Private Days Gone By

[Jonyna Si]

HURIKANE JEDI TEMPLE
TAGS: Silas Westgard​

Jonyna had spent the last few hours putting up what would be the first in a series of hyperwave masts to get the word out. An encrypted signal, but one that had to what would be to anyone outside of the NJO a series of random sequences, to those who had once been inside of the walls of the temple on Coruscant were a calling card to come to the temple.

Gotto.

That was the word she had chosen to be the keyword for it all. She couldn't help but pay homage to the strange jedi wanderer who had pulled her out of the ice.

Who would show? She wouldn't know. The code was vague, at best. She wanted only those willing to decode it to show.

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Hurikane Jedi Temple
Objective: Investigate the encripted message
Tag: Jonyna Si ​

Within the quiet Jedi Temple, a pair of loud footsteps echoed off the stone walls, the sound carrying far too easily in the stillness. Only minutes earlier, Silas had set his X-wing down just outside the ancient structure and made his way inside, drawn here by an encrypted message that had somehow found him all the way on Azbrian.

Lately, he'd chosen to lay low, keeping a careful watch over the kid and avoiding unnecessary attention. Still, every so often, curiosity got the better of him. This time was no different. Embedded within the signal was a single name, Gotto. It wasn't one he was familiar with personally, but it stirred something in his memory. He'd heard it before, whispered in stories during his Padawan days. That had been a long time ago, back when the galaxy felt simpler.

The thought unsettled him more than he liked.

Silas passed through a set of towering doors and entered the great hall. He slowed to a stop at its center, the vast space stretching out around him, empty and silent. Instinctively, his hand settled on the hilt of his lightsaber, thumb brushing the edge of the activation switch.

Just in case.

"Hello?" his voice rang out, echoing through the chamber. "Is there anyone here?"

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Silas Westgard​

As Silas's words echoed through the halls, another answered with it's own echo.

"Good to see the message found someone."

Out from darkness, Jonyna stepped with a soft smile, and a handshake. "My memory is a bit foggy though. Silas? If I'm remembering that right? I don't think we've ever had the chance to properly meet."

There had been plenty of jedi she had fought alongside, but plenty more she hadn't had the chance to.

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Hurikane Jedi Temple
Objective: Investigate the encripted message
Tag: Jonyna Si ​

He snapped his head toward the source of the voice, instinctively tightening his grip on his lightsaber, then relaxing just as quickly when he recognized Jedi Master Jonya. Despite the fact that they had never properly met, the sight of her was calming.

He accepted her offered hand, returning the handshake with a firm one of his own, a faint smile touching his lips.

"Indeed, we haven't," he said. "I've seen your face around the Temple on Coruscant more times than I can count. I suppose fate simply hadn't decided to pair us together until now." He let out a quiet breath as he withdrew his hand. "It's just a shame it had to be under these circumstances."

His words trailed off, the unspoken weight of the dissolved Galactic Alliance and the fractured Jedi Order hanging heavily between them.

"Still," he added, straightening slightly, "we make do with what we have." His gaze briefly swept the area before returning to her. "Am I the only one who's answered the call so far?"

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Silas Westgard ​

"So far, yeah." Jonyna sighed as she let go of his hand. "I don't expect many to answer. Our old family is scattered to the stars now. But let's not dwell on that. Only way to keep moving is forward. How are you, by the by? Got a place to stay outside of your ship? I know Jasper Kai'el was pretty notorious for that, alongside yours truely. It's important to have a home outside of our own ships."

Cathar had been hers ever since reconnecting with her mother and siblings, but even now she used it to rest and relax when she had time. Jonyna felt that was important. Having a home.

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Hurikane Jedi Temple
Objective: Investigate the encripted message
Tag: Jonyna Si
​

"All things considered, I'm doing fine," he said with a brief smile. "Things could be better, though, and I'm always willing to improve that." Silas's tone made it clear he had no intention of sitting at home twiddling his thumbs.

Releasing a small chuckle, he couldn't help but think of Jasper's idea of home. "Yeah… Jasper's never really been the settling-down type, as far as I can remember," Silas said, scratching the back of his head. "Me, on the other hand, I've got a homestead on Azbrian. Been in my family for decades. I even rebuilt it near the end of the Alliance days."

He hesitated, weighing whether to share what came next. Jonya was a trusted Jedi, and he doubted she'd go spreading his personal information across the galaxy, but old habits died hard.

"I'm not alone anymore," he continued with a small shrug. "You could say I've got a lad depending on me now."

Thankfully, Imogen had been able to come to Azbrian to keep an eye on him. Not that he needed it, but the two of them still had things to work through, and it was time to let bygones be bygones.

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Silas Westgard​

"I've got three." Jonyna said simply, smiling at the thought. "Was only a matter of time, I guess, given what I do for fun on the weekends."

She let out a chuckle, before it faded to instead be a moment of pause.

"I can't stay still for much longer. Can't watch the galaxy fall to chit. Ya know that feeling? That itch in the back of your brain that tells you that you could be doing something to help those in danger? It's always been rather loud for me."

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Hurikane Jedi Temple
Objective: Investigate the encripted message
Tag: Jonyna Si
​

Someone had certainly been busy…

"Three kids? Congrats," Silas said with a smirk. "I take it they keep you occupied during your time off, right?" Having a family wasn't an issue in his eyes, but three young kids all around the same age, crying day in and day out? That sounded like a nightmare. One or two was manageable. Three was pushing it, even for the young knight.

"You can say that again," he replied. "There's only so much farm work you can do before you start realizing there's probably someone out in the galaxy who could use your help. It'd be a waste if I didn't come out here and do something."

He sighed, letting his gaze drift over their surroundings before returning to Jonyna. "So," he said, "why here? Is it connected to why you brought me today?"

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Silas Westgard​

Jonyna let out a sigh. "The truth is..."

She looked to the temple hallway. Once upon a time, it was a home to another order of rebels.

"You're right. I have been occupied. But it's been with more than just the kids. I can't sleep at night because I know those three live in a world where one day, they might have to live in fear like I did. The Empire, the Sith, The Diarchy, they're all growing stronger by the day. I'm sick of it. I've started something to do something about it, and I'd like you there. A new order, with Ran, and Rayia, and Jax. One not about preserving peace, but regaining it. An order of Rebellion."

She raised an eyebrow.

"You in?"

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Hurikane Jedi Temple
Objective: Investigate the encripted message
Tag: Jonyna Si
​

Silas listened closely to Jonya, every word ringing true in the fractured galaxy they now called home. She was right, neither of them could simply stand by and watch the dark forces march unopposed across the stars. Someone had to resist. Not for glory. Not even for their own survival. But for the generations of Jedi yet to come, the ones who would inherit whatever future they helped build.

He let out a quiet sigh and gave a small nod. There wasn't a single part of him that wanted to refuse. Yet the truth weighed heavily on his shoulders. He was already working with the Hidden Path, and soon the High Republic as well, doing everything he could to hold back the creeping advance of darkness.

Even so… walking away wasn't in his nature. It never had been.

"I'm in," he said at last, after a brief pause. "My hands are already full with others asking for my help, but I'll do what I can. Wherever I'm able to make a difference, I will."

Silas extended his hand toward Jonya, a firm resolve in his eyes. However hard the path ahead became, he would walk it...