Private Far From Home

[Aurelion Nova]

OBJECTIVE - Make a Friend?
Where: In The Escape
With: Azure Djitred
Why: Going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship.... to Dantooine.

Aurelion fidgeted nervously in his quarters aboard The Escape swallowing in trepidation as he finished putting on his robes. The fellow Mandalorian having been who Aurelion was directed to in helping him go beyond the border of the Sith Empire which was, disturbingly enough, where The Force was drawing him now that his business on Dxun was complete. Needless to say he felt incredibly exasperated after having not only survived such a hostile place BUT also having learned he needed to go into the space of the sworn enemy of the Jedi. The thought sent a shiver down his spine as he continued to ready himself. He could only hope V1-T1 was keeping her good company as he got ready.

Meanwhile.....

In the common area of the ship the little astromech worbled happily up at Azure, completely misunderstanding the reason for her being here as he chirped.

"You+Here=Glad!"

"Aurelion+Friends=Need!"

"You+Want=Joke?"

V1 gave a happy waddle and, without waiting for a proper response, the little droid began it's joke as The Esape flew through space toward Dantooine.... hyperspace... specifically.

"Knock+Knock=?"

"Answer+Knock=Orange."

"Orange+glad=/=Banana?"

The little astromech chortled a rapid series of beeps as Aurelion emerged from his room and approached Azure, clearing his throat as he did his best to look official and.... well.... NOW.... like he deserved to be an Alor's son. "Umm.... so thank you for agreeing to this. I really appreciate it. We umm... should be nearing Dantooine by now but... we'll have to let them scan our identification and it'll take time for us to land so... we have time to pass....." Aurelion tried not to seem too self-conscious about having to pass the time for what could be quite a while, alone, with Azure, but he was just glad he would finally be able discover what it was he was meant to find here. "So umm..." Aurelion began, sitting down and twitching his elongated ears curiously "Miss Azure do you think you could teach me some Man-.... Mando'a? I think that was it...." Aurelion's face scrunched in concentration and thought as he was fairly sure he got it right. "I don't understand it when Miss Taozi speaks in it and I want to be able to.... make her proud...." He admitted sheepishly, lowering his head as he blushed softly.

As the two set about passing the time and having their cargo, identification and clearance verified a ripple in the Force would travel out as the Padawan neared his destination. A ripple that would reach one Darth Malevolum through the Force as her home-world was approached. A coaxing, beckoning itch through The Force reaching to her, dark whispers enthralling and tantalizing her senses of a promised meeting. Of a little light traipsing into the web of shadows and darkness willingly, of a misguided Jedi who also needed her enlightenment and the freedom only she could offer.

 

[Azure Djitred]

Azure was surprised to hear that Alor Tal had adopted a son, and was even more surprised to hear that she knew of the deal Clan Solus had made with the Sith Empire. Though, when the Alor asked for Azure's aid in escorting her new son into their space... Well, how could she refuse?

She sat in her 'gam, relaxed as one could be in armor, hair braided back intricately. She had helped Taozi get Aurelion Nova his documentation to travel through Sith space, though his purpose there was a mystery to her. When the little droid came up to her and started beeping, a faint smile appeared on the witch's face. She didn't know binary, but nodded along and laughed when the droid seemed to laugh, until Aurelion walked in.

"It's of no trouble, really."

The witch sent him a reassuring smile, and tilted her head curiously when he sat down.

"You had it correct, Mando'a. Although, I'm not sure how much I can teach you in the short time we'll be in each other's company."

Azure hummed, and leaned back in her seat, drumming her fingers on her buy'ce in her lap lightly.

"Well. 'Su cuy'gar' is how we say hello to one another, then of course beskar'gam is our armor."

Darth Malevolum

 

[Darth Malevolum]

It wasn't as it once was. In another life, Mal found the world she stood on tranquil, serene. Now, it just felt empty, hallow, and devoid of life. Funny how a few years could taint the view of her home world. Her she stood, at the ruins of her home, the broken husk of wood and metal framing simply laid broken and rotting, as Mal could only feel a loss, though of what she wasn't sure. Maybe it was of the life she once had, perhaps sadness for the fact her family was gone, but really....was that something to be upset about? No, it had little to do with who she was now. Her mother and father wouldn't recognize their daughter anymore, and the truth was that she probably wouldn't recognize them either.

She tried to think back to how long it had been since she stood here, and the person she might have been back then, but it was just a void that she couldn't define, emotions that she just couldn't process. It was the shell of a former life, and the fires had long since snuffed it out. She felt a call, more of a tug really, at the back of her mind, and another presence in the force intercept with her. It was a fleeting presence, one weak, yet tainted by the dark side, and perhaps held a possible pupil for the Darth. As the presence began to resend, Mal reached out and clasped it, seeking to find it's source and the one who it belonged to. Perhaps this home coming would be far more eventful than she initially planned.

Azure Djitred Aurelion Nova

 

[Aurelion Nova]

OBJECTIVE - Land on Dathomir and.... ZZzzz......


Where: Dantooine
Why: The Call of the Force
Wearing/Wielding: Robes
When: Mid-Day
With: Azure Djitred ;
Being clasped by: Darth Malevolum

As Azure and Aurelion worked over some common Mando'a phrases Aurelion caught on relatively quickly, learning as much as he could from her as eagerly as he could. Caught up as he was in learning from Azure Aurelion was completely unaware of the fact that V1 had settled The Escape down in one of Dantooine's smaller farming communities. Barely large enough to support the small landing zone they had let alone be too heavily monitored by the Sith. As V1 approached them, Aurelion glanced down at the little droid.

"We+Have=Arrived!"

Aurelion smiled and pat the little astromech affectionately "Thanks V1 umm...."

He then turned his attention to Azure as he stood, brushed himself off, and smiled at her softly as V1 worbled a happy 'you're welcome'.

"So umm..... I think it's time to go out there. I'll be.... waiting outside."

Aurelion squinted slightly, his elongated ears drooping softly, as something in the Force drew his attention. He felt... anxious... distracted.... antsy even. He shivered before turning away from Azure and walking out of the ship. Very distracted by this sensation as he came down the boarding ramp. The various farmers and people milling about various sorts of surprised to see a vessel landing here at all. As Aurelion crossed his arms, standing just outside the entrance hatch, he decided to walk out of the small landing area to the grass of countryside beyond. Kneeling down to feel the natural life and presence of this tranquil, though tainted, world. Only for his senses to be assailed all at once......

In the span of a single moment that sensation escalated, the Force wailing in warning to him as, in the briefest and simplest span of a second a hand of unrelenting dark power clasped down on his consciousness. That hand crushing the fragile glass tower of Aurelion psyche like a giant would crush a cup cradled in their hand. He was, in a word, helpless against the power of Darth Malevolum and in the span of a single moment, a simple effort, she snuffed his consciousness out quite easily. Making his singular eye roll back in his head, his legs turn to jelly and give out, and for him to collapse to the ground like a sack of space-potatoes. It would be all too easy for the beautiful Sith Lord to locate where Aurelion was now, unconscious and all.

 

[Azure Djitred]

Azure taught Aurelion Nova as best as she could, as she herself wasn't the most fluent in Mando'a, but he picked it up quick. She pondered how Alor Tal would react to her son calling her 'Buir' for the first time.

Probably as pleased as Azure herself was the first time Lailya called her Mama.

When V1 chirped and whirred at Aurelion, Azure looked outside, surprised that they had landed. She nodded quietly as Aurelion excused himself to wait outside, and she looked out at the expanse of Dantooine. It was so much different from the lush, verdant forests of Vanquo. A sigh escaped her lips as she donned her buy'ce, and left the ship.

Just in time to see Aurelion collapse on the ground.

"Aurelion!"

Azure rushed to the boy, and kneeled beside him, repositioning him into a more comfortable position. She pressed her fingers against his inner wrist, to check his pulse, and kept an eye on his chest rising and falling. The witch knew not what had caused this, but her instincts told her it was not the boy's body working against him.

Darth Malevolum

 

[Darth Malevolum]

That presence shifted once again, but there was another here, stronger, more palpable. Who were these individuals, and why were they here? Mal was going to get to the bottom of it. She left the ruined homestead behind her, and felt the few emotional connections she held begin to wither as she drew further away. She drew in a breath, taking a bit of relief She shifted her gaze towards the space port in the distance and strode towards her TIE. It was time to check into this personally. Her TIE would fy high, as she knew that she would be garnering attention, but frankly she didn't care. She wouldn't be lingering here anyways, at least she wasn't planning to.

Banking over the city, Mal set the ships flight computer to land on the outskirts, and once it was done she would open the cockpit and leap to the city down below. It was a fifteen foot drop onto the star port, and she struck the ground and rolled, seemingly un-phased by the impact. She spotted a small transport ship, and got a glimpse of commotion down below. Her brow arched, as she reached out and found the disturbance centered around the two individuals there. It seemed she had found her target, and so Mal leapt down to the ground once more, landing with a thud, and rose to face the pair. She would begin to stride towards the two, ignoring the onlookers as she moved forward. "What is going on here?" She asked, her metallic tone echoed outwards. "Your friend, he seems ill. Do you have a healer?" If she was allowed to get closer, she would attempt to inspect the young man, as being this close, Mal could feel the darkness stirring within this one. Mal's TIE howled through the sky, the ship's engines faded as they ventured further into the distance. "You might not believe me, but I'm not aiming to harm him, nor you at the moment." Mal would state, her voice still holding a metallic ring to it. He posture would remain relaxed, but if either sought to do her harm that would change rather quickly.

Azure Djitred Aurelion Nova

 

[Azure Djitred]

Azure tensed when she heard the metallic voice of Darth Malevolum approach, and clutched Aurelion Nova close, holding him protectively as she turned her gaze to the other woman. As a member of Clan Solus, Azure knew she would be safe from harm, but the boy... He had no such protections from the Empire.

"I am Azure Dijitred, a healer of Clan Solus. I know not what caused him to collapse, as he seemed perfectly fine on our way here."

Silver eyes turned their attention to Aurelion from behind the black visor of her Buy'ce, though Azure did not move her head from facing the other woman. The witch could not afford to let anyone get too close, and giving the image of always watching would hopefully do just that. Aurelion's pulse felt normal, and his breathing was fine... So what was wrong?

Biting her lip, Azure pondered what to do. If it was not a physical ailment... Perhaps the Force would heal Alor Tal's son. Hovering a hand over Aurelion's chest, Azure began to softly sing.

"See the light of the morning sun
Feel the warmth of summer rain
Glory to the protectors of old​

Fear not the night, for we have won
Heed my prayer, oh gods of old
And take away my family's pain"
​

As Azure sang, a green glow emanated from her hand above Aurelion's chest, flowing into the boy to heal him.

 

[Aurelion Nova]

OBJECTIVE - Awaken



Where: Dantooine
Why: Star Map?
Wearing/Wielding: Robes
When: Mid-Day
With: Azure Djitred Darth Malevolum

As Aurelion's consciousness was dropped into darkness by the Darth's efforts, even this development was not without it's uses, as Aurelion saw at the edges of his mind's eye two distinct visions that swirled and mixed together into a nearly incomprehensible mess of tangles sights, sounds and colors. One of these visions, when he drew his mind's eye to focus on it, gave off a sense of heavy, oppressive stillness. A sort of ancient expectation that nothing would take place there, as if the very air itself denied the movement of time as it was so choked with long-dried dust, cobwebs and the faint smell of corroded metals and the distant sounds of scurrying vermin. Ancient carvings and writings in a language he could not understand covered the great, ancient door and a square-like indentation marked the middle. He didn't recognize these ruins by sight, rather, they seemed to exude the same sense of suppressed darkness that the other Map had. Though Aurelion could not help but wonder that if that was the map he had come here for, what was this other vision?

Driven by curiosity Aurelion tore his mind's eye away from the vision of the ancient ruins and to the other contending vision. In this Aurelion was assaulted by a scent of damp wetness, of faintly echoing cries and skittering noises, as well as a myriad of blues, greens and yellows dancing across his vision in a painful strobe of unnatural light. From the depths of this flickering of light Aurelion heard what sounded like his own voice call to him, though muted and tiny, as if he were whispering to himself. Something about this other voices tone was soothing, if somewhat pleading, and at the very moment Aurelion focused his senses enough to begin to make out what it was saying something... else appeared. Skittering, clawing and ravenous beasts pulled at his attention, while his unconscious body would twitch under Azure's healing attempts. A physical recoil to the vision he saw.

As Azure's healing began to help him reawaken Aurelion was shocked to feel a familiar darkness, that same darkness that had snuffed him into unconsciousness, there and... helping? Not in the physical sense, but rather in his vision, he could feel that darkness rebuffing the skittering creatures. This.... only confused him. As he returned to consciousness and blinked his eye open he would cough and groan, rubbing his head and eye before glancing up at Azure with a small, thankful smile. Only after taking a moment to sit up would Aurelion notice Malevolum and, tensing in a brief moment of fear before remembering his vision, would he instead turn his eyes back to Azure and ask softly. "Umm... w-what happened?"