Private Cracking Through the Surface

[Vince]

Cracking Through the Surface
Travelling under the protection of Acier Moonbound ​

If the young Jedi had read the Iziz Daily, Onderonian Gazette or any of the other local tabloids, he would have know of the King's reputation: A failed successor to a beloved Queen. A man who ascended to the throne way before he was ready. A Monarch who was far too passive in his duties to meet the expectations of his people. A mere shell of his former self. This was not something which the quiet trip out into the Onderonian jungles would contradict. The machine piloting the vessel had been more talkative than the King himself. Instead of talking to his new Jedi compatriot, he had buried his gaze in some long text-file on his datapad. The only words which had been exchanged so far from the young King were simply "Greetings. We are pleased to have you here. Our aide will have more information of the task at hand." formal, courteous, but far from friendly.

When the Royal Shuttle landed in an eerily lonesome clearing, the doors swooshed open and a long ramp descended down onto the jungle floor. The Monarch, clad in all black garbs, offered the Jedi a nod - it was time. With the light mantle hanging a far bit off of the ground, he stepped out into the wild. Practical black boots hit the damp dirt and vegetation. A seemingly violent stream of water could be heard in the distance and various birds chirped - and possibly also howled - from the treetops.

Starting to walk down a narrow path deeper into the jungle, Vince eventually turned to the Jedi - not bothering to tilt his head down and instead letting his gaze fall down onto his companion. There were few excuses not to strike up a conversation now: The datapad only served as a distraction when he was not on the move. "We trust our aide informed you on what We are here to do? To be quite frank with you, we were surprised to hear of your attendance today. We would usually go about these affairs on our own or perhaps accompanied by the Royal Guard for ceremonial duties." While Vince's words more than likely seemed dismissive, his eyes shimmered in a friendly blue. The Prince who had once been open and eager to interact with strangers appeared to have become a guarded King, with only small glimpses of his former self slipping through. With a slight nod of his head, he directed his attention to the Jedi's stature "You seem a little young for a task of this sort"

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Onderon

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27

The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable. Not for him at least. Ace was the rare kind of individual who enjoyed the quiet. It gave him room to think and to observe. Analyze. Although, admittedly, he hadn't done the pre-mission prep. Just said he'd go and do the job when he was asked.​

​

He'd noticed the King, Vince, from the start, not really the way he carried himself, not what he wore, or how he spoke. But it was the way the Force swirled around him, it was interesting. This type of signature, it only surrounded a few. People like his brother Aether Verd , or Valery Noble , natural leaders in their own right.​

​

Ace hadn't said much himself. He figured if Vince wanted to talk, he'd speak up. Now though? Apparently, this was that time. Ace fell in beside Vince as they walked through the jungle. Onderon's King's voice cut through leaves and sticks crunching beneath their boots with polished formality.​

​

When he finished talking, Ace glanced up at him, unreadable. Then he shrugged, smirking with quiet confidence.​

​

"You know what they say, 'experience outranks everything'." ​

​

He didn't elaborate, if the King was smart, he'd understand. Ace looked forward again, eyes scanning the underbrush. Always cautious. Always vigilant.​

​

"But yeah. I was briefed. Protection detail, possible unrest, maintain discretion. Not exactly here to enjoy the scenery." waving away a bug as he said this.​

​

Ace didn't push with questions. The man clearly had his walls up and the freckle faced rebel knew a thing or two about walls. If he wanted to speak, open up, Vince would when he was good and ready.​

​

Despite not having done his prep before the mission, he did do a little research on Vince. The boy-king turned monarch too soon. The shadow of a beloved Queen. He wasn't what Onderon wanted, but he was all they had. He was a man expected to lead before he was even ready.​

​

If he was standoffish because of that? Ace didn't blame him. Not everyone chose the weight they carried. Hell, Ace hadn't chosen his either.​

​

Vince​

 

[Vince]

Cracking Through the Surface
Travelling under the protection of Acier Moonbound ​

'Experience outranks everything' he said. The Royal pondered the statement for a moment before his brows formed a skeptical line. As if on cue, their talk was briefly interrupted by a rather sizeable trunk - all trees did fall eventually. The warrior king offered a gloved hand to help boost his travelling companion up whilst fully expecting a helping hand in return. From the boost alone it would be rather easy to tell that Vince was far from soft or pampered. On the contrary, the strength he possessed and the small hints of technique he showed indicated that this was an exercise he had done many a time in the past.

Once both of them were up on the tree trunk, Vince turned to the Jedi. "You should." he stated with the blunt courtesy of someone who had grown up at a palace. "You will not find jungles like these anywhere else in the galaxy. The Beast Riders claim this as their home. They say that the jungle whispers to them - sings, even. We have never experienced this ourselves, but we would encourage you to keep your eyes and ears open. Besides, we expect this to be a rather uneventful excursion."

Moving on, the duo would continue to progress down the path, farther and farther away from the shuttle which had taken them there. At this point, some force users might have had a sensation of danger as eerie winds and low howls echoed through the jungle. To those who could sense it, some sounds seemed to grow sharper and more pronounced - the snapping of a twig underneath the King's boots, a branch suddenly breaking from a nearby tree or a critter letting out high-pitched chirps as it came running past them. The force, however, was not something Vince appeared to be gifted with as he continued down the path undeterred.

Suddenly, the young Monarch turned to face the jedi once more. He allowed his broad shoulders to fall ever so slightly as he let out a breath. Then, perhaps unexpectedly, he returned to where the Jedi had left off earlier. "We would agree. Experience is quite important." he said, looking the jedi straight in the eyes. His own were hard to read: While there was an underlying kindness to them, he also seemed absent. Whether he was at a distant battlefield or in the Royal Study with his predecessor was hard to tell. "The question, however, stands. We would ask you not to take this the wrong way - but you do appear to be rather youthful" The extreme irony of the statement seemed to strike the ruler as soon as the words left his mouth. A regretful frown spread across his features as he quickly turned away to hide any embarrassment - a valuable tactic for a King without a poker face.

Even as the two talked, the sensation of danger grew ever more intense.

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Onderon

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27

There was a tree trunk that blocked their path. It wasn't an issue, just an inconvenience. A swift sigh escaped him as he looked the trunk up and down. Then he looked toward Vince, who was offering a hand - for aid, he guessed.​

​

A smirk tugged on the corner of his lip, Ace shook his head and held his hand out. All that training with Pisti Caleida would have been for nothing if he couldn't hop over this measley tree trunk.​

​

Bending his knees just a little, he reached out to the Force - allowing it to surround him and intertwine with his movement, his physicality. Then, he pushed off the jungle floor and leaped to the top of the tree trunk in a single bound. Once his boots hit the bark, he turned toward Vince's direction and crouched. Offering his own hand for the Onderonian to take.​

​

"I'm sure you could've helped me up. But I get the sense you've been underestimating me a little." He remarked, a hint of cockiness in his otherwise monotoned voice.​

​

After helping him up, Vince picked up from where their previous conversation had left off. He encouraged Ace to actually try and enjoy the view out in the jungle - fat chance. Not when danger lurked around every corner. Cholganna wasn't that long ago, that was a nightmare in itself. ​

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"Yeah, sure. I'll think about it." he answered.​

​

As they progressed, Ace could feel the odd tinge of danger or outside hostility at the edges of his senses. Like little blips on a sensor. But none that directly theatened the pair right now at least. He kept his hand close to his lightsaber, ready to use it if needed. Vince broke the silence again, seemed he was feeling talkative now.​

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"I'm eighteen, not twelve, Your Highness." there was a bit of bite in his tone "Don't worry about it. I've seen and done enough no one my age should've had to. You're in safe hands, Vince."​

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Ace didn't care for formalities, he didn't respect institutions. King or not, Vince was no better than him in his eyes. He let the silence stretch for a moment longer before speaking again.​

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"You say 'We' a lot. Isn't that taking the whole 'Royal We' thing to an extreme? Sounds like you're speaking for more than just--" He stopped "--Wait."​

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Ace's lightsaber hissed alive, the blue light glowing against the jungle's greenery. His senses and precognitive awareness had just signalled his entire nervous system. Something was close, and it was angry.​

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A Boma stalked its way out of a nearby brush. Ace stepped in front of Vince, lightsaber pointed toward the predator. This was his job, right? Protection detail. Now it was time to walk the walk.​

​

Vince ​

 

[Vince]

Cracking Through the Surface
Travelling under the protection of Acier Moonbound ​

The young Jedi did not seem to need much help up. Instead, he put on a bit of a display, enhancing his physicality to the degree where he could leap up onto the large trunk by himself. Although it was rather obvious from the way the Royal looked at him: He was silently being judged. But aside from that, the Monarch did not seem to mind much and simply accepted Acier's hand to climb the large tree trunk.

Then, came an impolite degree of audacity. The cockiness and standoffish attitude had rolled off of the young monarch's built shoulders like water but then came the breach of etiquette. Vince shot Acier a stern side-eye as the Jedi dared to call him by name. The young man kept digging and despite being told to wait, the King refused. With - perhaps a slightly elevated emphasis on the royal 'we' - he spoke with the sort of determination one might have expected from before his ascension to the throne. "We will not stand this insolence. We have fought off your dark sided counterparts in the past and are quite capable of-"

His words were cut short by the Jedi igniting his lightsaber. Tracing Ace's eyes, Vince soon found the cause for the sudden action. Turning to look at the beast, Vince confidently strode past his companion and spoke with an air of authority - at first. "It's just a Boma." hesitation crept into his voice as he continued "The Beast Riders have-" he trailed off for a second time. Where the Royal seemed to have expected a trained beast whom he had learned to interact with during his time living with the Beast Riders, this was different. The animal displayed a ferral and aggressive behaviour which had the Warrior King reach for something by his belt.

With one fluid motion, Vince revealed a large machete-like knife which he threw at the beast with incredible precision. With the weapon plunged deep into the creature's eye, he turned back to the Jedi as it crumbled lifelessly behind him. "We did not mean to offend you previously and we do appreciate that you spotted the Boma. You must, however, understand our hesitation when you refuse to elaborate on your past, look like a kid and lack the maturity and composure to take a helping hand instead of leaning on the force like a crutch."

Once more, it would be hard to tell whether the King was being condescending or speaking the truth to a friend. Although, those who knew him well would likely realise that he sounded far more like his mother than himself. It mattered little, however, for the sensation of danger rippling through the force had not just lingered - it had grown even more intense. Some rustling leafs gave it away: For behind the King, three pairs of eyes could soon be spotted approaching from behind the thick shrubbery.

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Onderon

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27

Ace's grip tightened around his lightsaber, thighs tensing as he prepared to break off into a sprint toward the Boma. But then... Vince brushed passed him? Brows furrowing, Ace called out.

"What're you--"

Then quickly, he had pulled out a blad and managed to launch it dead in the Boma's eyes. It was dead almost instantaneously. Ace's expression softened from focused to a puzzled look. He lowered his lightsaber bet didn't deactivate it. Vince turned back to face Ace, seemingly backpedalling slightly on his previous behavior. However, he doubled down on his stance.

"My past doesn't matter." he said bluntly "If I'm here, means I was the best person for the job. That should tell you enough. What, you think they'd just send some snot-nosed kid with zero life experience to protect the King of Onderon?"

He scoffed in a way that said 'be serious'. Ace pointed his lightsaber at the Monarch, not threateningly but in a more accusatory manner. The rebel was tired of being looked down on. Undermined. Vince needed to get with the program and allow Ace to do his job without questioning him.

"You wear your crown like like armor. Like you're owed respect just 'cause. Way I see it? You bleed just like I do."

Then he saw it. Ace's gaze darted past Vince when he spotted three pairs of eyes behind him. The Force stirred, and not in the positive way. Within moments, out came three Bomas. Without even saying anything, Ace's arm shot out and Vince would find himself being pulled toward Ace's direction by an invisible force.

As he did this, the Force adept leapt toward the Bomas as they began to charge - gunning for Vince. Tucking his knees in, Ace transitioned into a somersault mid-leap before landing, positioned between Vince and the Bomas now.

The first Boma lunged, mouth wide, but Ace was already moving. He pivoted hard to the left, letting the beast's momentum carry it past him before he drove his lightsaber straight into its flank - quick and clean. One down.

He didn't stay still. The second was circling, clearly smarter, calculating. The third came straight on. Ace used it to his advantage - running directly at it. At the last second, he slid beneath its legs, the jungle dirt slick enough to carry him through. As he passed under, he slashed upward - blade carving a hot line across its belly. The creature howled and stumbled, but didn't fall.

Ace was already on his feet when the more cunning Boma charged He waited just long enough for its claws to be too close, then jumped, flipping backward off a thick root behind him. His foot kicked off the trunk, launching him higher. Airborne for a split second, he turned mid-spin and hurled his lightsaber like a disc. The blade sailed in a clean arc and buried itself in the side of the charging beast's skull. It collapsed mid-stride.

Ace landed in a crouch, one knee on the bark, hand outstretched. His lightsaber ripped free of the carcass and snapped back to his grip. The wounded one was still breathing. He walked toward it calmly. It growled, but didn't rise.

"Don't." Ace muttered.

He placed a comforting palm on its head. Expression uncharacteristically softening. Ace still wasn't accustomed to taking life yet, memories of Tessk still haunted him every night. Taking the life of a creature though? It almost felt worse. Clenching his jaw, Ace drove the lightsaber down one final time. Finally, he turned to Vince

"You alright?"

Vince ​

 

[Vince]

Cracking Through the Surface
Travelling under the protection of Acier Moonbound ​

"My past doesn't matter" the Jedi said. Vince was quick to insert a grim "Of course it matters." He was royalty - the past mattered. In more ways than one, it mattered more than the present. In the grand scheme of things his brief addendum didn't make much of a difference for the Jedi kept going. With his jaw clenched and brows lowered, Vince listened intently. From the way his mouth sometimes moved, it was clear that he wanted to respond - but he did not make a sound to risk interrupting the Jedi.

A resigned expression crossed his face almost as soon as the Jedi's eyes darted past him to the emerging threat. "Again?" he spoke with an almost annoyed tone as he turned around. Being pulled by the force did not seem to disturb him in the least - in fact, it seemed like he had been under its influence before. For instead of tumbling towards the Jedi without controll, he entered into a combat roll to emerge on the other side with his sidearm unholstered. Clearly, this Royal was a trained warrior and knew how to fight alongside a force user.

The Jedi quickly proved, however, that the King didn't need to be a warrior this day. As Acier sliced through the three attacking bomas, Vince stood back with his blaster pointed at whichever boma was closest to his protector. He was clearly ready to fire at a moments notice if necessary. Fortunately, the Jedi managed to take the beasts down himself. Vince looked him over looking for injuries but apparently failed to find any.

His eyes ended up lingering on the facial expression of the protector as he put the beast down. Vince nodded in response to Ace's question "We are quite alright, in no small part thanks to you."

The King's eyes lingered on the Jedi for a few long moments, as if he were thinking about something. His blue eyes were kind and considerate. It was the sort of gaze that would many feel like they were being seen for who they really were without being judged for any of it. Hints of this side of him could likely be gleamed throughout their time together - but this time, the King didn't pull away from it. He didn't try to protect himself. "The question is, how are you?" Vince tilted his head, as if trying to see if he could find the truth by looking from a slightly different angle.

"Mechanical, close calls, young, young jedi, 'Don't'" Vince whispered the barely audible words to himself as he looked to Acier for an answer. Finally, he would break the silence himself. "You aren't comfortable with the idea of killing, are you?"

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Onderon

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27

Ace's posture loosened when the Monarch confirmed he wasn't hurt. His head bowed down slightly and his white locs fell over his face, a quick sigh escaped him. Extinguishing his lightsaber, Ace turned his whole body to face Vince. He flipped the question back to Ace, he was taken aback but it didn't show on his face.

"Me? I'm fine." he answered instantly.

It was a reflex, not acknowledging his feelings. A learned behavior that helped him survive on Bonadan, it stopped him from appearing weak or giving something to exploit.

But Vince was perceptive, the rebel watched as the King muttered something unintelligible to himself. Then, like a blaster bolt to the chest, Vince asked him something that appeared to see right through him. Unable to mask it, Ace's eyebrows rose and his eyes slightly widened.

Tessk came flooding back again. The burn mark that stretched across his torso, the smell of smoke and cauterized flesh, the hum of his lightsaber. Ace blinked, averting his gaze. A silence stretched between them before he answered, one that lasted maybe a little too long.

"Yeah..." he confirmed, still refusing to meet the Monarch's gaze.

Ace clipped his lightsaber back to his belt and took a few steps forward, before turning toward the direction they were previously headed. It wasn't something he talked about, or wanted to, let alone with some boy King he'd just met five minutes ago. Besides, it isn't like he'd understand the ramifcations of it all - why it effected him so much now.

He'd killed someone, for the very first time, while enraged. While under the influence of the Dark side. The rebel wasn't ready to unpack all of that, and what it meant going forward - or what it said about him.

"Let's go, Your Highness. Neither of us wanna be here, sooner we get this done the better." he ordered, stride unwavering.

Vince​

 

[Vince]

Cracking Through the Surface
Travelling under the protection of Acier Moonbound ​

Vince's eyes lingered on the Jedi. His gaze was a soft and comforting. Before he spoke, however, the Jedi decided to walk away. The King's brows furrowed sadly as he watched Acier move on. His breaths seemed hollow and his eyes were filled with pain whilst his lips formed a thin line. Defeated, his head fell in a downwards tilt as he remained surrounded by the four carcasses.

The Monarch stood there for a while until his gaze eventually shot up to see where the young Jedi was going. His leg almost moved to take a first step towards following Acier but was kept in place. Whether it was defiance, anger, spite, or perhaps even a bit of wisdom, Vince had apparently decided to stay in the little clearing. He most certainly lacked a poker face but he did what he could to recompose himself: He controlled his breathing, straightened his back and held his head high.

For the next few minutes, Vince holstered his blaster, moved to the first Boma to retrieve his knife and then started to wipe it clean. Finally, he would sheathe the knife, clasp his hands behind his back and start pacing patiently. It would soon become abundantly obvious that he had no intentions to follow the Jedi whatsoever.

It was only a matter of time before the young Jedi returned. Vince would then stop in his tracks and look to his protector. He would then speak with increasing passion "We bleed just like you? Yes, that much is true. We have bled, believe you me. But that is where our similarities end. Because when challenges arrived at our doorstep, we did not run. We faced them. When the world fell apart around us, we fought for our people." Vince looked to the Jedi with determined eyes - it appeared as if he was no longer holding back. He swallowed hard and continued - his voice marred by pain and emotion "-And when the sky came falling down I mantled the burden to hold it back up." The pace of what he said was interrupted, briefly, as a wave of regret seemed to wash over him. His jaw clenched and he shook away a momentary frown from his features.

Although the intensity seemed to subside, the King still spoke with a strict and determined voice. "But when you faced discomfort that you could not lean on your crutch to overcome, you chose to run away. Now let us be clear: You do not get to call us equals and then run away. We only move when We, Vince Ivro Kalmorak, say we move." His eyes bore down into the Jedi with a thus far hidden intensity and perhaps even an ounce of desperation. With a pointed finger, he continued "You do not like killing, because fundamentally, you are a good person. You need to understand that you are not supposed to push those feelings away. You are supposed to embrace them - to find peace in them. See the tragedy in death, reflect on what you did and what to do next time." He looked away "And when you have done that, you can move on."

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Onderon

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27

Acier continued on, lost in his own thoughts before realizing Vince wasn't beside him... or behind him. Stopping, he calmly scanned the area to see no sign of him. As he looked further back, he spotted a figure in the distance - one that matched the Monarch's description. Rolling his eyes, a sign of frustration left the rebel's lips as he began to nearly stomp his way back.​

​

Upon his return, Vince immediately began to speak. Ace fought hard to stop himself rolling his eyes once more, what was this? Some sort of entitle tantrum? But still, he listened, taking in everything the King said.​

​

How everything had changed for him, his world, his way of life. All of that, and now he was expected to lead. Ace's expression softened, but only a little. While he felt sympathy and compassion for the man he was supposed to protect? Ultimately, it was hollow to him and what he had to experience himself.​

​

He continued to listen, now Vince had turned it on Ace. Calling out his hesitance to kill and his avoidance of coming to terms with the fallout of what happened with Tessk.​

​

Once he was finished, Ace exhaled deeply and ran a hand through his white locs. Placing a hand on his hip, his head bowed slightly and he avoided Vince's gaze. Fine. If this was going to be a thing, if he wasn't going to let this go and risk the mission because he was too stubborn? Ace would play along.​

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"It's how I survived." he started "Where I come from, let's say that showing vulnerability was liable to get you hurt or worse. Didn't grow up with parents, or even a stable home, to teach me how to deal with all these weird and complicated feelings like a normal person. So, I just learned to bury it."​

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Finally, he lifted his head and with it, his gaze. Ace didn't need to, or want to go into detail about his past - but maybe he had shined enough of a light on it to satisfy Vince. Or, at the least, get him to back off for now. ​

​

He took a step forward "How I decide to process my shit, it's up to me. I appreciate the advice. Seriously. But we hardly know each other."​

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Ace turned to walk away, taking a few steps before stopping, Ace looked over his shoulder and spoke with a softer tone.​

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"Sorry about what happened to you, though. Must've been hard." ​

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Then he continued moving, adding on "Now can we go? We're losing daylight." ​

​

The jungle swallowed their footsteps again. The canopy overhead filtered the dying sunlight into amber shards that painted the path in long, shifting patterns. Insects buzzed lazily in the distance, birds had quieted, even the wind had stilled. Ace kept his pace steady, boots crunching through moss and mulch. He glanced back once, just long enough to confirm that Vince was still following. No words, just a look.​

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His thoughts were drifting again. To that moment, Vince's voice, stripped of ceremony, saying things Ace wasn't sure he was ready to hear.​

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Then he stopped mid-step. One boot hovering over a tangle of roots. The Force had shifted. The usual calm ambient resonance he would feel had changed into something twisted - like poorly played notes in a song. Off. He straightened up and his brow furrowed. It wasn't danger exactly, but it was wrong. Ace's hand lowered near his lightsaber, but didn't ignite it. Instead, he just stood there. Listening. Feeling.​

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"…You feel that? Or is it just me." he asked, voice low but alert. He glanced to Vince, not expecting agreement from a non Force user, but needing to ask anyway.​

​

Vince​

 

[Vince]

Cracking Through the Surface
Travelling under the protection of Acier Moonbound ​

"And when you have done that, you can move on." After Vince's words had rung out, he stood there with an intense stare and finger pointed to the Jedi. Ever so subtly, the intensity seemed to give way to something else. It was as if other thoughts broke through. HIs stron jaw seemed to relax a little with his mouth forming an uncomfortable frown for a few brief moments. The King then folded the pointed finger back into the fist before clasping his hands behind his back again. The apparent aggression seemed to have subsided significantly but there were no signs of the young Monarch having changed his mind whatsoever.

As Ace spoke of his own past, Vince looked to him with increasing understanding and compassion whilst somehow avoiding giving the Jedi a look of pity. "Not with us." he spoke in response to the claim that showing vulnerability had exposed Ace to danger in the past. This time, however, his voice was no longer angered or intense - instead, it carried subtle hints of warmth. Vince looked to the man and offered a nod before looking away.

Vince exhaled sharply as the Jedi continued. Although he may have seemed slightly distracted by his own thoughts, he still offered an affirmatory nod as Ace proclaimed that he was the one to decide how to deal with his 'shit'. An eyebrow perked up as it was mentioned how they barely knew each other. "You should have considered that before calling us by name" For a few fleeting moments, the King's eyes almost looked amused - it was as if a younger and more eager soul was trying to break through. Ultimately, it was kept in is shackles as Vince swallowed hard "But you are correct, of course."

Vince kept nodding - this time appreciatively as Ace showed sympathy for his circumstances. Understandably, the Jedi was now even more eager to get going. "Go on. We shall be right behind you. Just keep following the path, we will catch up."

The King allowed his protector to push on by himself as he stayed in the clearing for a few more minutes. He let out a frustrated sigh whilst burying his head in his hands. He then brought his hands up along his skull to pull his hair back in a tight movement to maximise his body's sensations of stretched muscles and tingling hair roots. A desperate attempt at a distraction from his own thoughts. Before moving on, he took a few deep breaths and shook his head.

Despite some slightly elaborate garb - although still relatively well suited for the jungle - and a heavy muscled build, Vince proved to be relatively adept at jogging through the jungle. He moved along the path at a relatively good pace and seemed to measure his steps expertly. Clearly, this was his home turf. Ace would soon hear his heavy footsteps coming near. Vince slowed as soon as he saw the Jedi's hand once more hovering near his weapon.

Just as the protector expected, Vince shook his head "We don't hear the Jungle's whispers. But we do believe that you should be a little less eager in reaching for your weapon." His voice was gentle, calm - more like Ace would remember him from when they first met a few hours ago. "We are close to our destination. The Morak clan should be near." he paused and his head lowered "But before we go in, we wished to apologise. We should not have scolded you earlier, it was unbecoming of us. You, but also the people of Onderon, deserve better." Vince offered a deep bow of his head and then looked Ace deep in the eyes for a few short moments.

The King did not seem keen on lingering on the subject for long and promptly kept moving. Soon, the duo reached a large clearing filled with numerous huts. The smell of a fire soon reached them and a single smoke pillar could be spotted a little further ahead. Both would also notice the complete lack of people. Vince looked around, his eyes darted from hut to hut as he moved into the center of the village with fast and determined steps. "Chief Uldrin Morak" he hollered, his voice high and proud. Noone answered.

Vince walked to one of the larger huts and opened the door. Modern technology could be found inside. Before entering, he turned to Ace "Go check for them in the cave, but be careful, most of the beast pens are open." Vince tore his gaze away from the consoles inside the hut for a moment and spoke with authority "Some of the locks appear to be broken from the outside. We want you to be very careful. Come back to us at the first sign of danger."

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Onderon

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27

"Eh, I'm not a big fan of titles, sorry." Ace retorted as he continued on "Besides... technically, I'm not your subject. You're just a guy to me."

His tone was light, lighter than normal - an attempt to show he wasn't intending to be hostile. He wasn't trying to be disrespectful either, it was just... facts to him. Ace didn't believe in institutions or titles, any of that sort, playing into the idea he should treat someone differently because of the circumstances of their birth and 'status'? Didn't sit right with him.

Ace was technically Mandalorian 'royalty' himself - an heir to House Verd. It wasn't something he went around shouting from rooftops either. Being a Verd filled him with a sense of pride, yes, but not because of the status it granted him.

The rebel continued on a little more, trusting Vince to catch up eventually. As he did, he reflected and pondered - as he normally did when he had the time.

---

Unsurprisingly, this was definitely a 'Force' thing with Vince's confirmation - or lack thereof. The Monarch suggested he be 'less eager' to reach his lightsaber. Ace scoffed internally, Vince called it 'less eager' but to Ace it was 'being prepared'. It didn't matter... for now at least, for they were close to their destination as the King stated.

However, it seemed the young King would continue to surprise the rebel. He apologized for earlier. Ace let out a low and dry chuckle, but not devoid of any warmth.

"You're good. I've survived bounty hunters, Jedi killing droids, thugs and bomas. If I can't handle someone telling me off, something is seriously wrong with me." he chuckled again, before continuing "Sorry too, I wasn't trying to be disrespectful earlier."

He paused for a moment, reflecting on what he said about Onderon 'deserving' better.

"Remember what I said? You're just a guy. Human. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself. You've got the makings of a good leader, I can sense it. Literally." he let his words marinate, giving Vince time to reflect "Just gotta grow into it."

Finally, they'd arrived at the settlement. It was a little more primative than he'd expected, considering Onderon was a pretty advanced civilization. Weirdly though, it was completely empty and that feeling he had earlier in the Force? The wrong notes being played in a song? The entire song was out of tune now. Ace followed Vince inside one of the huts, continuously scanning their surroundings to make sure nothing could get the drop on them.

"You sure it's a good idea to split up? Even temporarily?" he lightly protested.

Vince​

 

[Vince]

Cracking Through the Surface
Travelling under the protection of Acier Moonbound ​

Before Vince managed to move on, his Jedi companion stopped him to both accept Vince's apology and offer one of his own. The monarch's gentle gaze rested on the Jedi and he provided an appreciative nod. His eyes then fell as if he were processing a brief thought before offering yet another appreciative nod and a grateful blink of his eyes. It was almost as if he conveyed a silent 'We're good' without uttering a single word.

As the Jedi continued, Vince's brows fell ever so slightly - just enough to reveal a bit of skepticism. His presence seemed to fade a little as his eyes almost seemed to go blank when the Jedi conveyed that he was just a normal person who didn't need to put so much pressure on himself. He only seemed to come back to it upon hearing 'I can sense it'. Vince's gaze fell briefly - his expression was a storm of emotions: There was gratitude, disbelief, a good dose of self doubt and perhaps even a little bit of shyness. He truly had no poker face. His only saving grace was that he didn't quite know what to feel himself. What was clear, however, was that he had not quite been able to accept what the Jedi said as the truth. "We appreciate your kind words. Truly, we do."

***​

'You sure it's a good idea to split up? Even temporarily?' the Jedi's words drew Vince's attention. His head turned from looking into the room to looking down to his protector. Briefly, his eyes darted around with what appeared as a lack of understanding - resembling confusion more than passing judgement. The King shrugged lightly and his brows rose. "Of course - you are welcome to stay with us." he said, sounding like a parent letting their child sleep with the night light on. While not quite condescending, it wouldn't be hard to decipher that he thought the young Jedi was afraid to face this potential threat on his own.

The investigative part was not all too terribly exciting. At first, the King inserted a small datapad into the computer console to download its contents. He then accessed its logs and started playing a few entries. Soon the projection of a seasoned man, likely in his fifties, with greying hair, an athletic build and leather clothes accentuated by boma teeth appeared above the holoprojector at the center of the room.

"Log entry 333A: Today has been good. The Ruping eggs hatched. The mortality rate was low. All thanks to Beast Master Lyrr, no doubt. She'll have the honour of Initiating the young this season. Torbas will be pissed. But the ol' bastard will get over it eventually. We forgave him for losing the medical provisions the city dwellers sent two moons ago, that's got to count for something. Hrrn, anyways! 'Tis a good start. A new generation of Rupings for a new generation of beast riders. Uldrin Morak out."

Vince's eyes lingered on the projection fondly - clearly there was a connection between him and the chief. Vince shrugged lightly and skipped a few entries. Soon, the voice, old yet strong rang out once more.

"Log entry 333D: Lormorak came to me today. Complained about how Shadow Tail seemed to have gained an erratic streak. Heh, that man is too proud to admit that he's loosing his touch. Shadow Tail has always been a good beast. Heck, it was Lyrr's first. In other news, Torbas' mood hasn't improved, we'll need to have a talk. Uldrin Morak out."

Vince shot a glance at the Jedi but didn't wait long before continuing with the next log.

"Log entry 333E: Well, that's a shitstorm if I've ever seen one. Torbas didn't like our talk. Stubborn ol' bastard. Threatened me with a butter knife. Hah! Ahhh, he'll come around. He'll have to, the Bomas are growing restless and I've assigned him to deal with it. Oh, and also - Lyr seems to be having a bad day. Found her tending to a couple of bruises. Must've fallen off her Ruping. I'll have Healer Bende take a look at her. Uldrin Morak out."

Then came the next one.

"Log entry 333F: Blast it! Torbas didn't lock the Ruping pen. Half of the hatclings died to a Gutkurr raid. Something's off, those little rats wouldn't dare enter our camp under normal circumstances. What made them so aggressive now? Blast it all. Lyr will have to make do with a smaller Initiation - that might be for the best. Apparently, she's having trouble dealing with the kids. Heeh, hahahah, those little rascals sure seem to be on the wilder side. Uldrin Morak out."

Vince did not seem to make much of the entries. But then, he also appeared to be perfectly happy with watching the logs. This was likely the closest he had been to smiling in a rather long time. The hints of enthusiasm soon faded, however. The Chief sounded way more concerned and serious in the next entry.

"Log entry 334A: Lormorak was right - but it's larger than that. It's not just Shadow Tail - something has gotten into the Rupings, just like with the Bomas. I've ordered the hunters to go on foot. We'll keep the beasts locked up until they've calmed down. I've called Kalmorak - don't wanna worry the kid for nothing - but who knows, maybe he can put things in order. Hah! Or lend us some of those speeder bikes. [The Chief had a good laugh until recomposing himself] Alright, right, okay - that's it. I'll go talk to Torbas. He's been making himself busy with trying to calm the Bomas down, maybe he has some insight. Uldrin Morak out."

This time, Vince pressed the 'next' button immediately. The Chief did not appear, however, instead, a man bearing his close resemblance, but a good 20 years younger appeared. He bore a similar face paint to that of Uldrin - although the paint appeared to be more fresh. He was distraught.

"What the kark am I doing here? I should be by his side. Kark. Log entry 1A, I guess. Torbas attacked fath-... Chief Uldrin. It's bad. Healer Bende is still out on a supply run so we're just doing what we can to keep him stable. I had to put Torbas down, that maddog said he wasn't thinking straight. Damn right he wasn't. I've made sure that he won't 'misthink' in the future. Lormorak out."

Vince stood up. Concern had spread across his features like a wildfire. He pressed the 'next' button quickly.

"Here we go again. Log entry 1B. A couple of the Bomas got out of their pens. I don't know how but they did. Scout Tamorak is dead. Still no sign of Healer Bende. I might have to go looking for her soon. It's not like Chief Uldrin is getting any better. The Jungle's song has soured. I told Beast Master Lyr to start the Initiation of the kids early - at the eastern site. Things are bad here. They shouldn't have to see it. Lormorak out"

Vince mumbled something under his breath as he kept pressing the next button as if it would make going to the next entry any faster. This time, a bruised and bleeding Lormorak appeared. His voice was strained as he fought the pain off.

"No luck in finding Healer Bende. [exhales sharply] Found a few bomas though. They carried our clan marks - but they were even more feral than wild ones usually are. I'll probably join father in the cave. Lick my wounds. Damn that fool Torbas. If he hadn't lost our medical supplies, maybe the situation would be different. The Beast Master has gone silent too. No comms, no smoke signals, not anything. I've dispatched the scouts and the warriors. They're travelling in groups of three. The camp is getting empty and the beasts seem more eager than ever to get out of their pens. [coughs blood] Blast. Kark. Kay, I'm out. Lormorak out, log entry 1C,"

Apparently, the King could be more quiet than one might expect from a man with his build. He had left the room as soon as he heard where Chief Uldrin Morak might be. He had, however, not bothered to cover his tracks: Deep boot marks suggested a hard sprint in the direction of a nearby waterfall.

If Ace were to approach, it wouldn't be long until he heard the distinct sound of blaster fire. One, two, three, four, five shots. Then two more. Finally, the warrior King would come flying out from the cave behind the waterfall. The Monarch had numerous slash wounds already and he seemed to be drenched in blood - both which had splashed onto him from afar and his own blood coming from his wounds. A few Rupings bearing the Moark Clan's markings came screetching out of the cave and were met by a flurry of blaster bolts from Vince's sidearm. That was not all: Heavy thudding sounds approaching from the cave indicated something large coming nearer fast.

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Onderon

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27

The logs had left a weight in his chest. Ace's gaze flicked to the King, his eyes widened and breath hitched once he saw an empty space beside him. He had been so engrossed in the logs he hadn't realized Vince had slipped out.

Ace stepped out of the hut with his jaw tight, that wrongness in the Force now blaring like a dissonant chord. There were boot tracks in the mud, his eyes traced the trail which led to a waterfall. Ace broke into a sprint. The undergrowth whipped past him in blurs of green and shadow, his footsteps pounding in sync with the rising tension in his chest. The sound of rushing water grew louder.

The closer he got to the waterfall, the worse the Force felt. Thick in the air, crawling along his spine. Then he heard blaster fire, seven shots he'd counted. He skidded to a halt near the clearing just as the cave mouth behind the waterfall erupted in motion.

Vince came flying out, drenched, bloodied, gashed, but thankfully alive. Rupings followed, feral and marked with clan paint but hollow-eyed. They were thrashing in the air, their wings tucked too tight, movements unnatural. Ace didn't hesitate. His lightsaber ignited with a snap-hiss, blue glow cutting against the green. He stepped forward.

Then he felt it, behind the Rupings. It was something deeper, heavier than anything he'd encountered before. The Force wasn't just whispering anymore. It was howling. And underneath the sound of the falls… something else was breathing. The Dark side. This wasn't a distant echo, or a wrong note in the Force's song. This was a flood. Thick and slow, pouring off something inside the cave like tar, coating everything it touched.

A slow, deliberate step echoed from inside the cave, followed by another. Each one accompanied by that unbearable pressure in the Force. Ace could feel it pressing into him, like it was trying to reach into his chest and snuff him out from the inside.

Then, it pierced through the watery veil. A three-headed, six-eyed creature with gnashing teeth and a long spiny tail, unleashing a low, guttural roar. The creature dwarfed Ace. His lips parted and he took a step back. For the first time in a very long time, he was afraid.

His head whipped over to Vince, still injured, still under his protection. In that moment, his fear dissipated and his nerves steeled - Ace knew what he needed to do.

And in that moment, it was like they sensed his resolve return. A Ruping swooped at Ace, his eyes narrowed and he sprang upward. He twisted at the apex of the leap, lightsaber drawn close, and with a precise, fluid slash, cut through the Ruping's neck in a single motion. The beast's momentum carried it past him, body limp before it even hit the ground.

When he landed, he immediately rushed over toward Vince. With his right arm, he reached for the Monarch's bicep and yanked him up with all of his strength.

"Vince, we gotta--" Ace stopped, head snapping toward another incoming Ruping.

Without thinking, he pushed Vince but as his palm connected, the Force surged with it. It'd get him a safer distance away. There was no time to defend or evade, and so Ace simply raised his arms in front of his face to guard himself.

The Ruping crashed into him, knocking the rebel off of his feet and sending him soaring backward. Ace smashed through one of the huts, landing inside with sideway roll. His entire body ached and his head was ringing, but he was still conscious. Ace's palms pressed on to the ground and he shakily attempted to push himself up but collapsed - dust and smoke flying in the air.

Vince​

 

[Vince]

Cracking Through the Surface
Travelling under the protection of Acier Moonbound ​

Soon, the duo were fighting in unison. While Vince shot a few of the rupings down, Ace took care of the ones getting too close. This was evidently not the first time the King had fought alongside a force user. The tabloids - but also some of the more reputable sources - spoke of the battles the then-Crown Prince had fought alongside Jedi Grandmaster Valery Noble against the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders.

The military strategist that he was known to be would likely have recognised their need to create more distance before being tossed out of the cave. Perhaps that was why he had been thrown from the cave to begin with. Regardless, it did not seem to be something he adhered to now. For when the Hragscythe appeared from behind the waterfall, he did not even flinch. The sidearm went warm as he pointed it at the apex predator and fired off a flurry of bolts.

The monster did not react well to being shot at. Two deeper scorch marks could already be seen on one of its heads - results from Vince's attack inside the cave. The marks that his sidearm left were shallower still. While two of the heads howled in anger, the third stared at him with vicious intent.

At that moment, Ace helped the Monarch get back on his feet. Vince did not even look to his companion upon being spoken to and instead just kept firing off his blaster pistol until being shoved back by the Force. For some time, it would appear as if Vince would stand his ground - but then, his gaze shot towards the hut as its eastern wall gave way to the protector and the Ruping. His gaze flickered between the hut and the cave before finally settling on the hut.

Vince let out an involontary pained groan as he started to sprint towards the Jedi. Whatever pain it was that he suffered from did not, however seem to hold him back as he quickly arrived at the scene. With a feat of raw strength, the warrior king wrapped his arms around the Ruping's neck and tore it away from Ace temporarily. He then gave it a proper punch at the nose; momentarily dazing it enough to cease its attack. It was obvious right from the start, however, that the confusion was only temporary and the threat from the Hrangscythe was still their greater issue: For the massive footsteps were approaching fast.

"You've heard the jungle whisper to you, right?" The question was sudden and pressing. Vince did not wait for an answer - for he already knew what it was. "Right. Okay. Alright: Look at her." Vince's voice was sharp. It carried the authority of a squad leader, rather than a King. If Acier moved to fight it, the King would snap at him "Stop. Just look at her."

"Listen to the whispers of the jungle. Ignore everything else. If you listen to the whispers of the jungle, you'll find her there. Ready to be tamed"

A large chunk of roof started to come off as the predator outside started working its way towards its prey. Vince kept a firm hand by the young Jedi's neck, seemingly in an attempt to keep him concentrated. Vince, however, was not quite as concentrated with his eyes shooting up to the cracks that were starting to appear. His voice turned even more urgent "And then, you whisper back. Let her know that your minds will be as one. That your will is hers, and that her needs are yours to honour." By the time he had finished speaking, his hand had already slipped off of the Protector's neck.

Vince started to move away from his companion and the beast. Exiting through the back door, he turned to see the Hragscythe hovering above the hut whilst ripping and tearing at its roof. With his jaw clenched tight he then raised his blaster and fired off another volley at it before turning to run. Unsurprisingly, the predator gave chase. And it was significantly faster than Vince. An almost serpent-like head soon came chomping down at him. While he managed to avoid its mouth, the top of its scalp still managed to knock him over as it smashed against him on its way up. Quickly recovering, Vince went into the next hut: The largest one around - the same hut where they had recovered Chief Uldrin Morak's logs. With the door closed behind him, the Monarch started scouring the room for anything that could help them out whilst the beast tried to tear roofs or walls open once more.

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Onderon

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27

The world faded in and out, his limbs were jelly, and the muffled thumping of large footsteps tremored through the ground. A tired groan escaped him as Ace attempted to push himself up again, he saw the Ruping return to finish the job.

Only it didn't. Vince, despite everything, despite his injuries had pushed himself to rescue Ace. Temporarily halting its assault, dazing the aerial creature with a punch. Despite the chaos and danger they were in, the King stopped to ask him a question about the jungle. Something about hearing it.

Still dazed, head still bowed a breathless "...What...?" was all he could muster.

His arms still shook as he desperately tried to hold himself up. Finally, he'd gathered the strength to at least lift his head and look at the Rupin. His muscles tensed and his brow furrowed, Ace was ready to reach for his lightsaber but he was stopped by Vince.

Ace listened, meeting the Rupin's gaze. Her. Vince had called it her. Just that one word alone humanized the beast, Ace no longer saw a mindless animal - but a creature with spirit, agency. A soul.

"Listen to the whispers of the jungle. Ignore everything else. If you listen to the whispers of the jungle, you'll find her there. Ready to be tamed"

The Hragscythe was hastily approaching now, and Vice knew this. With a little more words of encouragement, the King was gone - leading it away from him and the lone Rupin. The jungle trembled beneath the Hragscythe's wrath, but Ace remained still. Smoke curled in the air. Heat pressed against his skin. The weight of everything: fear, exhaustion, failure. It all pressed down harder.

And yet... There she was. The Ruping stood before him, still dazed. Ace let out a shaky breath and closed his eyes, the Force wasn't a weapon. Not now. It was wind in the trees, heartbeat and breath. It was the hum beneath all living things. And deep inside that hum… there was a rhythm. Subtle, but there. At first, he thought it was the jungle but then, he realized... it was her. A thread of connection. A pulse in the dark. Wild, raw, and full of pain, but not unreachable.

Ace's trembling fingers lowered from his lightsaber. He pressed a hand to the earth beside him, grounding himself, and then he reached. Inward. Through the noise, he felt the jungle's song. Fractured but still alive. Still singing. And her voice, her presence, was a note in that song. Frantic, confused and afraid.

You're not alone, Ace thought - allowing her to feel it. He wasn't trying to bind her, nor break her. The Force surged softly through the space between them. And slowly… the fear inside her quieted.

Ace opened his eyes. The Ruping had stepped forward and her wings shifted, not to attack, but to steady herself. Those sharp, animal eyes blinked once. But there was no malice behind them, just trust.

Ace rose slowly, steadying himself against the Ruping's flank. She didn't move, just turned her head slightly and watched him. He placed a hand against her, felt the thrum of her pulse under the surface. Somehow, it matched the rhythm of the jungle. Of the Force. Without a word, he climbed on.

Her body shifted beneath him, powerful muscles tightening, wings spreading with a rush of air. Then they launched. The wind tore past his face as the Ruping rose above the trees. Ace crouched low against her back, one hand gripping the leather harness, the other hovering near his lightsaber. Below, the jungle opened into chaos, the Hragscythe slamming its bulk against the largest hut where Vince had taken cover.

He could see the strain in the beams and the way the walls bowed inward. It wasn't going to hold. Ace shifted his weight, guiding the Ruping into a wide arc overhead. She responded instantly, banking hard into a dive. At the last second, just above the creature, Ace reached deep into the Force for focus, and snapped his wrist downward.

His lightsaber flared to life with a snap-hiss, and with it, he unleashed a tightly controlled burst of Force energy toward the Hragscythe's flank. It struck like a detonation of wind and pressure, kicking up leaves and debris, rocking the beast off-balance. The heads twisted up, all six eyes locked onto him and the Ruping.

The Ruping beat her wings once and soared higher, drawing the monster's focus away from the hut below. They had its attention now.

Vince​

 

[Vince]

Cracking Through the Surface
Fighting for his life alongside Acier Moonbound ​

The search was frantic. The King forcefully pulled open locked drawers, tore apart mattresses and moved bureaus to look for hidden hatches: But nothing. "Uldrin, help me out here" he mumbled under heavy breaths, with a clear shade of deperation in his tone. The man kept searching but it was clear that his pace was slowing. His stamina was starting to drain and his wounds could not be ignored forever. The bacta patches he had found in the medical cabinet helped, however.

As the search went on and the monster outside kept pounding the large hut, Vince accidentally hit a buton. Suddenly, an old log started playing. The chief, looking much younger than earlier, appeared as a hologram over the center display.

"Log entry 182G: The Crown Prince is due to arrive next week. It's a karkin' powder keg, that's what it is. One little spark and this whole deal goes down the shitter. Targal spoke of maiming the boy - as if that would send some sort of message. She was trying to convince everyone that it would be a just retribution for the massacre at Long Meido and I think she was winning some folks over. I thanked my lucky stars when Torbas stepped in to talk her out of it. Ugh...

There ain't much I can do here. He'll have a friend in Lormorak, that much, I can do - but winning the others over will be hard. I suppose I'll be in his corner, for whatever it's worth." A noise from outside drew the Chief's attention. After yelling something unintelligible he turned back to the recorder, cracking his knuckles and flexing his shoulders. "Here we go again. Ahh, I hope the little Prince is tough. He's gonna need it. Uldrin Morak out."

Vince had devoted an increasing amount of his attention to the recording as time went by. By the end of it, he just stood there. A silent whisper, only audible to himself, escaped him with a shivering breath "That's why you were bruised"

There wouldn't be much time for him to ponder over what he had heard or to keep searching the room. The noises outside had him on high alert. Higher alert. "You did it" he said, this time with a clear voice. Quickly, he moved back to the medical cabinet and grabbed as many stims as he could pocket before injecting himself with one. Importantly, he also grabbed the little datapad he had previously placed down to download the contents of the console.

Seemingly rather reinvigorated, the Monarch slipped out of the hut and started running in the direction of their shuttle. Before getting out of the area completely, however, he turned to see how it was going for the Jedi. His expression soured as he saw what was happening. While Ace was successfully keeping a relatively good distance to the major threat, several rupings were still chasing him.

"Come closer!" there was absolutely no chance that Ace would hear his command normally. Vince did not seem to mind, however. Steadying his position, took aim and fired off a few shots from his sidearm. Through sheer luck or incredible skill, he managed to down one of the Rupings. The number of missed bolts, however, was a clear indicator of his limited efficiency at that long range.

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Onderon

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27

The Ruping's wings tilted hard under him, and Ace shifted his weight to match, bronze eyes scanning the chaos below. Vince had broken from the hut, but the Hragscythe's bulk still churned through the treeline after him. And now, because of course, more Rupings were cutting in from the flank.

Blaster fire flashed upward. One of the aerial predators bucked mid-flight and plummeted, Vince's shot finding its mark even at that impossible range. The rest scattered briefly, enough for Ace to dive. He leaned forward, and together Ace and the Ruping cut through the humid air in a sharp descent. As they closed, Ace swept his free hand outward. The Force rippled from his palm in a wide, concussive wave that knocked the nearest Ruping off-course and rattled the Hragscythe's foremost head into a snarl.

"Vince!" Ace's voice cut over the chaos, sharp and urgent. "Grab on to me!"

Ace's arm reached out as they swooped low. If the King reacted in time, Ace's arm would lock around his forearm in a firm grip. The Ruping's powerful wings snapped open, catching the air and yanking them both skyward. As she ascended, Ace would use his freehand to aid Vince in climbing on the Ruping's back.

Below, the Hragscythe lunged, its claws raking the air a heartbeat too late. One of its heads snapped toward them, jaws gaping in frustration, but the Ruping was already climbing, her wingbeats pounding against the air.

Ace guided her into a hard banking turn that threaded the treetops. Branches whipped past in blurs of green and shadow as they put distance between themselves and the clearing. Behind them, the monster's roars were muffled by the wind rushing past their ears, fading with every beat of the Ruping's wings.

The shuttle's silhouette broke the horizon, and Ace angled her toward it, the tension in his shoulders easing only slightly. The jungle was behind them now - but the weight of its chaos still clung to the air between heartbeats. Still, they'd survived despite all the odds and it was enough for Ace to let out a hearty laugh of pride and relief.

The Ruping began her descent as they drew nearer to the shuttle. Landing just in walking distance of the shuttle, Ace's leg swung off the Ruping and he hopped off of her back and waited for Vince to do the same. Walking in front of her, the rebel placed his palm on the flat of her snout and gently stroked her. As he looked into her eyes, he noticed they were blue instead of the green he'd seen in others of her kind.

"Thanks." he said with a smile.

She huffed through her nostrils, it almost seemed like acknowledgement. He took a moment, eyes scanning the leather harness attached to her frame. Wordlessly, he moved around her again and removed it from the creature before tossing it aside. Ace looked at her again and simply nodded. He didn't need to say anything, she already knew what the gesture meant.

And with that, her wings parted and she soared into the air. Ace remained still, watching as she disappeared over the horizon. This didn't feel like a farewell, for some reason... the Force nudged at his senses, telling him they'd meet again someday. After a moment, Ace turned to Vince.

"Sorry that the mission didn't go to plan."

Vince ​

 

[Vince]

Cracking Through the Surface
Fighting for his life alongside Acier Moonbound ​

Bolt after bolt kept being flung in the Jedi's general direction. With Vince's aim, he could at least make sure that the risk of hitting his ally was smaller than the chance he had of hitting one of the hostile Rupings. His eyes shot up to Ace and he stopped firing for a brief moment as he noticed the Jedi talking to him. Judging by his lowered brows, it was likely that he had not fully heard nor understood what was communicated to him.

That lack of understanding did not seem to be much of an issue. For as the Jedi came close, Vince seemed to know exactly what to do. Holstering his sidearm, the Monarch reached for another stim and injected it. Finally, he prepared himself for what was about to happen.

When Ace came down with the Ruping, the warrior king was quick to grab his extended hand. With a seasoned step and a hop, he mounted the beast behind his ally. His legs clasped the upper parts of the Ruping's torso whilst his one arm held the back of the leather harness with an iron grip and the other wrapped around the Jedi's waist with an equally hard grip. While it may have seemed like he was holding on a little too hard, the Royal's movements all suggested that he had ridden this sort of beast before.

***​

The journey back to the shuttle had been a quiet one. While his companion appeared to want to spend a few more moments with the Ruping, Vince jogged back to the shuttle. As the doors swooshed upon upon his approach, his pace slowed as he appeared to have noticed what his protector was doing. He had caught Ace and the beast in a tender moment.

"Her name is Shadow Tail. Lormorak used to ride her." his voice almost fell entirely silent upon uttering the second sentence. Still, the King offered the Jedi a nod before leaving the two of them alone after having offered a small shake of his head to the Jedi indicating that it was either nothing, or not his place to apologise.

"Prepare for take-off with reduced safety and security checks." he commanded - the droid complied and quickly brought the ship to life. A bloody trail followed the Monarch into the ship - bacta patches were only so good for someone who was moving and making as much effort as Vince just had. Perhaps expectedly, he fell down onto the white leather couch which bent around the holo-terminal at the center.

Upon the click of two buttons, the holoprojector came to life. An elderly - almost regal - gentleman appeared. His white uniform carried golden accents and he stood with a posture to match his rank: His head was held high, his back was straight and his hands were gently clasped behind his back. "Admiral Chaussidier" Vince said, his voice exhausted. The man stood at what appeared to be a bridge of a capital ship but little else could be seen from the projection.

Grey eyes scanned the King "Your Majesty" despite the scene infront of him, Chaussidier appeared to have kept his composure. Apparently not the doting type, the Admiral waited patiently for the King to speak - although he did take a moment to wave someone over.

Upon seeing Ace enter, Vince gestured for him to take a seat "They're dead, Uldrin, Lormorak, we do not know how many but the Rupings were ferral and there was a Hragscythe - and the bomas!" Vince's speach had picked up in pace - he was speaking more like a kid in his late teens than the King whom had spoken to Ace earlier. "There should be children out there somewhere. And maybe scouts and warriors too-..."

Vince stopped talking as the Admiral gently raised an arm, gesturing for the young Monarch to slow down. "I will handle it" The Admiral turned away from the holoprojector and started issuing commands without missing a beat. Two corvettes were being sent to low orbit and they would both dispatch four wings each for search and rescue operations. A sensor-frigatte would orbit high and assist in the effort while the ships on patrol would be reorganised to fill the gaps that formed when resources were being diverted for this. Each order seemed clear, well judged and precise - even to someone whom was not entirely familiar with naval operations.

Finally, he turned back to Vince. "I want you to try to relax, your Majesty. We will be doing everything we can. For the time being, your part in this is over. We have arranged for my private shuttle bay to be emptied out. You are welcome to the Nima II."

Vince looked up "Fewer prying eyes?"

"Indeed"

Vince nodded again "Thank you, Admiral. Very good."

Where Chaussidier had previously spoken without missing a beat with his mind appearing to work at a break-neck speed, he paused for a moment now. For the briefest of moments, his eyes almost looked a little emotional. The elder bowed his head "Thank you, your Majesty. Chaussidier out" The Admiral turned away from the projector once more and issued a command to his helmsman as the device turned off.

Vince's head leaned back against the couch and his shoulders fell. From the looks of it, he was utterly exhausted. His heavy breaths could be counted - one, two, three - and then, he bounced back. He was a warrior. He had trained with the defence force, royal guard and the beast riders all his life. His eyes scanned his own wounds for a moment before shaking his head. Instead of going for a medkit, he produced the datapad from his pocket and checked it for damages before finally letting out a sigh of relief. "Good" he whispered. He held on to the device tight - as if it were a long lost heirloom.

"We might have cost Chief Uldrin and his successor Lormorak their lives." The King looked to the Jedi "If we had taken their words more seriously and acted sooner, everything could have been different." Contemplative eyes gazed into the nothingness of a bloodied floor tile. His head shook lightly as he reflected over something in silence. The man was filled with sadness, regret and guilt but appeared to make a valiant effort to push it all down. "We need to investigate what happened here. Something was wrong with the beasts. They were far too feral. The Hragscythe must have appeared recently - it shouldn't have approached a full Beast Rider Camp if it was still populated. That might indicate how long it has been since... since they fell."

Sooner or later, it would become obvious that Vince was talking to himself. With his eyes still locked onto the messy tile, it was clear that he expected no response from his companion. Instead of repeating the isolation of the first trip, however, the King nodded - as if having decided on what to do - and looked up to Ace "We also wished to thank you. Without your services, we would never have made it out of this alive. Even with the Royal Guard, chances are that there would have been far too many casualties."

The formal wall was once more raised high. At least momentarily. Vince would then lower a drawbridge ever so slightly "And we believe you heard the jungle's whispers? We are happy for you. There were many times during our youth when we stood at the edge of the palace walls, listening for its song. We are glad you got to experience it."

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Onderon - Shuttle

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27

Ace returned to the ship reflecting on Shadow Tail's name, it was nice to refer to her as something other than 'the Ruping'. However, he couldn't help but notice the sorrow that thrummed from the King, when he mentioned Lormorak. Lormorak... Vince's full name was 'Vince Ivro Kalmorak'.

Of course. The name, the connection. This was hitting him a lot more harder becuase of his relationship with them. Ace couldn't help but feel like an idiot at the fact he hadn't put two and two together. When he arrived at the doorway to the lounge, he stopped, briefly surveying Vince and the hologram of some Admiral.

Following Vince's gesture to enter, Ace sat next to Vince - acknowledging the Admiral with a nod before silently observing the conversation more. As the adrenaline started to die down, Ace began to notice the aches and pains reverberate through his entire body. His head throbbed and swelled, forcing the young rebel to quietly rest his head in his hands.

When the discussion between the two ceased, only then did Ace finally lift his head. He glanced at the Moarch, eyes squinting as if it to fend off his throbbing head. Immediately, Vince spoke of his next plan of action - seemingly neglecting he was injured and in serious need of medical care. Despite that though, what the King spoke of - made a lot of sense. Ironically, his natural proactivity was very befitting of the King he was trying so hard to be.

"You don't need to thank me, it was my job." he said, clenching his teeth and hissing as he shifted in a way that aggravated one of his injuries "Besides, if there's one thing I'm good at, it's surviving against all odds."

Without asking, Ace reached for a stim and inserted its needle into his shoulder. He was certain to feel everything tenfold by tomorrow, but at least the stim would dull the pain. For now. Ace's head tiled and his lips pursed as the pain subsided somewhat, then he cast a sidelong glance at Vince.

"I like your plan, by the way. But... maybe listen to the geezer first, yeah? You ain't gonna do anyone any good if you aren't rested and recovered."

Then, albeit slowly and carefully, Ace shifted and positioned his body toward Vince.

"And about the jungle. Yeah, I guess you could say that. You call it whispers, I call it the Force." he explained "But yeah, you were right about the song. It's nice. Unique. Not the same song you'd hear in the big city."

Ace let his shoulders ease back against the seat, the rumble of the shuttle's engines a welcome constant. For now, the jungle's song was behind them, but its echo lingered, threading through the silence between them. After a moment, he spoke again:

"If you need any help investigating what happened, let me know." he forced a smile, pushing through the aching pain "Hate to leave a job half-finished."

Vince ​