The Second pillar of Three.

[Luy]

Location: Rishi
Co-ordinates: S-15

If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.
​

A sandy strand on the Southern tip of Horizon Island. There were less comfortable places to meditate. Local crustaceans sidled around a figure sat with his legs folded together, its hands were in its lap. So close to the great oceans of Rishi, the fetid heat of the tropical jungles and swamps was whisked out across the cool crests of sea-foam. This place was far away from extractors, and smugglers, and the mountain dwelling Rishii. Yet for some reason he had felt drawn here. The Force emitted from a point just off the beach before him; a few metres out in the shallows of the rolling surf.

Fish, rays and sharks slipped through the undulating water, an image of a Jedi moving through the Force. Inherently flowing with, but on their own Path. He had broken his meditation throughout the days he had been here. Food was required, he needed to properly rest on one of the nights and the need for drinkable water was pressing. It had been a significant travel from the cave under the tree. He'd left the ruined shuttle covered and had hiked through dense jungle and suffocating swamp to get here. Each rest brought him a chance to centre, and each time his centre was lost and seemed to lie ahead on the trail to here.

Luy focused on the now, the salty tang in the air, the breeze brushing his tendrils and tugging at his outer robes. With such tranquillity it was more than easy to drift upon the Force. He saw a large bloom of presence before him. It had not calmed, but it was not representing the now. Something was coming, something the Force bade him to see.

The old tutor looked at Rish, setting past the horizon. Celestial bodies had their own paths, the span in a tumultuous tumbling dance of cosmic proportions and each atom in our being span upon its own axis, perhaps the was a moment in which he would see his own axis?To catch a glimpse of his own trajectory or an interception of another's?

Uncertainty sprouted more questions than he could answer, and the future was an ever shifting miasma. What he knew, he should trust in. His whereabouts, the impact of the Force on our lives, and that nothing like this had brought him to such a place since he left the shrine-hold on Quiilura.

@Deviant

 

[Leah Reach]

The Rishi Maze was a dwarf galaxy of distinct value in orbit with the rest of the known galaxy. There, it housed a faraway world charted only as Rishi. From rumor and report, particularly from the journal entries of her husband, the planet was tropical and home to a sentient, avian species. Reportedly carnivorous and extremely primitive, Leah was initially worried of traveling to the strange world. But from what Master Reach had said, they were welcoming to outsiders despite their mocking tone. And if the Jedi instructor settled there could live in peace, then there was no need to worry.

On the other hand, the only real worry was persuading the lost Jedi to be reconnect with his roots. The Galactic Alliance, the remnants of the Order, needed him now more than never. His knowledge, strength and faith in the Force was perhaps the greatest of the five. And while he had more reason to join the Rebellion than the others, that neither guaranteed agreement. Last time, as Leah was led to believe, Master Reach asked him once before. At the time, he refused. As to why, she couldn’t say. Fear, uncertainty, a newfound affinity for his home: there were many reasons, all which the female Jedi would hold nothing against him.

She too desired freedom. From want, need, fear or loss. She was guilt-ridden and grief-stricken with the death of her closest friends, allies and the half to her whole: Eli. It was painful to think of him in such trying times, but reflecting back to him only encouraged her to push on. He was a beacon of light in the Alliance, and she needed to bear the torch onward. Leah clung to the hope that she could light a new purpose and conviction in Master Luy. All Jedi, lost or exiled, needed to help sail this battered boat, else the Order would drown in a sea of blood.

Her ship pierced the atmosphere, a streak of white vapor trailing behind it as she cut through the clouds. Through her cockpit window, the vast ocean and the several islands sprinkled across it laid out to her. The world, despite her initial doubts, was more beautiful than she imagined. Tropical worlds made her think hot and humid, or sultry and oppressive, but Rishii was well beyond her poor expectations. Now, she hoped Jedi Master Luy would be the same way: reluctant at first impression but completely willing the second she showed up at his doorstep. Speaking of which, Leah could already see his home in sight.

Horizon Island. Pale beaches, trees greener than those on Al’doleem, and a strange pull of the Force. No wonder the Jedi Master chose to retreat to the wayward planet. Already, as Leah landed her starfighter at a clearing and exited the cockpit, she considered never leaving. Not until her mind shifted back to Master Reach, the mission, and her purpose. With a deep sigh, she walked along the edge of the beach to the figure she assumed was the other Jedi Master. A soft breeze lashed at her casual robes and free hair: a welcome to her arrival.

When she came close enough for Luy to recognize her, she smiled. “Master Luy.” Was all she had to say. In the end, introductions needed to be made.

@Sangga

 

[Luy]

“I know that name, I have heard it spoken in Cortanni Town.” He leaned back as his head turned to glance at her from the corner of his eye. A pause filled with contemplation on his face and stiffly he unfolded his legs, shakily stood up and faced her. “So you are looking for the old and crazy fool that mutters about the Force and communes with the feather brains are you? Well, I don’t fancy your chances here.” There was a quiver, and a dry rasp to this Feeorin’s voice, one that signalled either too much or too little use. He paced in an arc around her, slowly and shuffling and flattening a staggered pattern in his wake. “That was your ship overhead, huh, great noisy contraption…” he imitated the high wine of her crafts engines, using a hand to imitate her crafts descent. The hand trembled with old age. “… terrible thing, all bells and whistles no doubt! Fine for zipping and zooming all over the place, but no comfort or amenities! Awful.” His eyes never left her for long. They always moved and checked over each detail, perhaps searching or dementia sparking ill-thoughts.

But then his memory ignited an image. The persona halted, he consciously began to slowly rise from the hunch. The dying sunset gave way to a night’s sky that was filled with the light of the maze and Rishi’s moon began its ascent. The water took on a silvery quality, the wind slackened and their outer robes, hair and tendrils fell. His own hulking frame was draped in the wood stained robes that he had cultivated from his time here. He felt the Force within this woman, but she hid it well. He knew the presence, and remembered when he’d met her.

His brow raised on one side as his hands lifted to his hips, the glint of a sabre’s casing at his belt, with the emitter turned on its flat side, all this over a buckle of some sorts. “You too have felt the disturbance he left; I dare say more than most, for that I have no doubt.” The voice had lost anything of the previous character. It was solid, it knew it was going to be heard, not through arrogance but a practised certainty. A basic growl in it that hinted at the bestial or primal strength of the being before her. Yet controlled, maintained and pitched clearly to be listened to. His great, muscular arms opened wide, an offered embrace perhaps? But it could also be a gesture to the expanse around them. He looked to the star field above them. “But he has not left us, his spirit binds us together and is one with the Force. You must remember this.” What pain had she suffered, would it comfort her to talk about it? Maybe he was now in fact making her uncomfortable. He gaze lowered, as did his arms. “I knew Eli, I even had time to talk with him about the Force and the state of the Jedi; as well as his plans for us all and I let my thoughts known to him then.” His yellow eyes glistened in the moon and starlight, his tendril covered head lowered as he thought on one of their last conversations.

Eli had come to him with the idea of assembling the remnants of the Jedi and joining the Rebel cause. He chose to meet aggression with aggression. Such teachings, and wisdom that had been devoted to the exact opposite, and so little of the Jedi Path agreed with Eli. But there was no anger in the young Master’s choice, rejected or otherwise. Eli saw the flaw in the teaching that had led to where they were now. Was this the reason yet another Master had sought him out? How many of them remained? He had sensed very little presence of the Light in his meditations. Slowly, he broke his revere and looked at her, his hands moved into his broad sleeves, holding each other within the concealed area. “I am Master Luy. It is good to meet you again, Master Reach.” He bowed his head to her in deference to her. “So, are you here to ask that which Eli had all that time ago?” His voice had firmed to a point. Each word chosen, each word declared as if he recited written knowledge.

So this was the first meeting of Masters, since who knew when? But that question could wait, the more important one would be, what was going to happen now?

@Deviant

 

[Leah Reach]

At first, Leah was confused. She assumed the familiar alien, alone and closest to the ripples she felt in the Force, was the Jedi Master she sought. Instead, it may have been nothing but a mistake. An awkward one, at that. The alien did not appear to take the Jedi’s name, nor her arrival, very well. Excluding the fact that he sounded crazed, experiencing the onset of dementia, and looked to her like she was fresh food on a silver platter. On several occasions the woman was tempted to hold her fingers close to her blade or blaster, but the Force had other plans. The familiar stranger carried no dark intentions, from what she sensed. Rather, she felt herself gravitating into his presence. It had to be Master Luy.

The instant he sensed her own aura in the Force, Leah watched his strange masquerade melt away. In its place, Jedi Master Luy emerged. Lightsaber held in his hands, voice full of strength and perseverance, eyes understanding. Strange how she had only met the Jedi on one or two occasions and how little he changed over the years, save for his earlier charade. She was almost reminded of Master Reach at seeing and hearing the other Jedi. However, then she was truly reminded. Her eyes shifted uncomfortably but the woman nodded respectfully, approvingly. “I know he is with the Force. I only wish he was here now.” Her tone carried no grief, but it retained that feeling of loss.

Her trace of heartache dissipated as she nodded again. “But yes, I’m here for you, Master Luy. I’m here to ask you to come stand with your brothers and sisters, of what is left of us, and help rebuild the Jedi Order.” She held her hands together. “I know you refused my husband’s request before, for reasons I may not understand, but things are different. I am sure you have heard the call of the Force. The Sith is weaker than ever before and the Alliance is growing with each passing day. I believe it is now or never, Master Luy. We need you. The galaxy needs you.”

A strong start. Leah hoped that first impression would be enough to persuade the other Jedi into the Rebellion’s cause, but she knew how persuasive her husband was. If Luy denied his closest friend and ally in the Force, she feared he was fated to do the same here. And with every bone in her body, she knew fate could not allow the Jedi to remain and rot as the Alliance fought for galactic liberation and the restoration of the Order. If he meditated so often, he had to know that it was time to stop hiding. To truly contribute to a tradition he had served for almost all his life.

@Sangga

 

[Luy]

“"You sense a weakness in our Order’s greatest foe, and at that moment you think we should engage with a militarised movement and at the same time raise a new generation of students, and Masters…”..." at the same time of his last comment, his gaze bore into her, his brow tightening. “"... and with such violence and opposition given, what do you expect? That because we view the cause as just, then we shall succeed?” How many will die for the cause?" His head shook and his hands dropped to his side. His voice held no emotion. He had the same debate with Eli and he responded in the same manner. “"The history of our Order is that of the Force’s Will, not as a commando cell or a war council. When those who have been foolish enough to involve the Jedi in war have tried to be victorious in battle we have ended up as we have now."” He turned and then paced toward the water. It's cool embrace lapped the coastline over and over. Oh, but to simply dive into its depths and forget about the universe for a few moments of rest.

“"The ocean does not react to the creation of islands. The Force does not care for the survival of our Order. It was here before us and if we fade into the annals of history, it will still be here. So why must we now step forward? To defend the defenceless? Who defended us as we were hunted down and slaughtered, all but defenceless in the protection of our own?"” he turned to face her, a look of regret in his eyes, almost disappointment. “"Supposing that I agree, and we fight, and we win. What then? In fact, what is winning, Leah? When the Jedi can protect all from the darkness? Would that not require the ousting of the Sith?" His right hand, holding his sabre's hilt, raised and swiped before him. "“But what about those that are like us Leah? What about the stubborn, those that hide. Those that life the embers of a fire wait until the wind coaxes new life into them? What about those people? What about the people of the galaxy under the Imperial Republica? Those not involved in our strife, but that of our proposed allies? Those that we want to protect from the Darkness?”" his hand fell and his arm clapped against his side. A great sigh fell out of him. He knew what an argument Eli had made. '‘We cannot sit by and let it happen, the Order cannot be left as the Force must be balanced. If we are all dead and there are no Jedi then the galaxy will fall to chaos.’' His old friend’s words rattled in his ears.

But she was right, the Force had brought them together. He knew to rally against Eli, he could feel its guidance on his act, but now it was as if his words had taken the Force from him. Leah would see a wavering quiver in the tutor’s lip. His thoughts moved quicker than he could form the Basic. Then it halted, an eyebrow raised and he thought deeply on how to say the next part of his thoughts. “"Eli’'s work meant a lot to you, Eli meant a lot to you…; your attachment brought you to this point. My attachment to him brought you to me, here on Rishi."” he placed his hands together inside his sleeves. “"Eli is with the Force, the Force is Eli and his wishes are a part of the Force."” He was getting quicker in the cadence of his speak each sentence accelerating. “"The Force has shown us this opportunity, yes I have indeed sensed the change. Ever since my meeting with a young Jedi by the name of Vu’'thari. No that is not important, we two Masters stand here. Our responsibility is to the Jedi and the Force. You think the best action is to join the Rebellion, mine is to remain in hiding and raise students. We both want to help the Order survie, so why not both!?" His hands shot down, outstretched to his sides, a ruffle of robe trailing after.

“"We shall secretly aid this rebellion. You, me and any surviving Jedi. Like a creeper on the branch of a stronger tree. We shall survive, growing stronger until we are the branch."” he rolled a long, wide sleeve back to reveal his muscular, yellow forearm. “"We must focus on the Order. We are not to engage in the conflict unless it is to secure peace. I am not a fool, I know we will need to fight off attackers. But we need students… more. We must pass on the ways and fill our ranks. If the Sith catch us too soon… it will be for nought.”" He ignited his sabre and held it aloft, pointing above her. The viridian light bathing the pair of them in its glow. The hum disturbed what would've been a poignant silence. Then he spoke once more, his body tensed and he looked her squarely in the eye, an eyebrow raised, with his mouth warped by a rue half-smirk.“ "I am Luy, Jed Master and by the Will of the Force, I shall help you and your cause."” Another pause and he smiled warmly. "Now how were you planning on getting me off this rock? I mean, I have an old Antelope class... but let me put it this way, are you a good mechanic?"

@Deviant

 

[Leah Reach]

Leah was overwhelmed. The questions and arguments the other Jedi Master posed were too much and in too great of number for her to properly respond to. Still, she had her answers. There was no telling if they were right or wrong, but it was what she believed and what the galaxy deserved. The Force may have a will, it may care little for the perseverance of religious tradition or the Order, but its will was balance. Right now, the galaxy was not in balance. The Sith had reigned and suppressed the light for five hundred years. Half a millennia of oppression and imbalance. They may be on their last string but by the Force, Leah would by all means pull on that thread until the Empire fell at last.

Even if there were wrongs and a dark future ahead of them should they succeed, at least that future will have known freedom, balance and liberation. The many outnumbered the few, and there were few disadvantages should the rest of the Jedi join with the Galactic Alliance. The future may be uncertain, but Leah was certain the present would be no better. Better to try to revive the Jedi Order and tear down the threat of the dark side rather than to do nothing at all. That was what she thought, believed and always knew. If she were in Luy’s shoes, she would know there was no excuse to refuse now. Not when the time felt so right.

Before she could strike back with her own argument, however, Master Luy trembled. He wavered, in his lips and resolve, until he raised a brow and his voice dropped, but not in its strength. Instead of continuing the battle, he offered a compromise. While it was not one Leah had not hoped for, to see the Jedi Master extend out his lightsaber in service to the Order was more than enough. He had dedicated himself now, before her, to see Master Reach’s dream through. Her heart filled with joy. The reunification of the Jedi was now one step closer to completion, and she knew once the others found out, they too would know some feeling of relief. Leah hoped she could say the same for the other lost Jedi.

“Thank you, Master Luy.” She bowed respectfully and nodded. “And I must agree. The Sith or the rest of the Alliance cannot know of our existence yet, else we risk making the same mistakes before. We will grow, prosper. Thrive. And when we are ready, the Empire will fall.” Her tone emphasized will, because there was not a shadow of a doubt in her that she would see the Sith pay for their wrongs, as well as the recovery of the Jedi Order. The Force demanded balance and Leah would gladly provide it whatever way she could, and given Master Luy’s answer, so would he. What was a Council of two was now three. It was not much, but it was certainly better than before.

“Ah.” She answered at his final question, which left her as stumped as the others before it. “Good question.” The Jedi continued blankly before she glanced away and made an awkward face. If “yikes” had a look, it was painted all over her. She was a terrible mechanic, having been forced to ask for help on numerous occasions when her own ship broke down. There was no way she could help on that front. Although, there was another option: “As a matter of fact, tell me Master Luy, you’re not the only one on the island, are you?”

@Sangga

 

[Luy]

Her reaction to his questioning caused a raising of his smooth brow. It was like he’d seen a student make a shocking mistake. He lowered his blade to his side and extinguished it, the darkness swallowing them up. “Raider’s Cove. A small village, with a hangar or two; the closest the world has to a bonafide space port. But as its name suggests, it is a warren for the darker side of this Smuggler’s paradise. There maybe a mechanic, or at least an astromech droid. My studies mean that I can help it with routine maintenance, but it has been a while since the Kirin took flight. Least of all, I do not live on this island but up the great estuary toward Cortanni town.” Awkward, he reached into a pouch on his belt. He began sifting through the contents, pouring them out onto his meaty palm. They glimmered in the moonlight, gemstones some almost opalescent. The largest no bigger than a human male’s knuckle. He put them away and tied the pouch on his belt. “Yes, enough to hire someone, and certainly enough to hire and maybe even by a droid. I found these when I went deeper into the caves that I have called home. Small formations, but a nice quality of outcrops did form in the heart of the cave network.” He looked up to her and a broad smile blossomed between his cheek tendrils

He paced toward her and his arm raised and wrapped around her in a solid embrace. His other gave her ample room to leave if she wished. But to know a friend of old; the wife of an old friend no less. Slowly he’d toward the rise in the coastline and then into the trees. “I assume that if I mentioned that there is a well stocked Cantina there… it would do no harm to the odds of you travelling with me. It is a little over four miles to the Cove.” He looked over his shoulder and wondered if it would catch her attention. “We could talk more of what happens next, what we know and what we will need help with; or I could go on my own and meet you somewhere at some time. Life day is drawing near, maybe a trip to Kashyyk is in order?” Her company was always going to be appreciated, they were friends by a bond that so very few would ever experience. He was glad that none had to, but he was glad that they now had each other.

Trudging ahead, he walked into the deep and verdant undergrowth. The heat of the world magnified under the canopy and it was all the more noticeable since the cool coastline. He brushed vines and branches aside with his hefty arms. He could’ve used his weapon, but it appeared the Master respected the wildlife of this island. If she followed he’d hold a branch aside for her to continue on the bearing set out.

@Deviant

 

[Leah Reach]

Horizon Island, Raider’s Cove, Cortanni town. Names she was unfamiliar with, but as long as they served a purpose, Leah could care less. A well-stocked cantina to quench her thirst or appetite, a mechanic or astromech droid to help repair the Jedi Master’s ship, and the location of his studies, records and archives. All of them would serve well for the young Master Reach to visit, but perhaps not all at once or in the day. There was much business to attend to in the Galactic Alliance, as well as the new Jedi Order now that Master Luy had joined with her and Valentine. That excluded the other two Jedi that he and the Alliance Commander would be sent to persuade. Of course, she had hope for them too.

“You tempt me, Master Luy,” she smiled and chuckled at the idea of drinks, even if the other Jedi meant it harmlessly. “I will gladly walk with you, but the present Alliance Commander has asked me— well, both of us now that you’ve shown interest —to return to our hidden base of operations as soon as we can. Although I am overjoyed that you are open to help, at least in the Jedi’s case, it is important we meet with the other remaining Jedi whenever possible.” She offered a respectful nod so as not to come off as too demanding or rude. “In other words, we should probably have your ship back in working condition immediately to convene with the others. If you are still willing, of course.”

Choosing to walk close beside him, she took the branch as a makeshift walking stick. “Thank you.” She whispered, before picking up where she left off. An answer to his final question. “As for the Life Day gathering, I happen to be meeting two potentially force-sensitive men on a pilgrimage there. Unfortunately, we will be discussing alone on matters of an ancient Jedi vault and whatever artifacts may be stored within. You are welcome to celebrate there with me, when I have the time.” She gave a soft smile, open to the idea of commemorating Life Day with a new friend and ally, but regretful that they would have little time to do it. Another year, perhaps. If she ever saw it.

@Sangga

 

[Luy]

Perhaps it was her company, maybe it was the presence of another Jedi. But the jungle did not seem so oppressive. They thread through thickets and crossed all manner of babbling brooks and singing streams. Finding his small punt he invited her to alight, and then he stood at one end and began punting the pair along the estuary. Out in the flow was a little arduous, with the current going against them, but eventually they arrived at Raider’s Cove. He told Leah of the calibre, as low as it was, of individuals here. She would need to stay close, and to not engage with the locals that he did not.

A cornucopia of vandals, thugs, villains, tricksters, scoundrels,vagabonds, hucksters, thieves, ex-soldiers, mercenaries, and the few innocents that were guilty of only being on Rishi filled each street, alley and thoroughfare. From Humans to Ithorian, Whipids t Zabraks and often a Rishii or three, it was hard to traverse the walkways. Luy seemed to adopt a more physical arcing or arms, raising of shoulders and a tilt forward of the head. Those that didn’t moved were caused him to halt, but his muscular presence made them turn.Heading up a ramp to a skywalk they then headed into a tower, most likely a residential hab of some description.

The description that would greet them was dire. Rusted doors, leaking liquid from ceilings and the occasional flickering light strip. The corridors were stained, with all manner of grime, and occupied by the occasional wastrel or misfiring droid.They came to a door that had no unique qualities that set it out for many others, part from the number 016. Luy turned to Leah and held his finger to his lips and craned his head toward the door, then closed his eyes. There was life on the other side, four of them. He knew that Tolin live alone since his wife had died from a smuggler’s stray blaster bolt in a cantina. Perhaps it was one of the Horizon Wake’s shake down rackets? He came to and his eyes snapped to Leah’s, then his hand drew back his robes to reveal his saber, which he removed from its clip and he withdrew into his sleeve.

He hammered the door with his fist and then placed both hands into his sleeves. He would defend himself, Tolin and most of all Leah if need be. But he wanted to give whoever was with Tolin a chance.

@Deviant

 

[Leah Reach]

Leah locked eyes with the suspicious Jedi Master. The finger on his lips, how he shifted for his handgun, the way he leaned into the door. The pair were seeking out a mechanic, but she felt more like they were looking for a fight. And in all honesty, the female Jedi was not in any mood to dive headfirst into the troubles surrounding Luy, his technical friend and other Rishii drama. She wanted to head back to Al’doleem, along with the other Jedi Master, to discuss with the others on the next best course of action. Unfortunately, beggar’s couldn’t be choosers. As much as she wanted to leave, she had to hold her breath and see what was about to happen next.

The door jumped to an open and Master Luy immediately slid into the room. Over his shoulder, Leah caught three figures surrounding a single man. Better thoughts told her it was a gathering of friends, but she was no longer the idealist she used to be. Truth was, the mechanic was being hustled, or patted down by some local Rishii gang. Pathetic, she believed, but also an unnecessary setback to her hopes of a quick getaway. She might not be in a mood to fight, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t in shape for one. However, knowing that beating or killing any member of this gang could only create more problems in the future. So, Leah decided to do the next best thing.

She placed a hand on Master Luy’s shoulder and smiled. “I got this,” she whispered under her breath before slipping past him unarmed. The trio of gangsters reared their heads into her direction, unsure whether to be surprised or amused. “Well, well— who might you be?” One man said and licked his lips. Another piped in and glanced to the fourth, slouched man. “Tolin, I thought you were done hooking up since your wife hit the gutter.” The third man interjected. “Mind if you share?”

Meanwhile, Leah choked down her vomit, disgusted by the words, and faces, of each man. Suddenly, she had the urge to leave a gaping blaster hole in every one of their heads, but she knew that was not the best course of action. The Jedi Master wanted them gone, without a trace of blood shed, and for Tolin to work his magic on Luy’s ship. And there was only one way to do it: diplomacy. Yet not by mere words, but through the strength of the Force. Already, it gathered to her, running up her fingertips, through her arms, boiling in her chest. She grinned. “Boys, come on now. Let’s not get hasty.”

“Why don’t you leave my dear friend Tolin alone? He’s done no wrong to any of you. Please, just be on your way.” She gestured aimlessly to the fourth man, clearly brushed around his temple. The work of the gang, no doubt. However, despite her request, the men looked to one another confused. “Did you not hear me the first time?” Before they could say something, she continued. “Be on your way.” Her last four words brought with it tremendous power. An invisible hand that drilled into the minds of the three men and filled them with an overwhelming desire to do just that: leave. Several moments later, one man nodded. “I will be on my way, then.” Eventually, the others followed, leaving only Leah and Luy in the company of Tolin.

Nothing like the work of a Jedi mind trick to clear things up. As for the mechanic, she doubted he would catch on. He might have known a thing or two about ships, but the lore of the Jedi and abilities of the Force was certainly beyond his grasp. The best he could guess was a concoction of luck and the older woman’s unique skill at diplomacy. Either way, what he thought didn’t matter. It was what he did.

Leah glanced to Jedi Master Luy, tiled her head out of respect and stepped back. Now, it was his turn.

@Sangga