Taking Those First Steps

[Theodosia Acatia]

Theodosia felt the weight of being around other people start to crush on her shoulders. Her heart rate increased, along with a dry feeling in her throat. She felt all of the pain coming back. She tried to ignore it and screwed her eyes tight. Theodosia rarely doubted herself. She was a self-assured young woman, who was confident. But, when she found herself with others, a group setting, doubt and fear began to swirl in the back of her head.

The Pantoran tried to push away those thoughts. Not only was this not the time to be so concerned with herself, she had to prepare for dealing with others. She could do this. Little voices flung their words at her, but Theodosia concentrated on clearing her mind. Her gut twisted and turned.

Then, everything eased. Theodosia was falling into an abyss, spinning in the air. Her limbs flailing She reached out into the darkness, her hand flying out in front of her. Shots of light echoed around her through the darkness. A common effect of vertigo should have dulled her senses or caused her to faint, but the Pantoran was very much conscious.

In an abrupt stop of the fall, Theodosia was forced upright. She was standing. Everything was white. The light never stopped. It looked like lightning bouncing off from cloud to cloud. An arctic landscape during a thunderstorm. That’s where she was, but Theodosia felt like she was standing on nothing. She turned, looking around, trying to find where she was. When she turned back around, a mirror image of her was in front of her.

She gasped out of shock. As Theodosia stared more, it wasn’t a mirror image of her. It wasn’t even her. The Pantoran didn’t bear any golden marks of a family. She wore black goggles on the top of her forehead, and her blackish hair was pulled into puffy pigtails. Her amber eyes studied Theodosia's face.

“Are you going to keep staring or are you going to speak?” She said. “We do look alike. Now I see what they were saying.” They? Who is 'they'? “Who..who are you?” Theodosia had nothing to defend herself with, and she looked behind the woman to check for any..ancestors.

“It’s okay, child. I’m Mercury.” The name echoed through the icy air. “We’re related. We share an eighth of our genes, we’re cousins.” It suddenly clicked in Theodosia’s head. “You were a Jedi.”

“Yes. One of the last, until the five came along. I knew you were coming eventually though. Your Grandmother I thought, was going to fulfill my shoes, but it turned out it was you.” Mercury looked into Theo’s eyes, scanning them. “Theodosia. I cannot stay for long,” she turned, walking towards the distance. “I do not like giving you riddles that are going to drive you wild, and I do not like giving out prophecies..but I can offer you advice and a sarcastic comment.” Theodosia was still, breathing was her only movement. She felt bolts of electricity through her fingertips.

“Just be yourself. You, were meant to be a Jedi, and not just a Jedi. You are going to do more change than I ever could.” Theodosia just stared, her mouth gaping. “And don’t catch flies now,” Mercury commented, tapping her jaw. Theodosia shook her head. “I can’t…--” “Yes, you can. You have memories of your family, and you have me.”

The ice was fading. “I have to go now. Sorry this wasn’t some prophetic vision of the Empire killing bunches of people, but you don’t need that. You need confidence and you need to make friends.” Mercury took a step back, a smile on her indigo lips. “I’ll see you around!”

And just like that, Theodosia was slammed into reality. She had been crying. She quickly wiped away her tears. She looked around, some were still in a trance, others were awake. She was silent, staring at her hands.

 

[Eisa Swan]

Stepping through the clearing the young teen cautiously looked around the new surroundings, her mind was awash with a whole slew of thoughts over what she had just experienced. How was it that she could speak to her mother after her passing nearly a decade ago, who was that second voice and more importantly what was with the strange light that was emanating from the kyber crystal hung around the teen's neck? There were so many questions right now which all needed answers, all of them seemed to stem down to that one encounter with the rebel commander who had posed as an Archaeologist, Leah Reach. Who despite not being visible within the immediate surroundings appeared to be close by, as if some strange 6th sense was alerting her to the older woman's presence.

As the fiery haired teen made her way closer to the large towering roots at the base of the Life Tree, she cast her gaze over those who had arrived and were gathered along with the group of Wookiees that had lead the group of strangers on their Pilgrimage. A light but slightly confused smile crossed the teen's features as she was greeted by the Elder, before nodding and falling into place among the small circle that had formed.

++ The Elder is pleased to see that you have all traversed your respective paths to have brought you to the Life Tree, the focal point of all life on Kashyyk ++ The protocol droid spoke out in response to the series of hollering gargles and barks that that the Elder had addressed the gathered group with. Though as soon as the droid had finished it's translations the Elder continued once again in his native tongue. ++ The Elder advises that whilst what you have experienced will vary and likely not have given you all the answers you seek ++ The droid dutifully continued before another series of hollering barks rang out from the aged Wookiee.

++ The Elder would observe that the pilgrimage although is one of self reflection, is not just limited to the journey you have just made, but one that will continue with you for the years to come until the next Life Day++ The droid resumed in its translations before the two younger accompanying Wookiees stepped forward each baring a segment of wood freshly cut from the spiraling roots of the tree, among them was the infant Wookiee girl who made a beeline over towards Alys and offered her the segment of wood that she was carrying.

++ The Elder has gifted you each with a piece of brylark wood, like the roots that run so deeply ingrained the fabric of Kashyyk, the wood from the brylark tree is as strong as forged and tempered metal. You may use it however you each deem fit, but he Implores you to use it as a reminder that a tree with strong roots would weather the harshest of storms ++

Looking up to the wookiee guide that had approached her, Eisa accepted the offerred segment of wood being gifted to her with a nod and a broad smile. Her emerald hued Irises looking into the dark hued eyes of the towering Wookiee infront of her, has her fingers slowly wrapped around the damp outer bark. Her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked down towards the length of wood, she could feel the texture of the bark but within there was a strange fading sensation. It was as if what ever had been contained within the freshly cut stem of the free was seeping out into the surroundings, her focus however was pulled away as another series of hollering barks rang out.

++ The Elder has said that you are now free to remain and reflect further, or you may take your leave ++ The droid advised shortly after. Pursing her lips in thought the Fiery haired teen looked back down to the segment of brylark wood before regarding the others that had congregated around the foot of the towering tree, her mind picking up the racing thoughts that was flashing through her. All of them seemed to center on the presence that was gradually easing away from her, setting her mind to seek out presence the fiery haired teen cheerfully bid her thanks and took her leave. Walking along the track in the undergrowth towards the spiraling stairs that would lead her back up to the village nestled throughout the towering trees that made up Kashyyk's skyline. There was someone that she needed to find.

Exit Thread

OOC: Feel free to wrap your selves up guys and will get this submitted over the next day or so

 

[Theodosia Acatia]

Theodosia was still staring blankly ahead when the elder handed her a piece of wood. She shook herself and her gaze was back into focus. A cheeky smile presented itself. Her fingers rubbed against the wood, tracing the grain. Her amber eyes scanned her surroundings. Some faces were familiar, others were still strangers, but it was all okay. She was going to be okay. The Galaxy was going to be okay.

She turned, seeing the Jedi Master Aurora and others who were presumably other Jedi. Theodosia waved, still smiling. But, she felt it was time to go. This part of the journey was at its end, and so the next one will begin. Theodosia removed the robe, handing it back to the Wookie. “Thank you for this experience.” They nodded back to her.

Theodosia took one last scan of her environment. The planet was concluding its rotation. The Pantoran stowed the bylark wood in her pack, closing it up tightly. It was a symbol, but not yet complete. She donned her green cloak once more, slipped her pack behind her shoulders, and stepped off the path. She had some exploring to do. By herself.

Exit Thread.

 

[Alysanne Drast]

"Don't fear the dark."

The words were still ringing within her head as she sat on the forest floor in front of the tree. She wasn't really in any state to notice that the others seemed to have undergone similar experiences as well, so shook up was she by what she had experienced. It had been scary, but at the end there. She, she had felt the Force through Alais, seen the world through the eyes of the girl who would one day conquer the Galaxy.

She wasn't really sure how to feel about that, she needed time to think about it, to figure things out. But she wasn't going to do that here, not now. The Wookiee elder had started speaking again, and Alys pushed herself to her feet as the droid began translating. The guide who still held Nina was walking towards her, and the little Wookiee girl held a piece of the brylark wood that the droid had just spoken about.

"Thank you." She said as she took the child back into her arms, for a moment forgetting about the weird vision she had just had and smiling at the young one, happy that she was happy to see her. She looked up and caught the guide's eye and nodded, watching as the others slowly drifted away.

Still smiling at Nina, Alys made her way towards a tree on the other side of the clearing from the Life Tree and settled down on the floor with her back resting against the tree. She would head back towards the village in a while, the festivities would be going on for hours, she was in no hurry. The Life Tree was in front of her and she wanted to stay here a little longer, to gather her thoughts.

OOC: Exit Thread