Private A Stroll with Harmony

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Ahch-To Enclave
Outfit: Rebel Leader
Equipment: Arwr Da, Moonblade Hydrangea
Tag: Nima Torr

"Hm... Seems that we need to reinforce the training rooms with some very strong metals. Just ensure that they can survive anything that a Force User might throw at it." Lily spoke as she was deep in thought, "I might be able to grab some material from my aunt's company. They have some sort of metal composite that they used in ships." Pulling up a datapad, she started tapping away and spun it around to show the foreman, "how does that look?"

The foreman studied the information on the datapad and nodded their head in confirmation.

A smile on her lips, "excellent. We need to put in an order but we can start designing the training rooms. Mats need to come from Eshan, I will talk to traders there as well when I visit next." Lily wasn't sure the queen would be thrilled to supply equipment to the Jedi but this was something that Lily felt was important, she valued Echani quality over anything else when it came to sparring mats and equipment.

Once the formal meetings over the enclave construction work, Lily had a moment to breathe and inhaled deeply. It was a lovely day and the weather was very pleasant. The island on which the temple was built was mountainous but the sea breeze prevented things getting too warm during the summer days. Lily thought about what she could do and looked around the surrounding area, spotting someone that Lily figured it would be good to chat and get to know a little more. Everyone that attended the initial meeting at the steps of the formerly ruined enclave had been someone that Lily took a close look at. Someone who was going to be very important in the future of the Silver Alliance future and in Lily's mind, basically a founding member.

Approaching Nima, "hey there. We didn't get to chat much during the first meeting. I was thinking of taking a walk, seeing things around us and thinking about what we can get constructed here." Looking to Nima, "did you wish to join me? Talk a little more, get to know one another and air out some thoughts on what we can do around here to make this the best enclave we can."

 

[Nima Torr]

The gentle breeze drifted in from the vast expanse of the sea, carrying with it the briny scent of saltwater and soft whispers of distant waves. As it swept gracefully across the cliffside, it rustled through the short, wild strands of grass, creating a soothing symphony of nature that blended seamlessly with the faint chirps and melodious calls of nearby fauna fluttering amongst the underbrush and through the ruins. Warm rays of golden sunlight cascaded down, tenderly caressing the Twi'lek's bright-red skin. Her tattered, weather-worn outer layers, discarded out of sight, allowed the sun's warmth to envelop her exposed arms and illuminate the delicate contours of her face. With her eyes closed and a serene smile gracing her lips, she basked in the moment, fully surrendered to this blissful tranquillity and the warm outpouring of life that spread across the weave of this treasured world.

Slowly, her eyes flickered open, staring out over the endless horizon of gentle rolling waves of glittering azure.

Down below, the scrape of a sole across rough stone carried upon the retreating breeze, a shift of the wind as one step followed into another, each separated by the same unhurried interval. Standing at the edge, Nima turned with an elegant pivot, her boots gliding over the sun-kissed strands of grass and back onto the stone-laid path.

Rising over the steps, bright white strands of hair danced in the wind, attached to the familiar face of the woman who had led them all to this refuge of light. Nima couldn't help but notice the effortless way she smiled, lips settling into an expression that was perfectly natural upon her features, as if she carried the warmth of the sun within her.

"It's understandable. We all were rather preoccupied at the time," she offered in return, the faintest glint of a smile rippling across her face. "It would be my pleasure to join you then. I have a feeling that we'll have plenty of thoughts to share, and considering the size of this project, ample time to share them."

Striding across the weathered stone, her boots glided over the cracked and worn outer edges. As she moved smoothly from one step to the next, an intricate flow of footwork unfolded, allowing her to fall into rhythm with her fellow Jedi as easily as another might breathe.

Her arm extended across the expanse of the island, fingers outstretched as she inquired, "Is there anywhere in particular you'd like to begin?"

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TAG: Lily Decoria
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[Lily Decoria]

Location: Ahch-To Enclave
Outfit: Rebel Leader
Equipment: Arwr Da, Moonblade Hydrangea
Tag: Nima Torr

Lily was pleased that the other woman was willing to walk with her and understood that things were a little more chaotic and busy for Lily to be the usual sociable person that she attempted to be most of the time. "Of course, I am most eager to hear what others have to say and what they desire for things to be in the future. I know that I have my own thoughts and plans, but this is not an enclave or alliance that will be led by the thoughts and desires of a singular person." Lily admitted, she was not going to dictate what they needed to be like nor the direction that they needed to head towards. Lily began the walk down the mountain, leading the way a little.

"Well, tell me more about yourself. I did not recognise you as someone from the High Republic or the Jedi Order, I don't know if you were part of the New Jedi Order and the Galactic Alliance or if you have been part of one of the many smaller Jedi groups that sprung up since the demise of the Galactic Alliance." Lily stated, she was curious to know where everyone was coming from and what drew them to her, "so, where did you learn the Force and Jedi ways? What do you enjoy about being a Jedi and where do you see yourself heading?" Lily asked, it was not dissimilar to questions that Lily received when she was meeting people and engaging in small talk.

It was also a good way to know what to expect from the other Jedi and how things could go. Lily placed her hands behind her back as her mind lingered a little on what was needed to be done with the temple. Seeing the ways it could be modernised and adapted to appear stronger and while Lily wished to avoid an authoritative appearance like the Sith had, or an imperial complex, Lily knew that they needed to make sure that they could defend themselves.

 

[Nima Torr]

Nima's footsteps barely made a sound as they navigated over the rugged mountain path, her well-worn boots nimbly shifting from one precarious foothold to another, without once disturbing the voice of her fellow Jedi. She hummed as their sentences came to an end, sliding in gentle acknowledgements that offered neither agreement nor dispute, merely content to listen and consider, as they made their way higher up the path through the winding staircase of ancient stone and sun-bleached grass.

With one more step, she trailed off the path, her steps settling onto the uneven ground of a plateau that jutted out from the side of the island, staring out over the endless horizon of churning waves that extended to the east.

"Understandable, I cannot claim that I was particularly connected amongst my fellow Jedi, unfortunately I cannot say whether I regret it so; certainly, it made the purges easier to withstand, when I had so little to mourn," her voice trailed off into the whistling wind, a distant tone, stretched further out to sea where only the passing birds remained to judge her. "I was not part of the New Jedi Order, though I interacted with a few of them; if I'm honest, I buried a lot of my attention in the past, whether it was distant cultures or forgotten relics. The last time I even properly said more than a few words to another Jedi, I was standing in one of the Arkanian libraries—not that what I said was much of substance, closer to a lecture in fact, though I had not considered it so at the time, and they'd been polite enough to listen."

Her hands settled in front of her, fingers clasped one after another, until they settled comfortably against the folds of her Jedi tunic.

"Most of what I learned was from a sanctuary on the outskirts of the Serenno system; however, despite my best attempts, I have been unable to find it ever since the Planeshift. I have a feeling that if it ever is to be found again, it will occur on its own schedule, and not mine." She glanced over her shoulder, amber eyes searching for something other than the attentive expression that greeted her, before she turned back towards the sea, where it was easier. "When I was younger, we discovered that I had something of an intuitive grasp of the mind-arts, not that the staff coached the description in such words; rather, they stared at the discovery with understandable caution. What they hadn't realised at the time was that, despite how easily I could connect with individuals and, admittedly, influence them, it was not entirely a one-way affair. I saw who people were; I saw their connections; I saw what made them them, and whether unwitting or not, I cared."

Waves lapped at the cliffside, a tale as old as time, carved into the grooves of ancient stone below, repeating over and over again—like another conflict she knew so well.

"I suppose I'm selfish in that regard; the thing I like most about being a Jedi is that I can feel myself changing the world around me, whether for better or worse."

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TAG: Lily Decoria
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[Lily Decoria]

Location: Ahch-To Enclave
Outfit: Rebel Leader
Equipment: Arwr Da, Moonblade Hydrangea
Tag: Nima Torr

Lily listened intently, interested in learning about Nima's past and the interactions that she had with limited Jedi. Another that was mostly isolated from the other Jedi, it was not uncommon and Lily wondered where that mindset had come from. When had the Jedi shifted away from Orders and unity, becoming roaming lost defenders of peace. Though it seemed that Nima was someone who previously preferred to look into the past and understand the ways that things were. Not focused on the more immediate issues, something that Lily was more acutely aware that was her priority. It was good to have voices who were a stark contrast to her own as long as they still held similar goals.

"The purges..." Lily was a little deep in thought as she remembered that event. "I was less fortunate. I was there, fighting. Defending everyone to try and make sure that as many Jedi were able to free as possible." Lily mentioned as she paused in the walk for a moment. The sounds of the fighting, the pleas for help. The way that Lily had to move around the battle in a precise, lethal manner to prevent more Jedi dying. It had been when she was still new to the Battle Master title. "I wish that the Jedi Order, the High Republic, could have done more to mitigate that disaster as much as we could have."

Doing more was something that Lily had always felt lingered over the High Republic, that they could be doing more, or that they should have been doing more. It was an impossible situation and Lily was aware that it was likely impossible for more to be done.

That was what she hoped the case to be.

"I hope that the Force reunites you with that place one day soon then Nima, goddesses' know that we knew more good news not bad." Lily sighed with a tired smile. There was a soft laugh with a shrug, "but that is what we are intending to be here, right? The bearers of good news for the galaxy." Lily continued to walk.

Looking over to Nima, "sounds like enhanced empathy." Lily mentioned, understanding others on a deep level like that, to the point that it feels like an experience that you had yourself. Lily knew some that felt empathy more intensely than others, but she wasn't sure that they were as intense as Nima seemed to feel it. "Must be a tricky path to walk. Finding balance and not losing oneself to the intense emotions and memories of others." Lily mentioned as she studied Nima, wondering how one carried the burden of all that.

"None of us can ever truly be selfless, so don't fret too much over that. It is a good selfish desire to have compared to some out there." Lily mentioned as she continued to walk.

 

[Nima Torr]

Nima extended her arms wide, feeling the crisp air brush against her skin; both limbs swayed forward, continuing momentum even as their walk came to a momentary pause. After a brief moment of stillness, she let her arms drift down to rest peacefully in front of her, her fingers intertwining with delicate care. Posture settled and ready to listen, she focused intently on the sea ahead, her gaze steady and contemplative, even as she absorbed every word of her fellow Jedi's recollection of the purges. It was an experience so different from her own. Yet the terrible nature of such an event continued to exact a toll on all who had suffered through it—she was not surprised, merely saddened, to be reminded of just how much suffering the Galaxy continued to bestow upon the unfortunate souls that occupied it.

She could not speak for the High Republic and their inaction, nor for the numerous Jedi Orders scattered across the Galaxy, separated into clusters struggling to make the most of the few resources they could gather. After all, she was no better than any of them. It had been easy enough to bury her head in the sand or to claim that delivering a single piece of help every few weeks or months was sufficient, a small donation, all the more valuable for how rare it was in the darkness. And yet, it had not been enough, not really, not when she looked back upon those days scrambling from planet to planet.

At least, she was alive.

Sometimes, it was only the knowledge that as long as she lived, there was a chance that made those memories easier to bear.

Quickly, the conversation rolled through to her lost enclave, leaving a soft smile on Nima's face even as they pivoted to another topic. In the corner of her eye, she noticed the way Lily's eyes settled upon her, not prying, merely searching for answers in her face as the Jedi Knight nodded in acknowledgement—a tricky path indeed.

Soon after, they started moving, continuing up the steps and back onto the mountain path.

"It is kind of you to say so," she began, moving beside her fellow Jedi as they smoothly transitioned between the cobblestone steps. "I will endeavour not to fuss overly on the matter of my own motivations; certainly, they are hardly the worst reason I've heard for one who wishes to be a Jedi."

With another sequence of steps that carried them higher and higher up the mountain's side, Nima continued to move in silence, pleasantly content in the presence of the wind's playful breath and the gentle sway of the waves beneath them. Yet, it would be a waste not to talk further. "But for all that I have heard of Lily Decoria, I cannot say that I know the woman behind the rumours, and I assume it would be most rude to take all of them for granted, so I wonder what would you wish to tell me about yourself?"

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TAG: Lily Decoria
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[Lily Decoria]

Location: Ahch-To Enclave
Outfit: Rebel Leader
Equipment: Arwr Da, Moonblade Hydrangea
Tag: Nima Torr

Lily was enjoying the walk, her eyes noted the different reactions within Nima but also focused on how the temple looked and where things could develop further. She had feared that a small island would come across too isolationist but Ahch-To had plenty of small islands to medium sized islands so it wasn't like there was going to be great large swathes of land that they could develop. And this had been a Jedi temple before, if the Jedi of old thought this was a good spot to build then Lily had to consider it. "Of course, perhaps I am far too optimistic but any reason to be a Jedi... That is a good reason, it is not an easy path we walk and it is filled with choices where we select to do good and help others. Usually at the risk of harm to ourselves."

The decision to stop doing good, that was when someone stopped living the ideals of a Jedi. Even if one signed up for the most selfish of reasonings, if they did the morally good choice every time. They were embodying the Jedi way far more than someone who signed up selflessly but chose continuously themselves over others.

"Rumours?" Lily raised an eyebrow and looked over to Nima, "well, I definitely wish to hear those. Always deeply interested in what others claim about me when I am not around to correct them or give context." Lily giggled a little to herself. "I am a warrior, classic Echani stereotype unfortunately, but I joined the Jedi when I was 18 because I used to really struggle with the Force." It felt like a lifetime ago but the outbursts and struggles to control the Force, it was impossible for Lily to find her feet initially.

Looking to Nima, "took a long time to find the best way to harness the Force and not feel overwhelmed whenever I tried to control my connection. I have been in many life or death fights even as a Padawan. Those experiences probably impacted me more than I care to admit, means that I am less interested in long term relationships and building my own family to focus on this faction, this enclave, our war with the Sith." Lily confessed as she thought about the fact that she put her personal life on hold because doing anything else felt wrong, felt like she was betraying the needs of the galaxy.

"I like dancing, music though more orchestral style music, fine wine and sparring." Looking at the temple, "how about yourself? Who are you outside being a Jedi, Nima?"