Private Coffee Chill and Chat

[Feng Huang]

"Poodoo" Feng swore as an electric spark from the construction droid zapped her.

"Stupid piece of rustbucket rusting piece of junk" Feng cursed at the construction droid.

The droids were useful for their purpose, lifting heavy objects, laying down concrete, hammering in nails and screws, but they also came cheap off the production line themselves.

"Probably made by just as cheap spare parts as you were." Feng growled in her overalls that she used when tinkering with machines.

Feng growled as she crossed the wires, muttering slight curses at every spark and zap that zipped at her fingers.

Eventually she sighed and gave up. For now. She was tired, cranky, irritable and frustrated. All of them at once, which left her feeling a little uncomfortable. Feng was usually a happy person by nature cheerful in fact. Downright bubbly most of the time. She didn't like feeling like a grumpy gloomy guss.

Feng sighed, decided maybe she just needed a pick me up like a strong cup of coffee. Feng left the construction droid and went inside looking for the newly built kitchen. After the sleeping quarters it was the first thing that had been built.

She wondered how Ayumi Pallopides was doing, no doubt hard at work just like she was. Though Feng doubted that Ayumi's work involved getting shocked by malfunctioning construction droids. Still Feng missed her. As much as she missed her she didn't regret her decision to leave. Feng often grew between frustrated and scared from the other options for Jedi in the galaxy. High Republic did all too little and the Vanguard was too extreme.

Feng felt she might have found her place here among the Silver Alliance. At least she hoped so, and was trying her best to make it work. She was however a little lonely away from everyone she knew and had formed bonds with. Feng grimaced silently to herself.

Maybe that was why she was so tense. Feng was a sociable person at heart. She enjoyed people, and their company. For the most part people enjoyed hers. Perhaps she just needed to get to know her new comrades a little better.

Feng wasn't sure where to begin, or who to begin with but she hoped to start in the kitchens. Fortunately when she arrived she found Lily Decoria present.

"Our leader herself! How lucky is that!" Feng exclaimed audibly delighted as the foggy cloud of bitterness evaporated.

"Hi Lily. I was just thinking it'd probably be good if I got to know people around here a little better and here you are!" Feng babbled excitedly "So tell me about yourself? What are your hobbies, interests what do you do for fun?"

As she talked Feng started making herself a cup of coffee, and one for Lily just in case she wanted one.

"Would you like a coffee?"

 

[Lily Decoria]

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

The construction work on the enclave was still ongoing, there was a lot that needed to be done and Lily knew that they didn't have much in terms of resources or numbers currently. All she could hope for was that things would continue to go smoothly and their hard work and efforts would come to fruition in due course. Lily was discussing with a foreman on the plans for the day and what needed to be constructed next, the priorities had mostly been taken care of so that people no longer had to rest in their ships nor were there tents littered around the enclave with food and other necessities for people to use.

"Training facilities can be one of the last things built, they also need to be built with Force Users in mind so that will require some specialised materials and technology. Focus on meeting rooms, council chambers and social rooms for now. I will come up with a list for what is needed for the training rooms." Lily mentioned as she gave a gracious nod of her head to the foreman, it was good to talk out ideas and get a plan for what they needed to be doing next.

Lily headed to the kitchens, a tea would be good. Give her time to think on more of what to do around the enclave and where things needed to be heading. As she arrived, a voice called out and Lily raised her head, looking over to see who was calling out to her. A smile on her lips, it was Feng, another Jedi who was present when Lily first established this new faction. "Greetings Feng, it is delightful to see you as well. I am very glad to see that you are sticking around, even with the heavy construction work we got going on here." Lily softly laughed as she began to make herself a small cup of tea.

"Tea is fine for now, coffee is unfortunately a little too bitter for my tastes. But I am more than happy to sit with you and chat." When Feng asked about Lily's hobbies and about Lily herself, a familiar wave of uncertainty came over the Echani. She had been asked that when at a Zinder date not long ago, unfortunately not much progress had been made to change her answer from then either. "I am Echani, a Jedi Knight, like to stay in shape. Been tough leaving the Jedi Order, I am someone who very much likes organisation and rules. So, coming up with them and attempting to establish something entirely new, not easy since there isn't a lot of guidance on that." Lily mentioned as she took a seat, and leaned back.

The weight of creating something from the ground up, paving the way forward mostly on her own, it was not the easiest of things to be doing. But whenever Lily took a look outside and saw how things were progressing, it was ever clear that she needed to continue to push forward. "Hobbies have been unfortunately suspended while things are still getting situated here. No time for myself while we need this enclave fully established and desperately need to find a way to fight the Sith."

"How about yourself? Tell me about Feng, we didn't really get a chance to know one another in the Jedi Order within the High Republic."

 

[Feng Huang]

"How are the rooms coming along?" Feng asked with a gentle smile.

She settled down with her coffee across from Lily. There was a time not so long ago when Feng would have babbled almost incoherently out of sheer nerves, excitability and eagerness. Feng had decided since her trials to make an effort to be more aware of listening for a change of pace. Instead of only prompting and reacting in a series of swirling encounters. Feng could already tell Lily was preoccupied with the construction of the enclave, she realised she probably didn't have a lot of time for fun, relaxation or hobbies, but it was still nice to take this opportunity to get to know one another.

Feng had made a few friends as padawan at a meet up event she herself had organised, but they hadn't had time to become close friends. It would be nice to be able to not only meet someone but develop a close friendship through shared experiences. Feng was hopeful that building this place together would be one of those experiences. There was nothing like creating something together to form a bond, it was true of art, writing, music, poetry, theatre, film, tv. Feng didn't see any reason why it shouldn't be the same for creating an enclave together.

More than that they were building a whole new Jedi Order, one in which Jedi from all walks of life would be welcome. Feng had her doubts about the wisdom of opening herself up to a group that allowed grey Jedi so openly, but then she had long since decided that she needed to expand her horizons from her relatively sheltered upbringing.

"I've always admired Echani culture" Feng acknowledged with a sip of her coffee. "I'm Aakaashian. They're an isolated system, but extensive, multiple inhabited worlds. I miss the food the most, but there are other things as well, the art, literature, music, theatre, architecture, the scenery. The smell of engine grease isn't quite the same either. I miss my family as well. They were all killed."

Feng said the last with a brief sad flicker of a smile.

"Rules are a necessary feature of organisation and safety, but sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone can be a rewarding experience in its own right. I commend you on doing so. I feel similarly stepping out of my comfort zone into a Jedi Order that's so open minded towards Jedi of all philosophies. I was convinced there could only be a limited number of paths available to me until fairly recently. Jedi Shadow, Jedi Pathfinder, Jedi Temple Guard. I viewed them as career options instead of callings."

"I am instead glad to have found a place amongst you. At your generous invitation."

"I enjoy tinkering and racing, piloting. I enjoy combat as well. I've decided I'm done feeling guilty about that. So long as the cause is worthy I think it's healthier than wallowing in guilt. One of the reasons I thought a path outside the rigours of the High Republic might suit me."

Feng said the last with a wry smile.

"I'm in a relationship with Senator Ayumi Pallopides. I was assigned to her bodyguard when we first met, and we just sort of took it from there."

Feng smiled warmly at the thought of Ayumi.

"My master was Wuxia Wukong. Something of a Bokken Jedi, we travelled around Jedi Temples for a number of years before joining the High Republic. Another effort to broaden my horizons."

"That's about it really."

Feng beamed a smiled unselfconsciously.

Lily Decoria

 

[Lily Decoria]

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

"Well, we have kitchens as you can tell. Living quarters, which I hope you are finding most comfortable, and we are currently working on the more social locations, such as council rooms, meeting rooms and perhaps the war room." Lily stated as she listed out the plan moving forward. There was nothing she felt needed to be hidden with Feng. They were so early in this development as a faction, Lily really doubted there would be a spy. Especially one who was coming from a similar background as her own with the High Republic.

Nodding her head, "I am sorry about your family. My own suffered several losses during the Mandalorian raids on Eshan many, many years ago now. Hopefully you find ways to honour their memory and continue to connect with your home world and culture when you can. I find it an important part of who I am, where I came from and ways in which Echani people are. It is why I love to spar and engage with others in combat." Lily gave a smile, fighting was something she always found enjoyable and while it was not something she thought ideal in terms of fighting to the death with the Sith, that would never rob what Lily did connect with.

"It is going to be interesting seeing the different Force Users that will join us. I know that I am attempting to convince my own aunt to come join, she is currently a roaming mercenary but she was a good healer. No longer a Jedi but does seem willing to fight the Sith. So, that will be good. So often, things can be pigeon holed as we must be this way to be a Jedi or you must never do certain things, unfortunately, the current climate of the galaxy doesn't allow for that strictness. We need to be willing to explore and accept help from wherever it may come from." Lily stated, "so, we shall see what chaos that injects into our lives and that could be the defining element that helps you discover the path you wish to find yourself walking. I know I was always going to be a guardian, I had dreamed of being Battle Master and now I find myself leading the Silver Alliance. Not something that I was expecting."

There was a nervousness to her laughter but she was excited for the most part with this beginning.

"Mechanic work is really good, my aunt was similar in that way and we will definitely need people who can help with building ships, weapons and gadgets. Racing and piloting are definitely a lot of fun, I haven't partaken personally but definitely see the appeal with the adrenaline high one can get from it." Lily giggled softly, she shrugged to Feng, "combat doesn't have to be a guilty pleasure. Perhaps it is the Echani in me, but too many see combat as aggressive or violent acts that only adds harm. Combat for me is no different to dancing, movement and expression of the soul and body." Lily always loved the way Echani fought, the language spoken and shared, the bonding that felt oceans deep.

A smile was evident on Lily's lips as she was hearing about the relationship that Feng had already. "That's amazing, congratulations on that. Always so happy when people have a healthy and happy relationship. Being single can be the worst at times. Especially with apps like Zinder not being as helpful as they like to advertise." Looking to Feng, "well, it is great to start getting to know you Feng, really hope we get a chance to develop this into a really strong friendship."

 

[Feng Huang]

"This place is really coming together isn't it? You're doing a great job managing things, getting things started, keeping the momentum growing. I'm excited to see what the Silver Alliance evolves into. I'm privileged to be able to witness it from the literal ground up, from an immersive front row seat." Feng smiled softly to show she meant every word.

"Truthfully I've forgotten much of my home planets ways, cultures and traditions. Even the language is difficult for me now. Sometimes I regret that. I've never really had a stable home before. I'm hopeful I've found one here, even though it's early days yet."

Feng gave a sad smile.

"The one thing I do remember about home is the cuisine, I try to make some vegetarian equivalents whenever I can. I also remember some of the fashion and rural architecture. I miss the shapes of the roofing on houses strangely enough. They always seem so elegant in my memory. I would like to go back there some day, return to my roots. It is however fairly isolated system. Hard to get to and closed off from outsiders. Given the constant state of the galaxy is chaos I'm not sure I can blame them."

Feng's eyebrows rose to hear of a mercenary joining Jedi.

"Your aunt sounds like a useful addition. To hear you talk of openly accepting a mercenary into the order is… an adjustment. It is hard for me to reconcile the Jedi Path with that of being a mercenary fighting for money no matter how just the cause. I am however here to expand my worldview and be exposed to points of view not traditionally found in the somewhat narrow Jedi Path I was accustomed to in the High Republic. Master Wu meant well but he was somewhat… old fashioned? In his teachings. A great emphasis on balance and the living force."

Feng shrugged.

"One thing he did teach me is we all have to find our own path, not just as Jedi but in life as well. No one can live it for you."

Feng laughed companiably.

"I'm sure you would have made an excellent battlemaster. Selfishly though I'm glad it didn't work out or else we never would have started this initiative."

Feng laughed and grinned.

"I'll take you up in a two seater racer we can sling around an asteroid field for a few hours. There's no greater feeling."

Feng nodded amicably.

"I'm learning that combat can be a part of me without it being a guilty pleasure. I like the analogy of it being a dance. Sometimes when I do katas I set them to music. Though I doubt I'll ever be able to use it as a communication skill like Echani are capable of."

Feng inclined her head gently in respect.

"It is a pleasure to know you as well."

Feng considered her next questions carefully.

"If I may ask? What are your plans for the roles of the Jedi within your new order?"

Feng was curious to hear the answer and what the options were for her new role within this new order of Jedi.

Lily Decoria

 

[Lily Decoria]

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

"I am glad to hear someone besides myself is excited by all this, I never saw myself doing something so boldly and potentially reckless. But also feels like it was something necessary." Lily confessed before taking a sip of her tea, "and it is always good to see things grow from the ground up. I was part of the High Republic from the start, back when it was the Royal Naboo Republic. It was very different back then, a lot smaller and in some ways focused more on similar goals I wish for us to achieve here." Lily did fear that if they grew too rapidly or became too large, then this new faction could suffer a fate like the High Republic.

Nodding her head, "not many Jedi are as deeply connected to their home world, home culture as I am. It became an issue within the Jedi Order since the ruler of Eshan is not one that is well liked amongst some Jedi, serves the people of Eshan very well and she is well liked by my family, friends and anyone else you ask on Eshan. So, attempting to balance both sides and desire peace, it was not possible. Sometimes, it is best to keep a distance to it all." Lily could never and she would never abandon that part of her life, but since the incidents with the High Republic Jedi and her queen, it was a lot more understandable why others had to.

"A vegetarian? I will ensure that the chefs know so that we have an excellent range of vegetarian food and meals for yourself and others. Perhaps we can have cultural food days or weeks. Give us all a chance to represent home and reconnect as much as we desire to reconnect." Lily offered a smile, "I fully intend on ensuring this is a lasting home for as many people who desire to enact firm change in the galaxy but also bringing about balance and order once again." It was not the sole goal to fight the Sith, that only could last while the Sith were a threat, if the Silver Alliance could outlast them, then Lily needed to know that their goals could adapt, shift focus on a new lasting goal.

Smiling, Lily nodded her head, "well, that is why we are the Silver Order. Not the Silver Jedi Order. While being a Jedi is crucial for myself and clearly important for you as well. Some see fighting the Sith as the only path that truly matters. And currently they are correct. We must be open and willing to unite all those who desire to fight the Sith, we need to be more open to people who are not pure Jedi or even Jedi." It had been a difficult decision for Lily to take that path but it was crucial given that she had seen others be stricter, demanding on the purest of Jedi in their Orders. But then the Sith still rise in power, still enact horrific war crimes and kill millions.

Change had to happen and while Lily would always be a Jedi, she knew there needed to be more flexibility with the faction she would lead. "I hope one day, when the wars are less necessary, when the Sith are gone. Then we can focus on rebuilding the Jedi and solidifying that part of the Silver Alliance." Lily mentioned, wanting to make sure that Feng understood that Lily was not abandoning the Jedi ways.

"For a short time, I really liked it. Teaching lessons, working in the council, feeling proud of the Order." There was melancholy to her voice as Lily spoke, she paused and then continued as she recomposed herself. "I shall look forward for when we have a chance to do that," a smile genuinely returning to Lily's lips.

Thinking on the final questions, "well, I believe in time. Those who represent the roles within the council will demonstrate themselves. Prove themselves worthy without question and take on the responsibilities that come with running a Force User Order. Especially one that will potentially have multiple Force cultures, beliefs and views. Something that could be a lot harder to balance than merely being a Jedi Order." Lily confessed, which was why she hoped that the support would come sooner rather than later.

"Did any of the Order's council roles call out to you?"