Mise En Place

[Idiri Su'ul Ahan'war]

She listened from the comfort of her seat, watching with calm eyes. Those around her were tense, but for her, her entire body remained loose and curious at the arrival of this... Jedi.

The others with him were as an afterthought as she focused on the older human.

One hand gently held her wooden spoon, and with arms propped up on raised knees, she breathed in deeply before letting it back out, her body shifting then to lean to the side. The spoon came up, around, and dipped into her rice pot to give the contents another stir.

With eyes now studying the food, she spoke.

"Is Jedi here to... have his revenge on the many for the transgressions of the one?"

[Zem Vymes]

"Revenge is not the Jedi way. And a people are not the beneficiaries of the evils of one of their own."

Zem gestured before the woman.

"May we sit with you?"

[Idiri Su'ul Ahan'war]

The spoon was tapped on the pot's edge, and Idiri gave a waving gesture to the area around her.

"Sit if you must, Jedi."

Her focus remained on the food, the fingers of her free hand going out to turn the rabbit carcass once more. The lean nature of the meat held only the smallest trace amounts of fat, but what it did have sizzled as the flames below barely kissed it.

"If you are not here to satisfy the wargods of the stars, then why are you here."

[T'yeellaa Meorrrei]

T'yeellaa watched Zem take a cross-legged seat on the ground across from the alien. She stole a glance back to Samus before turning her attention back to the conversation. The tidy-minded Cizerack hoped that he didn't intend for her to take a seat on the ground as well.

[Q. Samus Dage]

In the short glance she sent him, he only had time to offer a clueless shrug before he too sent his full attentions back to Master Vymes and the old Kaleesh woman. She looked to have more than a few years on her, and he couldn't help but feel just a little bad for her. She looked like the sort who was not used being relegated to scrabble-huts and the myriad of other conditions that she was currently in.

Even as the Jedi Master sat, Samus hesitated as T'yeellaa did. Not for any worry over sullying his uniform, but more because the only ones sitting were the woman, and the Jedi.

The rest around the woman either stood or were crouched, and taking a cue from his counterparts, Samus settled for simply lowering himself to a half-crouch. His eyes met those of the Kaleesh men around them, and he gave a respectful nod to them.

[Zem Vymes]

"If you are not here to satisfy the wargods of the stars, then why are you here."

"The Jedi pay no homage to war. We are peacekeepers. Guardians of the voiceless."

Zem's expression and poise were completely calm. He sat in such a way that he appeared to be meeting with someone completely familiar to him. It was inviting without being gladhanding.

"I was wondering if you would share your story with me."

[Idiri Su'ul Ahan'war]

He was an old soul; she could see that well enough. For as much hardship as she had endured, there was a telling in the way that he sat and looked at her; in his voice and in his eyes - he had seen just as much. Perhaps more? It was a possibility, though she had a strong notion that he'd never watched a son or a daughter go to the Sky-Hunter, bodies ablaze on a pyre that would leave nothing but ash behind.

She blinked owlishly, giving him a long look before refocusing her attentions to the wooden mixing spoon. Her free hand pulled away from the rabbit, sweeping over the carved wooden edges to take up a few stragglers of rice before placing them into her mouth to test for softness. There was still a crunch, and she gave a hrmph.

"I will share some of my story," she started thoughtfully, "... if you will share some of yours."

The spoon was leveled at him, and a golden eye sighted along its length at him.

"Yes?"

[Zem Vymes]

The Jedi Master agreed with an inclination of his head.

"I studied under Jedi Master Saessee Tiin, and was raised to knighthood during the Clone Wars. I fought in the Outer Rim Sieges, liberated two dozen worlds, and was there at the end when the Emperor destroyed our Order. I went into hiding, shepherding other Jedi and the less-fortunate beyond the Empire's gaze. In a moment of despair, I faltered. I set aside the life of a Jedi, unconvinced that I could fulfill my duties without falling to increasing darkness in the galaxy."

He paused, taking a breath.

"I was redeemed by my student and brought to the light again. I helped rally what few of us remained, to seek a sanctuary for a new Jedi Order. When it too was threatened, I confronted the darkness behind that threat, and drew my fallen student back to the light. Now, I am a Master of the Order, a member of the Jedi Council, and I am on a journey to learn."

[Idiri Su'ul Ahan'war]

"That is a lot," she hmphed, her gaze moving once more to the rabbit. It was not quite ready to turn.

"Many words, though I suspect not enough."

The spoon was finally set atop a rock, and she rolled creaking shoulders as her tongue darted out to wet dry lips. It was easy to see that she was missing more than a few teeth.

"I have lived long," she started, "... so very long. My brothers all went to war with the other tribes around us, and once I grew old enough to have my own sons, they went to war as well. Though, it was certainly not the sort of battles that the One-Of-Us joined. My tribe, and many others, had no desire for that. They had their own differences to squabble over. Why stand against a foe that does not understand you? No, there were enough enemies on our own world. We did not need to bring down the wraths of those on other worlds."

Her features pinched into a strange look as rail-thin shoulders gave a quick shrug.

"But the One-Of-Us brought the war to us anyway. At least, a form of it. It is one thing to be hated for your actions, but that is not where we find ourselves. Now, we are to be hated for another's actions."

[T'yeellaa Meorrrei]

T'yeellaa listened to the woman speak, trying to piece together the meaning behind her story.

"One-Of-Uss? jYou mean Generral Grrjievouss?"

[Idiri Su'ul Ahan'war]

At that, the old woman's eyes lifted up to the Cizerack woman. A puzzled look creased her wrinkles deeper, and she paused in her motions, one hand held partially aloft as she idly flicked her fingers to remove the last few remains of rice away.

"We do not speak his name," came her eventual answer.

"He is no longer worthy to carry that mantle, and he released his chance to true honor gained by joining the Sky-Hunter. The One-Of-Us is a heretic and devil who brought hardship and pain to all."

[Zem Vymes]

"And that is pain that we are hoping to assuage."

Zem was content to leave Grievous well and buried, so he didn't invoke his name out of respect to her wishes.

"It is difficult to make the journey you have taken. What can I do to help you?"

[Idiri Su'ul Ahan'war]

The old Kaleesh stared at the Jedi for a long while, her thoughts rolling over his question like the waves of an ocean rolled over the sands of a beach. There was much she could ask for, but also much that he could not give, and she kept silent for the time being. Eventually she let her attentions return to the rabbit, and one hand going out, turned it once more over the fire to make sure that it did not burn any one spot.

"Is question with weight," she finally mumbled out.

"What you can do, and what we need, those two may not be joined together."

She was no fool, and was not ignorant of the stir that their presence was causing here on this planet.

"The people here, they do not want us. They make us stay in camps and away from them. They are fearful and keep hate in their chests."

She pulled her hand away from the rabbit, the spoon returning to the pot to give the rice a stir.

"Unless you know of a world that we will not be seen merely an extension of the One-Of-Us, and will not be punished for his actions, then there is nothing that you can do."

[Zem Vymes]

"The people here do not know you. It is easy for fear and hate to fill the void that ignorance brings."

The Jedi Master glanced up for a moment, looking at the disheveled group huddled close to the woman. He returned his attention to his host.

"I know of such a place." Zem offered, inclining his head slightly. "An old, ancient place, which has sheltered those looking for sanctuary and a second chance many times."

[T'yeellaa Meorrrei]

It didn't take much insight to guess the place Vymes was talking about. T'yeellaa's ears skewed in mild surprise.

"jYou mean Osssuss?"

[Idiri Su'ul Ahan'war]

Idiri's eyes shifted then, from the Jedi to Felinoid.

"I have heard stories of that place," she started slowly, and presently her gaze swept back to the Jedi.

"Such stories speak of its destruction, many years ago."

[Zem Vymes]

"Destruction, renewal, end, beginning. These are all a part of the same energy."

Sometimes, the mysteries of the force went unseen to lay people, but this was one aspect that could be understood.

"The Jedi have returned to the ancient temple and have founded a Sanctuary - not only for those of our order, but for others in search for renewed existence. That renewal is available to you as well."

[Q. Samus Dage]

He watched in a strange sort of fascination, this interaction between the Jedi and the old Kaleesh woman. Of course, his attentions were equally split, as the food she was tending to smelled... well, it smelled amazing.

There were old habits and tendencies that seemed to well up, and Samus couldn't help the continuous shifting of his eyes - woman to food, food to woman. Woman to food again.

Master Vymes was speaking of Ossus, and of how it was available to these refugees, but the words were only vaguely processed. Of course, in the next moment he steeled himself to focus on the offer that the older Jedi Master was making.

"It's a good home," he chose to add, "... if you and your people are hoping for somewhere to be on a more permanent basis."

[T'yeellaa Meorrrei]

What was he doing? T'yeellaa's eyes cut severely towards Samus as he contributed to the Jedi's argument. She kept her lips pressed shut as her eyes switched forward again, but it didn't stop a sudden snit from forming in her tail's rhythm.

There was nothing that was appropriate to say here, and T'yeellaa could only watch the Jedi venture down a path that seemed recklessly foolish.

[Idiri Su'ul Ahan'war]

"Ossus."

She tended to the meat as it continued to cook, turning it with one hand while her other reached for the wooden spoon that was still buried in the pot. Scooping up a measure of liquid, she lifted it up to pour the spiced stock over the sand rabbit.

It was a tempting offer, despite the bad blood between the Jedi and the One-Of-Us. Of course, the body language from the Cizerack woman was unmistakable, and the old Kaleesh matron didn't bother to look away from the food she was preparing.

"Is not an ideal arrangement for you, Woman-Of-Cats?"

[Q. Samus Dage]

For a moment, his attentions were pulled from the food at the old Kaleesh woman's words, and his eyes gave only a fleeting turn to T'yeellaa. He'd not dare answer for her. He was curious though, all the same. It wasn't a challenge, but a simply-stated question that the lanky blonde couldn't help but hold intense curiosity for the answer.

[T'yeellaa Meorrrei]

Being called out elicited an arched eyebrow. Her gloved hands clasped at the small of her back wrung tightly, internalizing her displeasure.

"jIt jissn't mjy ssajy, rrou'a."

T'yeellaa glanced to Vymes.

"jIf the Massterr Jedji rrecommendss thjiss, jI have no rreasson to object."

[Idiri Su'ul Ahan'war]

Idiri was an old woman, well-versed in the expressions of many. And more often that not, emotions looked very similar despite what species a being was. As such, she waved a dismissing hand to dispel the Cizerack woman's words to the air.

"Words of diplomats, you speak."

She would pull the truth and heart from the other woman regardless of the possibly ugly natures held within. Her free hand grasped the wooden spoon tightly, and giving a last stir to the rice, she beckoned to her helpers. Two males came forward to nod at her hurriedly-spoken Kalee, that they remove the rice pot from the fire. The rabbit, still turning on the spit, still had a few minutes left to cook. It was after another smooth turn to pass the last few portions of cooking meat over the fire that she spoke once more to the Cizerack officer.

"I ask of you, not of the Jedi, and certainly not of your government."

[T'yeellaa Meorrrei]

The K'ohta'rrou's ears burned with internalized disdain. She glanced to the Jedi Master, hoping he'd intervene to turn the topic. Instead, he nodded, as if to give her license to speak her mind - the last thing she wanted to do.

"jI don't trrusst jyourr people, rrou'a."

T'yeellaa at least held even eye contact with the admission.

"The Alljiance jiss jyoung and jin a forrmatjive sstate. jI am concerrned, not wjithout causse, that an jinflux of warrrjiorr rrefugeess could become a djissrruptjion to ourr valuess."

She tugged at the bottom hem of her jacket, as if to transition her statement.

"jYou arre lookjing forr ssanctuarrjy, rrou'a. The Massterr Jedji offerred jit. Mjy feeljingss on thjiss matterr, asss jI have sstated, arre jirrrelevant to that parrtjicularr agrreement."

[Idiri Su'ul Ahan'war]

"Bah", she waved away the attempt to return the matter to the Jedi.

"You right to be worried, Woman-of-Cats. Our people... harsh and warlike, the life of any other way is normally unknown."

Idiri paused then, as though her thoughts returned to the rice she was cooking and the rabbit so close to being done.

"But the tribes know of the loyalties. Is such importance. The galaxy does not continue on without the trust."

A hesitation, and the old Kaleesh chose to change the subject for now. After all, their meal was ready to be served.

"You will all three join us. Yes. The food is enough and the bellies will be full."

[Zem Vymes]

Zem understood the invitation, and its importance. To be given from someone who had so little, it was important to recognize the gesture, and not to defer out of some misplaced sense of charity.

"We would be honored to be your guests."

With that, the Jedi gestured for the two Alliance officers to sit, as he had sit.

[Q. Samus Dage]

There was little else the older Jedi Master needed to do to get him to become more comfortable, and Samus eagerly situated himself on a bare spot of dry, hard-packed dirt beside Master Vymes.

"Never let it be said that I refused a meal," he grinned. Especially when it might help to further their endeavors. Of course, T'yeellaa looked as though she'd eaten a plate full of Kaminoan fish pickle spices, and so he let her ease into this new setting at her own pace.

The blonde turned to Vymes, giving him a slight elbow to the ribs.

"I bet the Old Girl would jealous of us now."

The thought of Loklorien trudging her way through the much more political aspects of their trip almost made him feel... bad. At least, it did until he caught a whiff of the rabbit as it was pulled off the spit and hastily plonked onto a disposable plate. The old Kaleesh woman set about carving the piping hot meat with a knife that was as sharp as anything, and Samus closed his eyes as he took in the swirling aromas that wound around them all.

[T'yeellaa Meorrrei]

The K'ohta'rrou carefully negotiated the space beneath her feet, evaluating it to determine the best way to sit without making a mess of things. There wasn't any real way to mitigate getting dirt on her crimson jodhpurs, so T'yeellaa relented quietly, easing into a cross-legged sitting posture as Master Vymes and Samus had done. The smells coming from the cooking pot were partly familiar but mostly foreign. There was the familiar aroma of cooked meat, but also other smells that ranged from aggressive and intense to delicate and perfumed. Nothing of the other smells had any familiar note. It was all so aggressively forrda. Still, if this is what it took to reach these barbarians, T'yeellaa would do what was necessary. Her tail curled into her lap as she carefully removed her white gloves, easing them into a pocket.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

* * *

The day had stretched into late evening, and s'Il waited patiently as the unmarked speeder slowed to a stop at the curb.

She had accepted the invitation for their small group to stay on the planet, and now found herself out in front of a well-kept and almost regal looking resort. Her business for the day had been concluded, and she was certainly glad that it was. There were only so many official proceedings that she could stomach in such a compacted amount of time, and the Lupine found herself eagerly awaiting the return of Zem.

Still in uniform, she stood rigidly, her hands clasped at the small of her back and watching as the driver turned in his seat to talk to the passengers in the back for a brief moment.

[Q. Samus Dage]

"I'll make sure to log all of our travel coordinates for Alliance Intel," the driver was saying, his tone nonchalant.

Samus nodded in a half-interested sort of way, as Master Vymes chose to vacate the speeder without any ceremony whatsoever. Of course, that left one Cizerack and one Myomarian still sitting, as if they had forgotten that they were supposed to leave as well.

The driver, in the absence of a verbal acknowledgement, gave a conciliatory cough.

It was the push that he needed, and Samus gave a hurried response.

"Ah! Yes! Apologies."

He reached out to pull at the door latch, and opened the door before quickly unfolding himself from the speeder. A swift turn on his heel, and he extended a hand to T'y.

[T'yeellaa Meorrrei]

T'yeellaa's white-gloved hand was already on her own door latch when she felt Samus looming, extending a hand for her. She gave him a little smile, which became a slightly more pointed expression.

They were always two dancers, each wanting to lead. At times, it was fun to play with that dynamic. Then there were times like this, where they were each wearing their respective uniforms, and carrying on their shoulders what all that represented. Being a Meorrrei meant being acutely aware at all times that appearances matter. That, and despite whatever silver spoon she'd been born with, T'yeellaa was proud that whatever she'd done in service to the Navy, she had done herself.

The K'ohta'rrou carefully wedged her cap onto her head, glanced past Samus to make sure the coast was clear, gave him a covert air kiss, then exited on her side of the vehicle - all business.

[Q. Samus Dage]

Samus couldn't help the barest of smiles that twitched the corners of his lips upward, but he soon enough stowed the ghostly expression while closing the speeder's door. The air kiss sent from the vehicle's other side was at least met with a wink, and the lanky blonde began the short trek around the rear, giving the back end a slight pat so that the driver knew he was free to leave.

"Alright then, K'ohta'rrou Meorrrei," shoulders hitched back and his spine straight, Samus fell into step beside his Cizerack companion.

"How would you feel about a bit of supper, then? I'm sure we can find something here that you'd enjoy."

[T'yeellaa Meorrrei]

"Doess jit jinvolve ssjittjing jin the djirrt and eatjing from a cauldrron of sscaldjing sspjicjy orrange...sstew?"

Almost as an afterthought, the K'ohta'rrou brushed a hand against her jodhpurs to knock away any real or imagined dirt. She sharply sniffed, deftly passing a handkerchief beneath her nose.

"Mjy ssjinussess wjill be clearr forr weekss."

It took a slightly brisk pace to keep up with Samus's long stride, but T'yeellaa fell into the right cadence.

[Q. Samus Dage]

"I did a little bit of research after you left," there was a devious glint in his eyes as he sent a sideways glance her way.

"Found a little place that does some food I think you'll like, so don't worry."

Samus resisted the urge to pull her close as they walked, and instead settled for stuffing his hands into the front pockets of his duty trousers. As the two officers ascended the entry stairway to the resort that they'd all been scheduled to stay at for the night.

"The nice thing too, is that it's on the grounds, so no more traveling for the evening."

As the pair passed through the large entryway arch and into the open-air lobby, a Twi-Lek bellhop approached.

"K'ohta'rrou, Commander. Your rooms have been prepared, and your luggage transported down. If you would follow me?"

[T'yeellaa Meorrrei]

"That'ss good. jI'd rratherr sstajy jinssjide the wjirre."

T'yeellaa turned her head slightly towards Samus to concede the point. At the arrival of the bellhop, she arched an eyebrow.

"jIt'ss been a while ssjince ssomeone elsse hass carrjied mjy luggage."

[Q. Samus Dage]

"Don't get too used to it," he couldn't help but quietly respond, leaving the 'Kitten' unsaid.

It was teasing, and they both knew it. T'y was so fiercely independent that there were times he felt lucky to get away with some of the doting that he sparingly showered upon her. Sparingly, because he knew that it was all he could really do.

The bellhop led the way, ignoring whatever chatter his charges exchanged.

"We've got your table at Haskakara House ready for you."

Pausing at the top of a grand staircase leading deeper into an extended lobby, he turned to the two.

"Will you both be wanting to be seated now, or do you prefer to visit your rooms first?"


​At that, Samus looked to T'y, allowing her the choice.

[T'yeellaa Meorrrei]

"The rroom." She offered immediately, without the ham-handed pretexts and knowing looks of the previous night's awkward rendezvous.

"jI need to frresshen up, and," she slapped at the flared sides of her jodhpurs, a small plume of real or imagined dust coming free, "change pantss."

Quentin Samus Dage didn't lose points for lack of trying. Here they were, in the middle of a crisis in a border system shithole, and he was picking out restaurants like they were back home.

"Worrkjing djinnerr. jI mean jit thjiss tjime. We have a lot of worrk to do beforre tomorrow."

Home. When did she start thinking of Jovan that way?