Private Finding new paths (Tiland Kortun)

[Kat Kenrid]

Kat donned the helmet of her Beskar'gam, her cortosis weave vibro-blades at her thighs, a Beskad on her back, and Crushgaunts just over the hands to fit with the armor. She had checked every piece of this equipment, because today was a hunting day. A Defel had escaped custody of a world on which he was charged with several counts of un-authorized experiments on sentience, apparently which involved torture. Kat never considered herself the most honorable person, she smuggled, she fought during wars where both sides sucked, but when bounties like his came up. Ones that she could potentially get and feel good about, she usually took them.

The small furry creatures were known for that they could go nearly invisible, at least until old age. But that meant nothing to her as long as she was wearing her helmet. He might be able to hide form normal light, but he still produced heat and her HUD could see that in all 360º. He'd held up in a cantina she'd heard, typical. Wanted a drink to toast his escape no doubt. She walked inside, her eyes scanning the room as she took each step. Remain casual as possible, for a mandalorian. Already eyes had turned on her, no doubt, so did the Defels.

Ah, there he was. Hiding in a dark corner, 4'2" of furry creep factor, and he was probably holding onto a blaster with one of his hands tucked beneath the table. He'd seen her for sure. But he maybe didn't realize she could see him without actually looking directly at him. Or at least she hope-BLAM by some monumental luck she'd managed to catch the shot on the vambrace on her arm just after he'd sent it her way. Though the force of it knocked her out of her seat and onto the ground. Nevermind, he knows, she thought standing up quickly activating the small Personal_Combat_Shield on her left gauntlet as she watched him get up on the table holding the blaster. It was pretty average sized actually, for a pistol, but it looked kind of large for him. "We don't have to make this deadly. I can take you in alive." she tried.

"You're not gonna take me in at all!" he growled in return sending another three shots after her. She caught the first two on the shield then ducked under the third using the repulsor of her gauntlet to send him off his feet....no wait he was already back on his feet and leaping across the room. Geesh this guy was fast. Another two shots fired at her, she ducked one and again used the shield for the next. Wow he closed that distance fast, forcing this into close combat before she'd drawn her sword by taking a blade from the barkeeper when he tried to pull one and swinging it at her. Somehow, she heard a warning. But not from him, she cought the vibro-blade on the gauntlet and then, using her jetpack, launched herself out of the way just before someone pulled out an unfairly large shotgun and sent a blast towards the two of them that absolutely destroyed the floor, the Defel apparently had been preparing himself because he'd also activated a personal energy shield. One of those re-modeled droideka shields. However that could only handle so much and, what she now saw as a Trandoshan, had clearly yanked off such a powerful shot into it that she could see it fizzling.

He would be the problem first, she raised her right gauntlet and sent three quick blasts into his face, one managed to get him in the eye. Clearly he was playing the "If I kill both you and the target I still get the reward" card. Typical. She was lucky she was warned. How she was warned, no clue, but that was unimportant right now. Maybe it was just instincts.

The defel was already after her again. Forcing her to try and maneuver them outside before this got even worse.

Tiland Kortun

 

[Tiland Kortun]

Tiland looked up frowned as blaster fire rang from a nearby building and rattled the tea in his cup. As the ripples bounced back and forth in the cup, he rose and downed the rest of it. Taking up his staff, he strode into the nearby cantina. Something had drawn him here and he could feel something reverberating in the Force. Perhaps that was what had drawn him here, across and through several systems.

The old monk stepped into the doorway and backed against one side as a Mandalorian, Defel, and Trandoshan wrestled and scrapped. He couldn't tell what caused it and he backed out of the way again as they tumbled towards the entrance. He pushed a new arrival out of the way with the staff and reached out into the Force, wrapping the three combatants in it and surging it towards the doorway. He followed them out, staff held across his body.

"Enough!" His deep voice rolled across the street, filled with the subtle influence of the Force to persuade them to set down their weapons. "You will hurt somebody innocent." He rammed the butt of the staff onto the ground. "Explain yourselves."

Kat Kenrid

 

[Kat Kenrid]

The scuffle headed outside with an angry Trandoshan and a self-preserving Defel, should have just gone straight for it and called them devils with how freaking fast and vicious this guy was. Kat had still managed to avoid injury so far but that was only going to last so long before she had to set someone on fire, hence the necessity of taking that outside the cantina. She ended up catching the Trandoshan when he tried to swipe at her with her hand, at first she saw him smile, until she squeezed and the strength of the crushgaunt broke his bones like crackers.

However in the following moments all of a sudden they found themselves clasped into an invisible strength yanking them out faster then she was able to maneuver it. The Defel screeched like some kind of demon had possessed him. She had to wonder if the guy had done some experiments on himself. The Trandoshan was a bit more reserved, gripping his shotgun with his non-crushed hand and snarling, both from the pain of the hand and eye and the act of being shoved out the door.

Then the person in question spoke, he had a commanding presence. The defel silenced himself, Kat narrowed her eyes. She was a Falleen, already that was a natural resistance to things like mind tricks. But taking that even further she'd spent most of her life internally resisting those giving orders, even when she did obey on the outside. And when she finally was freed she had a resolve. She had no weapons on hand really, not to drop. She'd been using her vambraces mostly. She did deactivate the shields though. She noticed the defel put his down, the trandoshan's grip loosened. Then again, Trandoshans were hunters by nature and culture. He probably had a lot of patience and skill because of the necessity of it. Clearly though, this...powered man had influenced him to cease combat.

When he mentioned hurting someone innocent and to explain herself she made certain to speak first, her voice was soft but spoken with certainty and swiftness, "The Defel's got a bounty on his head for torture and experimentation on living beings, and, he attacked me first technically. Trandoshan tried to kill us both during the scuffle, indiscriminately using that shotgun of his. I barely dodged it and tried to guide the fight outside."

"Ssssshe'sss a liar! I wassss jusst defending myssseellff from thisss witch." hissed the defel angrily. The Trandoshan merely lifted his chin proudly, returning with a far deeper and grovely voice "I aimed well. The defel was clearly a target, a mandalorian is merely a bonus. It is the way to please the scorekeeper."

Tiland Kortun

 

[Tiland Kortun]

Kat Kenrid

"Hrmm," was the old monk's first initial response as he eyed them. The Mandalorian seemed unaffected, but it had the desired effect on the other two. She was the one he had sensed earlier, he was certain. With her movements and reflexes, there was no other explanation, and definitely not while wearing Mandalorian armor. Besides, he could barely feel her fledgling connection to the Force ebbing and guiding her, likely without her recognition. "In that case, consider the bounty successful." He tilted his head to the Defel. "Take him into custody. And my friend Trandoshan, you speak fair. But what would the Scorekeeper say if you killed those nearby who were not warriors or good hunting?" Tiland raised an eyebrow. "Go about your business."

He turned to eye the Mandalorian. "And you, my young bounty hunter are quite an interesting one." He considered for a moment. "I will accompany you while you collect on this bounty, for I will like to speak to you once the business is concluded."

Tiland would wait and accompany until it was concluded before he would resume speaking. "I am Jedi Master Tiland Kortun. Now, while you were having your... tussle, I sensed something in you." He let the words sink and watched for a reaction. "Do you have any idea what that might have been?"

 

[Kat Kenrid]

Kat looked at Tiland uncertainly, cocking her head as he said she could consider it successful. The Defel seemed to hesitate. The Trandoshan remained still. Groaning as he heard the old mans mention, while it was true to kill the bystanders who were not good hunting would be considered an actual negative toll he said aloud, "But I did not." he said, though he did not continue to intervene, looking between the three of them, slinging his shotgun over his shoulder, and walking off. He did not believe this was a sufficient hunt. Better to give up now instead of officially having lost this battle.

Kat took full advantage of the Defel's confusion in order to tie his hands sufficiently, before the man spoke again, to her. Even saying he'd accompany her for the bounty, "Thank you, and I'm willing to split the reward." she said. Preparing to begin heading back to her Pursuer-class_enforcement_ship. That was certainly a good ship for her job, fit to have prisoners. However it was what the man continued to say that really held her attention, already it was a weird feeling just to be in his presence.

She could just sense something. It was just strange. He introduced himself as a Jedi Master, that made sense. And then mentioned sensing something in her, and asking if she knew what it was, she glanced down in thought, pausing uncertainly. She never really knew anything about the force. Nor ever thought of it as something she would have. So when she answered, it was mostly out of uncertainty, "I'm uh, Kat Kenrid. Nice to meet you. And I...don't know. I just kind of...did what I felt I should do. Just kind of assume it's instinct. Almost everything I know about fighting I learned from a Mandalorian, she raised me. I just assume it comes from her."
Tiland Kortun

 

[Tiland Kortun]

Tiland simply nodded his head in acknowledgment of the Trandoshan's statement before the hunter turned and stalked away. One down, and probably the most dangerous. Trandoshans had their own code of honor, even if it was one that relegated the rest of the galaxy to prey. Dubious, but not one that could really be changed without massive societal overhaul. Such a thing was impossible until a Trandoshan began to question their ancient culture and bring about change from the inside.

He merely raised an eyebrow at the offer of splitting the aware and waved it away. "I have no use for the credits. Keep them." He followed along to her ship, waiting for her to board before following up the ramp, listening. Certainly an older model ship. He remembered them from when he was young in the days of the first Republic.

"Mm," he commented as she spoke. "Pleased to meet you, Kat. And it is true, Mandalorians are exceptional combatants who train their instincts. But they train instincts to react to something happening," he paused for a moment as he considered how to explain. "But your instincts were to react to danger before they happened. And what you sense right now is another aspect."

He met her eyes and nodded slowly. "You, young one, possess a connection to the Force."

 

[Kat Kenrid]

As they entered the ship Kat quickly pulled the Defel into one of the cells and locked him inside after ensuring he didn't have any weapons or shields left. She was pretty happy the Trandoshan had given up, and that the Defel had dropped his weapons and gone almost into confusion with the Jedi's actions. Which was why she really didn't feel too bad giving the Jedi half, however when he said he had no need for them she was very happy to oblige, "Well uh...thanks again. I certainly can use them." she added. Heh, yeah, like for an update to this old thing. She didn't want to trade it in out of respect for the woman that raised her, but at the same time...it sure was old. Good condition for its age, but old.

She sighed finally leaving the defel behind, now taking off her helmet revealing the green skin and running her hands through her hair, putting the helmet to her side as she sat down at the front of the ship and gestured for him to sit down as well, "Here, over there, wherever works. It's not a pilot/copilot ship so you really only have choice of 'guard 1' and 'guard 2' spots." she added, making sure the ramp was closed and everything was getting prepared before preparing for takeoff itself as he explained that mandalorians train instincts, but then began to mention what she had done.

As he looked her in the eyes and mentioned what she sensed, and then something...a bit more shocking. "The...force?" she licked her lips and looked around uncertainly, just remain on task. she thought taking the ship up, heading towards the outer of the planet, "No no that doesn't...well. I mean. What would it even matter, I've lived all my life so far without it. Besides, I barely can take care of myself anytime I hear about you Jedi or those Sith they're always able to like blow up doors and alter minds...ok well I can do that one but I'm Falleen," she cocked her head and chuckled, "A natural attraction to any species not an enviro suit. That's what they used to tell me at least. Chemicals and build and all that. I'm just...doing what I know how to survive. I'm not able to read minds or something."

Maybe it was just a lack of confidence in it, maybe it was that she didn't want to believe all this time she could have had it easier if she'd have only known.
Tiland Kortun

 

[Tiland Kortun]

Kat Kenrid

Tiland took a seat in one of the offered chairs and leaned back as she began the preparations for take-off. The Defel was set aside in the cell and locked up for the trip to the destination. He didn't know where they were going, nor was he particularly concerned. He had no obligations or responsibilities to meet. The Force would take him where he needed to go. And if it was in a Mandalorian bounty hunting ship, that would be well enough.

As the engine began to power up, he began to pour a cup of tea from the heated thermos into two cups that he set in front of him. He nodded as she spoke, a small smile quirking across his face as she spoke. "Of course you cannot read minds or blow up doors."

He pushed one of the cups towards Kat. "It takes lifetimes to master the depths of the Force." A finger tapped along the rim of the cup. "It is a gift and a talent to be learned over time. Same as combat training."

Tiland leaned forward and took a deep breath of the steam from the tea. "But more dangerously, it is something that can be exploited by those who would use you for your power. Without knowing how to use your talent, it could be forced against you."

 

[Kat Kenrid]

Tiland Kortun
Kat furrowed her brow as they rose and he mentioned why she couldn't read minds and blow up doors. Pushing her a cup of tea she took it, somewhat hesitantly. Even though he said he was a Jedi Master, she really didn't know much about him. But, he did seem powerful, and hadn't tried to kill her yet. She set it down for once the hit hyperspace and she wouldn't have to worry about messing with the controls much.

He mentioned how long it took to learn that, and compared it with combat training. Heh, yup. In a few years she'd learned a lot, enough to make her a pretty efficient hunter. But she was far from a specialist. She imagined there were many hunters more skilled then she was. Especially mandalorians. He went on to mention something that cought even more of her attention though.

About people using her talent against her. Her eyes wandered, as she finally put in the proper pieces to hyperspace and set them off, turning in her seat so she could see him better and taking a careful sip from the drink, though too preoccupied to really think about the taste. Her brow was furrowed and she rubbed the cup in thought. He was suggesting something she knew it. Aside from that there were those who could exploit her. "And...what are you suggesting I do? I'm a bounty hunter, a mercenary, we don't exactly have the strongest reputations. I was a slave before I was freed, paid for I think, so you won't find a bounty on that. I'm just another girl in the galaxy trying to survive. I get this guy back to the authorities who put the bounty on him, I get paid, I move onto another job. Who knows if I'll reach 100, let alone the expected 250."

 

[Tiland Kortun]

Kat Kenrid

Tiland laughed softly at her statements and took a deep breath from the steam rising from his tea. "Life itself is uncertain. We all live dangerous lives in a galaxy such as this." He wrapped his hands tighter around the cup and let the warmth soak into his hands. "I am an Anzati. Our reputation is worse even than mercenaries and bounty hunters. Yet here I am as a Jedi." The old Jedi took a long drink from the tea and savored its flavor.

"The decision is up to you, of course, but I suggest you begin to learn the way of the Jedi." He unclasped his hands from the mug and steepled them together. "Not necessarily to mastery, or even to knighthood, if you have no desire to, but a sense to understand what it is you are capable of, and how others might seek to exploit that capability."

He shrugged and leaned back further into the seat, running a hand through his beard. "The question is do you wish to learn of this? It is dangerous, of course, because until you gave a full sense of your abilities, you will be more vulnerable to the influence of the Dark Side and susceptible to the agents of the Sith."

 

[Kat Kenrid]

Tiland Kortun
Kat frowned with uncertainty as Tiland laughed, she took a slight sip of the tea as he explained. The galaxy they were in, then mentioned he was anzati. She swallowed. She had only ever barely heard of them, more as myths then actual expectation to meet them. All she really knew was that they were very old, and very dangerous. There was a little uncertainty, but...again, he gave no real signs that he was truly a threat. A danger maybe, but a threat was different.

Even mentioning that, regardless of the level to which she'd learn it, maybe it was good to just to understand. And to be prepared in case others attempted to use it against her. She sighed trying to distract herself with the tea in thought as he asked again, if she wished to learn. This was a tough decision. Because it meant opening up an entirely different avenue of life to her. She never believed she could be a jedi or anything like it, no, but...the force sure would be helpful.

She continued to think for awhile, downing another few sips of the tea in a furrowed brow. But refusing to completely show the emotions running through her. The concerns, the upsides, downsides, excitement, fear, they were plenty but they didn't show. Without moving her head she chose to speak again, "And what would I be required to do? What would be expected of me?"

 

[Tiland Kortun]

Tiland watched her gently as she considered. She was quite calm and collected, but beneath, he could feel her emotions. The turmoil, the uncertainty, perhaps even a smidgeon of hope.

He waited though. This was not an easy decision. It brought both possibilities and danger, and no chance to return to the old way of life.

Once made, the decision to become a Jedi could not be undone. It’s consequences and impact were permanent. Tiland looked up and smiled as she answered.

“Thinking to the future, wise of you. It is no East choice to make blind.”

The smile widened and he chuckled a bit more. “But you will need to trust me, even when what I say sounds counterproductive or impossible.”

 

[Kat Kenrid]

Kat again refrained from showing emotion again. As he did answer her question, after saying it was wise to think of the future, he said she'd have to trust him even when it sounded 'counterproductive' that was just a bit concerning but...on the other hand. What could she learn from this? How much better could she be? There was still one more question to ask.

"But how would I survive? Expenses, food, shelter. And then what about my ship, this armor. I will not abandon them whether or not Jedi are known for lightsabers. They belonged to the woman that raised and freed me. It would be disrespectful." she responded.

Perhaps to try and cut oneself off from possessions was important to Jedi, perhaps not. But she had heard it was so. And she valued respect for the woman that freed her more then she valued a slight advantage in life style. Because the Jedi hadn't freed her, a Mandalorian did.

Tiland Kortun

 

[Tiland Kortun]

Tiland nodded as she spoke again. "Those are excellent questions. And there's a multitude of options for you to choose from." He poured himself another cup of tea. "And as for lightsabers-" He gestured to his own robes and belt. "I don't use one. They are not required to be a Jedi."

He waited for the tea to finish swirling before he continued speaking. "If you wish, you could live at a temple or enclave for a while. For the most part, while studying, students are cared for. Or, you could continue living as you have, and learning in the process."

He gave a wry smile. "Experience is the finest teacher after all."

 

[Kat Kenrid]

Again, answers, he was already on his second cup of tea and she was barely halfway through the first. Her sips much slower, as she had more interest in the conversation then the drink. She did nod as he mentioned there was no need for a lightsaber, "Well that's good at least." she was pleased internally. It was actually supposed to be this way for a Falleen, not truly revealing their emotions on the outside. Ironic, given Falleens were known for changing to red rather then green when angered, and yet they didn't want to show anything. She was far less strict on such rules though, and did it only by instinct and by that here there was no need for manipulation.

He offered she could live at the temple, and they'd take care of her while she studied. But that she could also continue as she was. A mercenary, a bounty hunter. And yet they'd still accept her? It seemed so strange that they'd allow that. She nodded smiling in agreement about experience, "It certainly comes with more knowledge. Would you really accept that. That I'd just...keep doing this? Aren't Jedi supposed to be like...prone to pacifism. I mean next to being an outright assassin or soldier I'm in some of the least peaceful jobs there are. Transport, bounty hunting, mercenary, it's not work expected of a Jedi."

Tiland Kortun

 

[Tiland Kortun]

He chuckled again as she spoke. “Bounty hunting is a complicated profession, isn’t? But it’s not so far off from what many duties of the Jedi require.”

Tiland cracked his knuckles briefly as he spoke. “For thousands of years, the Jedi served as peacekeepers for the Old Republic. Negotiating and law enforcement were some of our main duties when they surpassed the capacities of normal law enforcement.”

He stretched and rolled his shoulders. “We work on much the same spectrum. And while we are not to seek violence, it finds us more often than not. Not something that can be avoided, I’m afraid.”

 

[Kat Kenrid]

Kat looked at him thoughtfully as he compared bounty hunting to a jedi's duties. How they were peacekeepers, and from that alone she could see a comparison. Her job was essentially catching criminals a lot of the time. Law enforcement duties and negotiation. In a way, those really were things she was already doing.

So, she'd be able to continue doing what she was doing. But, she would be able to begin to learn the ways of the force and be more prepared for the future. At one disadvantage, she'd be more noticeable. ON the other hand she'd be more protected. And that was something she very much wanted, eventually she began to nod her head, glancing back instinctively towards the cell with the prisoner in it. Still shut. Expected so but she'd grown too wary to never check.

"I...believe that I would like to try this." She responded, "What do I need to do first? Or, at least after I drop off the prisoner. He's not ridiculously far away but it may be a few more hours. Sorry if that's a longer trip then you expected."
Tiland Kortun

 

[Tiland Kortun]

Kat Kenrid

Tiland waved his hand dismissively. "Long trips, short trips, makes no difference to me. I am a wanderer. I go where the Force takes me, and for now, that appears to be with you." He settled more comfortably where he was sitting and considered. "The Jedi path is a long one, and many quit because they find it discouraging in its difficulty and apparent counter productivity."

He leaned forward slightly and interlaced his fingers. "First you must begin to unlearn what you have spent your life learning. Tell me, what do you know of the Force? Let us begin there so we can clear up any potential misunderstandings early." He quirked a crooked smile. "And there is no shame if you know little to nothing. There are countless understandings of the Force and most have gotten muddled as they've spread around."

 

[Kat Kenrid]

Tiland Kortun (Sorry for the delay! I was gone for days so I couldn't manage to post)

Kat smiled as he explained there was no bother with the path. She crossed her legs in thought as he continued. How hard the journey was. And that she might have to unlearn what she did know about the force because it was normal to perceive incorrectly. She let out a sigh and agreeing shrug as he mentioned it being ok if she knew very little, "Yeah, not that much. I know it's what Jedi and Sith use to...do things. I know there's a lot of cults or orders that presumably have it. But aside from that I really can't say I know much."

She shook her head again, "I never really found it important to me. As long as I wasn't going to regularly hunt force users or something, and since I didn't think myself one, it was not exactly relevant."