Private Danger Sense

[Valery Noble]

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Location: New Cov | Ilic
Appearance: Link
Outfit: Jungle Appearance
Weapon: Lightsabers
Tag: Auraya Irath-Ur

"What do you think?"

Valery looked at the younger woman with a kind smile and gestured at the domed city they were in. She had picked her up on Teyr to bring her along on a mission, and teach her something new along the way. New Cov wasn't a planet that often required Jedi help, but when they did, Valery was often contacted because of her experience with its jungles. The fauna and flora were so lethal there, that all inhabitants of the planet kept themselves separated from the jungles through huge domed cities. So it was never to be underestimated, even for those trained in the ways of the Force.

"Somewhere within the jungles, close to some ruins of ancient times, orbital scans detected a strange power surge. We're going to take a closer look, but it does mean we have to get through the jungle, and no vehicle can get there," she explained. It's why Valery was carrying a heavy backpack with plenty of food, water, and other survival equipment. Just in case they got stuck out there.

"So as your lesson, I plan to teach you more about danger, and make you our guide during this journey."

 

[Auraya Irath-Ur]

"I've never seen anything like it" Auraya confessed with a sense of awe in her voice, as she looked upon the domed city of Ilic. Even the jungles were mostly foreign. She'd been to Generis alongside Zaavik Perl many moons ago, and Onderon most recently, but neither had been for a particularly long time. She'd been rushed both times, and hadn't been able to truly appreciate it.​

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It was beautiful, but deadly in a great many ways she knew. Humid, filled with potential diseases due to the unfettered heat, not to mention likely brimming with predators both of the fauna and flora kinds. Without a winter to speak of, such biomes bred stronger and stronger specimens, often left unchecked due to how difficult the terrain could be to navigate.​

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All of this she knew mostly due to her studies, but she got the feeling they'd be spending far more intimate time among it than her prior adventures. No vehicles, Master Noble had said, which meant unlike the other times she'd be entirely on foot.​

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Auraya had a pack of her own shouldered, though in comparison to Valery's it seemed miniscule. Still, it wasn't as if she had very much to her name. Mostly the pack held a flask of water, some neutralizing tablets which could make the murky natural waters in the jungle drinkable, and rations. Her hip held both saber and blaster acquired alongside Davron Feln and beyond that?​

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Well, she hadn't needed much more than that before.​

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"You want me to lead the way?" she asked, eyes widening as she turned to face the Jedi Master. "But, we'll get lost!" And then something bad would happen... And it would all be her fault. She could feel her heart rate begin to spike.​

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Force, she couldn't do this... Could she?​

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Valery Noble ​

 

[Valery Noble]

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Location: New Cov | Ilic
Appearance: Link
Outfit: Jungle Appearance
Weapon: Lightsabers
Tag: Auraya Irath-Ur

While Auraya looked around to admire the beauty New Cov and its cities had to offer, Valery remained quiet for a moment. This planet, as interesting as it was, should never be underestimated, so she wanted the younger Padawan to develop her own perspective on it. Perhaps she could already feel the danger out there, or maybe the incredible amount of undisturbed life stood out. Either way, she only took a step forward when she noticed a moment of panic in the young girl.

"It's going to be alright," Valery reassured her as a hand gently settled on the Padawan's shoulder. "We won't get lost, and I'm still there to make sure that we're going to be alright."

She then reached for a datapad and offered it, "This datapad has the exact coordinates of our destination, and will help you guide us. But there are no roads and straight paths are either impossible or too dangerous because of fauna and flora. That's what the lesson is about — you're going to learn to trust your senses, develop them further and use them to keep yourself safe without ever having to draw a weapon."

A soft smile settled on Valery's features and she slowly withdrew her hand, "Are you ready? I'll explain how you can keep us away from danger as we go. Close to the city's walls, we're still quite safe."

 

[Auraya Irath-Ur]

The hand set upon her shoulder proved enough to ground the girl, who huffed out an exhaled breath and tried to quieten the typhoon which was her mind. She'd spent the past while effectively being a seeing eye dog for her Master, by now this should have come naturally to her, leading the way and acting as a guide, but in truth Davron always had instructions for her, so she was never quite in the dark.​

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At least Valery wasn't throwing her into the wild by herself either. The Jedi Master would be there alongside her the entire way... She could do this, right? Maybe.​

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If nothing else, Auraya would try.​

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So she nodded slowly, right hand fidgeting slightly while the left took the offered datapad. She glanced over the screen, which displayed a map of sorts which indicated their destination, while Master Noble explained the difficulty of their approach. No straight paths, no roads, just the tricky jungle floor to navigate.​

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Auraya was glad she was wearing her boots.​

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"So we're trying to avoid the dangerous zones?" she inquired, putting the pieces together. That didn't mean danger wouldn't find them, of course, Valery had mentioned dangerous animals and plants within the trees. But learning how to avoid it as best they could? Maybe even sense the lifeforms before they got close enough to cause issue?​

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Yeah, that sounded helpful.​

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"I uh... Yeah, I guess I'm ready." Ready as she'd ever be. There was a sinking feeling enveloping her stomach, but she did her best to ignore it. Surely a Jedi Master knew what they were doing. She had to trust in them, and in the Force.​

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Valery Noble ​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Location: New Cov | Ilic
Appearance: Link
Outfit: Jungle Appearance
Weapon: Lightsabers
Tag: Auraya Irath-Ur

"That's right, avoiding or properly handling it when it can't be avoided," Valery said after she noticed that the young girl was relaxing a little. To be put on the spot was a difficult thing to many, but she wasn't looking to expose the Padawan to something she wasn't ready for, and this wasn't a test either. It was just an opportunity to learn.

"As Jedi, we are protectors, which means we have to assess and deal with danger properly, no matter what form it takes. Sometimes, it's as simple as a territorial animal looking to protect an area we happen to go into, at which point we'd rather just avoid confrontation. There's no need to harm or kill a creature that acts on instinct, after all," Valery explained before she tapped a few buttons on her vambrace's integrated computer to signal the city gate.

It opened almost immediately, revealing the thick jungle up ahead.

"Sometimes avoiding it is impossible, for various reasons. But it doesn't mean a lightsaber needs to be drawn either — there are other ways to prevent escalation, at times. To be a Jedi is to take the path that keeps people protected while you actively avoid unnecessary harm or loss of life. For that, you have to always think ahead, and be prepared."

She stopped and gestured for the jungle ahead of them, "The first step, to me, is awareness. If you know what's around you, it's easier to judge whether or not danger is up ahead as well. So use your eyes, your hearing, but especially trust the Force. Feel life around you, try to pinpoint it, and listen to the ripples to determine if hostile intent flows along with them."

She smiled and waited for Auraya to begin guiding them through the jungle.