Private Conversations and Discussions

[Wuxia Wukong]

Wu hummed to himself happily while chewing a bit of bamboo.

It is a fine day.

Here he was not on a mission of danger or violence or war, or even the consequences of war such as refugee camps or orphanages or hospitals. This was a peaceful mission. One in which Wu was looking forward to engaging in.

The Jedi Order had initiated him into reaching out to other Jedi around the galaxy. Even, especially the reclusive ones. As a former somewhat reclusive Jedi himself he had been considered an ideal candidate for the role. Wu had initially demurred, not wishing to intrude upon a Jedi chosen solitary nature for the sake of recruitment and politics. So instead he had been (upon his Padawans fierce negotiations on his behalf) offered the chance to offer the Jedi resources, for whatever missions they may deem fit or necessary.

Wu or rather Feng had been clear that this was not a recruitment strategy. Rather a networking so that isolated Jedi may contact the Jedi Order and by extension the High Republic for aid should they need it.

It was a mission Wu was glad to accept.

Wu had even been given an intelligence brief such as it were on known reclusive Jedi. What little they knew of them. Privately he felt that this was an invasion of privacy so instead had merely asked for locations. Preferring to get to know the Jedi in person if they should be willing to have company. If not well then Wu would respect their privacy, perhaps merely make the offer and walk away.

Wu felt this balanced nicely between his duty and his conscience. No harm could come from making the offer after all. While at the same time he would not be imposing himself on those who chose a quieter path in serving the first.

It was a familiar home for a Jedi. Wu had spent his own formative years as a Jedi in temples such as this one. Largely abandoned except for those few jedi who sought at the ancient temples, to study, be at peace with the Force. The forest was doing it's best to reclaim it of course and that was only natural.

It would be interesting to ask his host, should she choose to be his host, why she chose this particular temple as her home.

Wu waited outside the entrance patiently, reaching out with the Force to lightly touch on the presence of the one inside before withdrawing his own presence gently. A Jedi's version of polite knock, he felt. Though he also did something of a counter Art of the Small, broadcasting his presence in the Force.

He would not wish for her to feel he had anything to hide.

Nitya Xeraic

 

[Nitya Xeraic]

The wind through the trees carried with it a faint whisper — not words, but awareness.

Nitya paused in mid-breath, her senses shifting toward that subtle ripple in the Force. It was warm, centered, steady in a way that reminded her of old Masters she'd once trained beside. A presence that approached with intention, yet without the weight of demand. Someone who knew how to let the forest speak first.

Her eyes opened, both glowing with their soft golden hue as the quiet of the temple returned to focus around her. She rose smoothly from her meditation mat and moved toward the entrance, steps unhurried, the long fall of her dark cloak brushing over the aged stone floor.

Before she reached the threshold, she felt it again — a polite brushing of awareness, offered and withdrawn. A knock of the Force, without pressure. She let it wash through her, then answered in kind, the briefest flow of acknowledgment before she stepped into the doorway.

The visitor stood just beyond the entrance, bamboo still in hand, framed by sunlight and shifting green. His presence was gentle, shaped by discipline and a lifetime of stillness rather than urgency.

"Polite," she said quietly, her voice warm but even. "Most Jedi forget the Force can knock as easily as the hand."

A slight curve touched her lips — not quite a smile, but the closest she often came. She studied him for a moment, taking in his peaceful demeanor, the way the forest itself seemed content to make space for him.

"You're welcome here," she continued, inclining her head. "Few find their way to this temple unless they're meant to. Fewer still approach with such courtesy."

She stepped aside, allowing the filtered light of the interior to spill toward him. The temple was lived-in but straightforward — incense lingering in the air, a kettle warming on a small hearth, and scrollwork laid out on a low table.

"I'm Nitya Xeraic," she offered. "This place has been my home for many years now." Her gaze softened with quiet curiosity. "You carry no urgency, but purpose walks with you. Please — come in. There is tea, and time enough for conversation if you wish it."

A faint breeze drifted through, stirring the edge of her cloak as she added, with a note of quiet honesty:

"It's been some time since I've had a visitor who knocked so kindly."

Wuxia Wukong

 

[Wuxia Wukong]

Wuxia bowed. He was pleased to be greeted with such curtesy. He knew how isolation sometimes made a person… terse or perhaps awkwardly unused to company at best. Some might even react with outright hostility. He hoped not of course particularly from fellow Jedi but one never knew. After all they often sought distance from Jedi Orders so may have felt resentment at ones very presence.

"I prefer politeness over impertinence. It does wonders for soothing the soul upon greeting someone." Wu's nose crinkled a little "So long as it does not cross boundaries into courtly etiquette. I find that is often an excuse for impoliteness, imbalance and quite often cruelty."

Wu smiled. Smoothing out his crinkled nose and emphasised his wrinkled smile lines. Wu was an expressive individual by nature, even as he often calmly balanced it with the smooth movements of a martial artist. Though he preferred to think of himself as a dancer.

"Thank you. I am pleased to be welcomed in turn with politeness and generosity." Wu acknowledged with a satisfied node.

So far this expedition was going very well he thought. He had reached out knocking politely with the Force and had been received with equal politeness. Even were he refused his offer he would consider this an auspicious beginning and well worth the effort. Though he imagined that some bureaucrat paying for the ship for the mission might disagree. Wu believed money was a dangerous tool, useful but not one to be coveted. If he could use the tool to have a polite conversation he would do so.

"Thank you I would love some tea!" Wu grinned and all but exclaimed.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Nitya. I am Wuxia Wukong. Though if you prefer Wu. Most people have trouble pronouncing my full name." Wu said amiably walking in with his simian gate, hefting his staff with him as he went.

Wuxia said down with a relieved "Aaah"

Then proceeded to rub his feet, all the while chewing his bamboo.

"I imagine so. I lived in such isolated temples for many years. I often found it lonely. Though I did not know it at the time."

Wu's eye's closed as he found the spot the pebble had caught underneath his sandal.

"Aaah that's the spot."

Wu glanced around.

"You keep a very lovely and ordered home." Wu frowned, thinking of what it was missing. Realised what it was. It was lonely. One person, living in a disciplined ordered state. A few hobbies and studies of interest but no vibrancy.

Wu nodded to himself. He believed he could be of benefit, if she should want it. Even were she to turn his offer down. Perhaps at the very least set up an exchange of letters for her studies? Maybe she would like some of his poetry?

It wasn't an ideal solution to socialisation but it might be a start.

Nitya Xeraic

 

[Nitya Xeraic]

Nitya poured the tea with practiced gentleness, letting the steam rise between them in thin silver ribbons. Wu's expressive warmth filled the room easily, a contrast to the measured stillness that usually lived here — but not an unwelcome one. The temple itself seemed to brighten around him, as though even the old stone enjoyed the change in rhythm.

"I agree," she said as she set a cup before him, her voice calm but carrying a small note of humor. "Politeness without performance is refreshing. Courtly etiquette…" She allowed a faint breath of amusement to escape. "…often forgets its own purpose."

She took her seat across from him, hands folding lightly around her cup. Her glowing eyes watched him with the quiet curiosity of someone unused to such open expressiveness — but not put off by it. If anything, she seemed faintly intrigued.

"Wuxia Wukong," she repeated, tasting the cadence of the name thoughtfully before offering a slight nod. "It suits you. But Wu is fine, if that's what you prefer."

His simian gait, his bamboo chewing, the ease with which he moved from bowing to rubbing his foot — it should have been discordant in a place so still. Instead, Nitya found herself strangely… at ease. The energy he carried was bright, but grounded.

When he remarked on isolation, something in her expression shifted — not quite pain, but the recognition of something she rarely spoke aloud.

"It can be lonely," she admitted quietly. "Even when the Force is loud. Even when you choose it."

Her gaze drifted around the room as though seeing it through his eyes — the ordered shelves, the tidy scrolls, the simplicity of a life distilled to ritual and silence.

"Though I didn't realize it at first either."

She took a slow sip of tea, savoring the juniper's clarity before speaking again.

"This place is… peaceful. It's meant to be. But places like this grow stagnant without new voices. New footsteps." A faint smile tugged at her mouth. "And I imagine they rarely see someone with a staff and bamboo in hand."

Her tone was teasing, but so soft it barely disturbed the stillness between them.

"You're welcome to rest here as long as you wish, Wu. And if conversation is what brought you, I don't mind the company."
A pause — gentle, contemplative.
"Quiet doesn't have to mean empty."

Her golden eyes softened slightly.

"And you may offer whatever you came to offer. I will listen — whatever the answer needs to be."

Wuxia Wukong