Private A Fresh Start

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Wearing: XoXo | Equipment: Lightsaber | Location: Jakku | Tag: Bastila Sal-Soren, Romi Jade ​

A cloud of dust whirled around Briana as her feet struck the hard, dry ground, emerging from the Veré in a sweep of light and airy robes that allowed her skin to stay cool in the ruthless desert environment, her long dark hair was twisted away from her face and delicately arranged in a braided crown around her head.

The settlement of Jakku's Jedi Enclave could be seen in the nearby distance of the ruthless desert. It didn't look like much, but that was part of the point, wasn't it?

Her cerulean gaze turned to look over her shoulder where she spotted Bastila Sal-Soren — her younger sister by a handful of years — through the view port, meticulously carrying out the last of the final landing inspections. Over the course of their journey, she'd invited Bast to help her pilot their late mother's ship on their way in, sharing time at the helm and offering guidance when necessary while still allowing her the room to stretch her emerging skills. It was a bitter sweet moment, one that'd both bonded them on the journey, but consequently forced Briana to acknowledge the weight of their parents notable absence and the empty void that they once occupied.

It was regretful to think that from here on out, she'd be having a more direct hand in her sisters life in lieu of their parents, but above all else, an underlying fear gnawed at her heart – could she keep Bastila from the shadow of their father's tainted legacy? Was it possible to shield her from a life that'd be laden with strife?

It was these very same questions from several weeks prior that'd sparked her memory of the Jakku Enclave, causing her to considered that perhaps it was the answer she was looking for — a sanctuary far removed from the chaos that swirled within the discord of the Core and the specter of tragedy lingering on Naboo. The isolated enclave had seemed like the perfect place to bring Bastila after everything that'd happened, ultimately leading her to seek out Romi Jade for guidance, her own fond memories of her time spent on Ossus, further driving the decision. Romi, true to form, had wholeheartedly agreed to welcome Bastila into their ranks.

Briana only hoped it'd be enough to give her the chance she deserved.

 

[Bastila Sal-Soren]

Wearing: XoXo
Equipment: Lightsaber
Location: Jakku Enclave, Outskirts
Tag: Briana Sal-Soren | Romi Jade

Bastila exited the cockpit, beaming with pride as she recalled the smooth landing of the ship that once belonged to her beautiful mother. She regailed in the moment, after all, she had been known to crash things from time to time. Such as the one time she "borrowed" a snub fighter from the local garrison on Naboo, flying it through the skies effortlessly. That was the easy part for her, anything with an electrical jolt through circuits was something she could quickly master. The hard part? She had brought the fighter in too land once she was caught by the local security and she came in a bit too fast and hard. The fighter ended up sliding across the marble flooring, leaving behind gouges and streaks of metal against marble - and smashed into a wall, busting up some marble statue of a prominent politican. The officials in Theed City demanded that the family pay for the damages, but due to influence and a little back door dealing - she was able to get off with a minor fine and a slap on the hand.

As she walked down the ramp from the ship, her pride would soon turn into slight disappointment as the heat and sun of the planet, caught her senses. Luckily, Jakku wasn't Tattooine, so she wasn't facing triple digit tempatures that would no doubt make the girl from Naboo faint from heat exhaustion. Despite her disappointment, she remained curious, having heard stories of Jakku and and how it once harbored relics from days long since gone. Plots of rusted out vessels from the Galactic Civil War and the conflicts that raged in the years recent. It was curiousity that captured her attention - but that curiousity was soon replaced by frustration as she was assaulted by the bright sun, and the sweltering heat. She grimaced and held a hand over her eyes while the other pulled a baklava up to cover her mouth from being sandblasted. The grit of the sand against her soft flesh was also a nuisance she desired to escape from, trying to follow behind her sister quickly. Her hazel eyes followed Bri as she marched on, confident and bold as ever. She would follow behind her, just ever so slightly and lacking in the confident swagger Briana carried. Her steps were fumbly and haphazard as she trudged through the sand towards their destination. A destination that felt like it was kilometers away, despite in fact, being only a few hundred meters off the beaten landing pad.

She grunted, holding back complaints that normally wouldn't befall her person. Instead, speaking up loudly, trying to catch her sisters attention. "How much further?"

​

 

[Romi Jade]

JAKKU
JEDI ENCLAVE

It'd been an ongoing journey to rehab the Enclave campus, tougher than when she sanctioned its initial construction, with Lossa Aureus helping get things on the ground up and running, and Justice Lesan , and Mother Askani making supply runs back and forth to Coruscant, it helped speed the process up a bit -- she had every intention of revamping the protocols as well, but in the meantime this was the current project and training happened somewhere in-between the work.

Briana Sal-Soren reached out to her concerning her younger sister, as acquainted as Romi and the Jade's had been with the Sal-Soren family, particularly their mother, along with Briana and Brandyn, she hadn't yet met the youngest.

However, she understood the circumstances. A remote and desolate dessert world, was a turn off for most people...it's why Jakku was in some part a perfect get away, and even perfect place to facilitate Jedi learning. In its heyday, before it was raided, the Jakku Enclave was one of the premiere Jedi learning facilities and stop points in a vast network of Enclaves.

There would certainly be room to learn and stretch yourself, it was at the center of her training philosophy, but she was a harsh and tough Master, and so was her training methods. If the environment was any testament into what could be gleaned from the set-up, she hoped Bri had communicated with her sister about the process, and wasn't throwing her into it all without context.

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Bastila Sal-Soren

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Wearing: XoXo | Equipment: Lightsaber | Location: Jakku | Tag: Romi Jade , Bastila Sal-Soren​

The environment of Jakku was some of the harshest she'd ever experienced, but something she increasingly grew comfortable with the longer they walked, the sparkling white sands shifting underfoot. Her legs ached, yes, but little by little Briana became more at ease with the back and forth movement and eventually, despite her discomfort, she could not help finding it all so… beautiful.

Treacherous yes… but beautiful all the same.

Passing a glance over her shoulder, Briana caught Bastila's disgruntled expression out of the corner of her eye, letting out a wry chuckle. "Not quite the picturesque Naboo, is it?" She remarked, her voice cutting through the harsh wind. Briana could remember her own first reaction to the stark contrast of the outer worlds compared to their home world, displaying that same naïveté. It was endearing, and yet, a pang of guilt twisted in her heart. She was dragging her little sister into this, trying to protect her from an unwelcome legacy left by their father's treachery.

As much as she wanted to fall back to her sisters side, keep her pace, take her hand...there was no room for coddling, not in their world, not even for her beloved baby sister. She tilted her head towards the hazy silhouette of the Jedi Enclave in the nearby distance, gaze hardening as she spotted the figure she recognized as Romi Jade , her distinct aura palpable through the Force. The woman was as tough as the arid world around them, and her training methods as unforgiving as the Jakku sun. Briana had endured it, had come out stronger and better for it, she believed Bastila would as well. "C'mon, it's not that much farther and Master Jade is already there."

Her eyes never left Romi's form, her lips drawing into a line. They'd discussed at length Romi's training methods, trying to prepare Bastila for what laid ahead, but talking about something and experiencing it for yourself were often two very different things and Briana couldn't help the worry that bubbled up within her chest. "Bast... this isn't going to be easy, but I want you to remember, you have the Force. You have our parents' strength. And you have me. No matter how intense things get, I'm always just a stone's throw away, alright?"

 

[Bastila Sal-Soren]

Wearing: XoXo
Equipment: Lightsaber
Location: Jakku Enclave, Outskirts
Tag: Briana Sal-Soren | Romi Jade

To say the environment was harsh was a bit of an understatement. Bastila didn't relish in the heat, or the sand that pelted her face. None of it made it happy, and her displeasure was evident through the Force. She hadn't a clue why they had come out so far - away from all the civilized planets. Was it something she did? Or said? Bastila could only speculate, since the death of their parents, all of her siblings has grown more protective over her but distant with each other.

Bastila sneered at Briana's remark, retorting. "There isn't anything out here but sand and heat!" She grunted. "If I wanted that, I could have gone to the beach, ya know?"

Bastila groaned audibly, even through the cutting wind. 'Master Jade?' Why did that sound familiar? Wasn't that the woman who had done some training with her sister? She had heard things, not bad things, but things about the methods to her madness. She then recalled the conversation they had, and a sense of anxiety began to creep up on her. Her attention would be caught by a looming figure in the short distance, not an imposing one but one who commanded presence through the Force. Bastila swallowed hard as she trudged on behind Briana, pushing through the small dunes of sand. Her gaze lifted to look at Briana as she spoke, feeling some discomfort and anticipation from the eldest sister of the Sal-Soren family.

"How am I going to have you when you're not here...?" She said concerningly. It wasn't that she was not capable, but shielded. Shielded from the harsh realities as much as possible, dependent on her family for that security - ever more so with the passing of their parents. But those private moments would be for the times like here and now, other times, Bastila exuded confidence in her actions even if it was sometimes a falsehood she wore like a mask.

Perhaps some harsh training was something she needed, something to help steel her mind and build her confidence.

​

 

[Romi Jade]

JAKKU
JEDI ENCLAVE

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the endless expanse of desert. As useless as Jakku seemed to most, the arid winds and large dunes whispered tales of ancient battles and forgotten civilizations, as if there was something more to glean. It was almost as if the very sand beneath their feet held the memories of a thousand generations, Jedi related or not. Romi always said, the sands of Jakku held secrets...

The entrance to the enclave was marked by a large and simple dune, that looked like many others. However, this one in particular held an archway, and it wasn't one adorned with ancient Jedi glyphs that seemed to shimmer with a faint, ethereal glow. This was a simple, unassuming, and metallic threshold that appeared like any other durasteel door. Though as much as simple things appeared, the closer you got, the air was thick with a sense of history, as if the sands shifted and whispered tales of triumph and sacrifice; they did. Much transpired here on this low priority world.

Just aside the doorway stood Romi Jade, an enigmatic figure to some -- so she heard often. Clad in her usual sleeveless, body-suit attire, her platinum blonde hair cascading down like a waterfall, Romi exuded an aura of comfortable confidence and power...like she had seen more than enough. Her eyes, a piercing shade of crystal blue, met Briana's with a familiar, and knowing smile as she approached. The woman waved them both down, cutting through the transparent waves of heat with the motion of her arm, with ease.

By this point she had been use to it all, "I was starting to worry a bit there..." she called out to the women, "Welcome. Cool air awaits."

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Briana Sal-Soren | Bastila Sal-Soren

 

[Bastila Sal-Soren]

Wearing: XoXo
Equipment: Lightsaber
Location: Jakku Enclave, Outskirts
Tag: Briana Sal-Soren | Romi Jade

Somewhere lost in time she was...

Floating endlessly amongst the void, as if she was stuck in some limbo...

But reality hit her quick, and she snapped back to the present. She jolted physically, gaze snapping up to gaze as the new presence felt within the Force. A sense of confidence, and compassion with a brimming fire behind it - it drew her closer and curiosity would rise as she stared at the woman standing near the doorway to the facility the came upon.

"I was starting to worry a bit there..." The woman called out to her and Briana. "Welcome. Cool air awaits." The other woman spoke, airing that confidence and certainty that Bastila felt through the Force.

Who was this woman...?

She looked familiar, but she couldn't quite place where she had seen her before. Maybe an old holo-vid that Briana had shared with her when she was younger, or maybe she just held once of those faces that held a familiar look to them. Bastila would look briefly to Briana and then back to the other woman before nodding softly, keeping a hand up to hold onto the cloth that concealed her mouth and nose from the harsh sand that whirled about them. The mention of cold air also brought the notion that there might even be cold water indoors, a welcome respite from the burning sun on Jakku. With no complaints, Bastila moved indoors, sighing happily as the conditioned air touched her sun-kissed skin. It was beyond a refreshing moment, sending chills and goosebumps up and down her skin as her body adjusted to the cooler temps of the indoors. "Jeez..." She said, sighing heavily as she pressed her sweat drenched back against the wall, sliding down into a crouching position. "Just a few minutes outside felt like an eternity!" She exclaimed, dropping the cloth from around her face, closing her eyes and dipping her head down.

She would enjoy the moment, having a sense that this would not be one of the last times she would have to endure the conditions that Jakku offered.

​

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Wearing: XoXo | Equipment: Lightsaber | Location: Jakku Enclave | Tag: Bastila Sal-Soren, Romi Jade ​

"There isn't anything out here but sand and heat!" She grunted. "If I wanted that, I could have gone to the beach, ya know?"

Briana watched her sister's reactions with a knowing gaze, trying to keep the wry smile from her lips, unable to help finding some small bit of amusement in the irony. How many times had she complained about Ossus when her and Brandyn first arrived to begin their Jedi journey? Too many times to count. "Harsh environments breed resilience, Bast. Strips away the distractions and helps you see what you're made of. I don't think you'd learn that from lounging on a beach." Her youngest sister had always shown a great deal of potential, but as Briana herself well knew, potential alone didn't make a Jedi. No, Jedi were often forged in the crucible of challenges and trials, much like the barren expanse that now stretched out before them. Bastila needed to grow beyond the shelter of their family, beyond their father's shadow. This was an opportunity for her, all she had to do was reach out and grab it. Time would tell if she would.

At Bastila's next question, Briana paused, considering how to answer her.

"How am I going to have you when you're not here...?"

There was a good deal of anxiety in that question. It wasn't easy leaving behind everything you'd ever known, only to have to give up one more thing that held a shred of familiarity.

It was a lot of change that was happening exceedingly quick. "Just because I can't be by your side at every turn, doesn't mean that I'm not with you. We're sisters. Connected whether you like it or not. Through the Force, through blood. You can always reach me."

Briana gave a soft squeeze on her sisters shoulder then stepped back, falling silent as they finally reached Romi.

"I was starting to worry a bit there..." she called out to the women, "Welcome. Cool air awaits."

"Yeah, sorry about the delay," Briana began, following after Romi and nodding for her sister to follow. "We opted for the scenic route." A bit tongue-in-cheek, considering there was nothing around for miles. One you saw one dune hill, you'd pretty much seen them all.

Stepping through the archway and into the cooler confines of the Enclave was a welcome relief, one her sister was taking full advantage of. While shaking the sand from her boots, she passed a glance back at her melting sister. A small smirk tugged up at the corners. "You'll get used to it, Bast. Jakku has a way of toughening you up, whether you like it or not. Try to think of it as a rite of passage."

Following Bastila, Briana unhitched her heavy cloak and gave it a few sharp taps to dislodge the clinging grains before folding it over her arm, her gaze shifting to Romi. "I hope our late arrival hasn't thrown off any plans you had." Though, knowing Romi, it wouldn't matter too much.

Rain or shine, sandstorm or snow, if there was one thing the Jedi Master was adept at, it was adapting to the circumstances.

 

[Romi Jade]

JAKKU
JEDI ENCLAVE

Heh - "The scenic route huh?" She chortled, trailing ahead of the ladies into the lift. She slapped the switch and triggered the decent.

"I hope our late arrival hasn't thrown off any plans you had."

"No, not really. I was hoping we could do a tour? Get Bastila situated." She mentioned just as as the turbolift had completed its downward climb. She stepped out and approached the balustrade overlooking the Veiled Hangar below. "Welcome to the Jakku Enclave," she hit a pivot just at the railing. "This is our subterranean hangar, good for smaller craft. We'll make our way down there but lets head this way first…” she motioned for the the younger women to move with.

After some several feet of walking the second-level platform, she banked left, pointing toward the next room. "Here's our Terrarium. We use to have a much larger green room in the initial build. We've downsized it in the restoration, in favor of space going elsewhere, it serves its function though." She said pacing around the center of the room. "We mostly grow ingredients for balms and things like that."

She motioned with her head, signaling that their path was through the next durasteel door. "Through there, is the Living Quarters. We can check them out, then explore the rest of the place."

While walking, "I'm not sure what Briana has told you about this place thus far...I know Jakku isn't the most appealing, in fact she had it much better being on Ossus, but I promise with some time you'll find comfort here."

"Do you have any initial questions? About anything....thoughts?"

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Briana Sal-Soren | Bastila Sal-Soren

 

[Bastila Sal-Soren]

Wearing: XoXo
Equipment: Lightsaber
Location: Jakku Enclave, Outskirts
Tag: Briana Sal-Soren | Romi Jade

"You'll get used to it, Bast. Jakku has a way of toughening you up, whether you like it or not. Try to think of it as a rite of passage." Briana said.

Bastila let out an exasperated sigh, her eyes rolling in annoyance as she turned to look at Romi. She then turned back to Briana with a fleeting glance before focusing on her again.

"I hope our late arrival hasn't thrown off any plans you had." Briana said.

"Well, had you not spent so much time on the comlink with Aiden, we would probably have made it here sooner..." A playful smile tugged at Bastila's lips as she gently nudged her sister, teasing about their late arrival. She couldn't help but notice the figure of Romi Jade, standing confidently and surveying them with a cool gaze. Her dark hair fell in loose waves around her face, framing features that seemed to hold secrets just out of reach. Bastila followed closely behind her sister as they trailed after Romi, stepping into the lift for a quick ascent.

"No, not really. I was hoping we could do a tour? Get Bastila situated." Romi said as she moved to the lift.

As she looked around at the unfamiliar area surrounding her, a sense of unease washed over her. "Situated?" She thought to herself with a furrowed brow. "Oh that's right," she remembered with a sinking feeling in her stomach, "I'm left with a group of strangers, in an unfamiliar place."

A soft groan escaped her lips, but she quickly stifled it, not wanting to betray any emotion. As they exited the lift and Romi began her tour, Bastila's mind drifted away. She couldn't help but think back to her home planet of Naboo, and even her time on Coruscant. Memories of friends she had left behind flooded her mind. The looming question of how long she would have to stay here nagged at her, although she knew the answer was not something she wanted to hear out loud. Her gaze swept over the side of the platform, down to the bustling hanger below. Her curiosity was piqued by the various ships and equipment that seemed to beg for tinkering and exploration. But before she could fully take it all in, Romi and Briana moved on and Bastila close behind the both of them.

As she stepped into the room, a warm and earthy scent enveloped her senses. Shelves lined the walls, filled with various jars and bottles containing colorful and exotic herbs and medicines in their natural state. The air was thick with the heady aroma of healing plants, enticing her to explore further. Each jar held a secret remedy, waiting to be discovered and utilized for its unique properties. This was a haven for any herbalist - a treasure trove of rare and precious ingredients that would surely need to be revisited time and time again. Bastila couldn't help but be drawn to the exotic plants and herbs that surrounded them. Each one seemingly more fascinating than the last. She crouched down to get a closer look at a red spotted flower growing under the artificial lighting.

"Nysillin." she murmured to herself, recognizing the name from its processed form but never having seen it in its natural state before. She couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe as she took in all the intriguing plant life around her.

"Through there, is the Living Quarters. We can check them out, then explore the rest of the place." Said the Jedi Master.

Bastila's eyes followed the gaze of Romi towards the living quarters, her emerald green irises scanning over the small space. Compared to the luxurious places she had stayed in before, this room seemed almost cramped. But then again, Bastila hadn't brought much with her on this trip, per Briana's orders. She couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for her Loth Cat companion, Whiskerfluff, who was left behind on their ship. As she trailed after Romi, Briana deftly slipping out of the way, Bastila couldn't help but feel a bit lost without her sister by her side. She blinked softly a few times and turned to shoot a glare at Briana before refocusing on Romi as she spoke to her. The walls of the living quarters were adorned with simple tapestries and there was a faint scent of incense lingering in the air, giving the space a cozy and welcoming atmosphere despite its size.

"I'm not sure what Briana has told you about this place thus far...I know Jakku isn't the most appealing, in fact she had it much better being on Ossus, but I promise with some time you'll find comfort here." The Jedi Master said.

The Force seemed to hum with foreboding as Bastila was called out, her displeasure echoing through its currents.

"Uh, well, I mean - she did mention that you were an excellent teacher." Bastila nodded, hiding any further emotion behind a facade. "And I should be grateful - despite my reservations about being on Jakku..." The disdain was clear in her voice as she glanced around at the oppressive heat and gritty sand that seemed to invade every crevice. As they stood in the living quarters, Bastila scanned the area for any potential company, but saw no one yet.

"Do you have any initial questions? About anything....thoughts?" said Romi.

Bastila's eyes darted to her guide, Romi, before surveying the area around them. The Enclave was quiet, save for the distant hum of lightsabers and the hum of generators in the distant. "Are there other students here?" Bastila asked, her voice betraying a hint of anxiety. "Is it just a couple of us? And which area is mine?" The reality of her situation couldn't be avoided any longer - Briana had brought her here and she wasn't going to leave anytime soon. It was daunting, being dropped off at an Enclave with no prior knowledge or training as a Jedi. The weight of expectations and uncertainty hung heavily on Bastila's shoulders.

​