The Longshot

[Dolin Hu]

Longer than the Jedi had been on Ossus, there had been the Ysanna. Once a thriving people, their civilization had been cut short by the ravaging of their planet. The Jedi left, as did most races, but the Ysanna were not weak. They would not run. They would stay and defend their home.

And so the Ysanna remained, ever alert for yet more treachery. In time, their civilization broke down, shattered into countless tribes, each finding their own purpose and meaning. The Force was strong with them, but they had little use for mystic thinking or fanciful saber combat. No, the Ysanna were practical, finding uses for the Force unlike those that had been left in the Jedi's great library. Hunting, warfare, locating water - these were the things the Ysanna found the Force most useful for, and in time, they nearly forgot the Jedi had even been among them, their library little more than a relic in poor hunting grounds.

Then the Jedi returned. It had sparked a firestorm of debate among tribal councils. Would they bring upon Ossus another apocalypse? Would they demand land back that they had abandoned so long ago? No, it was Ysanna land. All of Ossus was Ysanna land, that was the opinion of many councils. But the Ysanna possessed not the firepower with which to repel the invaders, and the thought of killing women and children did not sit well among the Ysanna warriors. So they hung back, staying to their forests, and watched as the Jedi, then the Cizerack and the Gossam, ate further into their lands. It became clear that the Jedi would not leave, they intended to make Ossus their new seat of power, with no regard to the Ysanna whose land they stole. The tribes agreed something had to be done, though the solution was not a unanimous decision. They would send one of their own to the Jedi, to learn their ways, and to represent the Ysanna on Ossus. Perhaps by understanding each other, they would not come to war.

It was that decision which found Dolin Hu, the teenage daughter of a chief, making her way onto the road which the Alliance had built. Her raven locks bounced and swayed in the breeze as she walked, a glittering gold circlet about her forehead representing her mark of station to all who saw. A leather corset of sorts fit her midriff like a glove, the symbol of the Ossan eagle in proud display over her breasts, while a warrior's skirt swung at her hips, along with a machete. Her shoulders bore a simple rucksack, and in her hand she carried a Ysannan rifle - a weapon with which she had considerable experience. Her dark eyes took in the sights around her. These Jedi appeared to abhor nature, having cleared it to build their foreign structures, instead of building within it for a harmonious existence. She had been told by one of them that it was a way to recreate the world they had known, and so she accepted it. That did not mean she had to like it.

She had been told where to find the council, and who to expect upon it. Her liaison had been most forthcoming with information of many sorts, which had been most helpful in avoiding conflict with the Jedi before that day. Light boots carried her steps through the growing complex to the doors of the Jedi Council chambers, and without invitation, she opened the doors, stepping inside.

"I am Dolin Hu, representative of the Ysanna," she announced. "And I have come to join your order."

[Jedi]

The three high-backed wooden chairs sat empty on the council dais. In fact, the whole rotunda was empty, save for motes of dust floating in the slanted beams of sunlight that beat through the tall, arched windows, and a very surprised-looking teenage human girl at the desk to the side of the dais with a stack of flimsi and a datapad. She rose awkwardly, scooting back her own chair with a scrape. She was rather plain, not very tall, with a stocky build and a thick drape of black hair pulled into a braid on one side of her face.

"Um... the Council is not in session right now," she said. "I'm Padawan Kestra Martel. I could probably find one of them for you?"

[Dolin Hu]

"Oh," the word slipped out of the Ysannan's mouth before she realized it. Her eyes darted back to the empty council chambers before returning to the girl.

Easing her stance, Dolin forced a smile. "I'm sorry, I was told this is where I was to find them," she announced. Shifting her rifle into her left hand, the young woman stepped forward, extending her right for a shake. "I am Dolin Hu, daughter of a Ysannan chief. I have been sent to join your Order, and to train as a Jedi." She hesitated, glancing around again. "...where should I do that?"

[Jedi]

Kestra gathered up her datapad and edged around the the desk to meet Dolin, and she reached out her hand to grasp the Ysanna's with a wary glance at the rifle in her other hand. "It's an honor, Miss Hu," she said. "And... well, you should definitely speak to a Council member. Master Solomon should be finishing with his morning classes. Why don't you follow me?"

The girl drummed up a smile with some effort, feeling not entirely unlike a mouse greeting a hawk, and motioned back through the doors Dolin had entered just a moment ago. "Does the Council know you're coming?"

[Dolin Hu]

Dolin's sculpted eyebrows came together in a pinch. "Would they not know I was coming? It is said that some Jedi Masters can glimpse the future," she replied. "Is this not true?"

Kresta appeared to be around her same age of seventeen, but other than dark hair, that was where the similarities ended. Dolin was tall, athletic, and held herself with the poise and grace of a stalking panther. Skin bronzed from the sun, she appeared wild and exotic compared to the nearly city-like lifestyle that these Jedi bore.

[Jedi]

Kestra led the Ysanna out through the antechamber and back into the morning sunslight, wondering at how Dolin had walked through the colony, armed and armored, to the Council rotunda itself without being challenged. She didn't exactly blend in, and now the pair of them drew second glances from robed padawans and Alliance workers in coveralls alike.

"It doesn't quite work like that," she said helplessly. "But then I'm not exactly sure how it does work. You could ask Master Laran - she has the gift of foresight. I just look after the younglings."

She laughed, somewhat artificially, and hunted vainly for any reciprocation on Dolin's face.

"Um... you said you were sent here? Who sent you?"

[Dolin Hu]

"My tribe, clearly," Dolin replied. She felt the stares as well, but as long as she kept the barrel of her rifle down, she knew she should not encounter trouble. "One of your Jedi has met with us, and has begun to explain your ways. They are unlike our own, but to prevent war, I must learn them, so that there may be a bridge between our peoples."

One of her eyebrows arched up as she added, "Looking after children is no light responsibility. They will someday be your clan's leaders. Do not make light of your role and responsibility, Jedi Kestra."

[Jedi]

Kestra looked back with wide, dark eyes. "Oh, I don't!" she said. "It's very important, especially since many of the children have never had a proper home before. We're all trying to do the best we can for them, it's just overwhelming sometimes."

She led Dolin away from the bustle of the market street and the new construction north of the colony and toward the padawan dormitories, classrooms, and wide open parade grounds, where it was quieter and cleaner, and wind carried the smell of the crop fields in hydroponics and the forests surrounding the colony.

"No one here wants war with your people, either," Kestra said solemnly. "I'm sure there's a lot we can learn from you, as well."

Between the school building and the parade grounds was a cluster of pavilion tents so lessons could be held in the open air but out of the beating sunslight. Kestra made her way for one of them, where a tall man in a black tunic and broad-brimmed hat sat on a stool, lecturing a crowd of students of varying species and ages, all of them seated on blankets with datapads and styluses. As Kestra and Dolin approached, some of the students began craning their necks for a better view and whispering among themselves.

[Dolin Hu]

So this was a Jedi teacher. She had been told in limited degree how how one was to advance through the ranks according to learned skill, but most she could see were initiates younger than herself, Dolin wondered if she would have to train among them, and endure simple lectures.

"You must learn their ways, and respect their culture. You are to be our emissary, and it is not your place to judge these outsiders." The words of her father rang in her ears.

At their edge, Dolin stopped. It was impolite to interrupt an elder, especially one engaged in instruction. Rifle tucked under her left arm, she placed her right behind her back, standing in a proud, warriorlike pose, but not deigning to intrude upon the lesson as it was being given. To the patient came all things, so long as they planned ahead.

[Rev Solomon]

"In the end, it's difficult to say where his true legacy lies. He took great risks for the sake of the Republic, risks that eventually cost him his morality, his apprentice, his followers, and even plunged the galaxy back into the horrors of war. Of course, he ultimately found his redemption. But many had already paid the price for his pride. Rather than judge the man, it is more beneficial to us to judge his decisions, to see how seductive the path of anger and hatred and revenge can be, and to consider how we can guard our own hearts from following that path."

Solomon could see, with ten minutes left in the lesson, that he was beginning to lose some of his students. He chanced a look over his shoulder to see what had drawn their attention and was surprised to see Padawan Martell escorting a young woman in tribal leathers carrying a longrifle - a Ysanna longrifle at that. Murmuring voices began to flutter from the students.

"I'd like you to finish reading Chapter Nine in The Chronicle of the Revanchist for tomorrow, and be prepared to discuss why Revan declared war on the Republic," he said. "I'll let you go early today. Go and enjoy the warm weather."

The Jedi preacher slid off his stool and moved briskly to meet Kestra and the Ysanna. Kestra, with equal parts hope and fear on her round face, smiled brightly and aid, "Master Solomon! This is Dolin Hu of the Ysanna. She's come to seek training with the Jedi."

"Has she?" Solomon couldn't quite conceal his surprise. The Council had sent envoys to the Ysanna before, which had been met with anything from open suspicion to shouted threats and warning shots. This was beyond a breakthrough. Solomon removed his hat and bowed.

"Miss Hu. You honor us with your presence."

[Dolin Hu]

A gentle bow came in reply from the Ysanna. "Thank you, Master Solomon," she replied, hoping she'd gotten the name right. "As I have told Jedi Kestra, here, I have been sent to join your order, so that I may be a bridge between our peoples."

Cresting six feet in height, Dolin found it refreshing to have a Jedi to look up to, literally, as the one she had experience with was far shorter. "I have been told your ways require training. When shall mine begin? I am ready."

[Rev Solomon]

"To join the Jedi Order is a lifetime commitment," Solomon said. "It will mean a very different lifestyle than the one you are accustomed to. We welcome your people's friendship with open arms--"

He paused, realizing that this was perhaps a poor choice of words in his case.

"--and we will gladly show you what hospitality we can provide. But I want to be certain you understand what you're committing yourself to. May I ask which tribe you represent?"

[Dolin Hu]

"I am of the Hu Ysanna, but I will represent all Ysanna, it has been decided," Dolin answered back with pride. "The Hu are the mightiest clan. What my father says is law, on this world."

She paused to pull an errant strand of hair from her face, and adjust her headband. "And, yes, I am aware than training will take years. Your representative has explained many things to us. It is part of the reason you have been allowed this site. The Gossam are allowed their own, as we are not without heart."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Draiya was initially buoyed by the early dismissal from lessons. Not that the history was dull, but her mind had been fixated on more personal matters of growth recently. Still, as she scooped up her lesson materials to head back to the dorm, the Syragori couldn't help but pause, glancing back at Solomon as he moved to meet someone. It was a face she didn't know, but Draiya certainly knew the distinctive profile of the long-barrel slugthrower the woman carried.

Eyes wide and hawkish, Draiya froze suddenly in her tracks.

[Rev Solomon]

It has been decided. Solomon wondered if that had been decided in confederation, or if the Hu were merely confident that their fellows would fall in line. He noticed Draiya hovering nearby and was reminded of her brush with another Ysanna confederation while guarding a Gossam convoy. Aside from the attack by the Dauntless, that had been the bloodiest day for the colonists since they had landed on Ossus.

Whether the Syragori was hanging back because she was timid or because she wanted to be the first link in the colony gossip chain, Solomon decided he'd better encourage some forthrightness. "Draiya, come and meet our guest. Dolin, this is Draiya Naaianeya, another one of our Padawan learners. Draiya, this Dolin Hu of the Hu Ysanna. She wishes to join our Order."

The preacher turned back to the statuesque young woman. Something she'd said was agitating in his mind. "You said our representative has explained things to you. Which representative would that be?"

[Dolin Hu]

"Well met, Draiya Naaianeya," Dolin greeted the padawan with a curt nod. "We must become friends." It sounded more like a command than a friendly greeting, yet everyrhing about the Ysanna woman seemed severe.

Attention returning to the Master, she smiled, no less severe an expression than the words she had given to Draiya. "Why, your Knight Halajiin Rabeak, of course. We have had considerable discourse with him, over the past few seasons. He is a true credit to your Order, and I aspire to one day be held in such esteem as he is, among you."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Draiya approached at Solomon's behest, her legs feeling somewhat leaden as she came to greet the Ysanna. It was easy for her mind to return to that deadly day on the path to Miwu Shanma. The Ysanna was armed, yet she'd come peacably, and Master Solomon did not seem to feel she was operating under deception. Still, the memories were too fresh and too vivid for Draiya to forget. She was mindful of Serena's teachings of respect of the minds of others, so she didn't dare cross Dolin's threshold. Still, the Syragori's senses were wary for anything outward manifest.

Finally standing alongside Solomon, Draiya greeted Dolin with a courteous yet cool bow.

"Welcome to Sanctuarry, Dolin."

Draiya rose from her bow, eyes fixed on the taller wild woman.

[Rev Solomon]

"Knight Rabeak?"

And all of a sudden, a great deal about Dolin's unexpected arrival became clear. Of course, now Solomon's mind was filling with new questions, as well as a rising tide of panic, which he labored to quell in the face of the Ysanna girl's earnest admiration. He needed to speak with Hal, and soon.

"I'm afraid there may have been a misunderstanding," he said. "Halajiin Rabeak is indeed a knight of our order, but we were not aware he was treating with the Ysanna. I am pleased to hear he has a good name among your people. Most of our attempts reach you have been unsuccessful so far."

[Dolin Hu]

Dolin's brow crimped. "Misunderstanding?" she asked. "He is one of your Knights, and I am here. What is there to misunderstand?" The Ysanna stared hard into Solomon's eyes, demanding an answer.

"If you do not believe me, then summon Knight Rabeak and he will surely dispel any doubts you may be harboring. We could have easily demanded one of your students to come and learn our ways, in exchange, but we did not. He made it clear that is not your way."

[Rev Solomon]

"I believe you sincerely, Dolin," Solomon replied. "And I have no doubt that Knight Rabeak has dealt with your people just as sincerely, and with the best of intentions. But as he did not speak to us about these arrangements, I'm afraid I and the other members of the Council have no knowledge of them. I would summon him right away, but he's on a mission offworld and has not yet returned."

He was keenly aware how perilous a situation this was. On one hand, a skeptic might suggest the Ysanna were using Hal's name to cunningly insert a spy into the Jedi ranks. But they could not possibly know that Hal was overdue from his mission to Taris, and a mere word from the Nehantite Jedi could easily unravel such a plot. On the other hand, Dolin might suspect that he was denying knowledge of Hal's negotiations so the Jedi could renege on any accords that had already been reached. If she carried a tale of Jedi treachery back to her countrymen, there might never be peace between the Jedi and the Ysanna.

One thing was certain. He sensed no deceit in the young woman, even though he could sense her fierce pride, her determination, and also her mounting indignation.

"Until Knight Rabeak returns to give his testimony, we will do everything in our power to honor his word. I must confer with my fellow Council members and make preparations to induct you formally into our Order. Until then, Padawan Martell, Padwaan Naaianeya, perhaps you can show Miss Hu around the colony. Answer all her questions as well as you can. I will contact you when we are ready."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Draiya's eyes went wide at Solomon's insistence, her lips parting for a retort that a cooler head somehow cut off from forming sound.

"Yes, Masterr."

The Syragori's eyes drifted just momentarily back to the Ysanna slugthrower. She could still hear the distinctive crack cutting the dewy air. The crack that came well after the shots that always seemed to fall so close to the mark. It was her first taste of battle, and her first glimpse of death. For a girl still trying to find her place and her higher calling in the Order, it was a sobering warning.

Draiya directed an arm down the main path they now followed.

"This way, please."

[Dolin Hu]

"Of course," Dolin nodded to Draiya, then glanced back to Solomon. "Thank you, Master Jedi. I look forward to learning your ways."

With a curt nod, she hitched up her rifle, carrying it with ease as she began to follow the pair of padawans. "It will be some adjustment learning to live among you, like this," she said. "Your structures are so stark, so... naked to the world, exposed like they are, with no foliage to hide them."

It was small talk, a sign of nerves on her part, but also a sign that she wished to converse. Sanctuary One presented itself as an alien world to the Ysanna, and Dolin did not wish to make a misstep. "What is it that you do, in your day-to-day?, Jedi Draiya and Kestra?"

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Draiya thought about the wild woman's aesthetics as they walked, looking at the hardscrabble of Sanctuary as if from new eyes. With it's mainly dirt roads and open scars of cleared trees, it must have been a stark change for someone who lived in the jungle. To Draiya, Sanctuary seemed perfectly bucolic and simple in a way. She wondered what Dolin might think of the slums of Syragor.

She was speaking again. Draiya drew to a slower pace as they passed the meditation tent and the mess tent just beyond.

"We spend ourr lives trraining. Forr a Jedi, we seek to brring ourr minds, bodies, and spirrits into unity. We learn historry and prractical education. We trrain in Jedi marrtial arrts. We meditate, to give ourrselves wholeness and focus."

Draiya suddenly turned to the taller woman with unguarded curiosity.

"And forr the Ysanna?"

She did not seem to be one succumbed to the dark side or to some nefarious evil. Maybe that's why the murmurs of old battles made so little sense to Draiya now.

[Dolin Hu]

"It is not so different among my tribe," Dolin replied easily. "We, too, train our minds and bodies. The mind must be alert, conscious of its surroundings, both visible and not. The body must be able to act swiftly, whether hunting prey, or escaping danger. Our history is passed down from generation to generation, as are special skills known by the elders."

There was pride in her voice, though not hubris. Dolin was Ysanna, it was all she knew, and to know one's self was a power in and of itself. "Of course, we learn to fight as well, both hand to hand, and with our rifles. Wars between tribes are infrequent, but they do happen, and we must be able to act without hesitation to preserve our way of life. Much as your Order seeks to preserve its own."

[Jedi]

It was curious to Kestra that the Ysanna were not of one sect, but apparently many. Their rumors of force talent appeared to be true, but they led a life so very different from Jedi.

"I am curious Dolin. How many tribes are the Ysanna?"

[Dolin Hu]

"They are many. The true number may never be known," Dolin answered. "I have not met them all, nor will I likley ever, as Ossus is a large world. For you to be concerned with, however, there are seven tribes, here. The Hu are the mightiest of them all, and we command most of their allegiance. The Loccan are not to be trusted."

Her eyes drank in the scenery, scanning for both content, and vantage points. "Knight Rabeak spoke of an old Order, one different to this. How many tribes of Jedi are there?"

[Jedi]

Kestra blinked in owlish surprise as she tried to chart a navigable course between two very different modes of thinking.

"The Jedi aren't divided into tribes. We come from all over the galaxy - we have to, since Force adepts are so very rare, something like one in a few million births. And some species, like the Cizerack, don't have adepts at all."

She gestured to a squad of crimson-coated Jaanni'saari marines jogging by to the cadence of a baritone-voiced female sergeant. It wasn't much good carrying on the conversation until they'd passed.

"But I gather the Force is more common among the Ysanna," Kestra said once the dust had cleared. "Are you the only one in your tribe who uses it?"

[Dolin Hu]

Dolin's grasp upon her rifle grew tight as the Cizerack passed by, body tensing, ready to strike. The Jedi and the Gossam, they were to be allowed on Ossus, but the Cizerack had no such special dispensation, according to the Ysanna. They were an invading military force, and not to be trusted, especially in numbers. Her tension passed only as the rythmic stomp of booted feet waned into the distance.

Passing her rifle back into her right hand, the Ysanna ran a few fingers through her black hair, recovering her more regal bearing. "What you call the Force, we know as the Locus. It is the source of power, and many of us can tap into it. Most only use it with their rifles, when we hunt, but some, like myself, can detect life which is useful for locating game. We have legends of those who so fully gave themselves to the Locus that they could call up lightning itself, or kill with only a thought. I have never witnessed such, and it is forbidden to seek such power among the Hu. It is a perversion."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

The sudden tensing at the presence of the Jaanni'saari didn't go unnoticed to Draiya. She had little love for the marines either, though she'd certainly never carry grievances from home to any kind of violent confrontation here.

"We know so little of the Ysanna, only rrumorrs. That you descended frrom the ancient Jedi, beforre the cataclysm."

Draiya fixated on Dorin with latent curiosity.

"If that's so, no wonderr so many of yourr people have the gift. That's unlike anywherre else in the galaxy."

[Dolin Hu]

"Nonsense," Dolin spat the word. "The Ysanna have been here longer than any other. Your people came to us not once, but twice, now, because the Locus is so strong, here. They built what you call the Library upon its nexus, in an attempt to concentrate its power there for themselves. The Ysanna existed before the Jedi, and we will continue to exist after the Jedi are long forgotten."

There was a righteous anger to her words, a ferocity which burned at the thought that the Ysanna would have to owe the Jedi anything, even lineage. No, the Ysanna did not believe such things; they had their own history.

[Jedi]

"But there are texts in the library that say--"

Kestra's voice ran dry when Dolin turned those burning eyes toward her.

"...that say Ossus was uninhabited when the Jedi landed here over five thousand years ago?" Her voice had risen in pitch until it ended up as almost a squeak. "It's just... well, nothing I've seen in the library mentions anything about the Ysanna."

The padawan felt she might shrink into the ground beneath her when she was saved by a sudden burst of inspiration. "Which means you have a lot to teach us. We know almost nothing about you, and I'm sure you know more about Ossus than all of us combined!"

[Dolin Hu]

"I am sure that I do," Dolin replied. "And, if we had chosen to, we could have made you think Ossus was uninhabited, today. Besides, who are you to tell me the history of my own people?" There was more than irritation in the young woman's voice, there was pride.

"Now, back to matters at hand. The training you do, is there a schedule? Tell me how you go through your day. I wish to be ready to begin as one of you do, tomorrow." Everything about the Ysanna woman seemed curt, with no effort spared toward humor or charm.

[Draiya Naaianeya]

"Therre arre grroup classes that many of us take," Draiya offered cautiously, noting the Ysanna's pointedly brusque way of discussing matters. "but we also learrn individually with our masterrs, as well as self-meditation and attending to duties as they arre assigned to us."

This wasn't giving Dolin an answer that was likely satisfactory, and the Syragori offered further insight.

"With you being new, I imagine you'll spend morre time in grroup courrses. Guided meditations with Knight Hicchorru. Historries with Masterr Solomon. Depending on yourr aptitude, maybe you'll even starrt sparring instrruction too."

Draiya spread her hands a little as she spoke.

"Howeverr you begin yourr trraining, the Masterrs will keep yourr day fairrly busy. They have theirr expectations, but also as a Jedi learrns and grrows, theirr own discoverries drrive them onwarrd."

[Dolin Hu]

"Meditation?" the word exited Dolin's mouth as if it were some form of a curse. "Meditation is for those who need focus. I am focused; I need no such thing."

Her dark eyes were cast out upon a group practicing saber tecnique kata with wooden staves. She admired the small group's uniformity and dicsipline. There was comfort in knowing there would be structure, as structure meant she could master it and excel. But, something bothered her, still, and she could not keep repressing the question.

"I have watched you Jedi, here, for some time, from a distance," she said. "You train, and you meet, yet I am unsure of the purpose of your organization. For what do you practice? What is the true occupation of a Jedi? That much has been most unclear, to us."

[Jedi]

Kestra stopped in her tracks and sent a wide-eyed glance at Draiya. Dolin had left her people to join the Jedi, and she didn't even know what they did?

"The Jedi have been peacekeepers throughout the galaxy for thousands of years," she said. "During the days of the Old Republic, we negotiated between warring peoples, brought healing to the sick, saved people from natural disasters, and brought terrible criminals to justice. We believe the power of the Force should be used to help others, to uphold justice and to protect the innocent. The life of a Jedi is a life of service to those in need."

She cast around at the crude, modular construction that surrounded them, quite at odds with the august glories of the Order of days past.

"Of course, in recent times we've needed a lot of help ourselves," she said. "The Old Republic was corrupted into the Galactic Empire, and the Jedi were hunted down almost to extinction. We're still rebuilding, but we're already working to protect the peace in the Alliance. Making peace with the Ysanna is an important part of that."

[Dolin Hu]

Dolin listened with impunity, having turned her rifle over to rest its butt upon the toes of her boot. "I apologize, I believe I did not state my question properly," she said with a nod. "We know your traditional role, yes, but I had meant what do you do, today."

Looking out over the settlement, she took a deep breath, her chest swelling. "We see supply ships arrive constantly. Your settlement grows, as do your numbers. You train, you develop yourselves, yet we rarely see any of you leave this planet. We are aware you were a galactic force in the past, but what is the role of a Jedi, today? That is the specific question I had meant to ask. My apologies for being unclear."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Asking the sixty-four million credit question. Draiya followed Dolin's eyes as she ran a hand up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind an ear.

"That's...complicated."

Stalling, but also the truth.

"Some Jedi have trraveled offworrld forr missions. Actually, I've been on two myself. But the missions arre apprroved by the Council, and they have to considerr..."

She glanced pleadingly at Kestra, who helped fill in the blanks.

"Whether it's worth the risk of losing knights or padawans. It wasn't long ago, you see, that the Jedi had no planet to call sanctuary at all. We traveled open space in a convoy of starships, and always with the very real threat of being found by the Empire."

Draiya picked up from there.

"Forr what it's worrth, I think that view is changing. The Council has been apprroving morre missions, but with the trreaty between the Empirre and the Alliance and those missiles, it's made ourr mission morre complicated."

[Dolin Hu]

"So then you are mercenaries." Dolin gave a sharp nod of approval. "Good, this manner of work I am familiar with. I will need one of your laser swords, as I do not possess one of my own, as of yet. My people do not find them as effective as our rifles."

The young woman's hand held her rifle near its muzzle in a firm grip. The weapon showed clear signs of wear, yet it had been kept in excellent working condition. "I do know know of these missiles you speak of, so they are not my concern. I have been told that to become a Knight takes years of study. However, I am already aware of the Force, and understand its manipulation, so surely that will cut down my necessary instruction."

Dolin waited for an answer, her dark, sharp eyes darting between the two padawans with the attention of a hunter stalking prey. Settling upon Draiya in the end, she stated, "Since you and I will be friends, we may practice together and increase each other's skills."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Mercenary was a contentious word, and one that caused the Syragori's back to stiffen. Draiya opened her mouth to object, only for Dolin to breeze through with a nod of agreement at her misplaced appraisal of the Jedi's motives. A brief shared glance was exchanged with Kestra, and she returned her attention back to their guest

"Ourr lightsaberrs..." Draiya corrected as politely as she could "...arren't an issued weapon. Each is built by the one who wields it. It's a...perrsonal jourrney, one we take to rreveal something of ourrselves within."

The Syragori Padawan was beginning to sense something of herself in Dolin's journey. Results-driven. Focused on the next bar to ascend. She began to wonder if being volunteered to this task was a simple act of delegation by Master Solomon, or if he had larger designs on Draiya's own journey.

"Padawans do sparr using trraining blades beforre they begin theirr jourrney to constrruct theirr own weapons. I am surre trraining in the katas and disciplines of forrm one could begin quite soon, once the worrd is given."

Draiya paused, smoothing an errant strand of hair behind her ear as she brought her hands to clasp in front of her.

"As forr prracticing togetherr, I'm honorred, but forr now I should decline. A Jedi's weapon is only as sharrp as the one who wields it, and I have..."

She paused, averting her eyes.

"...worrk that must be done alone."

Draiya once again met eyes with the taller woman.

[Dolin Hu]

"Any work which can be done alone can also be done faster by many," Dolin stated. It seemed a recited line, something out of cultural history.

She then hesitated, eyeing Draiya carefully, and with actual concern before adding, "Unless you feel your skills inadequate, in which case I would not push you for open practice. Surely we could find a more secluded location until you gain confidence."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Unless you feel your skills inadequate

Dolin's words ignited something hungry and dangerous within Draiya, and for a moment, the Syragori's eyes turned intense and hawkish. She still had to unlearn much of what she had learned, and rebuild her Jedi poise. Just as soon as the flash revealed itself, the same sepia eyes averted to her feet.

"I don't doubt my skills in prractical combat, Dolin. It's the wisdom to use those skills I must seek."

Her eyes traveled to the Ysanna's signature weapon.

"Use yourr slugthrrowerr forr example. You can know how to aim and to shoot, but if you neglect to clean it and therre's a stoppage, the weapon could explode in yourr hands. A weapon needs to be clean, just like the one who uses the weapon."

[Dolin Hu]

The taller woman's brow crimped, creating the tiniest of furrows on her forehead.

"Are you saying that a Jedi can explode? That does not seem possible."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Draiya's lips pressed taut in concern. Hopefully the Ysanna didn't conform to native stereotypes she knew all too well from growing up on the outside, and that Dolin's misunderstanding wasn't due to trying to tease out truth from her statement literally.

"I forrget that therre is so little we know about yourr rrelationship with the Forrce."

She nodded, correcting. "With the locus, I mean. Forr us, when one discoverrs the locus, we arre inevitably led to a choice. To let it worrk thrrough you in selfless means with compassion and peace..."

Draiya averted her eyes once more.

"...orr to attempt to contrrol it forr yourrself, and to let it feed your angerr, prride, and desirre."

The Syragori glanced up to her taller visitor, wondering if that explanation drew any hint of understanding.

[Dolin Hu]

Dolin's brow relaxed to its normal terse, yet regal poise. "My people do not let it control us," she stated. "Instead we harness it, and make it do our bidding, to serve our needs. You will not need to fear it overcoming me. That will not happen, I assure you."

A curious tilt over her head, and something nearly akin to compassion crept into her voice. "Is this what you are having trouble with? Control over your power, instead of its control over you? This is something I can assist you with, as your friend."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

It was so final. So matter-of-fact. Draiya didn't want to rush to doubt, but how could they both be talking about the same Force? The more she talked to Dolin, the more convinced the Padawan became that the Jedi knew nothing about their ways. And Dolin had marked her as a friend offering her council and training so freely.

As Draiya considered this, she regarded the taller woman with a half-lidded expression, almost dazed. The Syragori fell back to her senses, teasing out the Ysanna's life energies through her second sight into a corona of unusual beauty. The force was with her, certainly, but Dolin felt the way no other Jedi felt.

"Dolin, you sound so surre of the matterr. Does that rreferr to you? To yourr clan? To the whole of the trribes?"

Releasing her focus from second sight, Draiya's eyes focused once more.

"I apprreciate yourr offerr of frriendship. I would like to be yourr frriend. But I should consult my masterr beforre I accept morre than that."

A though occurred to Draiya, and she glanced sidelong to the council hall.

"Would you like to meet herr?"

[Dolin Hu]

"I would be glad to," Dolin nodded. "However, if you mean she is in that hall, you would be mistaken. I was just there. Only Kestra was inside."

It would be possible, she presumed, that Draiya's master had slipped into the hall after they left. She had been told by the esteemed Jedi Knight, Halajiin Rabeak, that some Jedi communicate with their minds, though it had not been his forte. If Draiya indicated that her master could be found, then Dolin would believe her; there was no reason Dolin saw that a Jedi should lie about anything. Taking up her rifle, the Ysanna gave a curt nod.

"I would not mind the effort to locate your master, in any case. Please lead, I shall follow."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

"No efforrt is rrequirred, Dolin." Draiya smiled assuringly. "My masterr and I sharre a bond."

The Syragori girl's eyes drifted closed, and she turned her attention fully to the kaleidoscope of living energy that filled the void. Dolin's was impressively bright, the living force coursed through her and the space around like a familiar song in a different key. Beyond her, Draiya sensed many luminous energies, and the leylines that connected them by association.

Master Laran

Draiya spoke with her feelings, which traversed the distance along an especially strong connection. Serena Laran's life force was in many ways so similar to other humans or other Jedi even, but Draiya knew it by utter familiarity.

We have a visitor

The padawan's eyes opened once more.

"She'll be with us shorrtly. In the meantime, would you carre forr something to eat? Forr my people, that's the firrst step in hospitality."

[Serena Laran]

Serena was going through the new delivery of medical supplies with one of the other Jedi healers when she heard Draiya's mental call. She smiled at the slight touch, pleased at the finesse the girl was learning, and handed the datapad off to Ilias. "You'll have to finish the inventory without me, I'm afraid, duty calls." He called over Matea as she was walking out.

The medical center was not far from the Council building, which she sensed that her padawan was near, and she walked briskly. A visitor? It sounded... interesting.

[Dolin Hu]

"That would be satisfactory," Dolin nodded. She had watched with curiosity while Draiya had performed her locating trick, but was not yet aware that the Jedi could communicate telepathically. Surely this girl was just using some sort of Force magic to summon her master, so it was acceptable that the moment of quiet was not explained to Dolin. With Draiya appearing to have everything under control, Kestra bid them good day, and Dolin nodded farewell.

"How long have you been a student, Draiya?" Dolin asked, hoping to make conversation while they headed to whatever building the Jedi called their feasting hall.

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Heading to the cafeteria, Draiya turned back to her taller companion as they waited in a short line to get a bite to eat.

"Just overr a yearr and a half. My family, we werre on a planet that got attacked by the Empirre. I got separrated frrom them, and then it was discoverred I was forrce sensitive."

It sounded somehow less impressive next to the Y'sanna, who Draiya imagined was taught this sort of thing when she was old enough to stand on two feet.

[Dolin Hu]

"Most of us are attuned to the Force," Dolin replied, though there was no hint of haughtiness or arrogance to her voice: it was simply a statement of fact. "I am sorry to hear you became separated from your family, though. I trust you were able to reunite, later? Family is very important to the Ysanna."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

"It's not that easy forr us."

Draiya averted her eyes momentarily, suddenly thinking back on what she'd left behind.

"My family left home yearrs ago and set out forr a betterr life. I've trried to get in touch with them, but the only link I have arre extended cousins back home, and no one's hearrd frrom them in months."

[Dolin Hu]

"That is unfortunate."

The words came out harder than Dolin had meant. To lose one's family was possibly the hardest thing any Ysanna could go through, as they represented everything connected to yourself, and your place in the world. Honor, tradition, accomplishment; your family benefited from yours as much as you did from theirs, but things like feelings, or tenderness, were not often expressed, except in private. Even then, such displays were restrained, and so the girl did not know how to express how she truly felt.

"I am sure they still seek you, as you do them," Dolin attempted to make her meaning more clear. "I know it will be difficult for me to be isolated from my family, during my training with the Jedi. I am to remain among you for its duration, as not to become distracted."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

"I suppose that's an obligation we both sharre. Ourr duties come firrst."

Still, Draiya held on to that rare bit of non-pragmatic indulgence that Dolin had offered. Maybe her family was finding a way to search her out in their own time. What would she say if they found her? Nothing would ever be the same, and as relieved as Draiya might be to reunite with them, she couldn't really go back, could she?

"This isn't the life they lead. This isn't the life I used to lead. Parrt of me wants to see them as soon as I can, but anotherr parrt of me? I wonderr if we'll everr underrstand each otherr now.

Now at the head of the line, the Padawan didn't let her somber introspection get in the way of filling her tank. No stranger to grueling physical work, Draiya never passed a chance for a bite to eat. Part of that was due to her old latchkey life and never taking a meal for granted when you didn't quite know when you'd get the next one. At least life on a planet offered actual meat on the menu more often than not, and actual vegetables that didn't come from a can. Draiya piled her plate with some sort of simmering braise and gravy, mashed tubers, a salad, three rolls, and two pieces of fruit. The server droid grudgingly let her pass, even though she'd taken more rolls and fruit than was the usual allotment.

"Have you considerred what may happen with yourr time among us? If it might change you? Change the way you view the worrld?"

[Dolin Hu]

"I should hope it will change how I view the world, and beyond," Dolin stated. "That is the point of my being among you; to learn and understand your ways, and to think and see as you do. And apparently eat like you, as well."

Dolin took a tray, having watched those before her to study the acceptable method of serving one's self. Take as much as you need, but as little as you can, that was the Ysanna way. Nothing wasted, noting wanted for. Portions moderate, Dolin encountered no extra scrutiny from the server droid, other than a wary stare at her rifle. Ignoring the droid entirely, Dolin merely followed Draiya to a seat at one of the rows of tables. "This meat," she said, nodding to the braise. "It is local hare. One of your beast members hunts for them in our forests. She is lucky we have noticed her among you, first, otherwise surely she would have been mistaken for some sort of animal. The red one, with the ringed tail. She would make a good Ysanna."

[Serena Laran]

Draiya was apparently not sitting still, intent on making life difficult for her master even though it was she who had called for Serena. Common sense would seem to dictate staying in place, but it didn't matter much in the grand scheme of things. Serena asked a passing Jedi, who pointed her in the direction of the cafeteria.

She found her wandering padawan in the company of a tall Ysanna woman. "Draiya Naaianeya, why did you call for me?"

[Draiya Naaianeya]

"Oh, you mean Ndonsa." Draiya managed in reply to Dolin in between cramming a few hurried bites in. "She's a Nehantite. Orr was that Kufu? I don't know."

Quickly managing the slop on her plate into serviceable spoonfulls, Draiya lined up another few bites of chow.

"I haven't talked to her much. I think she prreferrs to talk to bones orr shrrunken heads orr something."

As Draiya raised another heaping spoon to her mouth, she caught sight of Serena's tall form entering the mess tent. She paused, then let the food-laden utensil clatter back to the plate as she stood.

"Hello Masterr." Draiya stood from her seat, then at the last moment remembered to grab her napkin to daub her face. It was probably not good to conduct Jedi business wearing a gravy smear - real or imagined.

"I have an unusual visitorr who wants to meet you. This is Dolin Hu, of the Ysanna."

The Syragori girl turned to her guest.

"Dolin, this is Jedi Masterr Serrena Larran."

[Dolin Hu]

Dolin's dark eyes darted about, watching not only her guide, but the others in the mess hall as they consumed their midday meal. With some thanks, it appeared most had better manners than the girl opposite her, and Dolin ate with measured, delicate grace, with no need to hurriedly wipe her face at Serena's appearance, or even wipe her face at all for that matter.

Rising from her seat, the Ysanna stood proud, rifle propped against the table. "Master Larran, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am to be part of your order." She extended no hand for a shake, gave no bow, or any other typical form of physical greeting, nor did she appear to expect any in return. "When shall I be assigned a master of my own? I am ready to begin immediately."

[Serena Laran]

Interesting. Serena raised an eyebrow, but nodded in response to Dolin Hu's introduction. She was tall, and self assured, a contrast with Serena's padawan who was wiping an imaginary food stain from her face. "You will be assigned a master once you have been tested for suitability. We try to match students with an appropriate Jedi master." She gestured to their seats. "Please, you may finish your meal. You say you are to be part of the Jedi Order? Who has sent you to us?"

[Dolin Hu]

Dolin returned to her seat, her posture prim and proper, almost severe in contrast to those around her. "The Hu Ysanna are the most powerful tribe in this region. They convened with the other tribes, and it was determined that a Ysanna should be sent to learn your ways, to act as a bridge between our peoples," she stated. "As daughter of the chieftain of the Hu Ysanna, I was chosen to represent my people among you, and in turn to represent you among my people, when I have become trained."

That said, she took up her fork and selected an appropriate sized morsel of the braised hair, lifting it to her mouth while Draiya continued to shovel her food down. Chewing and swallowing, she added, "I am ready to be tested presently. You shall not need to wait on my account."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Draiya winced at Dolin's words. There was self-confidence, sure, but then there was also tact. You didn't just go up to the Jedi Council and demand to be bumped up to the top of the docket. There was some give and take to that.

The Syragori girl remained fixed to the spot, frozen with a spoonful of tubers in mid-ascent as she waited to see what her master would say to her direct appeal.

[Serena Laran]

"I am glad to see your enthusiasm, Dolin," Serena said carefully, "But this is something the Council decides together. You have come to us from the Ysanna, and we are honored at your tribe's trust, but as Master Solomon told you we have to corroborate Knight Rabeak's story with your own and make a judgement together."

She looked at the two girls, thankful that Sol had already been in contact with her about the situation, saving Dolin from having to explain herself once more to a Council member. "We meet this afternoon, and will discuss your situation. We should have an answer by the morning. In the meantime you may stay with Padawan Naaianeya. Draiya," she turned to her padawan, "I will speak to Knight Acosta about a room for Dolin, if you can show her to the dorms."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

"Yes Masterr." Draiya nodded, then quickly accelerated her eating. After all, there was no greater shame than food left on a plate.

Serena left them to return back to her duties in the Council, and Draiya stowed her empty tray on the wash rack, waiting for Dolin to do the same. She wondered which room she'd end up in. There was an open bunk in the quarters she shared with Narsha Taab, and although bunking with the intense native made Draiya uneasy, it would also potentially stop anyone's idea about having her share a room with Scout.

Just thinking of her fellow Padawan made Draiya unconsciously sniff, as if she could still smell the latent perfume stink.

[Dolin Hu]

"I hope that Knight Rabeak returns swiftly so that he may prove I speak the truth," Dolin said. The slightest hint of worry carried itself behind her words, but the yellow-furred male had given his word, and that was sacred to a Ysanna.

"I am accustomed to sharing sleeping quarters with others," she then announced to Draiya. "While I may be a chieftan's daughter, we do not stand much on ceremony or pomp in my tribe. You will be relieved to know that I do not snore."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

"Well that makes two of us."

Narsha Taab could saw a log, however. At least Draiya tended to be a heavy sleeper.

"And yeah, I grrew up sharring a single rroom tenement with ten people. I don't think I've slept alone in my life."

Nothing like slum life to make Draiya appreciate the relative luxury of only having two roommates. Waking up with a cousin's feet against your face was never fun. Draiya jerked a thumb toward the door.

"Come on, I'll show you the dorrmitorry."

[Dolin Hu]

Her fork set down primly upon her cleared plate, Dolin took up her rifle and stood. "I have slept alone, while out on hunts or scouting," she stated. It was an attempt at small talk, which she had been told by Hal was what people often did when they wished to make others comfortable around them. From her estimation, Halajiin Rabeak must have made entire cities comfortable around him, with how much idle chatter he could spew out in the presence of the Ysanna. Presumably such a talent was part of the Jedi way, and therefore Dolin knew she must practice it.

Dolin's dark eyes adjusted quickly to the bright light of day upon exiting the cafeteria, and she slung her rifle over her shoulder by its strap as she followed Draiya. "Knight Rabeak told us much of your order, though having only seen it from a distance I could not frame his words to your setting easily. This city reminds me of some ruins I visited once as a child, a relic of bygone days, my father told me. I will endeavor to adapt to your way of life, though I must admit it will likely take me some time. Please, if ever I say or do something incorrect, I expect you to tell me."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Draiya shot back a look of some surprise. The Y'sanna had gone from brash to careful with sharp deceleration.

"Easierr said than done, I think. Until you arrrived, I think I was the one most likely to gaffe."

Still, there was something endearing, if baffling, by the earnest extension of trust that Dolin was offering. It made the Syragori padawan soften her hard edges a little.

"Guess that's the slums forr you. Come up with nothing and everry table you go to sit at, you do so with sharrp elbows. It took me a while to get overr trrying to prrove something."

[Dolin Hu]

"It seems that it is now my turn to be the one to prove herself," Dolin nodded, mentally promoting Draiya from her position at the bottom of the Jedi stack. Then her brow quirked, and she tumbled a question over in her mind to find the right words with which to express it.

"I have not heard of Slums before. What manner of people are they?" She stopped herself from going so far to presume that Draiya was a Slum herself. After all, it was clear that Draiya left her heritage as a Slum behind when she became a Jedi, just as Dolin would have to stop referring to herself as Ysanna.

[Draiya Naaianeya]

"..."

Dolin's misunderstanding so completely threw Draiya off the rails of her train of thought that she had to stop walking and mentally regroup.

"What? No. I'm frrom a slum."

And then the Padawan had it figured. The Ysanna ahd no inkling what a slum was. She couldn't tell if Dolin's naivete was mere ignorance or if it was an inadvertently fortunate kind of charm.

"Sorrt of a parrt of a city. Much, much larrgerr than this place. Small dwellings stacked close to each otherr, full of people without much money orr opporrtunity."

[Dolin Hu]

Dolin glanced around that the towering structures of Sanctuary, then attempted to imagine them smaller, and on top of each other, but many, many more of them. It was an absurd notion at best, and she cleared it from her mind. No, it was time to apply reason and logic to the situation.

"Why do these people choose to stay? Do they not have legs? Surely they should be capable of walking out of these slums and finding better places to live. Unless a slum has walls which cannot be climbed, in which case it would be a sort of prison." A look of shock and sudden empathy came over her face, and she looked to Draiya with the best poor dear expression she could muster. "Were you a prisoner in such a slum?"

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Was this a test? Was Master Laran's guidance to Draiya to act as tagalong a part of a knowing lesson in the virtue of patience and understanding? If it was just a happy accident, Draiya had at least unearthed that possibility. Not long ago, that would have frustrated her. Now, it only seemed fitting that this wasn't just Dolin's opportunity to grow, but it was also her own.

"That's a verry complicated question, Dolin." Draiya played with an errant strand of hair as she tried finding the explanation that best fit.

"I don't think I can explain how harrd it is to escape. You'rre not a prrisonerr behind walls, but behind what you can become, and what chances you get. The only rreason I'm even herre is because it took my parrents half theirr lives to be able to afforrd to leave Syragor."

[Dolin Hu]

"Why did they not simply overthrow their oppressors and take what was held back from them?"

To Dolin, it was a simple solution to an equally simple problem, but perhaps that was her gift of insight which made the solution so clear. Upon further reflection, it became apparent that such a frame of mind had not occurred to the Jedi, or they'd obviously be in a better state than they were at the moment.

"Anyone can become anything they desire, provided they have the aptitude to pursue it, and the bravery to do what must be done."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Why not? Dolin made it sound so simple. Draiya felt a longing for the world where all the difficulties of life had an answer like that.

"I think the brraverry of a Ysanna and a Jedi is morre than most have."

And there was something else stirring in the padawan's feelings on the matter.

"And I think the brraverry that we carrry comes with rresponsibility."

She hadn't spent a lot of thought on Syragor lately, but now she was. Draiya wondered just how far a light shining in darkness could reach. But this wasn't the time to give large problems a newfound consideration. The ruddy-toned Syragori put on a toothless smile, gesturing back to the dormitory.

"Come on. I'll show you ourr rroom."