Ghosts and the Shadows that follow them...[Open]

[Mother Askani]

Voss Temple
Catacombs

She stood shrouded in robes, blending into the dark as she looked upon the Eternal Force Crystal...This is where her memory was recorded and stored so that the next generations would know. The aura of the artifact pulsated in her obsidian eyes, and illuminated her exotic skin. However, this was more than her...her Padawan Hasjo Hallu and her good friend and confidant Iella E'ron were both stored here in spirit.

She failed to protect them both...and perhaps thats where it all started.

However much she wanted to remember, she denied it. Those were emotions she didn't want to experience again, her journey back forced her to confront a lot of those things and they nearly broke her...but to reminisce now would mean she would stray from the path she had set for herself.

She turned away from the light of the crystal, and as her bare feet touched the cool stone of the catacombs, she removed herself physically from the area.

-----------------------------------------------

Voss Temple
Gardens

For those who knew her, knew she enjoyed flora as much as she loved to serve. When the temple was constructed this was one of the areas she bore as her own, for the sake of the temple.

Realizing now, this was the place she heard herself fall...however it took years for her to admit it. This wasn't a fall to the darkside...but a fall from grace; a quest that took her through denial.

The sun of Voss was the most beautiful in all that she witnessed...it was the only one to ever fully compliment her exotic pigmentation and the warmth it brought was the only to ever bring inner peace. She stood there, with her hands down and in front of her...resting just beneath her stomach.

Deep in thought, she entered a meditation. She had returned home...

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sochi Ru"]

There was a strange sensation as she was there working in the lab. A feeling of the familiar that she had not felt since Ruusan when [member="Rasu Gan"] had returned to surprise her. The jedi master set her equipment down while she was moving quickly letting the force flow through her and she set out from her position. Arriving in the catacombs before she stayed there wearing the small kimono with a look and then she was pushing forward with her attention until she arrived at the garden and gave a shape inhale seeing the familiar red and white. That force signature before she surged forward stopping only to look at the woman. "Sochi?"

 

[Mother Askani]

"Master Ike...It's been much too long. Hello." Her body hadn't moved, yet her thick accent echoed around her as she spoke.

A moment passed, and she finally turned around to reveal her face to the Master. She appeared just as she did before her apparent death. Her montrals leaned forward as she bowed her head slowly. Master Ike was a Jedi Master who had known her for majority of her career. They were friends, as much as they were contemporaries within the order.

"Forgive me for not announcing my return...I've yet to fully wrap my head around it myself. however...I longed for the garden. I meant to touch life before I began to share my own again."

She knew this was astonishing for the others...and soon she would likely have to speak with the council, if it remained as such. However, she did know for sure that [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] and [member="Coci Heavenshield"] were leading things, but she lacked knowledge on the structure.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sochi Ru"]

Matsu looked at her as she nodded her head in agreement. The garden was a place to be with the flowers and the trees and the quiet... Just the sort of thing a ghost or an illusion trying to trick them would do. It is away and out of the view of people so others can't see you and confirm who you are. Matsu looked at her and moved a little closer to confirm it was really her as she spoke squinting her eyes for a moment then extended a finger. "That is alright Sochu you would be surprised how many jedi masters are brought back from the dead." Then she poked her a couple of time to make sure she was real and nodded. "Yep corporeal and you don't smell like one of the flesh eating creatures that are reanimated corpses so that is two possible answers down."

 

[Rasu Gan]

Rasu was pulled from her dreams in an instant. Sitting up shaken and confused, the Shi'ido took a moment to compose herself, feeling her lungs with air and feeling her heart rate slow. An unknown presence seemed to have filled the Shi'idos quarters yet there was a hint of familiarity, as if the presence had not been felt in a long while. Rising to her feet, the Jedi Master cautiously opened herself to the flow of the Force, curious as to what or whom radiated such an aura. The Shi'ido searched, realising that not only could the individual be sensed from within her room or just the temple itself, but the aura was being projected across the planet.

Quickly getting dressed, Rasu could sense the growing alarm and confusion of other Jedi throughout the temple. Determined to gather some sort of answer, the Jedi Master began her search, leaving her quarters and honing in on this familiar yet foreign aura. Extending her own presence in the Force, Rasu searched for Matsu, hoping she could provide some answers. However when the Atrisian appeared to not be in her own room or laboratory, Rasu extended her range. Locating the presence in the temple gardens, Rasu latched onto to Matsu's aura, radiating her own confusion and alarm towards her fellow master. "What is going on Matsu?" she projected through an established telepathic link.

[member="Sochi Ru"] [member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Turning full circle ..

Something in the force drove Abaigeal to the gardens, yet her steps were slow as if unsure of what was waiting for her. Familiarity through the force, flicked at her aura, yet distant as time had removed connection to something once held close. By her side on her hip, the essence of the White Dragon spoke to her, it was the first time it had done so as the saber only truly connected to her mother, Iella.

She had returned home to Voss, after her personal mission to go to Panatha find her mother's saber and with the great help of Knight [member="Audren Sykes"], they had succeeded, in fact Abaigeal was on her way to see the Grand Master, to give it over to him for safe keeping, as the White Dragon denied her. But now it 'speaks' to her?

What did it want, or was this mother guiding her to the gardens?

​

[member="Sochi Ru"] | [member="Rasu Gan"] | [member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Mother Askani]

She stood there looking at the woman. She really didn't need words, her face said it all. She wondered if she was real...she twisted her neck to turn her head slightly. Matsu got close...and the skin just above Sochi' left eye scrunched up as she pondered the actions of the woman.

"I can assure yo--" she was poked, which brought a tad bit discomfort. However she realized this was all to reveal the truth, so she hadn't said much about it. Her words were cut off, and she finished them after the touching ceased. "You I'm real..."

Her index finger came up and curled around her chin, she listened to Matsu speak. She began to absorb her words..."Flesh eating creatures...?" The Togruta turned her obsidian gaze to the woman..."Hmm, I lack an appetite for living flesh, so yes I suppose we can scratch those questions off the list."

[member="Matsu Ike"] | [member="Rasu Gan"] | [member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Rasu Gan"] [member="Sochi Ru"] [member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

Matsu felt rasu and Abaigael there as she listened to sochi and backed away a little for a moment having a look on her face. "Yes you are alive and real." She said it while sending the message to Rasu telepathically. Sochi Ru is in the garden here with us come and see.... She is real at least to the poke test there is still the licking to make sure she isn't some sort of droid or the test where we see if she can still drink like a zeltron. Matsu looked back at Sochi and gave a nod of her head. "Well there is only one way to handle this." Matsu said it with a look and was careful before she moved to wrap her arms around her in a rare display of emotion. "Sochi Ru is alive again."

 

[Connor Harrison]

Why now? Why was it coming back to him now?

Connor stood eating a bowl of berries in his quarters, the cool air coming in from the open window in a day of respite for the Silvers. He slowly savoured each small mouthful, with no rush to eat and no rush for hurry the day along.

The memories of Sochi Ru’s death in front of his eyes had started to bleed into his mind’s eye. It had been forever since that day when they were duped by the Sith, forever since he was seconds from saving her but milliseconds too late as she was murdered.

Why now? He had grieved, as had the Order, and time had healed wounds. Why was that aura coming back now?

Maybe something was telling him he needed to put to bed the guilt he felt, or find the one responsible. Things happened for a reason, but he couldn’t identify the reason Sochi had died or why he continued to see it play out over and over, especially after so long.

Fresh air was calling, and he would take that walk once he had finished his berries. For he was in no rush; he had nothing and nobody to rush for.

[member="Sochi Ru"]

 

[Rasu Gan]

Leaving the shelter of the temple, Rasu journeyed through the expansive outer grounds, narrowing the gap between herself and the familiar aura. Her connection to Matsu remained intact however she had yet to receive any verbal answer. Instead the Jedi had been met with various emotions of bewilderment and joy that was radiating from the Atrisian. While hinting at the source of this presence in the Force, it was still rather unhelpful.

Broadening the range of her own Force presence, the Shi'ido could sense the presence of an individual she did recognise. Curious as to why this young Jedi was making their way towards her own destination, Rasu changed course so to meet with her. "Morning Abaigeal." she said, rounding a gnarled tree to come face to face with the young Jedi. "Admiring the garden's, or do I sense that something else has brought you here as it has me?" she asked, smiling at the young woman.

She continued to walk alongside the Jedi however she froze before Abaigeal could reply. Matsu's voice echoed in her mind, leaving a single word repeating itself in her head. Without any warning, the Shi'ido broke into a sprint, racing into the distance as she left Abaigeal behind.

[member="Sochi Ru"] [member="Matsu Ike"] [member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Mother Askani]

Her eyes widened as she was embraced, and within a few seconds she had allowed herself to be immersed in it. She followed by wrapping her arms around Matsu to return the affection. A warm smile cut across her face, as the two displayed the affection that still persist till this day; it was almost as if she never left.

"Yes...Alive and well. It's great to see you Matsu."

She gripped the woman by the shoulders and spoke to her, "Now my friend...we must walk. There's no one else better suited to tell me all that I have missed...I have noticed the tides of the Force slightly shifted. Has something occurred? What have I missed?"

She wasn't quite sure why things had slightly shifted...the veil itself seemed thin. The others seemed to have been through much...she didn't even want to calculate how many years it had been since she died. Though if there was anyone who knew...Matsu would, as she was a scholar wholeheartedly dedicated to her work.

[member="Rasu Gan"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Matsu Ike"] | [member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Rasu Gan"] [member="Sochi Ru"] [member="Abaigeal E'ron"] [member="Connor Harrison"]

Matsu looked at Sochi as she stepped back witha smile on her face and then she wiped it away standing there when they were gathering people while she straightened her outfit and clasped her hands in front of her. Yes professional and she could tell plenty about what had happened to Sochi since the woman had vanished to the netherworld of the force. Seeing and feeling connor arrive, Rasu and Abaigeal was something when she turned around to look at them speaking softly. "Yes I can relay what information you would like to hear about and oh my you have drawn a group. All of your friends."

 

[Rasu Gan]

It can't be?

Rasu stood frozen in place, staring at the two figures approaching her. Sweat had begun to drip down from her forehead as the sun's rays added to the physical stress of her sprint. However the moisture did not interfere with her vision, as she attempted to identify the individuals. One woman, the Shi'ido recognised as Matsu, with her slender figure and ebony hair immediately giving away her identity. The other appeared to be of alien origin, exhibiting humanoid features. Large montrals adorned the figures head, as dark shadows attempted to hide the tribal tattoos that decorated the woman's face. Through the lens of the force Rasu realised that this individual radiated the strange aura; the source of this disturbance in the Force.

Hands shaking from an unknown cause, Rasu slowly approached the pair of Jedi. The features of the Togruta became clearer as the Shi'ido closed the gap between them, leaving Rasu in shock as she noticed that Sochi had not changed since she their last meeting. As the moment swelled and overcame Rasu, tears began to form in her eyes as she stared at her old friend, mouth slightly ajar. Without warning, the Jedi Master abandoned all etiquette and pulled the woman into a tight embrace, sobbing into the Togruta's shoulder. Memories of their last moments together coupled along with the Jedi's funeral added to the intensity of the sobbing as her joy and bewilderment radiated through her force aura.

[member="Sochi Ru"] [member="Matsu Ike"] [member="Abaigeal E'ron"] [member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Mother Askani]

She held a smile as the company Matsu brought was much appreciated. it felt like old times, and while they began to move she giggled as she held onto the woman' arm. She nodded to her response, and hearing the last of her statement she looked up with surprise. She really hadn't been paying attention. She felt a sudden surge of familiar energy that she longed for back when...so much so that it forced a coy expression upon her face.

"Oh...I hadn--" She stopped mid sentence when she saw the figure Matsu must've spoke of. Her mouth dropped, and her body began to act on instinct. Slowly her hands let go of Matsu' arm...and she took a few steps forward.

It was as if she'd seen a ghost, what few steps she took she met the woman halfway.

"Rasu...?" A whisper revealed what she wanted to say, her body wouldn't allow her to speak with her normal voice. The Shi'ido could be seen in the reflection of the Togruta's dark eyes. Sochi looked her long lost companion in the face, and her hand clung to her mouth in disbelief.

She reached out and simultaneously embraced her friend with the same emotion if not more. Her grip grew tight, and while she released her emotions she tried to console her as best as she could.

"Rasu, when did you return? I thought you would never come back..."

Just as the two connected, their bond was reignited; it had been out of flux for so long.

[member="Rasu Gan"] | [member="Matsu Ike"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Rasu Gan"] [member="Sochi Ru"] [member="Abaigeal E'ron"] [member="Connor Harrison"]

There was a whole lot of emotion as the jeid master watched and felt Rasu sort of breakdown with her full attention on the girl. They had a lot of work to do when she moved up and heard Sochi speaking to her with some surprise. Sochi Ru was back as she placed a hand on her back and looked at Rasu Gan with a look on her face of sincerity and surprise. There were dangerous questions to be asked later but for now she would be able to work with the other things. Turning some of the things over in her mind when she looked at Rasu. "I know Rasu, I had much the same reaction."

 

[Rasu Gan]

As the two friends embraced, the Shi'ido's sobbing ceased, as silent tears slowly cascaded down the Togruta's shoulder. Refusing to let go of the woman, Rasu tightened her own grip to match Sochi's, relishing the wave of comfort that accompanied the embrace. The foreign aura that had been a plague in her mind had finally revealed itself, mending what had been broken for so long. The bond that they had formed all those years ago on Dorin was once again whole.

Loosening her grip, the Jedi straightened up and looked into Sochi's black eyes, unable to wipe the grin that had spread across her face. Tears still flowed from her eyes, however she had gained some composure and now these too began to cease. Bringing her hand to her face, Rasu wiped away the remnants of her sobbing, laughing at the sheer incredulity of the situation.

"I've been back for a while, the last time I was here we had laid you to rest." she said, laughing again as she used her sleeve to rid herself of the last few tears. Turning to Matsu, she offered the woman a weary smile, hoping to find an answer from the Atrisian. The presence of her friend still came with much confusion. The Shi'ido longed for an explanation.

"But I can fill you in later. How..." Rasu attempted to ask the desired question, but she found she was lost for words. Instead, the Shi'ido simply gestured at Sochi, hoping that would be enough to coax and explanation from the Togruta. The whole situation had been rather stressful however Rasu felt things settle to a more manageable level. All the while, the Jedi Master could not get rid of the huge smile that was now permanently plastered on her emerald face. She's not dead. She's not dead. Rasu found herself repeating the words in her mind, still unable to get her head around the notion of her friends physical reappearance.

[member="Sochi Ru"] [member="Matsu Ike"] [member="Abaigeal E'ron"] [member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"Greetings Master Gan", she began with a furrowed brow. It was not Rasu's sudden appearance and that had caused the brow to knit but the sensation Abaigeal had through the force and with her mother's saber. "I have sensed something, and .. it is good fortune you are here, I have something to show ...". But before she could finish Master Gan had taken off at fast pace. Abaigeal grinned slightly, She is at it again!

And so without hesitation she followed Rasu, as it was clear she too had a message through the force. There would be no catching up with the master, and when Abaigeal turned the corner it became clear to her and the rest why they were 'called' here.

From when she was a child, Abaigeal had admired the women that stood before her, she had trained under them in the Academy from the age of three, especially when Master Gan was the headmistress. It seemed so long ago but not really, it was just that all of them had gone through so much in the time since then. But the most amazing sight was the image of Master Ru, standing there embracing her friends of old .. her mother's friends.

Abaigeal slowed to a walk and approached them, allowing them time to absorb the moment and the shock at seeing the Master long since deemed dead .. alive and well before them.

'How' indeed, how was it possible for Sochi to be here? The story she would tell them most intriguing and when the truth was out, how it would impact on Abaigeal.

"Master Ru, this is truly a gift that you are here and back with us", she said on approach but stood back, the relationship Abaigeal had with the master was not one of deep friendship, like her mother had, but more out of respect for it. "There is only one person absent from this reunion and although she cannot be with us physically ..", she held out the White Dragon for them all to see, Iella's saber hilt resting in the palm of her hand.

"It was my mother that told me to come here tonight", she added.

​

[member="Rasu Gan"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Matsu Ike"] | [member="Sochi Ru"]​

 

[Connor Harrison]

"Wait!"

The male voice behind the huddling women would break the otherwise calm and emotional moment - Connor Harrison had glimpsed a certain figure from his window, and wasted no time running down to confront the situation. He wasn't even full dressed, so had to make do with tunic trousers and his black training vest.

Walking across, he saw that the figure resembled Master Ru more and more.

But it couldn't be her - she died in front of him, and Connor saw and heard everything about that moment. The memorial service on Felucia was also a painful blot in his mind.

Connor came to them, and stared at Sochi; the Togruta was there, and it looked like Sochi...but it couldn't be....

"Sochi Ru died before my eyes and we laid her to rest!"

In his hand, he held his lightsaber hilt. He wasn't here for a teary reunion just yet.

"Why are you here? WHY ARE YOU HERE?"

While he didn't shout, his voice was certainly brimming with severity and disbelief.

[member="Sochi Ru"] | [member="Rasu Gan"] | [member="Abaigeal E'ron"] | [member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Mother Askani]

To see Rasu was...one of the best feelings she could have had since her resurrection left her with a void. For a second she began to contemplate her decision...however her tears were true and the emotion was real. Sochi latched on to the Shi'ido' forearms while the woman held her arms, then she turned to look at Matsu who would be one of the few to truly understand what was happening here.

She knew the question would come, and while she knew the answer...she wouldn't dare tell. "I don't...I don't know." She said softly, and looking down. "It escapes me...even now as I try to remember. Now it only comes as brief flashes, I've been trying to contemplate it myself...but--"

When she looked back up she noticed a young woman, with a beauty that radiated like a familiar aura she once knew well. As she began to stare, her words failed to release from her mouth. This young lady...began to speak and she knew. She glanced down at the lightsaber hilt she held out in front of her, and it confirmed the Togruta' thoughts. She took a step forward,

"That lightsaber...time has flown, and you've grown into a beautiful woman. The last time I saw you...you were young. Your mother would be proud dear...come" Sochi reached out to bring Abaigeal in for an embrace, softly gripping her wrist.

However, when she gently tugged at her, her attention turned to a voice she had yet to match to a face; this was a males voice. She turned her head and saw him approaching them. She stood in silence, looking directly at him and the lightsaber hilt he gripped in his hand. For if there was another she knew this would affect...it would be Connor.

When the emotion in his voice increased, her eyes shut and her head slowly lowered to the ground.

"Hello Connor...I know this must seem outrageous, especially for you. However, I am here because this was my home..." She said slowly, and softly.

The others were affected by her death...but to witness it, and feel helpless it another a whole different battle...

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Abaigeal E'ron"] | [member="Rasu Gan"] | [member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Rasu Gan"] [member="Sochi Ru"] [member="Abaigeal E'ron"] [member="Connor Harrison"]

Matsu looked at Sochi who was speaking and then at Rasu as she was contemplating what happened and there were a lot of things. Really questioning how was silly when there were plenty who did return fromt he grave rather easily.... Like easier then a zeltron at a party. Her attention went to the others there with her and Rasu looking at Sochi while she stayed for a moment until she was about to speak.... Then was interrupted but not rudely or in a way she should be offended. Connor was wondering how she was alive and Matsu wanted to give a look like a mother when a child said something dumb but kept from it as her face remained neutral. She was looking at him and moved to look at Sochi then at Rasu and then to Connor and Abaigeal. "Connor you know well that the dead rarely stay dead. How many times have the zambrano's been killed? Or a number of other ones?" She didn't press it with a small look on her face though as well people came back witht he netherworld rifts opened and there had been one opened on Ruusan... which Sochi showed up afterwards.