A walk through the great metal forest

[The Dragon]

Coruscant; Upper Sector

Remus walked around the massive metal city, looking at everything with incredible interest. This was nothing like the forest moon of Endor. No, the trees here were twice and three times the size of the average ones back home. If only his brother could be with him now. Sadly, he'd had to leave the wolf on Endor when he left, so said the nice man who had taken him here. But it wasn't all bad. Sniffing the air, the boy followed his nose to a particularly interesting smell, one that seemed cooked, yet was different from that altogether. He had to investigate.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion was sat by the foot of a great tree, reading up on some news regarding the Jedi Order and the Republic in general. The Sith Empire was gone, he knew this, but he could not shake the feeling that the vast Republic would sooner or later crumble under its own weight due to not being able to rally itself against a common enemy. While no lover of what the Sith teach and he does not share their views on the Force, he feared that eliminating their whole Empire will serve as backlash against Republic politics. The Jedi are now seen as the warmongers; lapdogs of the Republic who fight wars for the Senate, rather than protecting its citizens. Ah, well... Politics was one area he would never get involved in. Let the men and women who relish big fancy talk over real action deal in the dramas of the Senate; Jedi should not involve themselves, but rather tend to matters concerning the Order itself - not the Republic at large.

Aching to put the matter to rest indefinately, Thurion let the datapad drop to the ground beside him as he instead indulged himself in a sip of his beloved blue milk. Never failed to remind of his first moments with Master Asha... But he had other responsibilities to tend to, such as the training of his younglings - Leith and Rima, along with the continuing caretaking of little Nina, all of which were still on the Seren Heritage docked in the Space Port. Nina knew the ship inside-out by now, and she also knew to make contact with Thurion should anything happen. As such, the Master remained resting against the thick trunk of the tree behind him, allowing himself to take some time for himself this once.

[member="Remus"]

 

[The Dragon]

Following his nose, Remus walked past numerous alleyways and streets to come across a cafe stand. Customers walked to and from the small stand, often leaving with food or a strange blue liquid in a glass. The smell intrigued him, but he didn't know what it was, nor did he have any credits to get any of whatever it was. Walking across the street, he continued to sniff around, sometimes getting new and other strange scents. Nothing here reminded him in the least of his forest home of Endor, not with its pillars of smoke and roaring machines. The city-planet was simply too noisy. As the boy thought this over, he saw a tall man by a tree, drinking the very same blue liquid he'd seen countless others with. Perhaps a peek wouldn't hurt? Making his way to the man, he stopped directly in front and studied him.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Blissfully busy with sipping from his blue milk, Thurion then lowered his glass to find a boy standing politely before him, looking at him in a questioning manner. Safe to say it took the man off-guard, he still remained level-headed and calm. Smiling at the teenager, he inclined his head towards him in a bowing gesture. "Hello there, young man! Did you need me for something, or are you perhaps just out for stroll on this beautiful day?" No response came from the boy, and Thurion began to suspect what he now could safely call himself an expert at noticing; the boy was a mute. He'd seen it the first time in Kida, who he met all those years ago on Tython. Then there was Nina, who is still only capable of conversing through physical telepathy despite his attempts at teaching her how to talk. Last, and admittedly least in terms of age, was little Rima, who he'd met just a week ago. All of these were unable to speak upon their first meeting, meaning he could recognise the signs of blissful unawareness a mile away by now.

"Don't be frightened, boy. I'm not going to hurt you. Here", he said in a gentle tone while holding out the blue milk towards the stranger. "Wanna have a sip of blue milk?"

[member="Remus"]

 

[The Dragon]

Eventually, the strange man seemed to catch sight of Remus' staring, and the boy backed up a little. Though he did not understand the sounds coming from his mouth, the stranger seemed to have no intention of hurting him, instead offering the glass of blue liquid. Cocking his head to the side, his long mane of hair fluttered back with the wind as he gave a curious glance. Should he try the concoction? Everyone else seemed to enjoy it, so he shrugged and walked forward. Once he was within distance, he grabbed the glass and eagerly chugged down a mouthful, savoring its sweet taste. When he realized he'd drunk the entire thing, he handed the glass back with an apologetic grin.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion watched with joy in his eyes and a smile on his face as the boy took the glass and drank down the entirety of its contents. "You're a thirsty thing, aren't you? I'll see about fetching you some more." He chuckled, while taking the glass back into his possession. "I can tell by that confused look on your face that you do not speak Basic. That's completely fine - I've met several in my travels who didn't speak at all at the time, and some still doesn't speak. I don't mind, though - speech is just a tool to ease co-operation between two people, but if the will to co-operate is already there, then speech is not needed." Well aware the boy wouldn't know his words, he instead smiled wide and set the glass down in the grass beside him. On his other side, he had kept a full jug of blue milk which he now used to pour another glass for the boy to drink. Thurion then made a patting gesture at the ground where'd left the glass sitting, now full of fresh blue milk. "Come here and have a seat. I won't hurt you", he offered him. "One could never have enough company when enjoying a place of peace."

[member="Remus"]

 

[The Dragon]

The man took the glass back, and continued to speak the odd language. He still had no idea what was being said, but he popped up with a curious look when the jug full of the sweet blue liquid was brought out. Not seconds after it was poured and set down, he shuffled over and sat down next to the stranger. He noticed the patting motion that had been made, but Remus didn't need any incentive to drink the milk. Taking it in two hands, he downed half of the glass in one motion, leaving a blue milk-attaché on his upper lip. Looking up at the nice man, he smiled and moved a little closer, nuzzling him as his brother Cainis would do to him.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion didn't mind the boy's almost immidiate affection for him, surprised though he might have been at such sudden affinity. Not many sentients would so easily become so trusting so quickly. Frankly, it was a welcomed change of pace from his earlier encounters with strangers. Most people are too concerned with their own lives and what tomorrow brings, that they are too busy to just sit down and enjoy a friendly conversation without expecting something in return. Thurion had learnt better than most that yearning for yesterday, as well as hoping for tomorrow, is secondary to living in the here and now - the present.

Looking down at the boy in the process of nuzzling up against him, he could do nothing but smile along with a few chuckles of approval. Much like his dear Kida, this youngster appeared to behave like a young animal, like a puppy almost. "You're very welcome, pup. I know the feeling of discovering blue milk for the first time quite well", he chuckled, noticing the blue moustache upon the boy's upper lip.

[member="Remus"]

 

[The Dragon]

Looking up at the man, he tried to communicate with him at last. Maybe on some chance, he would understand wolf. Sending a quick series of yips and growls his way, he waited for a response, his head tilted. While he waited, he would grab the jug of blue milk, just as the other had done, but would instead drink it directly from it instead of pouring some into the glass. He was really enjoying the new taste, as it was like nothing he'd ever had before.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]