A Timely Arrival - [Open to SSC]

[Rayliav'enci]

Feeling stiff after the trip in from the Western Reaches was putting it mildly. Raylia descended from the cockpit of her ancient cloakshape fighter, Betsy, with the careful, patient movements of someone who had been sitting still for countless hours. The hyperspace trip in the confines of a starfighter was a tedious and often boring affair, but Raylia had been getting caught up on reading a few papers from her thesis students and making notes for their oral arguments. She had bestowed far more diplomas than knighthoods in her career, but that was her path.

She missed the University of Coruscant, she missed her fellow faculty members. They kept in touch and on occasion, she was known to make an unannounced visit to the vaunted halls, but the Sith regime in place made her trips dangerous to her former colleagues. She would never seek to endanger them simply to say hello so it had to be messages and holovids until the center of the galaxy could be liberated.

The public spaceport in Voss-Ka was a lovely walk to the Coalition grounds, but before she headed there, Raylia wanted to change and freshen up. She had been wearing something comfortable while she was crammed in Betsy's pilot seat and that would not do to go introduce herself to the Silver Jedi so attired. She was a tad old fashioned that way.

Freshly scrubbed and enrobed in green and teal robes with a matching headdress, Raylia walks through the bustling streets of Voss-Ka, her first trip to the world in the Tingel Arm. The culture is vibrant and lively as she strolls past shops and cafes, the people of the city fairly oblivious to the deep blue skinned Twi'lek as if seeing one was an everyday occurrence. She chuckled to herself that when a Jedi enclave was present, the melting pot of species did seem to have a broader base. It sparked a thought for study regarding the presence of Jedi temples on the surrounding culture as she meandered on, thinking about the different temples she had visited and how their existence bled into the world around them.

Before she realised how long she had been walking, she found herself at the Coalition grounds, a little bewildered about who she needed to speak to and where to go. However, she proceeded calmly into the temple, her hands folded into her voluminous sleeves of her cream colored cloak. She managed to see a welcome desk so she strode over to it, and requested assistance.

"Pardon my intrusion, I am Master Rayliav'enci. Might I trouble you for some help?"

There was an easy smile on her face, and a gleam in her emerald eyes.

[member="Alcuin"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Teynara Jeralyr"]

 

[Teynara Jeralyr]

[member="Alcuin"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Rayliav'enci"]

Her gaze engrossed in what she was reading, it took a moment for Teynara to register that someone had spoken. Oh, damn, did I let myself get distracted again? It was one of her worst habits, that tendency of letting herself get so caught up in what she was doing that she essentially excluded the rest of the world around her. Useful in surgery, excellent in meditative exercises, not so good when you're supposed to be there for others to talk to, she mused reflectively, a shake of her long blonde hair being her only outward indication of chagrin.

She didn't even like doing reception duty - it was something the Masters tended to hand out to newer Knights who needed to work on their public relation skills, or to Padawans in the same boat. Me, I landed this because job because I'm not allowed to do fieldwork for a while. True, she still had her counselling duties, and the odd check-up to perform in her capacity as a Healer, but being unable to walk was a real problem if you wanted to go and work in the field. Hard to turn and run when the Sith turn up when you can't run, she noted, feeling again that sense of frustration that had flushed through her with some regularity of late.

"Sorry about that," Teynara noted, lowering her datapad and placing it down on the reception desk in front of her. "I didn't sense you come in, and my eyes clearly weren't paying attention," she added, a soft grin curving her lips. She reached out and nudged the control column of her hoverchair, causing it to float gently around the side of the desk and bring itself to a halt in front of the newcomer. "I'm not usually so inattentive, I promise you," the blonde continued.

Looking carefully at the new arrival, it was hard not to recognise her for a Jedi: aside from her blazing presence in the Force (which, frankly, Tey knew she should have spotted right away), the attire was a big indicator: robes were robes, whatever colour you happened to be wearing at the time. Teynara had stopped wearing those for a while, and had settled on a soft blue dress that matched her eyes, the only acknowledgement of her Jedi status being the lightsaber that was still clipped onto the sash that she wore around her waist. Though it's strictly ornamental, for the moment.

As for the newcomer...it wasn't so unusual to see Twi'leki within the Academy. Her long Lekku were topped by a headdress that matched the long robes she wore, looking decorative even though Teynara was well aware that the long tentacle-like organs in fact housed a great portion of the Twi'lek central nervous system, and thus were a very vital part of their anatomy. And they're always better-looking than the rest of us, she thought, inwardly amused by the tinge of jealousy that struck her at that thought. Don't be ridiculous, though, okay?

"I'm Teynara. Welcome to the Academy, Master," she said, extending her hand in greeting as her hoverchair came to stop in front of the Twi'lek. For the moment, it wasn't really possible for her to bow without risking a tumble that she wouldn't be able to get up from, so it was better to stick to the more cultural form of greeting. "How can I be of help to you?"

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Rayliav'enci"]
What was Valiens Nantaris doing in this RP? Cynical reader, this writer already senses your thoughts “Because there’s a blue Twi’lek”…and it’s probably accurate.

Regardless, Valiens Nantaris was not enjoying Voss, as usual, but was arguing with the steward droid.
“Now listen to me, you bucket of bolts, I’m trying to reach [member="Coci Heavenshield"], do you know where she is?”
“I’m sorry, sir, I am unable to disclose this information at present.”
And then a voice behind him. He turned, peered through his watering, hayfever affected eyes at her. He brightened up. Maybe he didn’t need to find Coci.

He put on his most friendly smile. “Well now, welcome to Voss-Ka, Master Rayliav'enci, I am Master Nantaris. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. In what way may I assist you today?” he asked politely.

Keep this up and those lekku were his for the massaging! He hoped.

 

[Rayliav'enci]

Raylia smiled warmly, and took the young woman's hand in both of her Rutian ones, her grip firm but gentle. She released her hand and the Twi'lek's own were engulfed in her sleeves once more. She noted the chair but there was no judgment or expression other than genuine concern and content in her green eyes. Teynara looked a little younger than her, though not by much. Her smile was infectious though she seemed to be preoccupied with things. Raylia did not wish to be a burden on her duties.

"It is quite alright my dear. I was lost in thought myself and I do have a tendency to be rather unobtrusive if I can be. A rarity, I assure you, considering my appearance."

Raylia chuckled a moment at her own joke and a fleeting blush made her cheeks glow lavender before she drew breath to continue. She was about to go on when the raised tones and then sweetly polite voice of another join their discourse. He was an older gentleman, who seemed to be momentarily frustrated and suddenly charming with very little time in between. Raylia looked unsure, but the smile only widened on her face as she spoke.

"Greetings Master Nantaris and please you may both call me Raylia. I'm afraid I have no appointment, and I'm arriving unannounced with no idea who I should be speaking to. I have been asked by some former colleagues at the University of Coruscant to come and assess the effects of the regime change from the Republic to the Coalition in regards to the Jedi historical sites on Ossus. They enjoyed a very close working relationship with the Republic about certain aspects of the Jedi culture and would like to extend those same agreements with the Coalition if possible. As I was previously faculty when last the Order held Coruscant, they believed I would be their best envoy, though I must admit my ignorance about with whom I should speak. I dare say, I don't think I need disturb the Grandmaster with these matters, but any assistance either of you could provide would be most appreciated."

She looked calmly between the two, but she did feel slightly on the spot and as such, her tchun curled over her shoulder to drape across her collarbones.

[member="Valiens Nantaris"] [member="Teynara Jeralyr"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

It would be only two days more until she and her beloved husband would journey to Vortex. Coci had been in the Oathkeeper making preparations for the trip, the larder was stocked with all of Thurion's favourite foods and blue milk, her's as well with cheese and cured meats. No space food for them, she can't stand it and so Coci had had the Oathkeeper fitted out with a good cooler to store fresh produce. She is looking forward to this very much, it had been too long since [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] had had time away from duty, so she too and Coci wanted to make this trip special for them both.

Making her way back from the hangar, and bounding up the steps of the Temple, she burst through the main doors into the large room which housed the blue force crystal so large it reached for the upper floors. Immediately her eyes found Master Nantaris and Knight Jeralyr and another she had yet to meet. Coci caught the force signature of the Twi'lek strong in the force and calm. A Master Jedi.

"Greetings Teynara, Valiens", she bowed her head slightly to them both with respect. "Not sneezing Valiens? Voss is starting to agree with you?".

She turned her attention to the new master, "May I welcome you to Voss and the Silver Temple" a more pronounced bow of the head. "I am Coci Heavenshield". No protocol of rank, Jedi are all equal.

​

[member="Rayliav'enci"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"] | [member="Teynara Jeralyr"]​

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Rayliav'enci"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Teynara Jeralyr"]

Nantaris blinked slightly at the Twi’lek’s words. Strictly speaking he wasn’t an ‘official’ Jedi, for all that was even a thing. He did things his own way. Still, he was still feeling somewhat responsible towards the Jedi Order.

“You’ve been gone a while,” he commented. How long had it been since Coruscant fell? It seemed to depend who one asked.
“I’ll be more than happy to help negotiate things. I’m not part of the official apparatus of the Jedi, but I hold some sway with the Coalition itself. We can discuss whatever you like!”
His eyes briefly held on the lekku before he forced his gaze away.

And then Coci came in. Well, he’d found her, that was something.
He sniffed, though that was mainly due to the hayfever.
“Aye, that was half an hour ago. This planet still disagrees with me. I’ve got to discuss something with you later,” he added.

 

[Rayliav'enci]

The spirited entrance of the energetic brunette drew Raylia's attention, her emerald eyes flitting up to see the incoming person. Raylia smiled, with eyes closed and head bowed forward, she showed deference to the familiar name that she had heard here and there in snippets of conversation by others in various circles.

"The honor is mine, madam. My name is Rayliav'enci but you may call me Raylia. Voss and the Silver temple are well deserving of the praise for their hospitality."

Her expression grew solemn for a moment as she looked back towards Nantaris, a pained look in her eyes as she acknowledge the horrors of the war and set them aside again.

"I was an archivist at the temple when the Sith invaded. It was a dark day, to be sure. I have been bouncing around since, temples to universities to temples again."

She noticed the lingering gaze on her lekku before she forced the calm smile back to her cerulean features. Was he unnerved by Twi'leks? There was nothing salacious in the look so she dismissed it as perhaps something he was just unused to. She turned her attention back to her purpose. She gave an abridged explanation to Coci for her visit before she continued.

"I'm sure there is nothing so very pressing or untoward, but I know the Anthropology department has a field school dig coming up and they wished to make sure they would not be stepping on anyone's toes when they arrive on Ossus. I am prepared to chaperone and oversee the activities if necessary. It would be nice to see some old friends without them worrying about skirting Sith patrols on Coruscant."

[member="Valiens Nantaris"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Teynara Jeralyr"]

 

[Teynara Jeralyr]

[member="Rayliav'enci"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"]

So the new arrival was a Jedi Archivist? She'd met a fair few, and there were more than a handful that were well known to be stuffy librarian types: far too more interested in long-dead people who had faded to dust centuries ago, and far less so in living, breathing beings that lived and worked and trained all around them. Frankly, half the time, I think that they'd only consider us interesting once we were dead, and even then, only after a couple of hundred years. The thought was an amusing one, but less so when staring one in the face (or as much as she could, given the lower height of her hoverchair).

Still, this one was presenting herself as a little more socially adept than the Archivists that Teynara had often bumped into (and, one time, even accidentally run over). That was Twi'leks for you, though: all known to be energetic and sociable as a rule, though their history suggested that they sure didn't have much reason to be. Part of it, she suspected, lay in the fact that the vast majority of communication in their native Ryloth was non-verbal: shakes and manipulations of their Lekku head-tails serving in much the same way as a Human might use a shrug, or a pout. Every motion an indication of thought or feeling, but in a far more complex and subtle way than our own non-verbals. Fascinating species, really.

It did make her wonder why she'd encountered one that spent more time with books and archaeological digs than working more directly with people. A diplomat, perhaps, or even a counsellor. The Twi'lek students we have are often adept in such disciplines, if they don't immediately fall in love with their lightsabers. After all, such a passionate race tended to find combat exhilirating, which explained why many of them often ended up out in the field on dangerous missions, or working in the Temple to train the next generation. Does that make this one an aberration, then?

"It's nice to meet you, Raylia," the blonde remarked, a smile softening her expression, which she knew tended towards the more severe when she was in a contemplative mood. Have to focus on the moment, and not spend my day idly reflecting on the esoterics of Twi'lek physiology, and how it tied into their psych-social make-up. A downside of being a qualified Exobiologist, for sure... "I'm sorry for your troubles on Coruscant. You'll find Voss to be far more welcoming, I trust."

Of course, the two of them weren't the only ones present now: Master Heavenshield had dropped in as if from nowhere (which was a bad habit that Teynara had started noticing about her), as had this other Master she didn't recall meeting. He'd be handsome if he got rid of that silly goattee, although he's a little old for my tastes, she noted in idle amusement. And apparently allergic to Voss. She'd have to force him to stop by the Medical Bay for a full scan later, see if they couldn't pinpoint the allergen that was bothering him and provide a targeted antihistamine to help him cope with it.

"And good morning to the two of you as well, Masters," she added, her smile widening into a grin. "Three of us dropping by all at once - Raylia must think that the Voss Jedi have nothing better to do than pounce on new arrivals," the Healer noted, a twinkle of amusement evident in her pale blue eyes as she looked at the three of them.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

She raised an eyebrow at Teynara's comment, unsure of what she was getting at consider Coci had returned to the Temple in order to gather more supplies and happened upon them. "Good morning Tey, I trust your recovery is proceeding well? I am not in the habit of .. pouncing, and I have more than enough to keep me moving however it would not do to pass by a visitor to the Temple when I can find some time to greet them".

However, she turned her attention to Master Raylia. "I am sure the Anthropology Department would welcome you and all the assistance you would provide. There is much work to be done on Ossus, so much still uncharted although the Jedi Order had done some amazing work there we need to continue that. If you require access to our database I can arrange that for you", Coci offered with a smile.

"And Valiens I am sure I can find time to address your need as well". His need to speak with her had made her more than curious, as it is not every day Nantaris will venture to ground and put up with the hay fever.

​

[member="Teynara Jeralyr"] | [member="Rayliav'enci"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"]​

 

[Rayliav'enci]

"We archaeologists tend to be alone digging in gridded off fields, in dusty stacks researching, or heading down into ruins armed with a flashlight and a notebook. Companionship is a welcome change."

Raylia had a fairly relaxed sense of humor, and there were plenty of jokes to be had about the ultra dull vocation of being an archaeologist. She chuckled a little nervously though, as she tended to ramble when she was put on the spot. Her cheeks blushed purple again as she cleared her throat and focused on Coci's remarks.

"I am sure that those arrangements are not so important to pull you from your other duties. Ancient ruins aren't really going anywhere and we have some time before the usual field school begins. They just wished to be proactive."

Her bright green eyes wandered over to the massive crystal, and the serenity of the temple around her before a guilty look stole over her features.

"However, I hope you don't mind if I trouble your hospitality for a tour of the grounds. The architecture is exquisite. I have so many questions."

She didn't want to intrude on anyone's schedules, should they have matters to attend to. Master Nantaris had been looking for Coci who seemed in a little of a hurry as she entered. If they had business to discuss, Raylia would not wish to be a bother. She looked to Teynara as well, but remembered the pert blonde woman had been engrossed in something when she entered. Maybe they had an audio tour, or an archive she could access to read up on the history of the temple if it was inconvenient.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Teynara Jeralyr"] [member="Valiens Nantaris"]

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Teynara Jeralyr"] [member="Rayliav'enci"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"]

Address your need.

Nantaris had to keep from smiling at that.

Now though he had a minor dilemma to deal with. He had ventured to this horrible planet to find Coci, but that was purely for administrative details. It was hardly vital.
On the other hand Raylia wanted a tour of the grounds….

“Master Raylia, I will be glad to show you around. I would even be happy to take you to Ossus if you so desired so you can look around there too. My ship is in orbit and is heading there anyway to set up defences for the temple.”

A glance back at Coci. “It was about Ossus I had to discuss some matter briefly, but we can do it a bit later. The fortress is almost complete but I needed some feedback on some Jedi sites. I don’t want to demolish anything irreplaceable!” he added piously. That’d definitely irritate the blue Twi’lek, and Nantaris didn’t want that!

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"It seems your arrival to the Silver Sanctum is most fortuitous Master Raylia. I am in no hurry when there are friends to be met and made, besides duty as Jedi comes in many forms, and none more important over the other. The search for knowledge paramount to the Jedi and so your work here with us will be greatly appreciated and received and I do hope you will in time, come to consider the Silver Sanctum, home. It is place open to all Jedi if they wish to learn from us and to teach us as well", she bowed her head toward the insightful master.

"Valiens, please do accommodate Master Raylia and show her the Temple, Academy and all our facilities, provide her with the codes for access please. As for the Jedi sites on Ossus of which are many, some yet to be secure or even located, are of great importance and do need to priority, Master Raylia the Silver Sanctum would be most grateful for any help you could provide in this matter".

​

[member="Valiens Nantaris"] | [member="Rayliav'enci"] | [member="Teynara Jeralyr"]​