A Fond Farewell

[Valae Heavenshield]

Grandmaster's Office, Silver Rest​

Kashyyyk​

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A few days prior to: All Good Things...​

Valae entered her office with a bin in hand. The Grandmaster stood just inside the doorway for a moment, merely looking at the open space before her. The morning light spilled in through the thin curtains, it looked like it was bound to be another lovely day on Kashyyyk. Unfortunately for her, it seemed that she would be spending most of her day inside.

Today she returned to her old office in order to collect her personal items and to tidy up in preparation for the next Grandmaster to take over. She'd left her brown robe behind, choosing to wear a casual outfit of blue denim and an over-sized sweatshirt, as she was not counting on entertaining anyone.

“This is it, isn't it?” She said to no one.

Moving inside, she made a swift line for her desk. In only a few days time she would be heading to Midvinter. It was sad, it was exciting... it was new. Valae glanced at a holo-image on her desk, one of her and Master Heavenshield standing before the old temple on Voss – back where her journey with the Silver Jedi had started. For a long moment, she was lost in old memories.

And so, she looked up with surprise when there came a knock on her door.

“Come on in!” Valae called.

[member="Preliat Mantis"]

 

[Preliat Mantis]

Silver Rest
Kashyyyk
Theme

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The Wolf, had returned.​

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The day that the Empire feared, was coming. ​

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And it began, because of a welcoming arms of the Silver Jedi. Perhaps, in time, the Silver Jedi would be blamed for what Preliat would build. The Empire, in time, would rather see Preliat dead than alive, in any part of the galaxy. That fire, the burning fever- would come. But Preliat had one stop to make. On his journey of self-discovery, of self-worth- there was one individual that he had grown quite fond of.

It would haunt him if he did not say goodbye.

He did not know that she was leaving. He rarely kept up with the affairs of the Jetii- much less, the personal decisions of one. But as he entered, he immediately gathered that she was in fact, saying her own goodbyes. Hers were more personal. He was a guest at Silver Rest. She- she had made it her home. Preliat looked different. He and his brother, now only had one eye. An injury had claimed Silas' sight- so Preliat sacrificed one of his own so that his brother may see. He did not wish for his brother to become more machine than they already were.

He stood in the doorway- in his armor. The armor that he had left buried, on some distant planet. But he was wearing it again. Preliat sauntered in, as quietly as a man of his size and bulk could- and sat down on one of the chairs that would be soon gathering dust in the empty office.

"It seems we both are leaving, Master Jedi."

[member="Valae Heavenshield"]

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Glancing up, Valae was pleasantly surprised to see the armored form of [member="Preliat Mantis"] in her doorway. With a smile, she set down the items in her hands and then moved around her desk to greet the Mandalorian.

“I'm glad you stopped by,” Valae said with a nod, leaning slightly against the edge of her desk.

Her chestnut eyes swept over his appearance, he looked different this time. His looks were quite rough, of note was the fact that he was now missing an eye. Valae still remembered his arrival at Silver Rest, a lost man in need of direction. But now, she did not feel that uncertainty around him anymore.

“You're leaving, too?” She asked, brows arching slightly. “And, I'm sorry that I didn't get a chance to tell you before...” Valae looked down at her feet for a moment, then back up. “I've had a lot of preparations to make before I leave for Midvinter.”

Valae pushed away from the desk and came to sit in an empty armchair, next to Preliat. She regretted that she'd already packed away her tea set and all of her snacks. She felt like such a poor hostess, with nothing to offer her guest.

“Where will you go now? If you don't mind me asking.” Valae asked, tilting her head to the side.

 

[Preliat Mantis]

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"We both knew that this was coming. My stay here was always temporary- always a means to an end. I have found my purpose, Miss Kitra." He looked guilty down at his hands, at the mention of her not telling him she was leaving. "I was not one to be telling my affairs either- though I should have told you sooner." He wanted to tell her a lot more than what he was letting on. The fear. The rage. The fever that was sweeping the Mandalorians. The coming war. The war against his own child. A war to right wrongs. A war to set things right. The Seven Day War before- that was for justice, for revenge. To evict a wrongful ruler, and steer the Mandalorians in the right path. But after the Red Coronation, the Infernal's wrath- her banishment of all that was good.

"I will be going home. Though my return will not be...not be welcome. Me, or the Veman." He did not expect her to keep up with the day-to-day affairs of Mandalorians, especially the Veman- the Mandalorians who had decided to throw themselves against the very Empire they helped create.


[member="Valae Heavenshield"]

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Valae gave a small nod, she'd always had a feeling that [member="Preliat Mantis"] would move on. His stay with the Silver Jedi may have been temporary, but she hoped that it had given him a chance to reflect and find a sense of inner peace. “I hope you found what you were looking for during your stay.” Valae added, smiling softly. She listened as he said he was going home, she could only assume he meant to Mandalore.

However, her head shifted to the side slightly upon hearing that he would not be welcome.

“And why is that?” Valae reached up to scratch her head, ruffling her chestnut waves. “... And the Veman? What's that?” She asked, looking a bit sheepish.

Perhaps she should have known, but the world of the Mandalorians was still something of a mystery to the Jedi healer. Aside from holo-news and internal briefings, she'd learned everything she knew about the clansmen from Preliat himself. Of course, the Silver Jedi had needed to defend themselves against the Mandalorian Empire in recent times, though Valae had not been involved directly.

Though she would keep the words to herself for now, she would take this opportunity to glean what she could from the Mandalorian man seated next to her about their current state and whether or not they posed a threat to the Order. Though she was leaving, she still cared.

 

[Preliat Mantis]

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"I did not find it here- but I found it because I came here." Preliat said, looking around the office. A far cry from the humble room he was given, and where they first had their conversation. He tapped his foot on the ground, and ran a hand through his hair. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Te Veman- in my language, it means the True. We are the True Mandalorians. We are the ones that oppose the Empire, the Infernal. We are going to bring war, once again, to our home. We seek to depose the Infernal and set the Mandalorians back on track. We have veered far off course, Master Jedi. The Veman, seek to correct that. Beyond that, I do not think you would understand such intricacies. Many of the conflicts therein are age-old, and deeply personal."

He stared off into space for a while.

"The Mandalorians, again- in no small part, due to my actions, are set forth into a spiraling mess of war, and blood. I do not think the bloodshed among the Mandalorians- will ever end."

A pause.

"The one you spoke of before- have you married them yet? I was told you're no longer known as Kitra to some."

[member="Valae Heavenshield"]

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Valae cradled her chin thoughtfully as [member="Preliat Mantis"] explained what Te Vemen meant. She squinted over at the Mandalorian, trying to put the pieces together. It was true, there was much of his culture that she would never understand, namely their penchant for blood.

“I cannot say that I condone the bloodshed,” Valae said, her own gentle nature as a healer did not agree that the Mandalorians should spiral into war, as Preliat had put it.

She was slightly taken aback by the mention of marriage, and Valae's cheeks reddened. “Ah,” She started, leaning back in her chair. “There was no marriage.” She replied, plain and simple – there were details that she did not wish to get into. “My name changed due to adoption. I am a part of the Heavenshield family, my Master's family now... and I will be traveling soon to join them on their home world.”

Valae folded her hands, and decided to steer the conversation back to Preliat. She was curious, more than anything. “The Infernal, as she is called, is your daughter... right?” She blinked, “You would go to war against her?”

Perhaps this was one of the things that Valae would never quite understand.

 

[Preliat Mantis]

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Preliat was silent for a while. He himself, could not necessarily condone the bloodshed- but what was he to do? What was he to do- let his people burn? To suffer? To become weak? To become pawns, puppets under the Sith's thumb? But Valae was a healer. A gentle touch, a light in a galaxy of darkness. He looked over at her somberly, thinking on how he should answer how he could justify to an outsider waging war against his daughter. He was in his 40s now, he could no longer blame it on youth and the mistakes of a young man.

He was responsible. He was the bearer of his own sins, the weight of his past pushed down on him. But he was letting go of it, lately- slowly, but surely. He was finding things to look for, to hope in again. But before all that, his home, his people- needed to be free.

"My daughter....Not entirely. The Empire, itself, yes. The Mandalorian Empire has disregarded what the Seven Day War believed in. What we fought to end. They are puppets, pawns in a game for the Sith. We seek our independence, our strength once more-" He bowed his head, running a hand through his hair. He looked down at his hands, briefly wondering if all the pain and suffering he caused over the years would ever amount to anything other than heartache.

He turned his head to face Valae.

"I just want the suffering to end. I just want my people to no longer be....subjugated. In one way, or another. Every Mandalorian deserves to be...home. And the Empire has cast aside more people than ever- the Infernal, Yasha has done that. And, I cannot abide by that- we, cannot abide by that any longer. We have to act, we have to set things right."

He sighed. He did not mean to rant.

"Love is fickle, love is cruel- but, to have been loved and known it's graces? You must consider yourself lucky. Some live their whole lives without knowing love."

He smiled, then turned to her. He lightly nudged her with his elbow.

"So does that mean you're single now?" The Wolf smiled, chuckling softly. He had a nice smile, if anything.


[member="Valae Heavenshield"]

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Valae listened quietly, watching [member="Preliat Mantis"] as he spoke. Indeed the influence of the Sith was strong, their hold on the galaxy was firm. The Silver Order had fought their own battles against the Sith, it had been a difficult fight – one that was ongoing, even now.

“I think I'm beginning to understand,” She said, nodding slowly.

There wasn't much Valae could offer in the way of assistance to his cause, but she hoped for the best. Her brows arched slightly as he spoke about love. Perhaps he was right, she ought to consider herself lucky. Valae offered a smile, and it grew wider as he nudged her with his elbow. The Jedi healer's brow furrowed slightly, and her cheeks colored.

Valae merely blew out a breath in response, followed by a small chuckle. She assumed that he spoke in jest, a means to lighten the mood. But still, she gave her head a small shake. She'd never had good luck with relationships, and she was certainly not looking to start something before leaving Kashyyyk.

“Anyway,” she started, grinning. “What will happen if you succeed?”

She was curious. Even if the Sith influence was removed, would the Mandalorians still continue to fight? She had a feeling that this was one part of their culture that could not be changed, but there was always room for surprise.

 

[Preliat Mantis]

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"A difficult thing for most outsiders to do is to simply understand Mandalorians." He added, with a soft emphasis, his gentle Ordo accent playing into his words, betraying his stature and his reputation- and the reality of what he was. His brother may have been a demon set upon his fellow Vode- but Preliat? Preliat was a murderer, a killer. Death personified. He was a beast of a man, with enough power in his body to throw a fully armored Jedi over his head- and then get back up and continue to fight him.

"Mandalore has been rebuilt. I suppose we will...we will simply be. No telling of what the future holds." He tapped his foot on the ground, looking at his bare hands. He imagined them as they had been, saw them- for a moment, covered in ash, blood, grime- mud. All the things that made a man a killer, made a man an animal. And he was, a caged beast at times.

The Wolf of Mandalore was a title given to him by Ashin, but it was set by destiny herself.

"We will do as the people will, Miss Kitra. We will do as Mandalorians have always done. Endure. Survive. Much like the Jedi. I have been reading of your archives- I admire the Jedi tenacity, the dedication to the cause of the light, against an ever-encroaching darkness. I admire that very much, even if some of my people are vehemently against the very idea of a Jedi and the force itself."

Usually Preliat was laconic in his speech- but since his tenure with the Silver Jedi, he had expanded his vocabulary. He was beginning to understand what to say, and how to say it.


[member="Valae Heavenshield"]