Public &nbsp; Change is necessary. Change is inevitable. (THR/JEDI)

Braze stepped in at last, having sought the man out with the intent of returning the small object his father had left in Braze's care. Still, curiosity caught him first when he saw what the other was up to.

"Whatchya doing?" Braze asked simply.

Connel Vanagor · Apr 4, 2026

IT’S A NEW DAY
REFECTORY
JEDI TEMPLE

BB4-80 (\"Brad\")

[Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
Rides
- "Enterprise" Station Ship (More “Home away from Home”)
- "Jedi Defender" Corvette
- X-wing
- Speeder (In Corvette)
- Speederbike (In Corvette)
Gear
SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
- Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
- Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
- Muscle enhancements.
- Hemo enhancements for blood flow
- Hawkeye implants for eyes
- Advanced Medical Implant
- Scentzy
- Injected Nanotech upgrades
Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

Off to a great start…

His opinion of the Echani had cooled since all that had happened on Coruscant, so the desire to punch him… well it was still there but Connel was less and less likely to act on it.

It was (in his mind) a good little experiment to see if he could walk around freely, like “Connel” and “Ariel” could be two separate identities, but there was something to that which actually bothered him. That was the same mindset that had him holding onto “Conservator,” his father’s lightsaber like a vice. He wondered if clinging to these remnants of his past was holding him back. It was time to let go, to embrace change fully, and to redefine himself without being tethered to old symbols.

He would always have that part of him when he needed it, but now… now was different.

Braze’s question was simple enough… Would you like to know? in a clearly joking/facetious manner.

“BRAD” was rolling by when stopped suddenly and seemed to answer Connel’s question outright.

Boo-WEEEP - [Translation: I believe that is exactly why he is asking.] You could count on one hand and have fingers left over if you counted the times Connel has outwardly burst into laughter. This would be one of those time though.

Thanks “BRAD”... this is one of those times of “humor” we talked about. Looking up and stopping what he was doing. Apologies… we’re working on “his” humor.

He then gestured to the parts and crystals. When my father was a Knight, it was a long held “custom” that you carried one weapon at a time, except in some instances. He believed that you built what represented you. I’m doing that now… trying to move forward and need a new weapon. Not “another” but a “new”.

TAGS •

Braze
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Like this is through the Force~

Braze · Apr 4, 2026

Tags: Connel Vanagor

Braze did not quite understand, nor did he seem to catch the humor in it. He might have replied bluntly with that is why I asked, but the droid had already stated the obvious. Braze blinked, genuine confusion settling across his features as his snowy white brows drew together.

It was a very different philosophy from the one Braze generally kept to, though he chose not to give voice to that thought.

"Why a new one?" he asked simply, then added,

"I wanted to ask if you wished to keep the disc your father left for me… I am not sure whether he ever taught you what is on it, but I feel it may be better for you to have it. I have memorized its contents."

Casaana · Apr 4, 2026

The sound of quickly pattering feet echoed down the temple corridor chased by Casaana's high girly laughter. "Give it back! Tap-It!" Moments later the two rounded the corner of the lounge Braze and Connel were in, the girl rounding off the wall at considerable speed, clearly using the Force to enhance her sprint as she chased down the hovering seeker droid fleeing as fast as its repulsors could propel it, the green blade of her lightsaber trailing away from between its graspers.

Barefoot and outer cloak flapping from her shoulders as she gave chase, Casaana went over various pieces of furniture like the end table and settee as the two circled the room. "Hi Braze! Hi Brad! Hey you!" She called out before they were out of the room again. It was after the hum of the lightsaber disappeared that Casana's voice echoed back to the two. "Oh FETH! THAT WAS CONNEL WITHOUT HIS MASK!"

This time when the two appeared in the room, it was T4P-1T following after Casaana. "Quick! Get a picture!" She ordered coming to a quick stop and pointing towards the bearded man, lightsaber temporarily forgotten.

Connel Vanagor · Sunday at 7:08 AM

IT’S A NEW DAY
REFECTORY
JEDI TEMPLE

BB4-80 (\"Brad\")

[Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
Rides
- "Enterprise" Station Ship (More “Home away from Home”)
- "Jedi Defender" Corvette
- X-wing
- Speeder (In Corvette)
- Speederbike (In Corvette)
Gear
SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
- Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
- Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
- Muscle enhancements.
- Hemo enhancements for blood flow
- Hawkeye implants for eyes
- Advanced Medical Implant
- Scentzy
- Injected Nanotech upgrades
Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

The Echani gave little to no response other than confusion.

Oh yeah, right…

Braze’s next question was a far one, one he had not fully thought about himself… I do not wish to use the cliche’ word "symbolic" but really, the ones I use with my armor, along with the armor itself. Those represent what they need, and needed to be. He watched Casaana run by, chasing her droid. She recognized “BRAD” so that was going to be coming to a head soon enough.

WeeP-Bwoo - [Translation: Greetings, Padawan C… oh….]

They represent a time when I was trying to find myself, and something I had held onto too long. I am not saying I am giving up that path, or the work, but am working towards being more than that. He held up one of his crystals. I’m not there yet, so you might say that building this is setting a goal for myself, if that makes sense..

He then bowed his head for a moment as he put down the crystal. Make sure you get my “good side”.

Casaana •

Braze
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Like this is through the Force~

Braze · Sunday at 5:15 PM

Tags: Casaana Connel Vanagor

"I don't think symbolism is cliche," he offered simply.

Braze tilted his head, a faint crease touching his brow. "What do you mean by 'find yourself'?" he asked, not quite following the idea. "Are you saying, or rather suggesting, that you don't know who you are... or what you want to do?"

His brows rose, his eyes narrowing for a brief moment. "Because if you are, then I think you might be overthinking it... and that's coming from someone who overthinks everything," Braze added softly.

"Just be the best version of yourself you can be. Don't change for what other people expect. People who live that way are always chasing after something they'll never quite reach. Change because you want to become better... Only Connel gets to decide who Connel is, after all."

He glanced at the droid before asking, "Is he always this intense?"

Braze didn't so much as blink at

Casaana 's antics, seeming to have grown some form of immunity to them.

He set the disk down on the workbench and looked over the gathered components curiously.

"Might I offer you some suggestions... or a few alternative options?"

Braze reached beneath his fur-lined cloak and into a dark messenger bag, producing a few items that he set carefully on the bench for

Connel Vanagor to inspect, should any of them catch his interest.

Guardian's Bulwark
Refined Deflection Emitter
Overload Safety Dump
Crystal Carousel

Casaana · Monday at 12:11 AM

Looking at Connel's distinguished visage, Casaana realized just how out of place she was and straightened up. Clearing her throat, she straightened her robes over her tunic and tucked some of her hair back only for it to immediately fall out of place again. "Um, right, Knights." She gave the two of them a respectful nod before pulling her saber out of Tap-It's grasp with the Force and deactivating the blade before returning it to her belt.

Seeing the lightsaber parts Braze was setting out, the Padawan immediately forgot her awkwardness and wandered closer to look, her interest peaked. "You guys making a lightsaber?" She'd been rolling a few ideas around in her head along those lines ever since Braze had given her that entropic crystal in his class, but lately the urge to move on from the impersonal High Republic saber had been particularly strong. Standing beside Braze, Casaana began poking through the pieces he'd laid out on the bench.

Connel Vanagor · Monday at 9:33 AM

IT’S A NEW DAY
REFECTORY
JEDI TEMPLE

BB4-80 (\"Brad\")

[Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
Rides
"Enterprise" Station Ship (More “Home away from Home”)
"Jedi Defender" Corvette
X-wing
Speeder (In Corvette)
Speederbike (In Corvette)
Gear
Headset Microphone Comm-Link
Mobile "Bodycam" Datapad
Lightsaber
SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
Muscle enhancements.
Hemo enhancements for blood flow
Hawkeye implants for eyes
Advanced Medical Implant
Scentzy
Injected Nanotech upgrades
Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

There it was. The desire to punch him was returning. Sure, the guy was probably trying to help with advice, but really, it was an interpretation of Connel actually trying to be diplomatic in his answer. He was trying to be different, at least when not wearing his gear. At the time I started using that gear, I did not know who I was, or what I wanted to be.

He went back to making adjustments. I was just out of a bacta tank for the first time in close to eight months. I was even afraid to pick up a lightsaber. All of that was a leg up on my return to the field, only to become a proverbial crutch.

He did not ignore what Braze was saying, but Connel had given this some thought, more thought into the process than he did where he would go through with it apparently. When Braze looked at the droid, Connel answered for him. Yes, I am…

When Braze sat and put the disk down, Connel looked at it for a moment. My father gave that to you. I’m already proficient in all six tiers, that disk holds the first three. Thank you though. Then came the other items. Was this some kind of bribe? No, that was no way to speak or think.

Looking over them, almost inspecting them with genuine curiosity, he liked what he had seen. Also, while I appreciate the offer, these are quite nice components, I am very particular about what I use.

That is not a negative reflection on your gesture or components, just me being an intense Schutta. Braze may not get the humor, but Connel was trying to be funny, thus the slight smirk.

Casaana felt like she was caught, she wasn't, it was cute, not that he showed it. When she asked the rather obvious question, Connel answered simply Yes, in between getting my picture taken.

Another smirk.

Casaana •

Braze
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Li
ke this is through the Force~

Braze · Monday at 4:56 PM

Tags: Connel Vanagor Casaana

So much for all that talk of change.

It felt foolish now, trying to meet him halfway, trying to offer something honest, only to be met with that same wall again; polished, self-regarding, and impossible to touch.

At this point, it was about what he had expected. Every attempt to speak with Connel seemed to slide into the same old mire.

His sense of humor always struck Braze as a little off-kilter, and he never seemed to simply understand. It all felt very insular… perhaps his jokes were never really jokes at all, only blunt, ill-timed thoughts spoken aloud, and somehow that was what made them amusing to him. Braze did not see the humor in it. Then again, perhaps he was the one failing to understand.

Braze did not like it when people misunderstood him, so perhaps Connel did not like being misunderstood either. He had wanted to make some kind of connection, but it never seemed to work out.

Maybe that was what Connel had been trying to do by opening up, by telling Braze about his past, but the prickly exterior was hard to get past.

Physically, he was no longer hidden behind a mask or armor, so perhaps this was an attempt to be more open, more vulnerable, in some symbolic way. Maybe he was simply more prickly without the armor and mask to hide behind. Maybe this was his concentrated effort to seem more relatable, more approachable, all at once. Braze could have spent all day theorizing, but the truth was that he simply did not know. He did not understand, however much he might have liked to.

"For what it is worth, I was not trying to tell you who you are." His voice stayed mild. "Only that you seemed to speak as though the answer had to be found somewhere outside yourself… and I am not so sure that is true," he murmured.

"Alright then. If this is something you need to choose for yourself, I can respect that. This is your saber, not mine."

A small pause followed… then, more lightly, "So. What do you want it to do?"

He glanced over to

Casaana .

"Hey Casaana... want to see something neat? Come join us. " He said inviting her over.

Casaana · Monday at 10:00 PM

Casaana looked up at Braze, already having pushed up beside the other two and looking at the saber parts. Unsure if he was being sarcastic because she'd done so without invitation, or being genuine, she just turned her brown eyes back to the parts. She had a good feeling about Connel in a way she hadn't before, when she'd only met him in his armor. Now he was almost another person, maybe more open or willing to be vulnerable. The way he spoke about his gear being a crutch after leaving a bacta tank, made her think about Bogan and the failed Jedi assault to retake Tython. How the sith war beasts tore through her friends with tooth and tentacles and the artillery barrages afterword, charging the sith troopers in their trenches as they tried to buy their masters another precious few minutes to complete the ritual that had torn the moon's surface apart and ended their attack. It'd taken nearly a year to even be willing to talk about it, and she still didn't go back to Tython other than that one time with Persie...

Reaching up, she placed a hand on Connel's back. "The answer is whatever you want it to be. Because wherever you go, there you are." Casaana patted his back before withdrawing her hand. "Also if you're worried about crutches, keep it simple. I would if I weren't trying to fool people inta thinking its a hydrospanner and making it so it don't kill people." Okay, Connel was being cool about the Tap-It thing, but she wasn't going to try and push anymore 'wisdom' than that on him, she'd been hoping for fun saber discussions, not all this other stuff.

Connel Vanagor · Monday at 10:11 PM

IT’S A NEW DAY
REFECTORY
JEDI TEMPLE

BB4-80 (\"Brad\")

[Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
Rides
"Enterprise" Station Ship (More “Home away from Home”)
"Jedi Defender" Corvette
X-wing
Speeder (In Corvette)
Speederbike (In Corvette)
Gear
Headset Microphone Comm-Link
Mobile "Bodycam" Datapad
Lightsaber
SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
Muscle enhancements.
Hemo enhancements for blood flow
Hawkeye implants for eyes
Advanced Medical Implant
Scentzy
Injected Nanotech upgrades
Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

“Redemption is never out of reach, you just have to reach for it.” Why was his father’s belief when it came to helping others come from the darkness in his mind? Almost like a mantra. His father saw redemption as a path to heal one's inner struggles, using the darkness within as a source of strength rather than weakness. This belief guided his actions, emphasizing that even those burdened by their past could find purpose and help others through empathy and understanding.

… and here he was, sitting directly across from someone to whom had been instrumental in the Galactic Empire invading Coruscant. The same place his father had died for nothing.

Connel was holding a grudge. I get that. I figured you were trying to help if you could... I wasn't trying to be a jerk. Foror a while, the gear allowed me to move the way I needed to, during operations, and if I ditched the gear I could walk freely. It was a part of my Special Forces training.

He went back to making adjustments, then took one more look at the items Braze had put down.. You know what? Let me take a look at these before I say “yes” or “no”. Taking a moment to put them next to the parts and components that he already set out. Perhaps you can explain the difference?

Now he was trying hard to be more open. Did he still want to punch the Echani? Sure, but at times he wants to punch everyone.

When I watched my father die. I felt… I felt a lot of things. I was already burdened, self imposed, but burdened with his legacy until I wanted to learn the ways of the Shadow. It was too late to really learn the path so he helped me with sort of a “crash course.” That is why I looked like Omega Squad for a long time, until I was(and still am) a part of them.

He was tightening the durasteel “nub” at the end as he went on. It was good. Then I watched him die on Coruscant. He died … so many Jedi were overwhelmed in their battles… and we basically were left to our own devices. He shook his head in disgust at the memory as he nodded and waved Casaana over.

I became what I thought the galaxy needed me to be. Helping the little guy, helping those the Jedi could not get to. Taking the fight to those who would fight the Jedi and making them afraid. I lost myself in my work… in more ways than one. A sigh. Less Jedi… more Operator, more “Pipe Fitter”. I even gave away my father’s lightsaber, felt it belonged with an actual Jedi… not just some idiot pretending to be one.

He didn’t elaborate on the appearance and conversation with his father’s spirit, not important.
That was the switch that flipped. The realization of the fact that I was holding on too tightly to the past. I learned a lot more in that moment than I did in my entire life.

Another smirk. I won’t apologize for how intense I am, or can get to b, it’s just “The Vanagor” in me. I also will use the identity of that gear when I need to, that’s what it is for. That being said, I am trying to be better. Trying to get back to where I once was, and maybe put some respect back in the family name that I took out of it.

Looking between the emitters he quipped. Especially after Casaana made a pretty good point about keeping it simple. She was not wrong.

Not being self-deprecating or anything, just trying to be more… what the galaxy needs me to be. If that makes sense. Enough "Debby Downer"... I'm building a cool new long handle

Casaana •

Braze
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Like this is through the Force~

Braze · Wednesday at 1:47 PM

Tags: Connel Vanagor Casaana

Braze carried on as though he simply could not see

Casaana so close and so deep in his business. He paused, set the items back upon the table, and put the disk away.

Then he looked at her, making direct, unyielding eye contact.

He drew a small stool over to the workbench, using the Force to telekinetically slide it into his hand, and set it down behind her without breaking that stare. His expression remained neutral throughout. Then he shifted, withdrew a small violet holocron, and placed it down in front of her, saying nothing about it. He then finally looked away form her.

"The fact you can look back on it now and still want to be better tells me there is more Jedi in you than you think," Braze offered lightly.

"I actually like the longer handle designs. I think they're very useful for reach, which is exceptionally important for keeping yourself safe. Pikes are great for that too, but can get a little clumsy in tighter spaces, so a longer handle is a great compromise. Color me jealous~" he mused lightly.

"You seem to want to make a blade with a high energy output based on the components I see you have laid out. Not all the components I laid out are emitters. I picked out a few items I thought might complement what your designs seem to already be going for. High power can be fun, but an Overload Safety Dump would be good for ensuring protection and preventing severe overcurrent from reaching the emitter matrix. Your design seems fit for a larger sized blade profile as well, and the design implies it should also be great for defense. The Refined Deflection Emitter would offer a blade more optimized to be steady and stable, with good 'bounce back' for blaster deflection. You might lose a little cutting power, but you've more than made up for it with the aggressive approach to power output.

This is a specialized compound lens combining three materials that I designed to be a Guardian's Bulwark. It is a defensive-focused compound lens that widens saber coverage, strengthens deflection reliability, and sustains clarity under duress, creating the ultimate protector's blade.

And lastly... this is a Crystal Carousel. It is a revolver-style crystal chamber for lightsabers, allowing one to load multiple kyber crystals into a single hilt for versatility and display. You can switch between the engaged crystal in a crystal matrix lineup. My lightsaber rifle uses one to quickly change crystal effects to the output bolt or blade."

Casaana · Thursday at 5:32 PM

Her cheeks puffed in consternation. Braze was being super mean for some reason, staring her down and making her feel pressured and uncomfortable as he brought up a stool as if she were a little kid needing a high chair. Then he gave her a coloring holocron of something which she quietly pocketed for later. She wanted to say something to both their speeches, connect with Connel and let him know she thought he'd done better than could be expected of someone in his situation, but she didn't know what to say and it sounded like he wanted to move on, so she just nodded. "Long handle sounds cool. Harder to hide, but you might not care about that. Just make sure you pick a lightsaber resistant material. There'll be a lot more sticking out to get cut." Personally, she was eying the carousel, especially at the mention of changing the effects of Braze's rifle. Stun crystals were great for non-lethal takedowns, but they wouldn't help her if she needed to cut through something.

Connel Vanagor · Thursday at 7:38 PM

IT’S A NEW DAY
REFECTORY
JEDI TEMPLE

BB4-80 (\"Brad\")

[Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
Rides
- "Enterprise" Station Ship (More “Home away from Home”)
- "Jedi Defender" Corvette
- X-wing
- Speeder (In Corvette)
- Speederbike (In Corvette)
Gear
SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
- Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
- Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
- Muscle enhancements.
- Hemo enhancements for blood flow
- Hawkeye implants for eyes
- Advanced Medical Implant
- Scentzy
- Injected Nanotech upgrades
Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

Part of him did not really want to change what he was working on, but another was wondering if this was more for the two of them, and not him. I’ll be honest, the idea of a “revolver” style cyclical crystal array is intriguing, I don’t think I will be using that though, only because the crystal I will be using has been tuned to be since I was twelve.

Holding up the lens, Connel looked it over with avid curiosity as he listened to Casaana, actually smiling.. The trick to not cutting yourself is letting the hilt slide down your hand and into the activator button. Taking the future hilt into his hand and showing what he meant a couple of times, Vanagor showed his “WeaponMaster” history. It takes practice, but my former Master… He didn’t know if she knew who his father was, taught me how to use one. I’m making this as a way to honor him without holding onto the past too tightly.

Casaana •

Braze
[Text in Brackets is spoken on Comm-link] ~Like this is through the Force~

Braze · 2026-04-10T17:54:27-0400

Tags: Connel Vanagor Casaana

"I've been considering making a somewhat offset corkscrew version that would better suit a slimmer handle design. It would need a longer handle to make it work, rather than a thicker one, but I think it would be an improvement. That's alright… I understand not everyone likes to collect crystals the way I do. Sometimes I think they might get lonely and put them together in storage."

Braze offered the explanation with complete sincerity, as though his unusual approach to his vast kyber collection required no further justification at all.
He looked at

Casaana hen. " Don't loose that. " He said ebfore taking out soem small amount of colorful semi transparent clear orbs and placing them on the table.

Casaana · 2026-04-10T20:02:44-0400

Dang it, why was everyone constantly misunderstanding her? She knew how to handle a lightsaber, and she was very good at not losing stuff. Casaana sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose as Braze laid out, what? Colored glass for her to play with? Right, second thing first then. Leaning under the table, Casaana beckoned T4P-1T close from where she'd been chilling with Brad. Quietly whispering a secret code phrase, she pointed a finger over towards Braze's left foot. A shiver of excitement shot through the little infiltrator droid, its eyes rimming to pinpoints. T4P-1T then scuttled by Braze's foot on its way out of the room, jumping and flipping midair to quietly scoot along the ceiling and out of sight.

Sitting upright again, Casaana rejoined the conversation. "I like the idea, but I think I'd only ever need to switch between two crystals to change blade effects. It's not uncommon to have up to three crystals in a saber, but that's with them working in conjutui... together. Also Connel, I was worried about your longer saber hilt getting cut, especially if you have a lower grip on it, not your hand. S'why I mentioned materials."

Down the hallway, T4P-1T was following Braze's with her backtrack sniffer, she knew where Braze's room was from Casaana's visits, but she had a mission and would be thorough, following his trail around to his ship and his other hide outs. But first, she'd slice into his room, scan out and avoid the traps Casaana had mentioned three weeks ago while complaining about how unfair it was that she couldn't trap her own room, and get into his dresser. Then the assiduous droid would set about sorting every sock to be found in the room according to the sample she'd taken on her way out. One pile for left foot, and another for right foot. T4P-1T would then put each sock in the right foot pile away exactly where it'd been found before absconding with the lefts. Once properly hidden, she'd set off in full infiltration mode to see if she could find any more of Braze's socks.

Connel Vanagor · 2026-04-11T09:41:49-0400

IT’S A NEW DAY
REFECTORY
JEDI TEMPLE