Ask Strange Magick

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

Hera looked out at the planet of Zeffo from the cockpit of her ARC starfighter, watching the little blue and green ball turn before her eyes. It had sat quietly in Jedi-controlled space for ages, but Hera felt as though no one really cared to come and truly investigate what was going on down there. However, with the return and rise of Darth Raze, Hera found a renewed sense of urgency in advancing her own training. From a small footnote of her family's Holocron, Hera read something about Jedi Magick. Mostly the footnote was discouraging it, but still...

Jedi Magick.

It sounded too strange to be true, so she searched the archives of the Order for any information on it. The Seers, or what remained of them, told Hera that such things only existed within the realm of the Dark Side, and that alchemy, spirits, and magick were not to be trifled with. They clearly did not know Hera very well. Despite their warnings and despite the lack of information, there was one lead that Hera found she could follow. Zeffo. Archeological world. The forgotten realm. Hera would search this world, and if what she was looking for existed, the councilor hoped to find it here.

But she would not search alone. Knowing of her own struggles with emotion right now, Hera decided on calling the most level-headed person she knew. Zathria. Other than Grandmaster Alex, Zathria seemed to be the one person in Hera's life with some emotional stability. Piloting her vessel toward the predetermined temple location below, Hera prepared herself to meet with the other Jedi.

As her ship set down in the grasslands, Hera felt a calmness wash over her. This whole world felt beautiful and peaceful to her, perhaps this was exactly the break she needed from the troubles of the galaxy.

@Phoenix

 

[Zathria]

Zathria had heard what Hera said about why they were here, but she still wasn't entirely sure she understood the full scope of what they were getting into here. It was a funny thing, Zathria carried with herself an ancient Jedi artifact that some might argue was created by "alchemy" but that was up for discussion, she supposed. Where the line between "artifact creation," "alchemy," "Jedi magic," "Nightsister magick," and "Sith sorcery" lay was a bit beyond her experience.

Still, she was honored Hera had asked her to come. The two women were a bit of a strange coupling, but Zathria liked to think they were friends. Perhaps Hera knew that Zathria had an artifact of her own or maybe it was their bond as Justicars and a mutual understanding that the two of them could have better judgment together than either alone.

Zathria climbed out of her shuttle and took a deep breath of the fresh air morning air. She spotted Hera and waved, smiling and making her way over.

Councilor Albion, good to see you! she said rather warmly. You know, this is a beautiful if slightly forgotten world, she said. No one seemed to remember that it was here. Overlooked and neglected, but perhaps the place to make an astounding discovery.

@Black Noise

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

Hera waved back as Zathria called out to her, the Arkanian's heart lifted a little at the sight of the Echani. There was a lot of work and hardship trying to push their way into Hera's mind, including methods of securing this world and its influence on the Jedi Order. But that was not her intention in coming here, and those thoughts would need to take a sideline to the mission they currently found before them.

"It's good to see you too, Justicar At'arel, though you may just call me Hera if you don't mind me calling you Zath-" At that, Hera laughed softly and turned toward an old tower in the distance. The locals had set up scaffolding and a small camp to investigate and study this place, but their lack of progress caused a temporary abandonment of this location until new breakthroughs could be found.

Nodding as she started toward the tower, Hera spoke once more, "I feel the forgotten places hold more beauty, at least to me. The crush of the constant pressures of other life-forms around me can be suffocating. Forgotten places are, more often than not, empty, and I relish that relief." Realizing what she had to say might sound estranging from Zathria, Hera added, "You don't count- of course! I enjoy your company."

The tower was a great structure of some bronze alloy, strong enough to withstand the test of time yet still malleable enough to hold complex sigils and designs. The inner structure of the tower had been previously accessed, though it seemed the excavators had been able to go no further. In the midst of the tower stood an effigy of a native Zeffo, armed folded, head held high. Hera looked the statue up and down, remarking, "I wonder what they'd think if they saw the Jedi Order now..."

@Phoenix

 

[Zathria]

Of course, Zathria said with a smile as Hera asked if she could call her by her first name. Zathria had been secretly hoping to dispense with pleasantries anyway, but wasn't going to be the one to instigate it. At least this way, they could be a bit more relaxed.

Zathria laughed when Hera mentioned the suffocating sensation of other beings. Jedi or not, Zathria could understand that. They were devoted to helping everyone, but that job was an impossible task and the overwhelming helplessness of it all could consume you if you weren't careful.

No offense taken, she said with a continued chuckle. Who knows. I don't really know a lot about the Zeffo, she admitted. It was difficult to be an expert on everything, and there was simply too much going on in the galaxy for her to remain on top of it all.

You know, I'm surprised there are people here. I thought this place was abandoned, she said. Even as they drew closer, there were wild animals roaming around on cliff levels below them. She peered over the edge and her gut churned slightly at the sheer drop.

I'm guessing the Council must have ordered them here to look for anything useful? she guessed, watching a couple of droids loading equipment onto a large shuttle.

I kind of always assumed that Jedi magic was a rumor, she admitted as they walked.

@Black Noise