Ask Mandalore This is the Way

[Rynn Itera]

This is the Way
Theme

The wind wailed across the glassed surface of Mandalore, creating a sorrowful shriek that emulated the death of their people centuries prior. The Mandalorian people had tried to rebuild their homeworld, several times in the past, yet nothing had ever come of it. Infighting, rigid traditionalism, and centuries of being puppets to force users had lead to their people to becoming nearly extinct. The emptiness of this planet, the blown out buildings was an embodiment of their state of affairs -- gone, destroyed, forgotten. Yet, their were still some who remembered their roots and held to the belief of what they could be. Rynn had never felt a direct tie to Mandalore as a child, his people for the longest time had been treated as outsiders and apostates by many of the tribes decades prior. It was a time when Mandalorians could cling to false ideas of greatness and bloodlines, those times had proven themselves to be fallacies. Rynn and the Cardooine covert were Mandalorians that walked the true path, the way of the Mandalore, and had found redemption through the living waters beneath the planet's surface. No one could deny this fact, not even those that clung to the history of their once great houses.

Rynn's jaw shifted beneath his helmet as he contemplated the thought with his gaze fixated upon the sea of nothingness. All of the Mandalorians from Cardooine were present beside their leader, their cloth banners flown through the air in the old traditional style. Vizla, Sharratt, Saxon, Kryze-Drast, Deshra, Bralor, and lastly the great-bat sigil of Itera flew their colors with pride. These were his people, a coalition that had come together after their exile during the clone wars. Their armors reflected their lineage, dawned in greys, blacks, reds, and dark blues. It was not uncommon to see sigils of old death watch along their armor, yet they did not claim death watch. We are reclaimers, that is our legacy.

"It's been a while, Aria." The Mandalorian shifted his weight away from the vast landscape to turn and see the woman clad in red armor. "You look well." Their was a hint of familiarity to those words as his lips pursed beneath his helmet.

tag: @Bread

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[Van'Aria Solus]

Van'Aria was ever a advocate to rebuild, to unite and to restore what was once lost, too many times had it been power hungry, selfish Mandalorians that claimed to reach heights only to guide them to a War that was not one to Win, not one to... fight, and time and time again this loop proved itself over... and over, this time was no different, did she however believe in it being a fruitful endeavor? Most certainly, until all crumbled.

When a call came in of Tribes seeking aid to settle and rebuild... a flame rekindled in her Heart, there was not a minute wasted until she departed from The Citadel to meet Rynn and his compatriots, flanked on either side by two Solus Clanmates she marched out, in tow she brought Crates of supplies carried on a Hovercraft that she escorted.

She had completely forgotton what it was to stand among peers at times, too often was the Citadel quiet and filled with less and less voices by the Day however walking the very surface of Mandalore was sacred to her and her getup alone screamed that she was not going to be easily swayed from that statement of truely thinking it was sacred.

"What brings you to Mandalore, Itera?"

She questioned Rynn, the bottom of her Vibro-Ax created a resounding ring as she slammed it down where she would stand, it was not threatening but it more than clearly denoted: She had arrived.

"And... many of you too."

She looked into the vast rows that Rynn brought with him, there was a mixture of names and sigils that made her rattle down history book after history book in her head.

"It feels as though I came unprepared to hold a Sermon."

She then slowly lifted her Helmet to look at Rynn directly, even through the Helmet he could feel the disciplined eyes of a seasoned Mandalorian practically gazing into his Soul, she was analyzing his motives, his cause, a glint of her purple Visor could be seen before she spoke once more.

"I have brought supplies to erect temporary Camps, it will not suffice for all and much will still have to be foraged, but consider it as the contribution of Clan Solus."

She gestured behind her as the Hovercraft was busily being unloaded by the two Clansmen that came with her, both of them bore similiar golden markings as Van'Aria carried, it was clear that these must be either in kahoots with her or respect her in some way.

"Are among your number any Foundlings?"

@TWD26

 

[Rynn Itera]

As Rynn stood before Van'Aria, he could feel the weight of her presence. She was a seasoned Mandalorian, and her disciplined gaze seemed to pierce through his helmet, analyzing his motives and cause. He met her eyes through his visor, feeling a sense of respect for her unwavering dedication to Mandalore, to their people, to everything they had lost. The man he had once been, seemed to have faded years prior.

"What brings all Mandalorians to these hollow grounds," Rynn explained, his voice steady and resolute. "To remember everything we have to come lost. To remember what once was, and what can soon become." He watched as Van'Aria's vibro-ax slammed down against the earth, creating a resounding ring that echoed in the air.

His feet shifted lightly as he turned back to look at his group. Her question about foundlings had caught him off guard, but he quickly composed himself and motioned a young boy forward. Clad in only a helmet and simple clothes the young warrior gave a subtle nod to the towering woman. "This is the way," Rynn stated as his hand planted against the child's shoulder.

He watched as Van'Aria's vibro-ax slammed down, creating a resounding ring that echoed in the air. Her question about the Foundlings caught him off guard for a moment, but he quickly composed himself. Rynn nodded towards the crates of supplies that Van'Aria had brought, carried on a hovercraft by two Solus Clanmates who were busily unloading them from their ship and into the general vicinity of their meeting grounds. "We do not possess the resources needed to take back this place, our children deserve to feel the warmth of light. I put out a call, it is time we build a settlement within the system. All ways of the Mandalorians brought together, speaking and determining what should come for us."

His hand reached out for her's to pull it into a firm clasp. "We wish for you and your clan to join us."

tag: @Bread

 

[Van'Aria Solus]

Curious words were spoken, didst the man forget the foothold the Solus Clan held on Mandalore? Such came as both a surprise to Van'Aria aswell as her two Clanmates, when they were done unloading the craft they flanked her both left and right, both each a head smaller than Van'Aria which was unsurprising, she boasted a terrifying height and width, Rynn however felt something in the core of their vigilance off, it felt as though they were here not to give input but to protect the Solus Rally Master.

"All Mandalorians eventually return to Mandalore, the ancient annals teach of a myriad of times our kind were divided yet... miraculously returned from the brink, you are living proof that the Mandalorian Spirit will not be denied."

Van'Aria spoke whilst reverently gesturing to the surface of their Home Planet, she had been living here ever since Nox Solus called her to action during the Crusade, and ever since his dissappearance catered to the Solus fold remaining in the Citadel.

"Tell me, Rynn. Why is it your people not join our halls in the Citadel? Surely you will see the reason in such?"

A counter offer was struck, one that gave hope to those that had arrived on Mandalore even if they were plentiful, her gaze went past him to gaze into the rows that Rynn brought with him.

"Or better yet... why not rebuild around it? Give a lone Fortress a Settlement... a Society to watch over. Whatever Clan Solus can provide, it will. Given you endeavor to tolerate and give the same back to those other Clans around you."

She said this with evident intent in her voice before returning her watchful gaze back upon the Mandalorian that stood afore her, in a welcoming gesture she turned her free palm upside down.

"For you see, your words, your ambitions, we share them. I have called for a meeting of the Clans close to Clan Solus, and I seek to unite not only them but much... much more. I will be needing people that prove themselves capable of acting as Leaders, Rynn. Are you ready to become what this Planet asks of you?"

The Question loomed there like a stormcloud, to endeavor in such a large and fruitful task is hard and arduous, his History might cloud his judgement but if his Heart is true then he will know which path to travel, one thing was for certain however, the exuding presence from the caped <"Manda Valkyr"> afore him felt... serene, she truely believed every word she said, each meticulously chosen to rouse some ember within the heart of those around her.

"A Council. Like our Forefathers afore us had. And when the time comes... we will once again be what defines us: Unconquerable."

@TWD26

 

[Rynn Itera]

"This planet has been turned to glass, hollowed and desolate. But, there is more to our people than a single planet, then this helmet," Rynn explained as he bent down, chipping a piece of glass with his leather gloves. He had seldom spoke in recent times, the days of long winded responses had long since past. Only actions reveal the truth of our intent, the Mandalorian thought to himself. His horned helm shifted upwards to look back to the towering Solus.

"Our whole system has been abandoned, traditions and history left scattered. You have your citadel, but it was never home to my people. My chaincode points to Zanbar, the isolated moon that lingers within our sector. If we are to rebuild, we will need to establish all of our planets again." The Mandalorian stood up and looked back to his people, going between them and patting their shoulders.

"We're going to need food and production," his boots shifted and the amber clad visor turned back to look towards the woman. "Our history points us to the moon, but perhaps a new tradition should be formed. Our covert, the Solus remnants, the birthplace of Reclaimers. We will aide in uniting the Mandalorian people and the rebuilding of the New Way. I will send a portion of my people to Zanbar to begin the establishment of food production, the rest will work to begin the establishment of a settlement upon this planet."

He stepped forward and offered out a clutched fist, if taken he would pull Aria into a warrior's embrace. "This is the way."

tag: @Bread

 

[Van'Aria Solus]

Food and Production, Rynn was not wrong, the Mandalorian people had little means to establish much in this desolate wasteland but nevertheless they somehow always managed.

Zanbar, Concordia, Van'Aria's sights had been set on so many points of Interest that it was hard to track her true intent, one thing was for certain however, her Goal was ever present.

"Zanbar? And you wish to go there by yourself? Very well. If it is the first step to reclaim our lost System then so it shall be. I shall endeavor to reunite it with you."

She said this as if she did not even fathom the design of a denial from Rynns side, she promised many that she would endeavor to bring the Mandalorian People together and this... this was one of many steps to do so.

"This is the Way." Her massive hand slammed into his forearm, the universal sign of respect among warriors, in tandem behind her both Solus Clanmates spoke:

<"This is the Way.">

@TWD26

 

[Rynn Itera]

The unison of voices echoed through the hollowed grounds of Mandalore, all united under one mantra. Elders and children alike called out the words of their people, "This is the Way." One covert and clan would not be enough to rebuild their people, but it was a start. A start that their people would need to rebuild into something far greater. Rynn's gloved hand held onto Aria's forearm, squeezing through the jumpsuit to feel the muscle of her forearm.

"We will go together," his words were crisp and sharp. "Once the encampment is settled, we will begin working on the supply line back to the Citadel and the new civilization that we wish to build. I will venture out to the distant systems and bring back our scattered people."

The prospects of the idea seemed to be an uphill battle, their people had long since been divided and splintered into cults and factions. Deals would need to be made and past trauma would have to be worked through together, for the betterment of them all. Rynn felt a tinge of uncertainty in himself, but he had to try. "Bring us to your citadel and allow the elders, children, and the builders to begin planning for the new city."

tag: @Bread

 

[Van'Aria Solus]

"A Journey so daunting is ill done without preperation. Come."

She gestured him along as she slowly turned back around to the Hovercraft and her people, Rynn would find himself soon to be walking at the head of a group next to Van'Aria, flanked now too... by the same clanmates that previously flanked only her, stoic Guardians they were but also frightening at times, they spoke incredibly little and the fact felt very disciplined, or perhaps... subservient, they by a longshot did not feel like the same Solus he would know from the Nox Leadership.

"The Citadel will be a long trek, if you have questions, concerns, now would be the time to voice them. If you feel your mind quiver, speak so, it is my burden to carry."

Van'Aria's words were curious, she spoke as if his burden was just as much to be carried by her as by himself, it gave a strange sense of unity to the sentence spoken, Rynn remembered her to be devoted but not this... utterly subservient to the Mandalorian cause, it bordered on Fanatical.

"Our Clans, our People, they are governed by the Sloth, seldom does one rise to even ponder the moment of unity yet these... People flee from it. We must be brave FOR them."

Deep in the distance... Rynn saw the deep and solemn destruction of the Planet named Mandalore, yet whilst in its destroyed state... it had still a strange beauty about it, it felt as if the very Planet resonated with the undying defiance of the Mandalorian people, not willing to yield to even the strict bombing of the Empire.

Among those ruins were also Mountains still despite the great Purge, efforts of rebuilding the Planet could have been seen wherever they looked but always crushed by the need to wage War instead of focusing to rebuild.

"When you speak of venturing out into the deep systems, Rynn, I hope you know the Gravity of your actions. You will be the first among many to pave the way forwards. Whilst I will come with you, it falls to me to make certain that we have a solid pillar on which we can build, here on Mandalore. For that however, I will see if I cannot encourage some of the Armorers in the Citadel to take a look over your Gear. Perhaps we can improve what must be mended."

Her Words carried a certain... motherlyness with them, she spoke of nuturing up the Planet to its peak days again.

"And whilst we stride so isolated, I must ask you a question. There will come a time when the People will cry for one to unite them once more. When that day comes. Many will step up to the task. Only one can succeed."

Her Head slowly panned over to him as she walked, her Ax creating a steady rythm of raising from the ground and impacting it again as she used it almost like a Cane to walk with.

"When that time comes. I ask only that you think of our People, not of the Power gained."

@TWD26

 

[Rynn Itera]

The Mandalorian walked with his people, like the religious spies venturing into the forgotten holy land of their people. There was a weight to this world, empty but full of trauma and history -- a history that was not directly his own. The Mandalorian's jagged horned helmet shifted to look out towards the destroyed world as Aria spoke of quivering minds. Nothing of this place gave him any feeling of dread, only purpose.

"This armor was the armor of my father and his before him." The Mandalorian turned to the towering woman, "My covert does not reject the legacy that our people had lived." Rynn spoke of the Sith and Maul at that moment. A historian or more astute Mandalorian would recognize the banners and devices which adorned the Cardooine Cover. Drast-Kryze, Drast-Vizla, Itera, all of them bore patterns of Dathomir, Leviticus, and the ancient Drast symbolsim within their gear.

Sorcery, Magic, the Sith were the history that was interwoven into their DNA, Rynn knew this. It was only due to the pitiful nature of their people as a whole that they had been brought back into the fold. "I have another set, but I do not wear it." He stated clearly towards the woman. He thought of the black as night armor with the silver metal horns that adorned the helmet. A gift from a darker age, a symbol of Imperial influence.

"My people are my only concern," he stated as he walked up the great steps of the citadel. "What is a ruler of dust and echoes? I only wish for my future children to be able to live a life I never could."

tag: @Bread

 

[Van'Aria Solus]

The Citadel​

Van'Aria listened, she did so very very intently, unlike very many Mandalorians she seeks to see every angle, every heritage no matter how tainted or jagged it may look to others, when Rynn however spoke of his history especially implying the imperial side, Maul and the likes, she felt no aversion to it, a reason she would provide in tandem almost directly.

"Why reject it? Mh. Fear perhaps. Or new beginnings. Dont give me an answer for you must not. If you have journeyed so far there is no doubt that you are not one to give up, something many aspire. Be proud of how far you have come. Cherish what comes next but never forget your actions."

She chuckled dryly at his remarks, qouting a set he no longer wears, she saw it different, history should be taken prideful and errors, lapses in judgement... regret are part of life, it shapes one, in her mind a Man never truely becomes someone else... they only continuesly become more and more who they really are.

"If you condemn your actions, dont. They happened, denying them means you do not acknowledge a lapse in judgement. An error only becomes a mistake if one refuses to correct them."

Speaking those words she ascended with him, as she did... it was soon apparent that Rynn was being watched, no infact the entire entourage was. Mandalorians were slowly gathering afore them on the sides as they passed, Veren Clansmen, Solus... many colours sigils and different outlooks that Rynn mayhaps had not seen in a long time. This was their home, and it felt as such.

"Our people are all that matters." She gestured to the people they passed as she spoke. "They are Mandalorian. We are Mandalorian. We are all the same once we don the Helmet, speak the vows... act the way we are. I love my people. Every single one of them, I will die for my people, be it by lightsaber, shot or executed."

She said this whilst patting a young Foundling on his helmet as they passed, it was curious, hearing her speak so... reverently, it was like listening to a preacher enacting the will of a God, or perhaps... someone that thought themselves sent by such.

"But enough of false pretense. Come. The Grand Hall awaits."

@TWD26