Open Rain

[Elim Quinn]

[Music]​

Whirling gusts of rain intenisified the darkness of the summer night on the northern hemisphere of Mimban. Elim nearly stumbled over bits of firewood and the protruding roots of the great fir trees that dominated the area of the forest he was in. After a few minutes of struggling through the deluge, the Fiani stood dripping in front of the door of the nearest shack, visiable only by the lamplight that dotted a small dirt road.

Even with the hood of his black coat pulled up he was still soaked. Evidently his coat wasn't waterproof enough for this planets summer storms.

As soon as he swung open the shacks door he heard a set of loud creaks, which let him know that one or more of the hindges were dangerously close to breaking. Elim paused for a moment to think, but ultimately decided to fix the problem later when it was dramatically less cold and wet outside.

The Fiani carefully placed the medical supplies in his hands on a small wooden table; a piece of hand made furniture. Swiftly after placing down the items he'd been carrying around, he took off his black coat and hung it on a nearby poll.

His shack wasn't much to look at. The building felt cramped to him and only had one table, one desk, one chair, one box-stove, one bed and a few polls to hang items. Some of the polls were covered in his clothing, some in herbs, flowers and other such things. Items he needed to make medicine, concoctions to survive in this area, or help the folk in the nearby town.

Strenching out his tails, and wiggling his fox-like ears, Elim shook his body to expell some of the water caught in his fur, then grabbed and set a match to the fuel in the heater. Reaching below his beds mattress, he drew out a bottle of dark purple liquor. A single glass was produced from another small cache and, presently, beside a crackling fire, he seated himself on a chair in front of his desk.

Elim grabbed one of his datapad journels he'd labelled Mimban, opening it. Writing everything he learned about the planets inhabitants was his nightly ritual, which was the same for every planet he travelled to. Most of what he wrote was knoweldge he could use to care for the people as a physician. Though the Fiani also diligently wrote down everything he observed about their culture, the people he spent time around, their features, personailty traits, their homes, living conditions, new roads he took and other seemingly unimportant details with the conscientiousness that someone might consider peculiar.

 

[Zessel]

Zessel jumped over a protruding root, making a loud splash when his feet hit the large puddle that was hidden behind it. The Padawan wasn’t affected by rain or the water that had accumulated in the ground, he even thought that it was pleasant. With his large blue umbrella with white polka dots, moss green water-proof poncho and yellow galoshes, the half-Arkanian wasn’t getting wet so easily. He was even jumping on the puddles on purpose, while humming a melody about rainy days from one of his favorite cartoons.

Many would think that the scene was ridiculous, with the boy jumping around wearing clothes with colors that didn’t match each other, but he didn’t care. Zessel had already stopped caring about what others would say about him being weird. Besides, he was in the middle of a forest and no one would care about his weirdness.

After jumping a puddle that seemed to be particularly deep, Zessel came to a halt. He stared at the path in front of him, where a bifurcation appeared. The Padawan tried to remember which one he should follow, but couldn’t do it. Thankfully he had brought a map that the Jedi had given to him back at the Temple. He wondered why the Knight that he should meet was hidden in the middle of the forest.

Maybe he was an old hermit, blind from one eye that disliked being among other people. Or he was an adventurer that loved being a lone wolf. He could also be a Judicar, doing a secret mission.

The boy blinked his grayish-blue eyes, while frowning. He had lost focus again, didn’t he. With a sigh, the Padawan went through the right path, which the map pointed as the right way. With a loud sigh, he walked toward it, this time without any playfulness.

He thought that had arrived at the right place when Zessel found a small shack, which matched the description given to him. The Padawan gave a good look at the exterior of the building and immediately thought that the place had seen better days. He brought his right hand up and knocked at the door, waiting for an answer.

@Dread

 

[Elim Quinn]

A rapping at his shack door caused Elim's fox-like ears to turn slightly back towards it and his deeply yellow eyes to open a fraction more, breaking his focus on his writings. It was an odd time for a guest, but not entirely unusual. Helping the townsfolk didn't have a set job time, emergencies happened during the night.

Elim's short claws dug slightly into the chairframe as he lifted himself up and stopped near the threshold of the shack's only door. When he opened the door, a strange sight was there to greet him. It looked like a humanoid boy of some kind, pale, white hair with mismatched clothing that was nothing like the items the native species wore on this planet. Not that he didn't get off world guests from time to time, but being a lone boy made this guest stick out.

"Is there something you need?" asked the Fiani plainly. His deeply yellow eyes and countenance remained void of expression, despite the odd sight.

Not being invited in might take the boy aback, but Elim didn't know that. He hadn't read any messages from the Order for months now. It was perhaps a bad habit of his, but Elim was completely convinced his work was important and he did not want it to be disturbed, so he wasn't aware that a visitor from the Jedi Order was arriving or the reason why.


@LouJoVi

 

[Jorus Ha'ath]

Jorus Ha'ath trudged through the relentless rain on the northern hemisphere of Mimban, using his staff as a walking stick, robes sodden and clinging to his frame. The darkened summer night seemed to calming in a way, the sound of the rain muffling other noises. He watched the Fiani, Elim, struggling with the door of a shack, the creaking hinges echoing through the storm.

His keen senses caught the distinct scent of herbs and flowers as he approached, perhaps that was why Elim was here? As the door swung open, revealing the cramped interior, Jorus couldn't help but nod in understanding. Different worlds, different people, but the struggle for survival was a constant.

"Seems your coat isn't made for Mimban's storms," Jorus remarked, his voice carrying a hint of amusement as he stepped up to the shack, presenting no threat to the stranger.

He observed Elim from a respectful distance, watching for a moment at the careful placement of medical supplies and the meticulous record-keeping. Jorus took a breath to appreciate the warmth of the fire, the crackling sound filling the small space.

"I've always found it fascinating how different people cope with the challenges of their worlds," Jorus commented, his pale eyes flicking to the handwritten notes in Elim's datapad journal. "Are you here on a research mission? Knowledge is a powerful tool, especially in times of need."

As the rain continued to lash, he deftly made an advance to the shack - seeking shelter, and nodding respectfully to Zessel, whom he did not know. "May we come in? Much more of this rain and I fear we shall catch a cold." he asked, bowing his head slightly as he introduced himself "Jorus Ha'ath, at your service."

 

[Zessel]

It has barely passed some seconds and Zessel has knocked the door again, his impatience making him incapable of waiting any longer. The rain was getting heavier and being outside wasn’t fun anymore. He only wanted to find a dry place where he could get warm.

He was halfway going to knock the door again when it was opened by the Jedi that he was instructed to meet. Zessel took a good time staring at his face, deciphering the person in front of him. Knight Quinn had a pair of fluffy ears, like those of a dog. He was also younger than the Padawan expected and had both his eyes. He could still be a cranky hermit, but younger.

“Hi!” Zessel finally said, while waving at the Knight with his free hand. He searched in his clothes under the poncho for a piece of paper that the people at the Temple gave to him. It took some time to find it, having forgotten where it was, but finally retrieve the half-crumpled thing. The Padawan immediately passed it to Quinn.

Written on it were the instructions to the Knight regarding the Padawan: Zessel was going to work with Quinn for a day as part of his training and that match had been achieved in a draw. And that he should update his status as soon as possible because he didn’t do it in the past three months.

The Padawan was waiting for Quinn’s answer when another person came from nowhere. This one really had the appearance of a cranky hermit and Zessel immediately wondered if he had arrived in the middle of some type of meeting between people that lived alone in the middle of forests.

@Dread @Nor'baal

 

[Elim Quinn]

Elim took the proffered letter. He read the paper right away, even after noting another stranger approaching. The stranger didn't appear to be approaching in a panic or aggressively so Elim didn't feel the need to switch his attention to him immediately.

After he read the letter he frowned, momentarily considering leaving the Order. He could fully absorb himself in his work without these little inconveniences by leaving, but the Jedi were a force for good and he knew it would be selfish to abandon them completely.

Next the Fiani turned his attention to the newest off worlder, noting the details he could see through the rain before answering with, "Yes, it's my first summer here and it appears I've come under prepared" in his flatest tone. He wasn't someone who enjoyed small talk and didn't care if the stranger realized it.

For the second question, Elim answered, "I'm simply here to help the townsfolk. The nearby village recently suffered a disease that effected everyone there. While its mostly passed some are still struggling, and now its being said another village has some cases. The nearby village is also very short on food and supplies now and they're struggling."

Elim's last answer was only partially true. He had much greater plans for his research. Much greater, but it would take many more planets worth of research. It was important to keep his greater plans as quiet as possible for multiple reasons; one reason was that the Jedi leadership might not agree with it. Which wasn't much of a threat because what the Order thought wouldn't matter once Elim completed what he set out to do. Once it was completed there was no going back.

The last question Elim didn't wait for the monk to introduce himself before answering, "No. There are a few empty shacks to the west from here that you're free to use." Elim's eyes turned back to the padawan as he continued to speak, "One of those is where you'll rest for the night. In the morning I will be in the nearby village. Use common sense to find me there." Elim paused for a brief moment, before adding, "And don't wander off aimlessly. I haven't agreed to babysitting and this place is home to many creatures that vary greatly in size."

With his best cold, unwelcoming gaze, Elim shut his shacks door. He went back to his chair right away to continued writing and threw the paper from the Order into his fire.

@LouJoVi @Nor'baal

 

[Jorus Ha'ath]

Jorus Ha'ath observed the Fiani, Elim, as they read the letter, his own expression shifting with contemplation. The rain continued to pour outside, creating a steady cadence that underscored the conversation. As the Jedi approached, he could sense the internal conflict within Elim.

"New to the summer storms, are you?" Jorus remarked with a faint smile, acknowledging the obvious struggle with the weather. He noticed Elim's disinterest in small talk, but the Jedi was undeterred.

The Fiani's commitment to aiding the townsfolk caught Jorus' attention. "A healer, then. Noble work," he commented, genuinely appreciating the dedication to easing suffering.

As Elim spoke of the recent disease in the nearby village and the shortage of supplies, Jorus nodded in understanding. "The Force guided me here, it seems. I'm here to assist, not to add to your burden," he stated, making his intentions clear.

Elim's guarded response about his true plans didn't go unnoticed by Jorus. He respected the need for discretion and filed away the realization that there was more to Elim's mission than met the eye.

The Fiani's curt dismissal regarding accommodations and a warning about the local wildlife drew a raised eyebrow from Jorus. "I appreciate the guidance, and I assure you, I'm not one to wander aimlessly," he replied, his tone calm and measured.

As Elim shut the door with a cold gaze, Jorus turned his attention elsewhere, contemplating the intricacies of the situation. The monk took a moment to absorb the atmosphere before turning to find his assigned shelter for the night in the empty shack to the west. The rain outside seemed to intensify, but within the small shelter, Jorus focused on his own purpose, preparing to join Elim in the nearby village come morning.

 

[Zessel]

Half-way through Elim speech, Zessel’s mind already drifted away. It was so boring that he couldn’t hear it any longer. His focus moved toward some pretty white and pink flowers that were growing in a bush near the house. The Padawan thought about what species it would, wondering if its survival to the storms were related to some type of adaptation.

His attention only came back to Elim when he mentioned the disease in the nearby town, the dangerous animals and that Zessel would stay in another shack. The white-haired boy blinked when the Knight closed the door, leaving him there alone. He was right, the guy was really a cranky hermit.

He nodded at the strange guy that talks like one of the worst Jedi Masters with enigmatic answers and walked away toward the direction of the other shack. At least the Padawan was smart enough to buy food, so he would be able to have dinner. He would have preferred to cook something for himself, but there wasn’t going to be much time for it. Zessel would need to survive the night with the snacks inside his backpack.

Finding his shack wasn’t much difficult, being close from where Elim was staying. The place was identical to the other, totally decrepit. He grimaced and stepped inside, already hating the place.

@Dread @Nor'baal

 

[Elim Quinn]

Before writing again, Elim thought for a moment about the stranger mentioning the Force. It might be a subject worth breaching in the morning. He also thought of the boy, who he was apparently supposed to train for a day. The idea of training the boy bothered him a bit. Elim was a Knight, but only a newly minted one. It seemed like a task for a Knight that was much older. Either way, he pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind because had a lot of writing to do.

---------------- The Next Morning ----------------​

Elim watched as the morning sun rose, revealing a scene of beauty; neon flowers glowing brightly in the rays of light. The moderate yellow-green colour of the moss and vines that highlighted the deep dark brown of the great trees. Trees so large that even their trunks had begun to lean and twist around others in order to let their leaves enjoy as much light as possible. Older, wet and glittering leaves shedding from the treetops, softly making their way to join their kin on the forest floors, and the small animals that dared to sneak close to the Knight's shack before scuttling away when noticing the Fiani's piercing yellow gaze.

To the west, near the Padawan @Zessel's and monk @Jorus Ha'ath 's temporary shacks, two of the town boys hid inside of a bush. Both boys looked around ten, and both had multiple pebbles clutched in their hands while staring at @Zessel's shack.

One of the boys whispered in his native language, "My big brother said he saw a ghost go into that abandoned shack!" His brother had described briefly seeing a flat-faced, pale skinned, white haired ghost boy while doing a late night chore.

The second boy hiding in the bush dawned a serious expression and let his eyes wander to the shack too. "So you dragged me out here to be killed by a ghost?! My mom is going to be SO MAD if I don't feed the pi gals this morning!"

"No! I have a plan. We'll scare it away!" the first boy exclaimed and began to throw rocks at the shack. The other boy followed suit and started to throw rocks at the shack as well.

---------------- In the village ----------------​

Many of the villagers were gathered around the center of the village. In the center of the village multiple small, crackling, fires blazed below pots of soup that contained the last bits of food the townsfolk had. A few of the villagers were creating bread out of one ingredient. One of the younger woman in the village offered Elim a bowl, but he refused. She nodded and smiled, though probably for the wrong reason. Elim wasn't refusing out of the kindness of his heart, he just wasn't fond of the village food.

The Fiani was seated on a chair carved from a tree stump, warming up by a fire while waiting for the padawan, and maybe the stranger who had offered his help. Over the Fiani's shoulder was a bag of his medical equipment and other gadgets, including needles and viles that were both empty and full. He planned to gather more blood this morning.

By his feet, one bucket and basket because he needed more supplies to help a sick elderly man in the house to the left of him. The elderly man seemed much sicker than anyone else in the town and some of the townsfolk had described unusual symptoms, none like the disease going around.

@LouJoVi @Nor'baal

 

[Jorus Ha'ath]

The morning dawned with a faint glow, the storm clouds from the previous night retreating to reveal the untouched beauty of the Mimban landscape. Jorus Ha'ath, clad in his dark robes with his Kyber staff in hand, set out towards the nearby village. The air was crisp, and the scent of rain-soaked earth lingered.

As he walked into the village, Jorus took note of the simple dwellings and the resilient spirit of the people. Mimban held a unique energy, one that spoke of both struggle and endurance. The balance of the Force resonated in the vibrant hues of the flora and the tenacity of the wildlife adapting to the changing seasons.

The lush vegetation seemed to pulse with life, an intricate dance between light and shadow. Jorus found solace in this natural harmony, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there was equilibrium.

His thoughts turned to the Fiani, Elim, and the important work they had ahead. The village, still recovering from the recent strife, needed assistance. Jorus felt the weight of the Force guiding him, a call to action.

Approaching the central gathering area, he spotted Elim amidst the villagers, their focused demeanour unwavering. As Jorus drew closer, he greeted the Fiani with a nod, "Good morning. I'm here to assist in any way I can. The Force has led me to Mimban, and it seems our paths are intertwined in this endeavour."

Jorus scanned the surroundings, taking in the faces of the villagers, their resilience evident despite the challenges they faced. The man's commitment to balance extended beyond the battles of the Sith and Jedi, or any of the myraidic other factions which conflicted across the galaxy; it encompassed the delicate dance between the inhabitants of the galaxy and the worlds they called home.

"If there's a particular area you'd like me to focus on, or if you need an extra pair of hands, I'm at your disposal," Jorus offered, ready to lend his skills and knowledge to the healing efforts. The village may have faced hardships, but with the Force as their guide, they would find a way to restore balance and bring hope to those in need.

 

[Zessel]

The shack wasn’t much better inside. There were spider webs in the roof and the few pieces of furniture that it had was covered by dust. Zessel frowned with disgust. He hated to stay in a place like this, full of dirt. However, he would make this sacrifice to receive the training.

Looking around, the Padawan felt relieved for having brought some snacks. The kitchen, if he could call this pigstry as one, was impossible to work with. He would never be able to cook there. Even the pans were covered in dust!
With a loud sigh, Zessel left his backpack and poncho in a chair, while his umbrella remained close to the door. Then he walked toward the bed and sat here, feeling very uncomfortable with these blankets and cushions. He refused to use them, thankfully he brought his own blankets.

After munching some of the snacks that he brought, Zessel went to sleep. For his luck, the night passed fast. The Padawan had already woken up when he started to hear sounds of things colliding against the walls of the shack. He wondered what it could be.

Remembering what Elim said about the wild animals, Zessel thought that it could be the imminent attack of a predator. He picked his lightsaber and slowly reached the window, peeking outside. The Padawan relaxed when he saw that the source of the sound were two children throwing rocks.

Not being able to understand why they were doing it, Zessel put the lightsaber in his belt and left to meet his “attacker".

@Dread @Nor'baal