Private A Walk in the Woods (Braze)

[Vulpesen]

Vulepsen's ears flicked at the crowd around them, not in response to any particular noise, but rather the lack thereof. They were gathering some meager attention and curiosity was starting to prevail among some of their closest dining-mates. The Valde didn't let the extra attention bother him, instead he simply let his voice be heard, his eyes occasionally moving to meet with the people beneath his rule. "The Gulag Plague hit my people hard. We traveled the stars to spread our influence as much as we could. Fight injustice and support what we felt was good in the galaxy. Well, when your race has a reputation for being bleeding heart mercenaries, you make some enemies. A group we called the coalition took advantage of our weakness in the plague and took over the planet. They were mostly slavers and pirates, but with Veradune as their new base of operation, they became increasingly wealthy and cruel in equal measure."

There were a few growls in the table around him as his fellow Zorrens remembered the dark times. Vulpesen had only arrived to be the catalyst to the end of those days. So many others had lived, suffered, and even died during them. "A bit over fifty years ago, I learned that I wasn't human, but a Zorren. I found my ancestral home, and I rallied the resistance to get it back. After centuries of being enslaved if you were lucky, or hunted for sport if you weren't, my people were eager to have their home back. When the planet was secured, my father, who had been the previous Valde, named me his heir and abdicated. Back then, the Valdeship a hereditary monarchy shared among five noble families. A poor Valde could be voted out at any time and replaced by another one of the five noble houses. I saw some issues, and I pushed some changes. Now my position is up for grabs to all Veran citizens every ten years. Its just hard to lose when you're the reason people are free and alive. I was made Valde for my part in the revolution. The miracle initiative ensured my ability to keep it until my business is done." His explanation done, at least for the moment, Vulpesen took up the large mug that had been placed before him and started to gulp down some of his ale.

Braze

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Vulpesen

​

Braze happily devoured his meal as he listened to Vulpesen's story. It all sounded fantastical, like something straight out of a young-ling's storybook.

He didn't know the specifics of the enemies they had faced but understood the sentiment of the people from the growls around the table. The talk of slavery and hunting people for sport made his brow bristle with unease. When there was a brief pause in the conversation, Braze spoke up, his voice curious but respectful.

"Valde Vulpesen, how did the noble houses start? Why was it changed so that anyone can try to take the position? And... are you not happy to be in a role that ties you to such a large amount of responsibility?"

Braze paused, thinking for a moment before continuing. "Also, what was it like for you, discovering your true heritage and then leading a revolution? Did you ever doubt yourself? How did you convince others to follow you, especially when you were so new to them and their struggles? And what started the Gulag Plague? Did our enemies have any specific names we should remember?"

 

[Vulpesen]

Suddenly a simple meeting and tour was starting to feel more like an interview for a holonet talk show. And glancing about, Vulpesen could tell they were gathering their own studio audience as more and more conversations hushed to gain an insight into leader that had taken his seat in the Long Tailed Fox. Still, one didn't reach his position while holding to a fear of attention.

Clearing his throat, Vulpesen took another gulp of his ale and began to speak again. "The noble houses were ancient history from before my time. Five houses united Veradune and held power ever since. The noble hosues are Torrevaso, Amaris, Zarvenis, Gracin, and Claymus. I rather enjoy my time as Valde. When I'm done, I'll step down and enjoy my retirement, unless someone manages to beat me in the next election. Then I'll be pushed out before enjoying my retirement."

Braze's more personal questions brought a grin to Vulpesen's face and he glanced around at expectant faces. "I grew up on Amar, so I guess I was kind of used to not being one with the crowd. It was still a shock, though. The revolution was a bit simpler. I was a Jedi in the Galactic Republic. That basically made me a career military officer. And I was good at my job. On top of that, I spent some time serving the sith and learning how to be ruthless when the time called for it. In addition to the experience, my father was the previous Valde, so he was able to lend my some authority to organize resistance that he had gathered in the wilds."

He picked up his fork and knife and cut a hunk of meat from his steak, taking a moment to enjoy his food and break from his explanations. "Zorrens, I've learned, believe in deeds over words," he said after he'd swallowed. "Once I gave results, they lined up to see what I'd do next. As for the plague, I'm no virologist. By what I've read though, it hit most of the galaxy, so maybe there's something in the jedi archives. As for our enemies," he grinned and finished his ale before beckoning for another. "Their names were forgotten as soon as they either got launched out my office window, or were given numbers in our penal system. The coalition is gone. The Vitae Alliance rules Veradune. Under the umbrella of the galactic alliance, of course."


Braze

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Vulpesen

It was a lot of information to take in, but Braze absorbed it as best he could. "Thank you for sharing that with me," he offered. Noticing the looks they were getting, his brows furrowed, but he didn't say anything. He quietly and politely finished his meal. "Thank you for the delightful lunch and the eye-opening history lesson," Braze said gently.​

 

[Vulpesen]

With Braze's questions finished for the time being, Vulpesen focused his attention to his food, finishing it in short order. It took time, but eventually, the eyes would peel away from the pair as people resumed their own conversations. Though despite the lapse in attention, Vulpesen was still sure he would hear about his words in some local holofeed in the morning. "Don't worry about them. Comes with the territory. You get used to it after a while." The Valde put on an easy smile as he rose from his seat and placed a few credsticks into their server's hand. "And you're quite welcome for the food. Now lets get a move on if you want time to see the wilds."

He reached into his pocket and produced Braze's ticket, handing it to the jedi as he made his way to the door. Retrieving their more lethal effects was a simple affair as each was quickly produced and placed in their owners hands. "As the Valde said, all returned as it was given," the armorer said with a wry smile as he passed over the jedi's lightsaber.

Braze

 

[Braze]

Braze didn't seem to mind much. When it came time to leave he followed along like a lost puppy.
"Thank you. " Braze chirped accepting what was offered and put it away appropriately.

"So what happens if I fail?" Braze asked looking up to Vulpesen . "Anything You want to warn me about or?"

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen answered as he sat back into the speeder, giving a shrug as he settled into his seat. "For you, not much. I'll be keeping an eye on you so you don't get yourself killed. I don't think the Jedi Order would appreciate me letting one of their pupils get eaten. The trials are a part of Zorren culture because its a necessary function of our biology. Untrialed Zorrens are indistinguishable from human. And since you aren't zorren, you wont undergo any changes like the rest of us if you succeed."

He let out a small laugh as Braze mentioned things that would require warning. "Be careful what trees you rest under. I'll show you how to spot a teradin so it doesn't eat you. And if you must hunt for food, make sure you catch your prey by surprise. There's precious few creatures on this planet without some nasty means of self protection."

Braze

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Vulpesen

Braze quirked a snowy white brow and frowned slightly, the suggestion clearly not sitting well with him. "So, you're gonna be like... a glorified babysitter?" he asked, a hint of irritation in his tone. "I can be pretty capable," he added, his voice turning sullen. His pride was wounded, and he struggled with the implication that he needed constant supervision, yearning to prove his worth despite his recent hardships.​

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen laughed as the speeder zipped through the street and rose above the normal traffic. "Hardly. Rest assured, I'll only be there to keep you alive, or pull you to safety if you tap out. You are free to starve, dehydrate, or envenom yourself within an inch of your life. I'm just going to avoid the paperwork that comes from using up that last inch. And I don't doubt your capability." He made sure that sincerity shown through his words, his joviality even dropping away as he said it. Vulpesen had been seventeen when he was introduced to the horrors of the eternal war between jedi and sith. Braze had been doing it since an even younger age.

"Its not you that makes me worry. Most Zorrens spend their entire adolescence training for this moment. They study the dangers ahead and how to evade, hunt, or fight what's out there. They spend years in classes making sure they know what to eat and what to drink without keeling over int he wilderness. You are going to get a very quick brief and a guide to let you know things that the average Zorren, who by the way, wouldn't do this until they're at least six years older than you, would know before stepping foot in the wilds."


Braze

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Vulpesen

Braze perked up at Vulpesen's words, quite pleased to hear what the man said. It felt like he was finally being treated like the young adult he wanted to be. The little 'war hero' didn't seem to mind this.

"Well, I may not be as prepared, but I am excited to try," he said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "I will try and pay close attention to what I'm told... Do you like Serenity?" he asked, referring to the crystal he'd given Vulpesen to hold.

 

[Vulpesen]

"We'll let you have a few days in the wilds, give you a taste for it. I've a feeling that a month might be a bit long of a trip." Producing the crystal from his pocket, Vulpesen brought it up to examine the faceted surface for a moment before passing it back. "I do. Reminds me a bit of the Kasha crystal I keep in my own weapon. Very calming."

Digging back into his pockets, the Valde produced a small holoprojector and used it to bring up the image of a tree. "Might as well get a headstart. This is a teradin." He pressed a button and several limbs rose up from the trunk, shorter than the main branches and spiked on their ends. "Look for the wide ridges that run up and down the trunk. Each of those can raise up and stick you with a powerful paralytic. And if you need to get anywhere near it, keep your eyes on the ground." He hit another button and tendrils snaked out from the base of the trunk and down from the canopy. "Those vines will drag you close enough to get spiked, or up into the branches... for digestion."

Braze

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Vulpesen

Braze watched with awe at the visual images being projected on the small device. As he listened, his eyes widened, and he did a double take at Vulpesen's face. "Wait... digestion?" he repeated, seemingly horrified and in shock at the revelation that a tree would want to eat a person.

The Drengir and their terrifying nature were well known to him. Teradin sounded like an equally nasty kind of plant he didn't want to get tangled with. He tried to commit the visually distinctive features to memory, his mind racing with the implications. The thought of such a monstrous plant made his skin crawl, and he resolved to steer clear of any encounter with it.

 

[Vulpesen]

"First time I saw one, we were freeing the planet. My guide at the time needed to dispose of a body. Rather handy at the time." He clicked a button, bringing up a far cuter creature with wings and a fluffy white body. As the pythros hovered before Braze, its body would puff up then emit a gas from its mouth, deflating with that exhalation. "The Pythros. Adorable, but don't try to pet it unless you're sure you've got it tamed. That gas will make you bleed from, well... everywhere. Bad way to go."

Another click and a thin necked reptilian biped appeared, its fanged mouth and hungry eyes swinging back and forth atop that crooked neck. "The Zipher. They spit acid and are pretty single minded. Kill and eat. Avoid their packs at all costs, but they'll pounce the weak, even if its one of their own. So injure one then run like hell if you get in a bad spot."

Braze

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Vulpesen

"This whole planet is like a little jungle of death, huh?" Braze remarked, watching the holographic visuals with an enchanted gaze, glancing between them and Vulpesen. "I'll have to be extra careful. I once saw my friend Ko Vuto get eaten by an Ogdobogdo. Now he seems to want to keep them as pets... Maybe it was an eye-opening experience for him," Braze added with a lighthearted tone.

 

[Vulpesen]

"This whole planet is like a little jungle of death, huh?"

"Not at all," the Valde responded with a lopsided grin. "We also have deserts where you can tangle with a ravenous caarmuuth, rivers and lakes where you can get mauled by a cythrax cat, and caves where you can meet the Doruvir. Also known as spine cuddlers." He spoke the words with a chipper attitude, his tail flicking in his lap as he informed the young jedi of the dangers of his home. "But no matter the biome, we Zorrens manage to survive it all. This is our home, and the wilds have gifts enough to make up for the dangers. And I'll do my best to ensure that you don't find yourself in any beasties' belly."

Eventually, the speeder would slow to a stop, having arrived at a spacious estate at the city's edge. The grounds were well kept, covered in verdant trees and well trimmed bushes which all lined a path which went past a grand house and towards a large stable. "Here's our stop." Leaving the speeder, Vulpesen went towards the structure, opening the door to reveal dozens of large stalls, in which a host of large fox like creatures looked up to inspect the new comers. Several barked in greeting to the Valde before returning to their idleness, though others cocked their head in curiosity as they observed the newcomer that had come with him.

Braze

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Vulpesen

"Well, you certainly know how to sell a place, don't you?" Braze chuckled, raising an eyebrow at the mention of ravenous caarmuuths and spine cuddlers. "Sounds like a real vacation destination—if you've got a death wish."

As they neared the estate, Braze took in the well-kept grounds and the creatures in the stable, his eyes narrowing with interest at the fox-like beings. He glanced at the Valde with a smirk. "So, these the local welcoming committee? Can I pet them?"

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen simply shrugged as he approached one of the foxes, laying his hand on the beast's snout. "The wilds are beautiful. But dangerous, I won't deny it. My people are proud to say that we thrive despite that." Shadow, the fox beneath his hand, pushed back into his palm and Vulpesen lifted a hand to ruffle the mount's ears. "Of course. Would you like to ride your own or hop on with me? Each of them knows to keep behind me on the path andthey'll do their best to keep you safe and in the saddle."

Braze

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Vulpesen

​

Braze's eyes narrow slightly, a devious little smirk pulling at the corner of his lips as he watches Vulpesen interact with his mount. His body remains still for a moment, calculating, before he steps forward, not rushing to take his own ride just yet.

"I'll ride my own," Braze repeats, voice cool and steady. "But I want to see how you handle things first. It's always good to watch how someone leads—especially in a place like this." He leans subtly against a nearby tree, arms crossed, his jade-green eyes tracking Vulpesen's every move with sharp precision. "You seem comfortable out here. So, tell me, Vulpesen… what's your take on the Jedi? Do you think they belong in places like these?" Braze's tone remains casual, though there's an underlying intensity in his question, testing, seeking to understand this man in front of him.

As soon as Vulpesen starts moving, Braze straightens up, mimicking his movements with uncanny precision, mounting his own mount while keeping his attention on the answer, clearly measuring the man as much as the wilds around them.