Private Finding Roots

[Tigris Aphra]

Outfit: Robes
Equipment: Lightsaber, Bracelet, Echo Stone
Tag: Junko Ike

The moment of rest was over, and the Princess urged Tigris to join her. The younger Atrisian stood and bid farewell to Master Min, hoping to spend time with the Wukong Master again. Following Princess Ike outside, Tigris was again overwhelmed by the very nature of the place.

It took a moment for her to remember that the leafy canopy above them were not individual trees, but part of the giant trees upon which the entire complex was build. The buildings and open areas were not just built on the tree, they and the tree were integrated. It was truly remarkable and breathtakingly beautiful, as most of Atrisia had proven to be.

Tigris was a bit disappointed that Lady Aphra was away on an archeological expedition. The woman was the closest she had to a relative, and that by only the most trace amount, given the nine centuries that had passed since Tigris' birth. But it meant something to her, and in Atrisian culture, to know her bloodline, to know she belonged to a House. Again, the joy of knowing she was truly a part of her homeworld rose within her, as did her gratitude and pride. She would be visiting more, certainly, and would have time to visit with Ahri, and learn about her heritage, in the future.

Joining the Princess at the railing, Tigris too peered at the sights around them. When Master Ike mentioned the Wukong trials, the jedi padawan pondered. She should be preparing for trials. Everest was working with her Master Noble to complete them for her entrance to knighthood. Though Tigris was skilled in the Force, she still lagged behind Eve when it came to deeper Jedi practices. Tigris would speak to Kahlil about when she could begin her trials.

"How long have the Wukong been in existence?" She asked, turning to the beautiful princess.

 

[Junko Ike]

Tigris Aphra

Junko looked at her and thought about it for a moment. "Technically... not that long but there have always been force users on Atrisia in a form or another even going baack to some of our oldest records. The names change but the purpose remains the same and after we compared our records to ancient records of the je'daii we found the coordinates of the world so we know some Atrisians went to tython... so some form of organized force user was back then. The Wukong themselves though only maybe the last decade and a half. Before that most were wandering and before that we had the age of Emperor Akio's inquisition if you don't include the ones who were taken by the sith to fight and die on other worlds."

She said it and paused for a moment looking past Tigris as her eyes more directed then her words. Turning towards the form of a robed... she was going to say woman. In truth without seeing her naked you wouldn't be able to tell her body was built more androgynous with her robe being both thick, covering her up and yet it was form fitted to her body. Her head perfectly shaved and showing the reflective sheen of wax. She stood there at the railing and her face was serene in many ways. "Be careful, the Tiantai can be tricky and do not say you come from offworld they are more isolationist then even The Commonwealth has been."

She said it but was looking and watching as the monk like woman turned and walked. Junko going with a smaller more quiet word of warning. "Don't agree and don'task something that could be seen as a question." Her voice remained sweet but she was being more serious as she bowed greetings. "Welcome to the Agora." She said it and the monk finally offered a small thing... a smile that reached her eyes. Showing clean and almost impossibly polished teeth while her eyes were beautiful with a whiteness that offset the black pools looking more like the space between stars. "Princess Junko. It is lovely to see you."

Her voice was sweeter, warm like silk and Junko looked at her as she moved more to be there near Tigris putting herself between the pair. "Is this a visit or a collection?" She remained there as the womaan spoke. "Collecting, we blessed the union of a woman and her husband. They sought fertility as powerful as their love to begin a family." She said it and there was the sweetness but it was also not a joke.. she was just stating the facts when she started to move. "You know from the legends that we always collect." Junko nodded her head as she stayed but let her pass while the Tiantai monk glided while she was heading off along the tree.

"Not great." She said it but wasn't angry or worried. "The Taintai are well you asked about the Wukong... they are the alternative force group." She said it but remained there while looking at Tigris. "They are not evil they are not much known still... they use the force and worship gods no one knows about. AAhri and Miyoung have tried to gather information but they are largely insular in the Sarnoi... but their words are meant to draw out wants and desires and they can make a lot of things happen... at a price which they always eventually collect."

 

[Tigris Aphra]

Outfit: Robes
Equipment: Lightsaber, Bracelet, Echo Stone
Tag: Junko Ike

Tigris was surprised that the Wukong had only been in existence for a short time. Given the extensive complex that was Agora, with his beautiful architecture among the giant trees, she would have guessed the order was much older. But that was how Atrisia, worked, she had learned. They were accomplished, skilled, motivated and masterful in all they did. The very state of the Commonwealth that was rebuilt after occupation was a testimony to that.

Regardless of the Wukong's young age compared to the Jedi, Tigris had no doubts there were valuable things to learn from them. She was going to ask more, but a curious person had approached.

The Princess' usually cavalier and relaxed demeanor changed, her voice lowering, her tone admonishing. Tigris listened as she watched the figure draw near. They were truly androgynous, only the closest scrutiny suggesting they were female, though it was clear that every effort had been made to avoid any gender identity at all. Tigris also sensed the Princess becoming guarded as the monk drew up before Master Ike.

She had identified the person as a Tiantai, a word Tigris had not heard. The tattooed jedi heeded her benefactor's warnings and vowed not to speak unless necessary.

Tigris bowed with the Princess as the Tiantai was greeted. The monk had a powerful presence, and Tigris could see even the Princess respected them. The Tiantai spoke cryptically of Collection, but seemed satisfied to move on. Tigris' dark eyes followed, finding the encounter strange and unnerving, though drawn somewhat to the ethereal monk.

She learned quickly from Master Ike that the Tiantai were mysterious and not to be taken lightly. "I hope I haven't caused trouble." Tigris said, looking back at the Princess. It seemed her questions about the Wukong had attracted the attention of the Tiantia. She did ask a burning question. "What did she mean when she said 'is this a visit or a collection?' And spoke of marriage and collecting?" Tigris asked.

 

[Junko Ike]

Tigris Aphra

Junko waited until she was certain the woman was gone and spoke. "When you asked about traditions and the force, the Wukong. I told you they were new but there are older groups... older views of the force. The Taintai is one of them, they are skilled, talented in some ways even but they are more isolationist. They only venture out of their great city and to see it even just the outside is grand. The walls a black stone that has lasted possibly for millions of years and shown no signs of degrading, brackish waters that glow at night with ancient creatures and within it the Taintai in their robes preforming rituals of the force with the old ones... ancient gods of the land and skies."

She said it to pain somewhat of a picture while looking at Tigris. "At least that is some of it. THey themselves are elusive and don't seem to have a motive.. they neither increase their numbers to become a dominate group nor do they lose them. They go around the planet talking with people, helping soe, feeding others. THey ask nothing for their actions and yet talking with them is dangerous. They are more wordsmiths taking everything one says and using it. Expressing something you want they will accommodate and in exchange for their service. They collect a debt something small.. most families as they say will not miss them if they love each other or have seen something."

She said it and built it up but she was watching. "They seem to have their own rules about it. They will not come if you only have one child sometimes not even two but they will always request the first born to become a Tiantai initiate." Junko said it while she was watching from the balcony. "THey are talented wit the force though and the lake near the Sarnoi is almost impossible to see from orbit. The thunder clouds cover and mist obscures it. The legends it has in its center the dragon god emperors palace. Where the first god of Atrisia resides is... questionable as is the legends that they consort with the old gods of the earth in the darkest depths."

She thought about it. "Though in retrospect that could be them meeting people from Chitai... so many." She shrugged to herself. "It is their words though that is the dangerous part... They will speak to probe for information, always seeking and they never forget a debt even when others do. THose who usually try and escape are said to be visited by the pale child a death god."

 

[Tigris Aphra]

Outfit: Robes
Equipment: Lightsaber, Bracelet, Echo Stone
Tag: Junko Ike

Tigris listened to the Princess talk about the Tiantai with intrigue. They were a mysterious group, even to the likes of a princess and jedi master like Junko Ike. The practice of the Tiantai were somewhat startling, taking a child as an initiate in return for a favor. But the Seyugi were far more cruel, abducting Force-sensitive children, Like Tigris, from their families to force them to become initiates. There were so many strange practices in the galaxy.

The fact that the Tiantai twisted words to their advantage was also disquieting. She found the monk pleaasant, and would not have been gaurded about what she said, being curious. Tigris' dark eyes followed the monk as they walked away. "I'm glad you warned me. I might have started talking and finding myself in a difficult situation." She said gratefully. She actually shuddered when she imagined becoming indebted to a Tiantai, and having to give them she and Eve's child, or face the... whatever the death god was. Not that they had a child, but maybe someday.

The encounter just went to prove that, though Tigirs might have been born on Atrisia, there was much to learn about her homeworld. More than she could gather in one visit.

 

[Junko Ike]

Tigris Aphra

She gave her a small nod of her head. "Possibly. As much as there is beauty there is danger here... though most danger is isolated to specific areas. The north and the south. In the southerrn continent it is massive jungles with bone, flesh and brain eating parasites. Predators that are massive with rows of teeth and the Taeki. Corrupted Atrisians who have served the darkside for tens of millions of years and will eat anything that enters their jungles." She said it while walking to paint a picture. "We have only used orbital scans to see it and try to. There are older cities then most we have found overgrown and in a state of decay."

Walking and leading the way she stopped by some of the buildings and looked in as there were more Wukong training. Some in their robes and some in one room moving around as the sounds of squelching came. Junko looking at it and then at Tigris as she spoke. "They are making the wine from the plums." She said it while pointing as the Wukong were almost dancing to crush with purple stained feet but the droids were there checking everything to make sure it was safe. The princess moving. "The other danger is in the north, frozen from something. It used to be all accounts be a vast desert housing a city and grand library."

She walked with her hands in front of herself. "Now it is a desolate frozen wasteland filled with admittedly hauntingly beautiful women... who will rip your heart out and eat it for the warmth but they are something twisted that formed whenever the city fell." She said it while walking and leading the way towards the pathways going around the tree.

 

[Tigris Aphra]

Outfit: Robes
Equipment: Lightsaber, Bracelet, Echo Stone
Tag: Junko Ike

More strange and exotic places. The south with its dangerous jungles, seemingly to dangerous to even enter. And the North, a wasteland mysteriously frozen and equally dangerous. As much as the Atrisians had made a wonderful, amazing home on their planet, and those surrounding it, they had not conquered all of their own world. Tigris found that poetic. What fantasy world didn't have its forbidden lands?

They paused to watch some Wukong stomp plums for wine. They looked like they were having fun. She had heard of the old ways of making wine, but crushing the fruit under feet. It sounded like something they would do in Everest's home village. That was something you didn't see other Jedi doing, not even padawans. Tigris saw it as the advantage of having a 'home grown' Jedi order. They were integrated to the world, they were part of the culture, part of the environment around them. A part of Tigris envied the girls in the plum vat.

"So, is it intentional that the northern and southern continents are left unsettled? It sounds like it would be very difficult to do." She commented.

 

[Junko Ike]

Tigris Aphra

"THey have something akin to settlements. There are island chains near and around the southern continent and mountains as well as sea access in the north. The bulk might not be but the settlements can provide a lot for beint here while respecting the ones who are.. we do much with the Horselords. THey have their region of the world that is left untouched largely. Even the sith didn't go after them when they came to the world." She said it watching the display. "I imagine because a being sometimes larger then a wookiee, riding a creature that tramples its targets while they wield blades the length of their own bodies." She was giving an idea of it. "Can be quite a sight." She smiled though as she pointed towards it. "There are always more... well there will be eventually. Just enough for people to enjoy and it can help heal a few."

 

[Tigris Aphra]

Outfit: Robes
Equipment: Lightsaber, Bracelet, Echo Stone
Tag: Junko Ike

Tigris nodded as she pondered those wild and untamed continents. They sounded so far removed from the one upon which she walked. They continued, Princess Ike leading through the massive tree complex. The visitor took in every sight, every curiosity. It was all so strange, so wonderful. And as she walked alongside the amazing Junk Ike, Tigris found it hard to comprehend that she was a part of it all.

At least she was as an infant, over 900 years in the past. Who exactly her parents were was a mystery. Which one was born of House Aphra? Why did they leave such a wonderful place? Tigris had to remind herself that what the world looked like in the time of the Galactic Republic was probably very different than the one Junko was showing her.

Her gaze drifted to the Princess. She was so beautiful and so regal. Yet, Junko Ike was accessible. Atrisia was much like her. An amazing place that was elegant and beautiful. Yet even the lowliest citizen could access its abundance and beauty.

Again, Tigris thought of Everest. She suddenly wondered about something. "Princess Ike..." Tigris' began, gaze remaining on her. "My fiance is not Atrisian. Can I marry her, and remain in House Aphra?"

 

[Junko Ike]

Tigris Aphra

Junko paused and looked at her.... Tigris had just dropped the biggest news. "Married." She said it for a moment like she was mulling it over. "Oh this is precious." She moved bringing her hands out to embrace and grip shoulders. To look her over while she was checking out everything that they were doing here. "You are going to make such a wonderful bride." She was excited... "Hmm are you going to have it herre? We have plenty of places that would serve as a venue if you want... including the Aphra castle. There is a chance the jedi world of Rei'izu could also be used it is the fifth planet in the system." She clapped her hands while she was looking at her and had heard the full question but was slightly dismissive about the worry. "But there is nothing to it. Marriage is important but the only rules are you should be able to have a child. Natural or adoption"

 

[Tigris Aphra]

Outfit: Robes
Equipment: Lightsaber, Bracelet, Echo Stone
Tag: Junko Ike

The Princess seemed to light up at the mention of Tigris' betrothal. As the lovely Atrisian drew close, Tigris blushed a little, though her bronze skin hid it well. Princess Ike was genuinely excited with the news, and immediately offered suggestions for venues within the Commonwealth, including Tigris' newly discovered family castle.

"Well..." Tigris said sheepishly. "We aren't to that place yet. I actually haven't proposed. But we talk about it. I am just waiting for the right time." The padawan added with a sublt shrug of her shoulders and a shy grin.

The quick education on the Atrisian position on marriage put Tigris at ease. She was pretty sure she and Eve would have at least one child. Everest was so good with children. But that all was still a ways off. She had to asked Eve to marry her first. "I'm glad to hear that." Tigris smiled, touched that the royal jedi master would be so excited about the wedding of someone who she had only met that day.

 

[Junko Ike]

Tigris Aphra

"Ah well... not asking her to marry you yet would make it hard to choose a venue, or food, or flowers, or order a dress made, or get flower children and music... all of those things planned and there is a chance she could say no." Junko said it with a nod of her head aas she was listing each thing on a single hand with a finger rising up... as a joke... she saw no reason why this woman should turn down Tigris... unless. "But it is no matter, you are beautiful, atrisian and a force user so you have stamina for days... really hard to find someone better in most cases. She would have to be blind or only have one eye impeding her depth perception to not see that... or crazy."

She said it with a clap f herr hands again though and was all smiles and warmth. "So what do we need to do to help you along with that... or do you want it to be a real surprise. We could fashion you a ring.. a gemstone of the highest quality and cut. Or a dress... oh we could get Miyoung to help... she loves all of those romance shows she has to know some witty lines you cana say to make the marriage proposal awesome." There was a look on her face when she was thinking about it and walking. "Or well, Ahri might be better to help. If there is anyone who can convince a girl to do things it is her." She said it with a grin on her face remembering.