Open Tython Try to Tython

[Ruzaan Kai]

Try to Tython
Tython is an ancient world for the Jedi, one that has slowly become a retreat for those of the Order wishing to practice away from the main temple on Yavin 4. But what many do not know is that the Old Temple Ruins still stand upon the planet, though much has fallen to decay and ruin there still may be something of worth within those old corridors...

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Ruzaan took a deep breath and squeezed his eyes shut, wishing away the headache that seemed to materialize anytime he traveled in space. At least these headaches seemed to be getting less severe with experience... Ruzaan grimaced as he remembered his first spaceflight from Shili to Yavin IV. That had been a memorable trip for all the wrong reasons. Everything about spaceships was foreign and strange to him; the stale stench of recycled air, the cold feeling of durasteel underneath his bare feet, and the constant thrum of the engines bringing a weird, mechanical life to a jungle of metal and machines.

Instead of focusing on his misery, Ruzaan tried to let his thoughts wander as he sat across from two other Jedi. Tython would be the sixth planet he had been on in his life, and his research into the planet indicated that it had a special connection to the Living Force. He would be paired up with a familiar face; Atris Tharen, a Jedi Knight who Ruzaan respected deeply. They'd previously worked together on Atris' home planet of Tatooine in a failed bid to secure an old lightsaber from a Hutt, and during that mission Ruzaan had been able to personally witness Atris' compassion and competence. He was grateful for the opportunity to work with her again.

Ruzaan frowned despite himself as his thoughts settled on the other Jedi in the small passenger cabin of the transport. He didn't know Sabatha Sayall very well. She was about his age, perhaps a year older, and had a reputation amongst the Padawans as being a bit of an oddball. Sabatha was also new to the Order, having joined only a few weeks ago. Ruzaan sensed in her something of a kindred spirit in that they were both part of the "newer" crop of Padawans just beginning their journeys to becoming fully-fledged members of the order. That meant he wanted to get to know her better, but thus far their trip to Tython had been quiet. Ruzaan opened one eye and looked over at Sabatha. She was nibbling some kind of dark brown sweet.

Opening his other eye, Ruzaan leaned forward in his seat. He wasn't hungry, but he was curious- and this seemed like a low-risk way to engage her in conversation. "Sabatha, what are you eating?"

@llamallove @Charndley

 

[Sabatha Sayall]

The packet in her pocket rustled gently with the movement of the shuttle. Sabatha was mildly interested in the goings on of the shuttle. She found technology fascinating, in the same way that insects found bright lights fascinating. Something to inspire awe and not really understood.

Still though, travelling to another planet was more than enough excitement. Her first official trip as a Jedi. A training Jedi. A mini-Jedi. Whatever she was, it was all very auspicious. They were heading to Tython, which seemed rich in history and a world rich in the Force. Sabatha had skimmed through some records in the archives, looking where they'd been headed to.

"Hmm?" she replied, Ruzaan's question stirring her from her thoughts. Her eyes focused on him and she smiled gently, lowering her hand to her pocket. "Oh, I'm sorry. It's a caramel. I like them quite dark, brings out a lot of the flavour," she explained softly, pulling the packet out. It was a silver-y square of foil that she uncurled, revealing a collection of dark brown slabs that just gleamed with concentrated sugar.

"They're not quite like we used to get at home, but they're still rather good. Would you like one?" she offered politely, leaning across the shuttle. Ruzaan was the other padawan with her and he seemed quite nice. A little younger than her, perhaps, but more experienced with the Jedi. The other person with her was Atris, a Knight from the Order. She knew very little of her, but she seemed just as pleasant as everyone else. Even if she could probably do things that Sabatha could only imagine.

"Knight Tharen? What about you?" Sabatha asked, turning towards her and offering up her packet of sweets. "There's no need to be shy, but I won't be offended if you'd rather not. They are very sugary."

@llamallove @SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Atris Tharen]

To the Jedi Order, the Deep Core planet of Tython had become synonymous with the word escape. After the Sith's attack on Ajan Kloss, the Jedi Temple had been overrun. Many Jedi considered Ajan Kloss to be their home, but there was no hope of returning to the Outer Rim planet now. Not until that day when hopefully, if the Force was with them, the Jedi would rally and reclaim the jungle moon planet from the Sith.

Many valiant Jedi had fallen and become one with the Force on that dark and fateful day on Ajan Kloss, and their legacies carried on. They were gone but not forgotten, not so long as the Jedi Order continued to live, and it did continue to live and grow on Yavin 4. The Jedi Order was as eternal and undying as the Sith Order, and the light would always rise to meet the darkness, regardless of the outcome.

Yavin 4, much like Ajan Kloss, was a jungle moon planet located in the Outer Rim, and this made the adjustment easier for the Order. Time and meditation were, fortunately, great healers, and the Order had begun to move on. From its tropical weather to its valleys, Yavin 4 was a lovely planet, and the Jedi were fortunate to be located on a planet dense enough to conceal their temple.

As perfect a relocation for the Jedi as Yavin 4 might have been, sometimes you needed to get away from it all, to escape the jungles and the Jedi. Tython had become that escape. A grassy, mountainous planet with wide open spaces, it was the perfect hide away for Jedi to train and meditate in solitude.

Atris had visited the planet two or three times in the past, and she was looking forward to returning. The Deep Core world was quiet. It was undoubtedly rich in history and rich in the force, something you could feel the moment you stepped foot on it.

This time around, she was returning to Tython with two Jedi Padawans. Ruzaan Kai, a Togruta boy Atris already knew from a mission to Tatooine, and Sabatha Sayall, a girl with dirty blonde hair she had not met until today. The Jedi Knight was pleased to see Ruzaan again and looked forward to spending more time with him while getting to know Sabatha better.

The sound of her name caught Atris' attention, pulling her gaze from the window that looked out into space to the teenage girl seated next to her. Sabatha held out a package of dark brown slabs, offering her one of the sugary sweets.

"I never turn down chocolate," the Jedi Knight smiled softly in reply, taking a piece. "Thank you."

@SlagathorTheUnknown @Charndley

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

"Caramel?" Ruzaan had never heard of it. "Thank you for sharing" he said, accepting one of the small squares and popping it into his mouth. "It's sticky!" he exclaimed in surprise, his words somewhat muffled by the caramel that seemed to fill every tiny crevice between his teeth... and stick there. For the next minute his tongue worked to clean his teeth. "Sticky, but delicious!"

His caramel finally eaten, Ruzaan turned his thoughts back to the mission. The briefing they'd been given hadn't included much information; this was meant to be an exploration, so Ruzaan was prepared for a couple days' searching amongst the ruins of the old Jedi temple. He'd brought his double-bladed lightsaber, his Jedi Wanderer robes, a short-range comlink, food and water for three days, and a bedroll.

As the shuttle began its descent towards the planet, another question occurred to Ruzaan. "So, Sabatha, what made you decide to join the Jedi Order?"

@llamallove @Charndley

 

[Sabatha Sayall]

Sabatha smiled at both of them as they took a piece each. "You're more than welcome," she said to Atris, taking one last square for herself before folding the wrapping back up. One more treat to get her through the day, then there'd be more after they finished the task. She slipped the package into her own bag. Compared to the others, she was travelling light. Just a couple of lightsticks, some provisions and a bedroll. Oh, and a change of clothes too, just in case.

"Me? Oh, well... there's no other real place to go if you can feel the Force and want to know more. I'll feel better once I know how to use it properly, if only for the gardens." Sabatha had little intention of using the Force in combat, except in self-defence. If she could use it for other things, though... that would be lovely.

"I'm afraid it's not that interesting a story. How about yourself, Ruzaan? I can imagine you have some very interesting reasons." She looked over at Atris too as the shuttle headed towards land, seeing some flashes of Tython through the viewports.

"I've never been to Tython. Is it quite special? I've heard quite a few of the other padawans talking about it around the temple. They're all rather fond of it, but I couldn't say why." She hadn't really asked them. A lot of the other padawans seemed to think she was a little... well, weird.

@llamallove @SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Atris Tharen]

Atris watched Ruzaan attempt, with some difficulty, to chew the chocolate sweet Sabatha had been kind enough to share. Her eyes sparkled with mirth she did not allow to cross her lips as he spoke with his mouth full of "sticky" caramel. Ruzaan had the unfortunate tendency to doubt himself, and the Jedi Knight did not want to fuel that by giving him the impression that she was laughing at him.

At Ruzaan's question, she turned her attention once more to Sabatha seated beside her. Atris had never seen the teenager around the temple before, but she supposed that was not unusual. Atris did not spend much time on Yavin 4.

Apart from the girl's dirty blonde hair, the Jedi Knight found her pale silver eyes to be her most striking feature. They were an unusual color, and yet somehow they fit Sabatha Syall. Her presence in the Force was tranquil and calming, reaffirming in Atris' mind the desire to become better acquainted.

"You're interested in Plant Surge?" she asked Sabatha, raising an eyebrow.

The Jedi Knight was impressed. She had not met many Jedi whose interests were drawn chiefly toward herbology. Perhaps most surprising of all was to find this desire in a Padawan so young. Many Padawans wanted to join the Order for the adventure or to be able to travel the galaxy. Over time their motives would shift to something more noble. Not that there was anything wrong with wanting adventure or wanting to travel. Atris herself had wanted to escape her life on Tatooine.

Her dark brown eyes studied Ruzaan from across the shuttle, wondering exactly what had motived him to join the Jedi Order. Even though she had only recently met him, she was extremely fond of the Togruta. He was clever, intuitive, and most importantly, he had a heart of gold. Occasionally he was awkward, and that only made him all the more endearing to Atris. If appearances were any indicator, however, he had attained more confidence since their last meeting. Curious, she awaited his answer to Sabatha's question.

"It is special," Atris said in response to Sabatha. "Tython has a strong connection to the Force. Perhaps a stronger connection than any planet I've ever visited. It is a quiet planet, calm and peaceful. Perfect for training and mediation. It's a good place to escape to when you need to calm your mind and center yourself."

The three Jedi passengers could feel the transport shuttle touch down, followed by the boarding ramp beginning to lower with a familiar hiss. They had arrived, and Tython awaited.

@SlagathorTheUnknown @Charndley

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

Ruzaan didn't have much time to ponder Sabatha's response before she turned the question back on him, fixing him with her silvery eyes. Ruzaan had to resist the urge to stare back; he loved listening to people talk about their experiences and what made them tick, and Sabatha fascinated him. She was single-handedly reforming his idea of what it meant to be a Jedi by being her authentic self. She didn't even carry a lightsaber as far as he could tell, but she did carry herself with all the confidence that came with being comfortable in your own self; a far more useful tool in most situations.

Ruzaan realized with a start that he was staring. Hurriedly, he broke eye contact and tried to gather his thoughts concerning the question. "It was an accident, actually" he said, chuckling softly to himself at the memory. "The overwhelming majority of Togruta Force users are female, so they don't even test males unless they clearly demonstrate Force powers." His grin faded as he thought back to his tribe and his home planet. He'd struggled with homesickness since joining the Order; it was getting better with time, but some days were still challenging.

Before he could finish his story, the ship touched down with a bump. Saved by the landing. "Guess my story will have to wait for another time, too" he said. He looked over at Atris and resolved to ask her the same question when he had more time to do so; he held great respect for the Jedi Knight and yearned to know how her experiences helped forge her into the admirable woman she was today.

The ramp opened with a soft hiss, revealing the waiting forests of Tython. Fresh air flooded into the cabin, and Ruzaan breathed in deeply. Here, even moreso than on Yavin IV, the forests were alive. No, the entire planet was alive, humming the song of the Living Force. It felt raw and powerful, simultaneously exhilarating and overwhelming. Every nerve in his body tingled with excitement tinged with trepidation; he recognized the Light, pulsating in rhythm with the whisper of the winds in the trees and the babble of the brooks, but along with it came a new sensation; the intoxicating ebb and flow of the Dark, coiling amongst the shadows and unexplored caverns deep below the surface. "Can you feel that?" he said in awe, his voice barely a whisper.

@llamallove @Charndley

 

[Sabatha Sayall]

Both Jedi were very interesting to talk to, though Sabatha thought that most people tended to be quite interesting. Atris seemed very 'together' and well-considered, as well as polite. Ruzaan was full of curiosity and excitement, which Sabatha could appreciate.

"I am. I'm very good with plants, which they say is partly due to the Force. Though I am very green-fingered anyway." She listened to Atris's explanation about Tython, her mind running in overdrive to imagine everything about such a planet. What did a planet with a stronger connection to the Force look like? Normal, or floating islands and vast vistas?

As the ramp opened and Sabatha took her first steps towards the outside, she saw what that really meant. Tython looked... rather normal. Quite pretty and scenic, even from where they'd landed. A perfectly lovely world that would be very nice to plant on, judging by the ground. Sab smiled as she breathed in, some of the freshest air she'd ever known.

"Well, it's certainly refreshing," she commented softly, vaguely aware of something all in the atmosphere around her. A mix of feelings and sensations, from energetic fizzes of soft, warm energy to something else, something far more cloying and cold just at the edge of her periphery, giving her a little shiver.

"There's quite a lot going on here."

@llamallove @SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Atris Tharen]

"If I ever adopt a plant, I hope you don't mind my coming to you for some tips? I'll probably need all of the help I can get," the Jedi Knight replied to Sabatha with a chuckle, acknowledging the Padawan's natural aptitude for herbology with the light-hearted joke.

Having grown up on a planet with only one percent surface water, Atris had practically no experience when it came to the growth or study of plants. She had been stationed amidst the farming communities of Lothal for a period of time, and the knowledge she did possess she could credit to them.

It would be interesting to see how Sabatha expanded upon this talent through the Force as her training and knowledge would grow throughout the years. In a galaxy so vast, the possibilities that laid ahead of the blonde teenager were endless.

Atris had met many Togruta in the years that comprised her life, but she knew very little about their culture and customs, and since she had never visited Shili, her ignorance also extended to their home planet. If she understood correctly, the fact that Ruzaan was male and force sensitive made him a bit of a rarity among his own people. Atris was curious to learn more about this, but elaboration would have to wait. Ruzaan cut his story short as soon as they had landed.

His smile had faded at one point or another, and his presence in the Force shifted. By all appearances, Ruzaan did not want to talk about his past. Did the Togruta teenager miss his home planet of Shili and the friends and family he might have left behind or did his past hold unwelcome memories that he wished to forget? Or was it something much simpler, like the fact that he did not enjoy space travel and it made him sick to his stomach?

Atris had no idea, she only had concern. Rising from her seat, however, she did not voice her concerns and kept her questions to herself. She would not push him. He was eager to leave the transport and to explore Tython.

Scooping up a well worn backpack, the Jedi Knight slipped her arms through the straps and placed the bag on her back. Per usual, her lightsabers hung from the belt around her waist. She followed Sabatha down the boarding ramp of the transport ship, smiling to herself as a gentle breeze tugged at loose strands of her dark hair and she thought back to her previous visits to the tranquil planet. It was quiet, with only the sounds of nature and the pull of the Force to interrupt your thoughts.

Ruzaan and Sabatha could feel the Force's presence as soon as they stepped out of the ship, both of them voicing their observations. She remembered fondly the first time her master had brought her to Tython. The sensation the planet had produced within her had been overwhelming at first, but now she welcomed the pull without hesitation, even if she still found it overwhelming at times.

The two young Padawans had been sent here to explore the old ruins and learn more about the Jedi's history, but that was not all they would learn. Before this adventure was over, they would experience a deeper connection with the force and a deeper connection with themselves.

"I hope you two enjoy walking?" Atris asked, flashing both Sabatha and Ruzaan a smile.

@SlagathorTheUnknown @Charndley

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

"I hope you two enjoy walking?" Atris' words shunted Ruzaan back to their mission on Tatooine, where the Knight had jokingly suggested walking across the Dune Sea. On Tython, however, Ruzaan was grateful for the opportunity to walk to their destination. He was grateful for the feeling of dirt and grass beneath his feet after being cooped up on a spaceship for the past several hours, and for the opportunity to spend more quality time with Atris and Sabatha. He had a deep appreciation for the former and a growing respect for the latter.

Ruzaan walked in silence for a few minutes before his senses fully adjusted to the environment of Tython. The sun was a little past its zenith in the sky, meaning the Jedi had about 6 hours until sundown- more than enough time to reach the temple ruins, and maybe even explore a little before dark. The weather here was peaceful, with the wind playing softly through the treetops. In the distance, a vast mountain range drew focus to the wooly clouds that sailed slowly through the azure sky. Wildlife bustled in the forest around them, but did not disturb the Jedi as they traced the steps of their ancestors en route to the ancient temple.

Despite the serenity of his surroundings, Ruzaan felt tense. He kept seeing movement out of the corners of his eyes- shadows ducking behind trees, or humanoid-like visages that dispersed as soon as his gaze settled on them- but his montrals weren't picking anything up; he had always enjoyed an finely-tuned sense of spatial awareness, but nothing was registering on his senses except a growing unease that tingled from the base of his neck all the way down his spine.

Noticing that he'd fallen behind Atris and Sabatha a little bit, Ruzaan hurried to catch up. Neither Atris nor Sabatha were reacting, so perhaps his eyes were playing tricks on him? That had to be the case.

@llamallove @Charndley

 

[Sabatha Sayall]

"I'm quite fine with walking, thank you," Sabatha replied straight away. If there was any teasing or mirth in Atris's words, they sailed straight on past Sabatha. "Especially on a pleasant day like this. It makes a change from the clammy jungles of Yavin." Though there was plenty of plant-life on there, Sabatha often found herself yearning for more temperate climes.

She followed along the same path as the both of them, walking lightly across the ground. Eyes scanning around as the wildlife rustled and the breeze brushed past them, turning the planet into a symphony of movement and animal calls. Vaguely, she felt out with the Force, but it seemed to just be altogether very pleasant.

It was a little while before Sabatha noticed that Ruzaan was somewhat behind them. She looked over her shoulder with a little concern, pausing in her stride to look back at him. "Are you alright there, Ruzaan?" she called out to him, waving a little to attract his attention. "Is something wrong?"

Whatever he said, Sabatha continued on through the plant life, briefly wondering if she should take a few cuttings for her own plant pots. "I should just be a minute," she said, kneeling down to take a sample from a very peculiar looking pink frond. Just a little pluck at one side and she slipped the cutting into a special pad she had in her satchel bag. Perfect. I can see what we can make from this... she thought to herself as she looked up from the plant and noticed something.

"Is that the temple?" she thought aloud, staring towards the long-forgotten ruin just a little ways off. It looked like time had given it quite the beating. Crumbling walls and a superstructure that seemed like it was one bad breeze away from tumbling into nothingness.

"I'm not really sure it's that safe."

@llamallove @SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Atris Tharen]

It would be several hours until the sun would disappear beyond the horizon and darkness would fall on the Deep Core world, so the trio took their time. Their strides were short, their posture relaxed as they moved toward the ancient ruins. There was no real rush, and it was just as important for the three Jedi to become comfortable with the Force around them as it was for them to explore ruins.

Atris had to wonder at the Jedi Council for sending her to Tython with two Padawans. She understood that Padawans were not allowed to travel without the presence of their Master or a Jedi Knight, but she did not understand why she specifically had been chosen for this assignment. Surely there was someone with more experience in this area available? Sabatha's Master, for instance?

The mission to Tatooine with Ruzaan had been her first foray into this particular realm. Over the course of her time with the Order, Atris had naturally carried out other assignments and worked alongside Padawans, but she had never been directly responsible for one until Tatooine. The new and unfamiliar responsibility had been daunting at first, but she hoped she had adapted quickly.

Atris would be the first to admit that she had made some calls on Tatooine that she regretted, but Ruzaan had made it out alive. That counted for something. This assignment felt much less daunting, due in part to their surroundings and to more experience. Perhaps that was the reason she had been given this assignment: to get Atris out of her comfort zone. It wouldn't be out of character for the Council to give a Jedi the push they needed.

Not that Atris was complaining. As the Jedi Knight looked from Sabatha, bright-eyed and animated, to Ruzaan, trusting and eager, she knew there was nowhere else in the galaxy she would rather be. Smiling to herself, she pressed forward, basking in the gentle breeze and sunlight the fair day offered.

As the ancient ruins began to come into view, Sabatha called attention to Ruzaan, who had fallen behind. Stopping in her tracks, Atris turned to Ruzaan and awaited his answer as Sabatha bent down to collect a plant sample. Something was troubling the Togruta boy.

"Yes, that's the temple," Atris answered shortly after that, chuckling at Sabatha's comment. The blonde teenager was not wrong. The long abandoned temple perfectly matched the definitions of ruins and dilapidated. "Although Tython is not the location of the first Jedi Temple, the Jedi are believed to have originated from here."

Moving forward, Atris cast an impish smile over her shoulder.. "Mind your step."

@SlagathorTheUnknown @Charndley

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

"Are you all right, Ruzaan? Is there something wrong?" Sabatha's voice cut through Ruzaan's worries as he caught up to her and Atris. His fellow Padawan seemed right at home on Tython, and rummaged through her pack for a means to take a sample of some local plant. Sabatha was seemingly comfortable here, so why wasn't he?

Briefly, Ruzaan weighed whether or not whether or not to voice his concerns. He could cry Akul now, but he had no hard evidence; only suspicions that he couldn't explain. The weight of Atris' gaze on him only confirmed that, as her concern seemed to be projected towards him- not out towards their surroundings. And hadn't she said that she'd been to Tython before? Certainly, she would've warned them if these woods were hostile.

Discretion won the day. "Um, it's nothing" said Ruzaan, trying to wave away their concerns. "Just my mind playing tricks on me." Atris looked like she wanted to question him further, but Ruzaan was saved from further explanation- for now- when Sabatha piped up and pointed out the temple that came into view ahead of them.

Ruzaan half-listened as Atris gave a brief history of the temple, instead choosing to look over the decrepit remains of what had once been the home of the Jedi Order. If one had expected a grand shrine to the Jedi of millenia past, they would be sorely disappointed. Nature had long since begun to reclaim the space, carpeting large swaths of the remaining walls with vines and pushing up shoots between whatever cracks it could find- and there were many. Deteriorating staircases lead to hallways missing large chunks of their stone floors, and of the entrance only the foundations could be seen; Ruzaan was sure there was a metaphor there, but he was too busy scanning the ruins for more shadows. Seeing none, he carefully followed Atris as the Jedi Knight made her way into the ruins of the former temple.


@Charndley @llamallove

 

[Sabatha Sayall]

With Ruzaan saying nothing was wrong, Sabatha felt a little relieved. Something was clearly troubling him though, which she kept in her mind. Maybe it was just the environment, or something playing on his mind from outside the mission. It wouldn't be fair to pry right now. Besides, they were there for the temple and Sabatha was fully intending to do this properly.

"I imagine it was a lot more impressive in it's day. I would hope so." The Temple had a certain gaudy, decaying grandeur to it that couldn't be denied... but there wasn't very much else to it. She'd already noted certain differences in construction material to the Temple on Yavin, but that could've easily been due to age.

Sabatha followed Atris into the ruins, looking around to see if she could find anything of interest. Most of the walls were either crumbling wrecks or tangled in vines. Even the vines didn't seem to be all that interesting. A couple of the them tangled and coiled around ancient stonework, a few flower buds there. That seemed interesting at least. Paying little attention to the others, Sabatha stepped close and leaned it, reaching for the bud for a little sample...

As soon as she put her weight on the stone, she knew it was a bad idea. She had just enough time to look down and see the floor give way, crumbling instantly into darkness. Sabatha let out a sharp gasp as she fell down into the hole, smacking forcefully onto the floor below. There was nothing but the light from the hole above, piercing through the intense darkness. Nothing but her breathing, the scent of old, ancient mildew and the throbbing pain in her back.

"Uhm... Knight Tharen? I think I've fallen," she shouted out, her own voice echoing off the shadowed walls.

@llamallove @SlagathorTheUnknown

OOC: Sorry about the wait guys, took an extended break. :)

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

Ruzaan's attention was drawn to the remains of the crumbling split staircase that swooped towards the outside edges of the atrium before joining together at the top. The right side was missing a large portion of the staircase, with only the bottom and top sections defying the ruin that had befallen the rest of it. The left side was in better shape, with a continuous run of stairs from floor to floor; however, about 2/3rds of the way up a chunk was missing as if a giant bite had been taken out of it.

Ruzaan was seriously considering ascending the left-side staircase when the floor rumbled and Sabatha disappeared with a sharp gasp into a sinkhole. "Sabatha!" Ruzaan yelled, dropping into a crouch and carefully approaching the edge of the hole on his stomach. He'd studied the floor plans of the ancient temple, but didn't remember any underground passages being here. Concern for his fellow Padawan flooded through him. "Are you ok?"

@llamallove @Charndley

 

[Atris Tharen]

Although he made an effort to deny it, clearly something was bothering Ruzaan. The young teenager did not wish to discuss whatever it was. Atris was curious and concerned, but she would not dare press him for answers. Perhaps the conversation on the ship had troubled his mind, reminded him of his home planet Shili and brought unwelcomed thoughts or emotions in the process. Something of that nature was personal, and Ruzaan was a strong boy.

The three Jedi entered the dilapidated ruins, once the proud home and the glory of the Jedi many centuries past. Now it sat empty, abandoned and falling to pieces with each passing day. It was sad in a way, reminding Atris of the reality of time ever passing. The passage of time would not and could not be stopped. The galaxy was changing daily, and like this temple, things of old were left to rot in abandonment.

Whether they liked it or not, time would pass each of them by eventually. One day, they would each draw their last breath and be left behind by time. It was not a question of if time would pass them by, it was a matter of when. The question that lingered was this: when time inevitably did pass them by, would they be remembered by the ones that they left behind? Would the galaxy remember their names, remember their deeds? Would their deeds even warrant remembrance? Would they leave loved ones behind, and would those loved ones miss them? Or would they be forgotten, lost to history as time marched on without them, just as the Jedi who once walked the hallways of this once great temple?

Atris frowned, sliding her hand around a cracked, dusty column as she came to a stop. Leaning against the column, she stared ahead to a spot on the floor overgrown with weeds and moss, and time fell away. She was twenty years old, mourning the death of her sister and nearing Knighthood. Against her wishes, her Master had insisted that she accompany him to Tython.

~~~~~~​

"Why are we here again?" she asked her Master, her voice taking an even shorter tone than she had intended.

Master Jesslin Trimatt merely smiled, his white eyes twinkling with patience as they always did, his words slow and precise as they always were. "To clear your mind."

"My mind is clear."

"You cannot hope to become a Jedi Knight if your focus is blinded as it is now," the Master continued on, as if he hadn't even heard her.

"Am I not allowed to mourn the loss of my sister?" Atris accused.

"You and I both know that is not what I speak of. The Jedi of old might have forbidden attachments of any nature, but that has not been our practice for many years. You do not require our fundamental teachings again so close to Knighthood, do you?" he asked her as his white eyes danced with mirth.

"No, Master," Atris answered, ashamed of the tone she had taken with the man she respected so highly.

"I thought not. Then I would ask that you sit." With his tan, wrinkled hand he gestured to a spot on the old stone floor of the abandoned temple, and Atris did as she was told, crossing her ankles.

"You need to learn fundamentals of a different nature. Fundamentals, if you will allow my oratory, of the mind and of the heart." Jesslin Trimatt pressed his hands together behind his back. "Now close your eyes."

Atris closed her eyes and awaited her next instructions, but slowly his voice faded and was replaced by another voice. A voice she didn't recognize at first.

"Knight Tharen?"

~~~~~~
​

"...I think I've fallen."

Atris snapped to attention and toward the sound of Sabatha's voice. Behind her, there was a hole in the floor where stone and earth had crumpled away and collapsed. Her heart skipped a beat. Ruzaan was already bent over the hole, calling down to his fellow Padawan and asking her if she was alright. Doing what Atris should have already been doing.

The Jedi Knight rushed over to the hole, jumping down without a second thought and using the force to ease her landing. Now next to Sabatha, Atris' dark eyes raked over the young Padawan for any injuries. "Are you alright? Do you have any pain anywhere?" she asked, every word laced with worry.

@SlagathorTheUnknown @Charndley

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

Stretched out on his stomach near the edge of the hole Sabatha had... discovered... Ruzaan peered down into the darkness. He couldn't make out the bottom very well in the evening light, but at least he could see his fellow padawan. She was struggling to stand about twenty feet below, having tumbled into some subterranean tunnel. Ruzaan began searching for some means of safely helping Sabatha out of the hole- not fully trusting his fledgling telekinesis abilities- when Atris arrived and gracefully launched herself over the edge and down into the pit, landing easily next to Sabatha.

It was no secret that Ruzaan held Atris in high regard, and the knot of worry in his stomach unraveled in conjunction with the arrival of the Jedi Knight. She'd seen him safely though an intense ordeal on Tatooine, and he had faith that she would make wise decisions concerning Sabatha's health as well; so when Atris called up and requested that Ruzaan summon the ship to the temple so that Sabatha could rest an injured ankle, he did so without hesitation.

Some 20 minutes later the two of them helped Sabatha limp up the ramp and into the waiting care of a medical droid, leaving Ruzaan and Atris alone to continue exploring the temple. Ruzaan couldn't tell who was more disappointed- Sabatha, or Atris. The Jedi Knight had a good sabacc face, but Ruzaan had spent enough time around her to recognize her expression. It was the same one she'd had as she'd wiped blood off of him on Tatooine; regret mixed with disappointment in herself.

"Don't beat yourself up" he said, fixing Atris with his serious grey eyes and giving her the same pep talk he'd just silently given himself- hopefully to better effect. "You couldn't have prevented it and there's nothing you can do about it now, so there's no sense in dwelling on it."

@llamallove

 

[Atris Tharen]

Sabatha wasn't badly hurt—thank goodness— but she would not be able to continue exploring the abandoned temple until her ankle had healed. Atris had done all she could to ease the pain for the young Padawan, but time would be her best healer. Time and plenty of rest.

Ruzaan was a quick-witted teenager, always eager to help at a moment's notice, so when Atris called up to him and requested that he fetch the transport ship he did exactly that. Once Sabatha was safely and comfortably tucked away on a makeshift bed inside the transport with the pilot and a medical droid tending to her every need, the two Jedi returned to the abandoned temple.

They stood above the hole Sabatha had fallen through, peering down at the lower floor that the blonde Padawan had inadvertently discovered. The sound of Ruzaan's voice pulled Atris from her thoughts, and she smiled gently at the young Padawan's words.

Ruzaan was young, but he was perceptive and intuitive far beyond his years. He had a heart open to the hearts of those around him, and a sensitivity in the Force that allowed him to understand those hearts more easily than most.

"Thank you, Ruzaan," Atris replied in a muted voice, her brown eyes softening as she stared at him. He truly was one of the kindest people she'd ever met, so quick to forgive and forget. "But it was my responsibility to look after the two of you. I can't just brush that aside."

If the Jedi Knight had not been caught up in her own daydreams, reminiscing about the past, Sabatha wouldn't have gotten hurt. She sighed quietly to herself and redirected her gaze to the floor. "Well, we're here to explore the temple. We might as well get to it."

Atris jumped into the hole again, breaking her fall with the force. "Mind your step," she called up to Ruzaan, watching him to ensure he landed safely.

@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

Ruzaan would've pushed his point further, but Atris seemed eager to put her mind off of Sabatha's injury by exploring the temple further. The Jedi Knight jumped over the edge and landed softly at the bottom of the hole, then beckoned him to do the same. With all the patience of a parent coaxing their child to jump into the pool (and their waiting arms), Atris watched carefully as Ruzaan gathered his wits at the edge of the hole. Just as he was about to slowly climb down, movement registered out of the corner of his eye- another shade, or so it appeared.

Spooked, Ruzaan half jumped, half fell into the hole and would've belly-flopped onto the hard ground if it wasn't for Atris catching him with the Force. "Thanks" Ruzaan breathed, his eyes wide and his attention focused on the edge of the hole despite his ungraceful fall. He pulled Atris a few feet further into the tunnel, continually checking to ensure the shade hadn't followed them- although in the darkness down in the tunnel it was impossible to be certain. "I, uh... I don't think we're alone here..."

In a hushed tone, he quickly explained the strange shadows he had been seeing since landing on Tython- shadows that danced at the edges of his vision and disappeared any time he tried to get a good look at them. "I didn't say anything earlier because I thought it was my mind playing tricks on me" he admitted. "But they keep showing up. What do you think they are, and why are they here?"

@llamallove

 

[Atris Tharen]

Atris considered Ruzaan's explanation, pondering what these mysterious shadows that had followed them from the light carrier to the abandoned temple could be. Who were they? Or what were they? Perhaps most of all, she wondered how she could not have noticed them. If they had been following the Jedi this whole time, why hadn't she seen them? Why hadn't she sensed their presence in the Force?

Were these shadows the overactive imagination of a frightened teenager?

No.

She dismissed that possibility right away. Atris trusted Ruzaan with her life. His sensitivity in the Force and his judgment—although occasionally too eager—far surpassed his years. If the Togrutan said that he saw shadows following them, there were shadows following them.

The more likely alternative placed the blame at her own feet. Atris had been in her own head, wrapped up with her own thoughts and stuck on the past. Self-involvement had blinded her to her surroundings, and a Padawan had picked up on a danger that she had missed.

First Sabatha, and now this.

What's wrong with me today?

Not again. Ruzaan wasn't going to be the next to pay for her mistakes.

"I don't know what they are," the Knight answered honestly, never afraid to admit her own ignorance on a subject. "This planet has such a long history with the Force, and we know so little about it really... The Jedi weren't the only Forcue users to visit this planet. Those shadows could be any number of things. They could be Force specters or.... something else entirely."

It wasn't much of an answer, but it was the only answer the Jedi Knight could provide the Padawan with for the time being.

Atris took a deep, pained breath and ignited her lightsaber, the blade casting the hallway ahead of them in an eerie yellow glow. Only time would tell if these shadows harbored ill intent for the two Jedi or were merely observing their movements. "What I do know is that we need to watch our backs."

She offered Ruzaan a small smile, hoping to reassure both of them. "Stay close to me."

With that, the Jedi walked deeper into the ruins and whatever awaited them within.

@SlagathorTheUnknown