Ask Unseen Horizons

[Caeli Veridia]

Caeli sat in contemplation aboard the ship, her eyes watching the stars streak by in hyperspace. She was headed for Ord Mantell, a destination sparking within her a mixed sense of exhilaration and apprehension.

As her ship began to drop from hyperspace, she caught a first glimpse of the planet, its russet and teal hues painting an unexpectedly serene picture amidst the wild frontier of the galaxy. Ord Mantell, known more for its criminal underworld and lawless territories, belied its seemingly calm appearance, and Caeli knew this.

Her heart pounded in her chest, not in fear but anticipation. She was on a mission, one that required subtlety, wisdom, and perhaps, courage. Being a Jedi Padawan, she found herself always teetering on the edge of the unknown, embracing a life of constant learning and self-growth.

Her mind wandered to her master, the distant echo of his teachings reverberating in her thoughts. She held onto those lessons now, grounding herself in the Force. Her grip tightened slightly on her lightsaber, its familiar weight a comforting presence at her side.

Despite the foreboding reputation of the planet, she felt a certain determination, an unwavering resolve to bring about peace, a sentiment that she knew defined her as a Jedi. Her gaze hardened, her focus shifting inward as the ship descended onto the chaotic world of Ord Mantell.

@Stump

OCC: this thread is happening before the Crisis on Verona Event.

 

[Davin Tillisk]

How many months has it been. Davin stretched in his bunk, his spinal cord cracking with the motion. The room was dim, barren grey walls were in disrepair with crevices in the plascrete stretching across them. The ceiling wasn't much better with water-stained and moldy corners. Despite the growing irritation of his situation, he couldn't help but be amused. This was the best accommodation he's had in years. Davin ended up in Worlport, the capital of Ord Mantell, He was on a pilgrimage to Korriban and ended up working as hired muscle for a smaller shipping company with ties to a syndicate who oversaw a few back alley casinos. He patrolled the berths, warehouse, and on occasion farmed out to one of the casinos on busier nights. His payout was the next freighter to the outer rim with a bonus of free room and board. The continued promise that he would be on the next freighter wore on his already thin patience.

Davin sat up and slipped on his boots. As he laced his boots, the Sith mentally prepared for the day. His cover story was that he was a Jedi. It was shaky at best but no one dared to confront him on it. It did allow him to openly carry his silver-plated lightsaber and that seemed to be deterrent enough to keep everyone in check. Davin sat there for a moment longer staring at the floor then stood up and put on his long-sleeved shirt and utility belt. He grabbed his lightsaber off of the desk and placed it on the left side of his belt. His robe was folded over the back rest of a chair, the only other piece of furniture in the room, Davin considered it for a moment but decided against wearing it. It was supposed to be a warm day and he had no desire to sweat the day away. The last item on the desk was his former master's skull. He brushed his hand across the brow and then slipped it into a deep trouser pocket.

The warrior stepped out of the murky confines of his room and was basked in sunlight. His eyes flinched as the pupils adjusted to the sudden change and he raised his hand to block the rays as he looked up to the sky. It was going to be another hot day. Davin made his way towards the main office, he was in no real hurry to ask the branch manager for an update, but it had become a daily routine. As he made his way, Davin rolled the long sleeves of his black shirt up. He glanced at his slave tattoo, a broken eye and a constant reminder of where he came from, before taking his gaze to the company berths. A transport offloaded crates and heavily armed mercenaries. Perhaps syndicate soldiers. It was the third ship this week. Something big was about to happen and Davin was genuinely curious to see it play out.

Davin strolled into the office, the headquarters of the company was based in a refurbished warehouse. Most of the space was retained for goods, but a section was refurbished into office space and facilities for the dock hands. Instead of going to his boss' office, Davin made his way to the mess hall for his daily ration of barely edible slop. As he ate, his manager sat across from Davin. A Trandoshan by the name of Bisk. The Sith considered him for a moment and then returned to his meal.

"You didn't come to see me like usual, Jedi, I was worried you had fallen ill." The Trandoshan appeared to be smug. "I'm delighted to say that you'll be on the next freighter out of here in about a week. It's heading to Dathomir. I'm sure you'll be pleased by this."

"I've heard that line a few times now," Despite the hoarse whisper of his damaged vocal cords, the irritation was evident. "What's with all the soldiers, anyways?"

"Don't ask questions that don't pertain to you, boy," Bisk sneered and left Davin alone at the table.

@Marianne

 

[Caeli Veridia]

As Caeli stepped off her ship onto the bustling docks of Worlport, she immediately felt the city's chaotic energy. As a Jedi Padawan, she could perceive the emotional undercurrents in the Force. The dock was filled with a multitude of emotions from its inhabitants - ranging from fear and anticipation to greed and ambition. Just as she had been told, Ord Mantell was lawless and unpredictable.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a tall figure with a silver-plated lightsaber. His energy was strange, not completely alien but intriguingly different. He seemed to be a Jedi, but something didn't align with that impression.

Despite her doubts, she approached him. Her steps were careful, and her mind brimmed with contingency plans. She had been taught the power of diplomacy over aggression. She hoped this man would prove open to conversation.

Reaching out with the Force, she sent a peaceful greeting before speaking aloud. "Hello, fellow Jedi. I'm Caeli Veridia. I recently arrived from Coruscant, on a mission of peace."

She kept eye contact, gauging for any deceit or danger. There was a dissonance around him, an unsettling shadow that made her both curious and wary. Although he claimed to be a Jedi, there was a hollow ring to this claim, despite the authenticity of his lightsaber. How had he come to be on Ord Mantell, she wondered?

As she took in the surroundings, she also overheard the Trandoshan's words about Dathomir. This new piece of information added a fresh complexity to the situation. Carefully, she tried to connect the dots, to make sense of the situation.

@Stump

 

[Davin Tillisk]

"Hello, fellow Jedi. I'm Caeli Veridia. I recently arrived from Coruscant, on a mission of peace."

Panic set in at the bottom of Davin's stomach. There was no expectation of another force user, let alone a real Jedi, in such a seedy part of the capital. Complacency set in and Davin made the fatal mistake of not concealing his own presence in the Force. With the best stonewall expression as he glanced at the approaching petite woman. She appeared guarded with her hazel eyes locked on his own. He wasn't exposed yet.

"I'll speak with you later, Bisk," Davin took a breath and turned towards the young Jedi. He made his way towards as casually as possible. Searching for any weakness in her stance but none were obvious. Davin clasped his hands behind his back to appear as non threatening as possible. Keeping them away from his lightsaber was key to maintain appearances. He covered the distance and took one more breath before speaking.

"I'll start by apologizing for my voice," Davin wheezed, "I had an accident with chemicals when I was younger. I'm pleased to see a friendly face here. I am Davin Tillisk, Jedi Knight. Your timing isn't ideal, the syndicates are on the warpath. What is your mission?"

The sooner this woman is off planet the better. There was nothing that he would enjoy more than to end her life, but the situation was complicated enough than to announce to the world that a Sith was among them. Treading carefully is his only option and a delicate touch will be key.

@Marianne

 

[Caeli Veridia]

The way the man, Davin, responded to her greeting triggered a twinge of uncertainty within Caeli. His reaction, though calm, hinted at a shadow of surprise, a fraction of a moment where his composure seemed to waver. Caeli couldn't help but question: was it possible that he had not expected another Force-sensitive being on Ord Mantell?

His apology for his voice and the explanation about a past accident invoked a pang of sympathy in her, yet she remained cautiously observant. Her mission was sensitive, and her intuition prompted her to be discreet. "I appreciate your caution, Davin," she replied, her voice steady. "I'm here on behalf of the Jedi Council, investigating a series of disruptions in the Force. But, it seems there's more happening here than meets the eye."

She looked around, the movement of dockworkers and the sight of syndicate soldiers added weight to Davin's warning. Was it possible that these events were connected? The puzzle was growing more complex, but Caeli was determined to solve it.

@Stump

 

[Davin Tillisk]

She's wise to be weary, I'll give her that much. Davin weighed his options as he took a couple steps closer to the Jedi and followed her gaze to the docks. Keeping an enemy close has always been a sound strategy. It will make things that much easier to put her down if she's at arm's length as well. He could write off Bisk as well. Stealing a Jedi ship shouldn't be a significant challenge either. Half truths it is.

"That's the third transporter I've seen this week. I'm sure there have been more. I've been stranded here for the last four months. That Trandoshan I was with was generous enough to give me a job as a dock worker to pay for passage to the outer rim. I hate to say it, but I lost my way and became a hermit. I'm on a pilgrimage to reattune with the Force." Davin brushed the fingers of his left hand over his lightsaber as he brought it up to rub his chin. He watched Caeli out of the corner of his eye to see if she noticed.

Am I the disturbance in the Force? Am I that significant to cause a ripple that even the Jedi Council can sense? Davin found pleasure in the thought as he watched the syndicate soldiers march with a purpose away from the dock. Maybe he would get to see this play out after all. Davin crushed the flitter of excitement as he put on his best concerned face as he could manage. He liked to think he was a decent actor.

@Marianne

 

[Caeli Veridia]

As Davin shared his story, Caeli couldn't help but empathize with his situation. Being stranded, losing one's path, were trials that could befall any Jedi. Yet, there was an unsettled sensation at the back of her mind, a slight ripple in the Force that she could not ignore. When his fingers brushed over the lightsaber, she noted the action, cataloging it with the rest of her observations.

She looked back at Davin, her hazel eyes reflecting a sense of understanding. "We all wander off our path sometimes, Davin," she replied softly. "The important thing is to find our way back. Perhaps the Force led me here for more reasons than I initially understood. I might be able to help you with your pilgrimage."

The thought of assisting another Jedi re-attune with the Force was an appealing prospect, it would certainly align with her mission of peace and understanding. But her gut continued to nag her, a gnawing uncertainty that told her this situation was far more complex than a simple case of a lost Jedi.

Observing the soldiers, she mused, "These syndicate activities seem unusual, don't they? And their timing with the Force disruptions feels...concerning."

Caeli was a deep thinker, a characteristic that often proved helpful in her Jedi training. However, in this instance, it left her with more questions than answers, a complicated riddle she was yet to solve. For now, she would have to proceed with caution, gathering as much information as she could, while also ensuring Davin's and her own safety.

@Stump

 

[Davin Tillisk]

Davin refused to break eye contact as Caeli spoke and she had his full attention. No scheming or plotting. He could not remember a time he had felt so calm in a situation or when someone had shown him much care at all. Guilt followed closely behind. Only moments ago he was planning on killing this woman and he doubted if he could follow through. The situation was complicated as is, but a Jedi that Davin wasn't sure if he could defeat was a problem. The dread came next. If they investigate what the syndicates are up to, it was almost a certainty that she would see the color of his blade. How would she react then?

A wry smile formed on the warrior's face. His hoarse voice crackled to life. "I don't think it's a coincidence that you're here, Caeli. The Force works in mysterious ways. My pilgrimage is dangerous, there is no other way to put it. How much are you willing to sacrifice for a stranger?" Davin fought the urge to reach out and touch her face. He had never come across someone or something so pure. His ire began to return as he looked away from Caeli.

"In my time here, I've never seen the syndicates move like this. I tried my best to keep myself as uninvolved with them as I could. I believe this group splintered from the Black Sun organization when they collapsed. I wasn't planning on meddling in their affairs', but with your support, I am curious."

Davin cleared his throat and then sighed. Burning ties with Bisk and risking being discovered by a Jedi would make getting off planet almost impossible. Fighting could only be a last resort, he had no other choice. It wasn't that Davin cared if he was found out by the Jedi, but this Jedi specifically. Although, fighting her may very well be fun. Corrupting her was also an option. The Sith was hard-pressed to find a clear answer to his dilemma.

 

[Caeli Veridia]

Caeli felt a sudden shift in the Force, like a ripple in a serene pool. It was subtle, but it coincided with Davin's uncharacteristically vulnerable question. Her brow furrowed, and for a moment, her guard lowered as she turned her full attention towards him. There was a complexity to him, a duality that intrigued and worried her simultaneously.

"I believe the Force doesn't guide us without purpose, Davin," she responded, meeting his gaze with a determined one of her own. "I'm willing to aid your pilgrimage, even if the path is hazardous. As Jedi, we are committed to helping others, be they strangers or friends."

Davin's shift in demeanor, however, did not go unnoticed. His casual interest in the syndicate's activities sparked curiosity within her, but also heightened her wariness. His intrigue, combined with his murky past and present circumstances, painted a complex picture.

"Then we should tread carefully, Davin," she agreed, surveying the bustling activity around them. "Meddling with syndicate matters is perilous, but if it's somehow connected to the disturbances in the Force, we cannot ignore it."

Within Caeli, a myriad of emotions swirled - anticipation, concern, and a strange sense of camaraderie with Davin. Her intuition whispered that she was on the cusp of an important revelation, one that could change the trajectory of her mission and perhaps even her life. For now, she chose to focus on the task at hand, hoping that the Force would guide her actions.

@Stump

 

[Davin Tillisk]

Caeli inadvertently brought clarity to Davin. Four long months of dealing with dock workers, casinos, and Bisk had paid off. There was no need to go through the trouble of finding passage to Korriban. The pilgrimage sought him out in the form of this woman. Would she be so keen if she knew the hazard was Davin himself? Corrupt her or break her. My path within the Sith is clear. Despite this thought, he had no real desire to do either to her. It is the perfect test for his lost soul.

"I couldn't ask for someone better to help me through this journey. I hope we become close friends over the coming days. The syndicates are powerful here, but you have my full support in your mission." Friends. How many years has it been since Davin used that word? Although the thought of turning her to the dark side and taking her on as an acolyte is a tantalizing thought. Shaping Caeli into a weapon for the Sith had more advantages than ending her life ever could. He could sense that her guard was dropping. Subtle manipulation could prove useful despite his lack of experience. Excitement built in his chest. Destroying a syndicate never sounded so fun.

Davin brushed his hand over his bald head, He did not want to give away too much information. He had to appear to Caeli that he was less involved with the growing turmoil. "We should start by investigating the casinos on the waterfront. They're bound to be full of shady customers."

@Marianne

 

[Caeli Veridia]

Caeli felt a sense of relief hearing Davin's acceptance, but it was tempered by a cautious curiosity. However, her intuition, her connection to the Force, was pulling her towards him. She couldn't deny it, even if every rational thought advised caution.

"I too, hope for the same, Davin," Caeli responded, her voice firm but warm. She believed in fostering relationships, in understanding people, and this seemed like an opportunity to do so.

As Davin suggested their next course of action, Caeli nodded. While the idea of infiltrating casinos didn't sit well with her, she knew that sometimes, to maintain balance and justice, they had to venture into the underbelly of society. The challenge was not to lose oneself in the process.

"I agree," she said, her hazel eyes reflecting resolve. "We must tread lightly, and remember our principles. The goal isn't to create chaos, but to uncover the truth."

Mixed feelings brewed within her as they set off towards the waterfront. She felt a burgeoning trust in Davin, an odd comfort in his company. Yet, there was an unease, an instinctive nudge that whispered warnings.