First Reply Deep Questions, Deeper Answers | Glee Anselm

[Saria Rae]

Deep Questions, Deeper Answers
Glee Anselm
Tags: Open

Epo-1 Delta-class Light Interceptor
​

"Glee Anselm is a strange place. I thought it would give me some answers on those Jedi who survived the old purge. A few Jedi from the New Jedi Order were supposed to have survived that event, when the old Galactic Empire came to power. With how undisturbed Glee Anselm was by the Empire, I thought maybe it held some promise-"

"What in th' feth..?"

Saria glanced up from her recording device. She was standing on the deck of a skimmer, the bodies of various pirates scattered around her. One, a grizzly Nikto, had begun to stir again. He hardly had the opportunity to reach for his weapon before the Mirialan gave him a swift kick to the head to put him back to sleep.

"Unfortunately the lawless zones out here have just come up with pirates," she lamented, speaking into her recording device once more. "Maybe the wetlands aren't where I should be looking. Those Jedi had to have had a way to slip out of the Core unseen. Some unknown route lost to time. Perhaps... it could be used to slip back in. Maybe I'm better off looking for that sort of thing in the depths... somewhere away from the surface."

"S'cuse me, ma'am?"

The Jedi turned her gaze to her left. Another skimmer was passing, a Nautolan in a straw hat. He was hauling with him various fishing nets and a basket full of the local assortment of sea life.

"You alright?" he asked. "Heard a commotion and came by t' assess.... th' situation..." The fisherman's words trailed off as he saw the various bodies of pirates. "Ah... guess you ain't bothered much by the ruffians. Take care then, lass."

And the fisherman was off, to which Saria gave a half wave. It seemed that piracy was pretty well ingrained around these parts, far from the large cities of Glee Anselm. The way folks turned a blind eye to maritime violence sort of reminded her of the seedier parts of places like Batuu and Smarteel. Places that tried to keep their underworlds a bit more discrete to try and encourage business. The Galactic Alliance certainly had it's limitations in regards to curbing that behavior. It wasn't a shock. They couldn't wrangle in the blatant corruption of Denon, even when the planet waged open war against their civilian population. Areas like this would only grow with the loss of the Alliance. With a sigh, the young Jedi Knight returned to her recording device.

"I guess I need some good diving gear," she muttered. "Maybe I can find a local supplier."

From there, Saria hopped back on her smaller skimmer, though she made sure to crush the engine of the Pirate's vessel with the Force so they wouldn't be able to go anywhere. From there she followed the echoes of the fisherman's wake back to the nearby fishing village situated in the wetlands. She parked her skiff, hopped ashore, and made for the local Cantina.

If being out on her own had taught her anything, valuable information was always found alongside drink. After all, drunken lips were the loosest.

 

[Thalen Dhorain]

Tags: Saria Rae

Back to the long journey. It had been a while since Thalen had went back on his travels. Going from meeting his first friend, to the great Galactic Kaggath, to the battle of Kattada. Bringing him all the way to Glee Anselm. What did this place have that Thalen wanted to experience? Nothing if he was being honest to himself. It was just where the Force had guided him. To a rather run down cantina, where it seemed more than a few were trying to drink their sorrows away, credits upon credits being transferred over...Who was it that said money never bought you happiness? Because in this case, it seemed to be buying temporary happiness. With that being said, the Denon native clapped his hands together, as he made his way over towards the counter.

"Evening my good sir! I would like to purchase a round for everyone in this fine establishment! And everyone else who comes through that door for all of today!"

That was the term, right? A round? Thalen was very unaccstomed to the whole drinking culture. But he was accustomed to watching people, to see what he could learn from them. And that was what the purpose of this little experiment on his part was going to be for. As long as people were drinking, they would reveal things about themselves that they normally would be keeping secret. A secret from others. And Thalen always loved to find out secrets. It made it easier to figure out how to deal with situations. Knowledge was valuable. More valuable than money, which Thalen was more than happy to throw away. It wasn't as if he was struggling for credits, with the regular allowance his family still gave him from Denon.

It was partly what he had learned growing up throughout the years. If you had a problem, more often than not, if you threw enough money at it? You got a solution. A troublesome family member? Pay someone to "move" them to a different planet. Someone keeping too much of an eye on what you're doing? Pay them to look the other way. More and more, credits were the answer to everyone's problems. At least that was what they wanted Thalen to believe, but the more he saw of the Galaxy, the more he realised that credits weren't the only solution.

With that being said, Thalen took his own drink he had been nursing over and wandered off to the side of the cantina, letting his gaze scan amongst the patrons, his crystal eye glowing in the light as he smirked to himself. His family was more than likely getting a good show through his eye, but Thalen tried to ignore that thought. The fact that his family was seeing his every move...Well, it could be a little bit disturbing. It meant that whatever he found out, his family found out...but hey. What's the worst that could happen?

 

[Saria Rae]

Glee Anselm
Tags: Thalen Dhorain

Epo-1 Delta-class Light Interceptor
​

What Saria entered to was a bizarre sight for a Cantina in the middle of nowhere. It was... lively. In fact, it was more energy than she was ever accustomed to in a place like this. There was lots of drinking, obviously, but it seemed strange. You'd think they had all gotten their drinks for free.

The young Jedi Knight stowed her confusion and made her way to the bar, to which she was met by what seemed to be a complementary drink. It was some sort of fruity cocktail looking thing. She'd ignore the assumption about her preferred drink and cautiously look the glass into her hands, a frown forming on her face.

"And... what is this for?"

"Someone came in and put a free round fer e'ryone on his tab," the bartender stated. "It's yer lucky day, lass."

Saria glanced down into the red fluid and pursed her lips. Now who would want to do that? Surely there had to be some sort of ulterior motive here. Nobody just gave things out for free unless they were crazy. Jedi, of course, were the sort of crazy she knew to be charitable like that. So what was the angle here? With the blade of her curiosity now pointed in a new direction, the Mirialan turned back to the bartender.

"And... who exactly did that?"

"Lad's back there," the old barkeep answered, giving a point to the far side of the Cantina.

Modestly tall, long black hair, multicolored eyes... and strangely lavish robes. He stood out like a sore thumb in a place like this. He nursed his drink in a conservative fashion, as though he wasn't eager to get drunk in a hurry.

Needless to say, it set her senses off. That was someone who came here to play the information game. A moment to think longer filled her mind with the fuzziness that she got near others of her kind: Force Sensitives. Nothing remotely dark, but she knew to be cautious. Sith had ways of hiding themselves from the sight of those who walked the light path. With little else to follow, she made her approach in a casual, reserved manner, offering a wave to the stranger when she entered the appropriate range to hold a conversation.

"Good afternoon," she greeted. "I hear I have you to thank for my complementary drink. That's what the bartender told me at least."

 

[Thalen Dhorain]

Tags: Saria Rae

"I didn't know Jedi drink."

Thalen kept a small, somewhat empty smile on his face, raising an eyebrow ever so slightly as he glanced at the Mirialan in front of him. His crystal eye seemingly looking through her, though in reality it was gauging her aura. A dazzling brilliance of Light. How intriguing. He was accustomed to seeing shades of gray or even red with the eye, but it was rare for him to come across such Light in his travels. The closest would have been Acier Moonbound ...but even then, Acier's Light had been clouded with mist.

"But yes, I did. Those who have, should give to those who are wanting."

He threw his hand out to the side, gently waving it across the cantina as if to bring the Mirialan's gaze to all of the drinkers. Those who seemed joyful in their beverage, those who continued to dwell in their sorrows...and the ones that Thalen's gaze mostly seemed to be focused on. The ones who seemed to be far more...energetic. The ones who's lips were loosened with drink.

"I have credits, and they were wanting. They have information, and I am wanting. It is an equal exchange."

Even still, Thalen's smile didn't fade from his face. He brought his hands together, concealing them amongst his robes for a moment as he pondered to himself...before Thalen pulled a hand out from his sleeves and held it out towards the Mirialan.

"Thalen Dhorain. A pleasure to meet you, Miss Jedi."

It was always more interesting to come across those trained in the Force. Whilst Thalen wasn't a novice himself, he knew compared to members of the Jedi and the Sith, he was still a neophyte. Not that he was too concerned himself. After all, he was not destined to be some Guardian of peace, nor some Juggernaught that would destroy the Light. He was simply himself. A tool of the Force, which had brought him to this moment.

 

[Saria Rae]

Glee Anselm
Tags: Thalen Dhorain

Epo-1 Delta-class Light Interceptor
​

It seemed she was already on the backfoot. The man sussed her out as a Jedi rather quickly. It seemed there would be no easing into this conversation. Saria gave a soft laugh to the notion of Jedi not drinking.

"I suppose if you're a stickler for old doctrines," the Mirialan mused. "Even then, some of those old doctrines promoted pleasure without attachment. I'm sure there are lots of things you wouldn't expect a Jedi to do allowed by that simplistic mindset."

Of course, the man laid out very clearly that he was looking for info. That was why people came to places like this. Wait for others to talk when the alcohol loosens their lips. He just had a more hands-on way of making that so. When the man offered a handshake in greeting, Saria cautiously took it.

"Saria Rae," she greeted in turn. "Miss Rae is fine, if you must be formal. I don't mind either way."

Something about his eye had her a bit on edge. It looked so... unnatural. Was it an implant? That made it's properties a bit hard to predict. Perhaps he could see in a way she did not.

"I suppose if you seek knowledge, it may be advantageous to exchange favors," the young woman mused. "I have a matter on which I am seeking information for myself."

If he was so aware of his surroundings, maybe it was something she could make use of as well.

 

[Thalen Dhorain]

Tags: Saria Rae

"My education only ever taught me about the old doctrine of the Jedi. Alongside that of the Sith. For...those of the modern age, I rely on my Sight. Though you are right. There is much a Jedi could do to surprise me. Life is full of surprises."

Still, he smiled as he spoke. It didn't quite meet his eyes. It was something that he had also learned. Smiles were disarming. And very few regular people could see through a fake smile such as his. If anything, it had became a habit of his.

"I don't have to be formal. I was...taught that manners matter the most. If you prefer Saria however, I can use that. It is a wonderful name."

For a flicker of a moment, his smile grew for a moment. A small glimmer coming to his real eye before it faded. His gaze once more moving amongst the cantina as he paid attention to those drinking. It took him a moment before he spoke up again, his gaze settling on Saria as his fake smile faded from his face, giving more of a neutral expression.

"And what would you be seeking? I act as a witness, not as a speaker."

That was his role, at least that what was he believed. He witnessed things for the Force. for his family. There was a part of him however that wanted to be more than that. Thanks to Acier, Thalen no longer wanted to just be a tool. He wanted to figure out what he wanted. Though perhaps that would come with time.

 

[Saria Rae]

Glee Anselm
Tags: Thalen Dhorain

Epo-1 Delta-class Light Interceptor
​

"And what would you be seeking? I act as a witness, not as a speaker."

"I... would believe it to be a ruin of some sort," Saria noted. "Somewhere those of my kind would have hid long ago... part of a secret journey out of the Core. I can only relish the thought of what knowledge may lie in such a place. Glee Anselm is perfectly positioned for such a thing to exist. It could have lead many to safer worlds like Gree and Dantooine... It surely can't be on the surface. I'd wager it's in the depths."

Surely there had to be a network to facilitate the safe movement of Jedi in that old Imperial era, right? Even scattered, Jedi had a tenancy to gather and work together. It only made sense.

"...Saria is a fine way to address me," she added afterwards.

She tried not to make a big deal over the compliment. Now was not the time to get distracted by flattery. The Knight had an investigation she needed to complete.

 

[Thalen Dhorain]

Tags: Saria Rae

"Your kind. As in Jedi? Or Mirialan? I presume Jedi, but we both know it's better to rely on information than presumptions. Please, follow me Saria."

Either way, it would help Thalen to figure out what he needed to focus on. Thalen slid out a credit chit from his robes, flicking it towards the direction of the bartender as he made his way off towards the exit of the Cantina. Ruins weren't something that Thalen had any expertise with. Especially considering it was more than likely connected to the Jedi. Safer Worlds...Thalen didn't think much about that if he was honest, shaking his head.

"I can try to see if I can notice any...auras. It won't be precise. But if it's below the waves, I may be able to find it's rough direction. It's...a feature of my eye. The Force can leave faint traces of itself. Similar to fingerprints. I can see it on your glass if I focus. It's similar to how everyone has their own Force aura. And whatever they touch, leaves a faint imprint of that."

Of course, it was only with his crystal eye, and even then if he properly focused. It was part of what he meant by the dazzling light she gave. There was a faint shimmering of Light left on the glass that the Mirialan had been given to drink on. Within a few hours it would fade of course, but Thalen presumed that it could apply to the ruins.

"Those traces are strongest where groups of Force Users are. So, these ruins you are searching for might be similar to a lighthouse to me...If you have any clue as to where it might be, that could help."

 

[Saria Rae]

Glee Anselm
Tags: Thalen Dhorain

Epo-1 Delta-class Light Interceptor
​

"My kind being Jedi is a safe assumption," she commented as she followed the young man.

Saria had only tangentially maintained her traditional culture. After all, whatever parents she had made sure to cut her off from it. The mother and father that abandoned her on Nar Shaddaa surely made it difficult. It was only her true father, a Herglic, who had taken her to see her birth culture first hand.

For that and many other reasons she identified her kind as Jedi first.

"Those traces are strongest where groups of Force Users are. So, these ruins you are searching for might be similar to a lighthouse to me...If you have any clue as to where it might be, that could help."

"So that eye is an artifact of some sort," Saria mused. "Intriguing. You will have to tell me what it is made of."

Saria made her way out onto the peer and pointed due west.

"The deepest part of the ocean is that way," the Knight told Thalen. "At some point, ocean pressure is not worth the hassle of traversal. That is exactly where you'd expect to find a place like what I am looking for. Somewhere to hide where nobody will look for you."

Somewhere the ancient Galactic Empire would have simply not bothered with because it was so remote.

 

[Thalen Dhorain]

Tags: Saria Rae

"It is a camera. One designed to punish a foolish child. That is all."

Thalen did not elaborate on that. It was something personal. Everyone was entitled to their own secrets. The only person who knew somewhat of Thalen's upbringing was Acier. Perhaps he would tell Saria in time. Perhaps not. She was still a stranger. A stranger that he was willing to help, but still. His gaze focused outwards to the West, as Saria pointed it out to him, and he rummaged a hand amongst his robes before pulling out an eyepatch that applied to his good eye.

With that, the world seemed to lose its colour. Bright blues and browns faded into a dull gray, with only slight shades to differentiate between his surroundings. His own form seemed to flicker between a faint grey and a light blue, telling somewhat of what side he leaned towards. The main source of colour was coming from Saria, who's usual green complexion had been replaced with an illuminating blueish-white.

"So. Why aren't you with the rest of the Jedi? With the Rebels I've heard so much of? I fought alongside some not-so-long ago. Against the Galactic Empire. And then there were some at the Kattada Enclave when it was attacked. I helped there as well."

The Lightsworn. Thalen held no loyalities of them. The Force had lead him to their side and then lead him away from them. He knew his actions had a bounty placed on him...but the fact that it appeared to have been paid off seemed to show that the Elders of his family didn't want him getting caught up in that affair.

His gaze focused on the horizon, pushing the Crystal Eye's power. A faint headache slowly starting to build within that side of his head. As he stared into what was a dark pit of voidless grey...Until he saw a trail of light, flowing through the ocean as if being dragged by a current. It was there, if he focused hard enough.

"...We're going to need a boat."

 

[Saria Rae]

Glee Anselm
Tags: Thalen Dhorain

Epo-1 Delta-class Light Interceptor
​

A camera for a foolish child. Interesting. There was some resentment in that statement. It seemed that wasn't for her to know. At least for now.

"So. Why aren't you with the rest of the Jedi? With the Rebels I've heard so much of? I fought alongside some not-so-long ago. Against the Galactic Empire. And then there were some at the Kattada Enclave when it was attacked. I helped there as well."

"My sect was of the Core," she stated. "I served alongside those of the Galactic Alliance. When we were... scattered, I lost my way. I'm sure I could have regrouped with them easily, but I... found that I was called elsewhere. Ancient knowledge has drawn me away."

She should go link up with those rebels. As far as she knew, that was where Shan had gone. Her year of meditation back when she was a padawan had seen him appear in a good number of visions. Strangely they were all centered around her past. That was something she would need to investigate eventually, but it wasn't a priority. Much as she would like to connect with her friend again.

And then she saw exactly what she wanted. His gaze fixed on one spot, and he mentioned needing a boat. Saria couldn't help but let a grin come to her face.

"We'll need more than a boat," the Knight told him. "A submersible will do us better. And some pressurized diving gear of course."

Saria was very elated to hear that. After all...

She had come here to find secret places.

 

[Thalen Dhorain]

Tags: Saria Rae

"I see. I never went into the Core during my travels. Though I must ask..."

Thalen's gaze flickered over towards Saria for a moment, flinching at the sudden brightness. His headache was growing, the pressure building, a few beads of sweat starting to drip down his brow but he'd be fine. For now, he was focused on solving his curiosity.

"You said you lost your way. Yet you're here. Now. You are still moving. So my question for you is...where is your journey meant to lead? I ask, because I'm on my own journey. Letting the Force guide me."

The main reason he was asking? Thalen wanted to learn. The more he knew about other people, and the journey they were heading on, it would help him to decide what his journey should involve. In this moment, his journey was just where the Force told him. But he didn't want that anymore. He wanted to go to places, because he wanted to.

"I can pay for the submersible if it comes down to it."

With it seeming as if there was going to be a small break, Thalen took his eyepatch and switched it over towards his crystal eye, letting out a small sigh of relief. The headache and the pressure was already starting to slowly fade. He needed to rest for the journey anyway.

 

[Saria Rae]

Glee Anselm
Tags: Thalen Dhorain

Epo-1 Delta-class Light Interceptor
​

So my question for you is...where is your journey meant to lead? I ask, because I'm on my own journey. Letting the Force guide me.

"I... am unsure," Saria admitted. "Maybe it leads somewhere that makes all of this makes sense. I suppose it's a matter of waiting to see if that's the case. I'm unsure."

She was going in blind. That wasn't something Saria was prepared for. Even as she grew her talents, learned to fight, found meaning in nature and history... she had never been without the support of the New Jedi Order. Now she was flying solo in the blind. Maybe that was the only real way to discover herself and what she could do.

"Well, I can tell you the lead I have on a submersible," she continued. "Currently it's that guy right there-"

Saria pointed to a vessel situated at the docks, sitting in the water.

"It's a space boat. Travels space and sea. It would handle the pressure. No clue who owns the thing. If I did I'd have bought the thing..."

A playful smirk came to her face.

"Suppose we could always knock and see who's home," the Knight mused. "Other than that, pressurized suits we're gonna have to go to the city for. Pieralos isn't awfully far."

 

[Thalen Dhorain]

Tags: Saria Rae

"Well. You don't need to be sure. As long as you put one foot in front of the other, day after day, that is enough. It is ultimately not the destination that matters. It is the journey there."

Thalen gave a slow nod at that, spouting out wisdom as if he was some wizened old sage, as opposed to some well-off young lad. It was peculiar in a way. With his crystal eye covered, he seemed far more...happier, even if the fake smile was still absent from his face. Perhaps especially because it was absent from his face.

"...You'd have brought "The Thing"? What is...The Thing?"

Knocking made sense. Perhaps this was something he'd leave up to Saria to deal with however. As much as Thalen could offer to throw his family's credits to rent or buy the submersible, if they were having to deal with an actual person...Well, let's just say he was intrigued to see how the Mirialan managed to deal with it.

"We should see if anyone's home in there first. As much as we could go and get the suits first...I don't fancy the idea of having to walk all the way from here, if we don't have transport."

 

[Saria Rae]

Glee Anselm
Tags: Thalen Dhorain

Epo-1 Delta-class Light Interceptor
​

"We should see if anyone's home in there first. As much as we could go and get the suits first...I don't fancy the idea of having to walk all the way from here, if we don't have transport."

"Don't have a ship, huh?" Saria remarked. "I got one that seats too, but it might be a bit snug for your liking. Let's see if we can't negotiate something with the owner of the space boat."

Saria marched her way up to the hybrid space and water craft and located the primary entrance hatch. She knocked and... no response. After a moment a familiar Nautolan pulled into the other side of the peer on his skimmer, adjusting his straw hat as he turned to the Mirialan.

"Don't bother, lass," the fisherman spoke as he climbed ashore. "Her captain died last week."

"Ah... my condolences," the Knight responded.

"Nah, he weren't a loss," the man scoffed. "Drunken bastard ran me gramps over. He's the fool that went and gambled with them Black Sun informants. As far as I'm concerned, take the blasted thing if ya want it."

And with that the fisherman was off. Saria shrugged, turning back to Thalen.

"Well... I'm a bit rusty, but I think I remember how to hot-wire a ship."

 

[Thalen Dhorain]

Tags: Saria Rae

"I sold the one my family gave me. Rely on public transit. It lets me get a more...mundane view of the Galaxy, as opposed to a privileged one."

Thalen left out the part where he was pretty sure his family had also bugged the ship. As much as they might have been able to view through the crystal, that didn't mean they always knew where Thalen was. The benefit of being the only Force Sensitive in his family, they couldn't track his every move.

His gaze flickered over towards the Nautolan who approached. At first, he assumed they were the Captain of the submersible considering they had hsown up when Saria knocked...Though they quickly revealed that the actual captain had died. A small frown on his face at the Nautolan's words, though he kept his thoughts to himself until the man had left.

"...I disagree with his words. A loss of life is still a loss. And should always be remembered."

It wasn't as if he was innocent himself. Thalen had taken a fair few lives in his travels, though he was one who followed what he preached. Every life he had taken was always in the back of his mind. Where. When. And why. Though he shook his head to dismiss the thought from his mind, raising a surprised eyebrow at Saria, alongside smirking.

"Huh. Yet another surprise I suppose. Never expected a Jedi to know a skill that lends itself to illegal activities."

Similarly to the surprise about Saria drinking however, it was mostly just Thalen teasing the Mirialan ever so slightly. It made sense if he thought about it. It was a skill that would be invaluable for a traveller. It was why he knew how to do so himself, from the tutoring he had with his family...Though he decided to leave the criminal activity up to Saria.