Public Coruscant Jedi Temple: Wellness Check

[Braze]

Tags: Meliant Varin Mortifer Ko Vuto ​

Braze paid attention to the poor unfortunate souls that were at present being abused for labor taking careful mental notes of how they were kept as he walked by.

As they entered where Ko's tree was Kept Braze allowed his somber jade green gaze to sweep across the room taking in everything before settling on the odd looking man that spoke next.

"Oh... busy... sure if you say so... " He mused with a shrug. "I'm here for that tree in the tray pot over there. " Braze said and pointed directly at it. "And perhaps you may have found a white frog hopping about as well? " He asked curious to know if any one had stumbled upon 'Daisy'. He however didn't explain what the white frog actually was nor give any indication to it's location.

Presently Braze looked less like a Jedi and more akin to how one expected a mandolorian to to dress. An his use of art of the small meant he didn't really feel like a Force user either.

 

[Meliant]

CORUSCANT SITH TEMPLE
TROPHY ROOM OF THE UNIFORMED PEACOCK
​

"The only white frog I've seen 'hopping about' is Lysander," said Meliant. "He has a big boy job now, though, so I wouldn't bother him."​

​

His gaze followed Braze's finger to the little tree on its little plinth, then back to him. Meliant pretended that this was not a bizarre circumstance to bring one Jedi and one suspiciously armored person in the company of a Jedi to his throne room.​

​

"Ah. My prize bonsai, snatched from the clutches of an evil Empire. Was it once yours?"​

​

Varin Mortifer Ko Vuto Braze
Collateral: Lysander von Ascania​

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Coruscant
Gear: Standard Green Lightsaber, Jedi Utility Belt
Tag: Braze | Meliant | Varin Mortifer

Ko himself did not quite expect today to see himself in attendance with a Sith Emperor. He hadn’t even known that there was one present until now. He was glad things hadn’t spiraled out of control here, at least not yet.

He followed the tall young man inside, taking note of the unfortunate people around that were being put to work and also the ways in which the building had changed since he was last here.

Once in the throne room it was a bit difficult for Ko to recognize the room’s original function before getting appropriated by the Sith here. Also his goggled eyes honed in on his plant. Much to his surprise it was still alive and had not withered into a gnarled weed. That was encouraging. However, it was the space it now occupied and who was in its presence.

The man in gilded armor was not one that Ko recognized, an unknown variable with a sinister energy. The Kel Dor jedi knew that Braze and himself were in serious danger, and before he spoke his echani friend had the first words. Ko was a bit surprised that they mentioned his pet as well. Daisy had been left behind as well. But the albino amphibian was much more mobile and capable than his tree, and surely would’ve grown quite a lot since he’d last seen her. Perhaps she was skulking around still as an unknown resident of this temple.

Hearing the gold plated man’s words Ko nodded, and gave a rather low and respectful bow to the Sith of status. “Indeed, I was its caretaker before it had fallen into imperial confiscation…” Once more Ko straightened his posture, keeping his sleeves together still. “I see that it has not perished, you have my gratitude for this, Your Excellency.” ​

 

[Varin Mortifer]

Varin’s gaze glared towards Meliant at his question, his head slowly turned to the two individuals before him then slowly back to Meliant.

“The Imperial POWs are slow learners, as we have already known. Expect more bodies to be strung up as further lessons for them.”

He looked over to Braze then back to Meliant as they conversed, the barren room giving way little to the imagination on what could possibly be keeping the new Emperor busy. His eye landed on the bonsai tree next.

“Quite possible your frog may be either on someone's plate or waste bin by now.”

His gaze fell back onto Meliant before responding to him.

“I did not take you as a gardner, Emperor.”

As Ko spoke Varin walked over to the bonsai tree, studying the branches and its leaves, noticing a freshly cut stray branch, his nostrils flared slightly as he took in the scent.

It was a very peculiar thing, and he could tell that whatever care it needed was very extensive and even more sensitive.

“Whatever had fallen into Imperial confiscation is now property of the current rulers of Coruscant.”

He spoke with a voice of neutrality, as if mindlessly answering a question that was not asked, while being attentive to something far more interesting in his eyes.

“Your tree is lacking water.”

His fingers gently cradled one of the branches as he inspected the leaves.

“And you may have small insects trying to feed on the leaves.”

He gently let the branch fall back into place.

"Last I heard, Jedi were not to have attachments."

Meliant | Braze | Ko Vuto​

 

[Braze]

Varin Mortifer Meliant Ko Vuto

Braze cocked one snowy white brow, glancing back at Varin without missing a beat as he replied,

“Caring for something isn’t the same as clinging to it. I’m sure the distinction is difficult for someone of your… mental fortitude to grasp, so I will forgive the neophyte ignorance.” He chirped with a subtle display of dun moch.

Dun Möch | Wookieepedia | Fandom https://share.google/Yv0twKe3GRxSEISLE

 

[Arris Windrun]

Braze Ko Vuto Varin Mortifer Meliant

There was a sound.

Wet. Floppy. Followed by a... croak?

Arris peered over her device to spot the oddest thing she'd encountered yet from up high. Across from her, on the far rafters, was a rather large amphibian who reminded her of that white-haired brat from before.

She activated her comlink again. <:"Varin, there's a toad up here with me. Why is there a toad?":>

Biology was not her forte. But even she knew amphibians like that weren't native to Coruscant. More peculiarly, someone had draped a size-appropriate 'cloak' over it, fashioned from a torn piece of banner, with a rank bar pinned to the fabric.

Well, shit. This was no order amphibian. This was an admiral. Another slimy sort of cold-blooded creature altogether.

Its chin membrane started pulsing faster when they made eye contact.

 

[Varin Mortifer]

Varin's attention fell to Braze, posture straightening, the molten eye glowing faintly as the sense of the force technique touched his mind. A simple smirk appearing on his face.

“It would seem I struck a nerve.”

His comms flared to life once more as Arris’ voice blared into his ear about some toad, possibly the same one Braze rambled about moments prior, but the galaxy is full of such creatures.

<Sounds like possible dinner for the Emperor. Since he has been working oh so hard.>

He stepped away from the bonsai tree not taking his eye off of Braze.

“Lord Meliant, have you ever had frog leg soup? I have heard some very good things of the dish. A delicacy to some species even.”

He had heard that the Emperor had no such possible need for sustenance, but he figured he would offer regardless.

Meliant | Arris Windrun | Braze | Ko Vuto​

 

[Braze]

Braze shifted his green gaze onto Varin’s molten stare as if the Sith were merely another unruly apprentice in need of correction.

“If you believe taunts mean a nerve was struck,” he said lightly, folding his hands within his sleeves, “then I pity the scarcity of your victories.”

At the mention of soup, one pale brow arched.

“Spare me the sound of recycled air upon borrowed authority.”

His eyes drifted toward the upper reaches of the chamber, as though noting something in the rafters… then returned to Varin, unhurried.

“As for attachments… the Code cautions against possession. It does not forbid stewardship. Perhaps that distinction eludes those who only know how to own. How feeble the minds drawn to Sith philosophy must be; seeing no path beyond the machinations of sullen children.... Shall I expect raised voices and shattered furniture, or have you matured past that stage?"

He smiled then though is was cold in nature.

“But by all means. Continue threatening horticulture and amphibians. It is a formidable display of might, I must say~"

Arris Windrun Varin Mortifer Ko Vuto Meliant

 

[Meliant]

CORUSCANT SITH TEMPLE
TROPHY ROOM OF THE UNIFORMED PEACOCK​

​

So it belonged to the Kel Dor. Meliant stroked his golden chin contemplatively. "Save your gratitude. I haven't returned it yet."​

​

Varin reported some fun facts about Hasuras Na-Bonsai, namely its dehydration and infestation. Goody. It was a fixer-upper after all. More to do.​

​

He paused while the armored Jedi (Meliant was by now sure he was a Jedi, based on his speech) and Varin exchanged barbs. ​

"Last I heard, Jedi were not to have attachments."

“Caring for something isn’t the same as clinging to it. I’m sure the distinction is difficult for someone of your… mental fortitude to grasp, so I will forgive the neophyte ignorance.”

“It would seem I struck a nerve.”

“If you believe taunts mean a nerve was struck,” he said lightly, folding his hands within his sleeves, “then I pity the scarcity of your victories.”

"Girls, please. You're both pretty."​

​

The Emperor held up a hand to signal an end to the joust. These petty insults and the petty people who spoke them reminded Meliant of his time in the Dark Side Elite. He recalled the time fondly. Give a dog a crown and he becomes nostalgic for the collar.

Meliant's attention shifted fully Ko Vuto. ​

​

"The tree is mine by right of, heheh, finders-keepers. But if it was yours once, we'll play a game for it." He looked towards a blank stretch of wall. "Sword!"​

​

A section of wall suddenly dropped away. Whatever lurked beyond was not visible in the gloom, but a waifish attendant stepped through with a long, thin blade in a fine scabbard. She paused when she saw Meliant holding two fingers up, then retreated back inside, coming out again with an additional blade.​

​

She went first to Meliant, who took the longer of the two blades. Both had the stench of the Dark Side and had been worked over by Sith Alchemy. There was no mistaking Meliant had taken the stronger of the two.​

​

"Give the other one to the Jedi."​

​

She presented the sword to Ko, being that he looked more like a Jedi than anyone else present. It was a monstrous falchion of black steel, ponderously old. Many such treasures had been left in this palace for Meliant to claim.​

​

Meliant rose from his seat, gold plates clinking softly, and he planted the tip of the scabbard in the ground at his feet. ​

​

"Here's the game: you hit me with that sword. Whatever blow you deal me, I'll then return to you," he paused expectantly, as if preparing to go into more detailed rules… But he only laughed. "That's it. After you've been struck, you can have your plant."​

​

He rolled his head as if to stretch his neck, but it was clear no flesh nor bones existed under that armor.​

​

"You go first, in case that wasn't clear."​

​

Varin Mortifer Braze Ko Vuto​

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Coruscant
Gear: Standard Green Lightsaber, Jedi Utility Belt
Tag: Braze | Meliant | Varin Mortifer

Ko kept himself quiet and listened to the exchanges between Braze and the tall man with the smoldering eye. The Kel Dor closed his eyes under his mask and took a deep breath before finally commenting on his companion’s behavior. “Be careful not to dull that sharp tongue of yours, Braze.”

His attention was brought back to the armored being. They had an odd way of conducting themselves. Not like other Sith he’s had the misfortune of dealing with. All self serious and prideful. Instead the emperor reminded him of a certain mandalorian opponent he’s faced down on a number of occasions.

Of course they weren’t going to part with the bonsait so easily. Not after learning of its value, even if mostly sentimental. His body tensed over the idea of needing to earn his bonsai through a game of swords. Under the concealment of his goggles Ko watched as a servant was summoned with a pair of swords.

Once Ko was offered the second, smaller one handed blade he gently reached out towards it with his left arm. As he did so the right sleeve of his robe fell limply at his side. Finally showing Kel Dor’s complete lack of a right arm, having lost it in the halls of this very building.

Holding the falchion Ko looked over the seemingly unintuitive blade. Appearing as if the blade was sharpened on the reverse side and it had a miasma of darkness just like the longer blade taken by The Emperor.

The rules were interesting, the two would trade blows, himself first, then his opponent. “Like a fair eye for an eye? I understand…” Ko replied, unsure if there may be some trickery. Ko seldom trusted the word of a Sith. Perhaps this was a chance to prematurely end the reign of this particular monarch. Or the analytical Kel Dor shouldn’t overthink such things. Ko sensed that there was more than meets the eye.

With a deft twirl and flourish of the falchion Ko faced the Sith and tightened his grip. Readying himself. Focusing himself past the weapon’s darkness Ko closed his eyes and mentally plotted out his attack and the path the weapon would take. The Force offered him precognitive insight of a single second into the future. Once his eyes opened he made his move. Dashing in a predetermined flash. Going through the exact motions laid out for him by the currents of the universe.

In a blink of an eye Ko moved forwards and gave a determined and dedicated upwards cut with the falchion to Meliant’s right side. Slicing from the pit of the arm and up. A single cut to remove the appendage. Once done Ko stepped back and lowered the falchion before his right sleeve rose up. Lifting telekinetically with an unseen arm. Making the target easy to strike. “A right arm, for a right arm… don’t miss.”​

 

[Varin Mortifer]

Braze finished their speech before Varin, words were just words to him. This individual had not seen or counted his victories, and Varin was many things but prideful or boastful of his victories and losses were not something he would do. He knew what this individual was trying to do, and it was tempting.

Adorable, simply adorable.

Ignati chuckled in his head as his eyes tracked through his body, the dark side entity within Varin’s body withholding the information of Braze’s Art of the Small, able to even count the individual cells and atoms of his body.

Simply, Fascinating.

He spoke to Varin with a hunger lined with a sense of entertainment.

Varin did not respond to him, simply kept his eye towards Lord Meliant as his voice called over them all. He watched as the swords were brought out to both Meliant and the Jedi. Varin watched with full attention to both wielders, arms crossed over his armored chest. When Ko grabbed the hilt of his blade he watched his other hand drop loosely.

Empty…

His gaze sharpened.

Interesting.

The strike came without much warning, seeming to attempt to lop off the Emperor's right arm, the very arm this Jedi was missing, and a curious brow arched from the apprentice. His eye flared dimly to life as the blow had finished, and what he saw was the ghostly wisp of an arm, held together by the force itself.

Varin smirked as Ko made his call.

But he stood in silence, his commentary and opinions kept to himself until the end of the bout before him.

Meliant | Braze | Ko Vuto | Arris Windrun​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Arris Windrun Varin Mortifer Meliant Ko Vuto ​

Ko was perhaps right, and that alone was enough to win Braze's silence. It would have been a waste of breath to flourish his display of verbal fencing before opponents who would never grasp the blade's edge. So he stood aside and allowed his friend the choice to indulge the Sith in their small games. He had never known a sith to be honourable nor trustworthy. The whole concept seemed queer to him though he did not voice such concerns to Ko Vuto .

He cocked his hip outward, the edge of his gauntlet coming to rest atop his belt and its accompanying accoutrements. The posture looked loose… almost idle.

It was clear in the look behind the small half-Echani's jade green eyes that he held nothing but disdain for the Sith they were presently surrounded by and the company they kept.

The feeling of being observed so closely did not escape Braze's notice. His mental shields remained staunch, often as sturdy as the walls of the Black Citadel itself.

An odd recognition emanated as Braze glanced toward Varin, though his attention was more so directed to Ignati specifically. Somber jade-green eyes regarded the entity directly, watching him... He sifted and searched with an intense focus for that delicate point within.

The 1000 yard gaze endured in that cold, measured stare, unwavering in it's intensity.

 

[Meliant]

CORUSCANT SITH TEMPLE
TROPHY ROOM OF THE UNIFORMED PEACOCK​

Meliant's arm fell off and hit the floor with a gilded thump. He peered down at the limb, then back to the Kel Dor, who lacked utterly an equivalent limb.​

​

"That's good," he said, "That's very good."​

​

A shower of blood would normally follow, but for the moment there was nothing. Visible in that new hole in the armor was a gently churning black fog. ​

​

Some of it came seeping out in a thin plume, gathering on the floor and slithering to the severed arm. The smog tethered itself to the limb, and it soon rose and reattached itself back to its master. Good as new. Pay no mind to the rough seam or the missing chunk of gold armor that'd been shaved off his pauldron. ​

​

Meliant flexed the hand and fingers as if to ensure it was still working. "Oh, but no right arm on you, hm? So nothing for me to return the blow against."​

​

The Emperor fell unceremoniously back onto his throne, seemingly disinterested in the formality of striking back. His own sword he let fall askew on his lap.​

​

"They'd call that cheating where I come from... Hah! I say it's the only way to play. Winning is all that matters. If more Jedi understood that, your Alliance would still rule the Core."​

​

He waved them off. ​

​

"Go. You can have your tree. Keep the sword too, if you want. Ol' Slop left dozens of the things lying around."​

Varin Mortifer Ko Vuto Braze​