And yet, even for that hardship, there was still a great deal of joy in what he said. He found beauty in where he was and the world he was from. But that was the nature of life, wasn't it? It was joy and sadness all mixed together.

Not boring, she corrected, grabbing his hand and hoisting herself up to the top. She appreciated him sharing with her, and wondered if perhaps someday she would go to the Downbelow as well. It sounded strange and contrary to everything that Vanya knew, but that was part of the point of traveling the galaxy: new things, experiences, and perspectives.

Her eyes skimmed out over the "skyline" of the station and the many people who lived here. The lights that made a glow that bounced off of metal and art and transparisteel. It was beautiful in its own way even if it wasn't what she was used to.

It is surprisingly beautiful, she said. There are so many things in the galaxy that I've never seen. Don't even know that I haven't seen. It is good that I am able to see this one, she said.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon chuckled at her correction, “Thanks, I really hit the drama in the middle part, huh?” he said jokingly. Ah, his toxic trait comedic deflection.

It amazed him how busy the station was now. In what felt like the blink of an eye life had begun to settle in on Starlight. That’s why he loved this spot. It was high enough to see it all and close enough to hear it. He signed in relief as Vanya gave her perspective on the view.

“Thank the stars, do you have any idea how awkward it would have been if you hated this?” Leon laughed. He’d linger here as long as she wanted. He loved this view and it was nice getting to share it with someone.

“After this, if you’d like I can help you find your room, that feels like a fitting end to your tour,” he said with a smirk. The Knight apartments weren’t far from here, and they could follow the maintenance deck for a while, skipping the bustle of the city streets.

“Have you built a lightsaber yet?” he asked.

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya laughed as he mentioned it would have been awkward if he hated it, but she was starting to think she could have found most things enjoyable if it was with him. He was quite kind and she found herself smiling unintentionally a lot.

I would appreciate that, she said. As much as she was enjoying their time together, there was something to be said for all the traveling she had done and she realized that fatigue was beginning to set in. Fatigue and a vague feeling of being overwhelmed.

No, I haven't, but I'm looking forward to it, she said. I only just arrived, she reminded him. She'd only been a Jedi for a few days for all intents and purposes, but she knew that pursuing a lightsaber would be high on her priority list.

Thank you for this, Leon. I have appreciated it. We should spend more time together in the future, she said with a smile and a held out hand when they arrived at her apartment.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Baudelaire laughed along with Vanya. It had been awhile since he’d gotten along so easily with another member of the Jedi. Outside of the Squad, Koemi, Hera, and Maura, he didn’t really “Hangout” with other Jedi. He knew he needed to change that. Maybe this was a good step in the right direction. Aw, man… he didn’t wanna be a leader.

Too bad…

He scoffed, “Days?! Oof, I feel dumb,” he chuckled, “I’m excited to see what you create.”

Weapons held a special place in the heart of the Adumarian. His weapons were earned, just like the scars across his body. He found himself very interested in what Vanya’s soul looked like.

To his chagrin they found her apartment quickly. It helped that he knew this station like the back of his hand. Weeks upon weeks of climbing through it’s innards had burned the blueprints of this damn place into his brain.

Vanya thanked him and he blinked, “Oh yeah, don’t sweat it!” he said, taking her hand, “That’d be cool,” he said, matching her smile.

“Welp, uh, welcome to the Jedi?” he said with a chuckle. Peetwo jumped up to his shoulder and turned his photoreceptors up at her, obviously still offended by her. Leon chuckled, patting the little droid’s head as he turned to leave, “I’ll be in touch, we’ve got a cult to hunt!”

He threw her a two finger salute over his shoulder flashing his patented mischievous smirk.

Before he hit the lift, he knew it was time. The Force had placed the people he needed in his path, the only thing holding him up... was himself.

"Time to get out of your own way, Baudelaire..."

End.​

@Phoenix