Hush Now

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu was looking at the creature and she could see Sorel here as well. They knew the image, they might have trusted it even but it was in their head the creature was searching. So she could try and find something around here. If this was to gain their trust it put them on edge just as much so she would be able to look when the voice was speaking. "I am curious like some of the others, it isn't often newcomers arrive here from the stars not for thousands of years. Something to see, something new and maybe something to eat." He seemed to stay there against the firelight and shift to another image standing up as the head shifted into the back and a more human appearance looked up. Matsu had to admit the illusion as she was looking through it like it was hazy was interesting to see but she couldn't see the actual creature in the thick blackness around them but it could hear them.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel wondered if the creature knew its ruse had been spotted so quickly. It was less that she was concerned if it would change its appearance and more that, once it knew it was not going to fool them, it would likely become more hostile. And they had no idea of its powers.

She noted it was aware that nobody had visited the planet for millennia. This was no average predator; it was clearly knowledgeable.

She picked up on the fact that they were currently seen as a potential meal, but she showed no signs of fear – for she was not afraid. Death held no dread for her, so the only drawback in dying was that she would not be able to help others. But she knew another would fill her place and do just as good a job.

Then the image changed. This time it was less well-defined and Sorel wondered if the creature even had a corporeal form. “Please show us your true form,” she ventured. It was always worth a try.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

It seemed to be thinking about it as the illusion seemed to dissipate leaving them there for a moment and the night became less thick. The shadows being less dark as it were and Matsu looked around. Her mind racing more to admonish herself for not seeing that it was not just reading their minds but it knew how to isolate and make things seem more bleak. The image of the creature though was something she hadn't been expecting while it stood there. Humanoid looking, taller then her and sorel with its body showing muscles under grey leathery skin with a slimy gleam to it as he was stepped forward. Clawed hand gripping a crystal as she could feel the force from it and from them. "And just what do you think seeing my form will do human?" His voice was a deep roll while golden red eyes looked at them and towards the others as all of them were huddling together to protect each other.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel was glad of her birthright about now. She wondered what mess this creature could make of your mind if it could gain access. But Sorel would be an entirely bank book to it – it would be unable to detect any of her thoughts or project anything into her mind.

Not that the creature was not scary just as it was. It seemed to reflect on Sorel’s question and if the new form was indeed its true appearance, it was indeed intimidating.

And it was holding a crystal, that Sorel presumed was linked to its power in some way. She pulled the Force close to her now and held it ready. She would not attack – even this creature was worthy of redemption in Sorel’s eyes – but she would defend herself and the others here.

“It was not intended to gain an advantage,” Sorel said – softly and slowly. “I merely wished to see you in your true form – just as you can see us. We are hiding nothing and simply wish to speak. To understand what you need and to see how we can help, whilst at the same time allowing these good people to continue their lives away from the shadow of fear that you cast.”

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu was looking at the creature as it moved forward. "Hmm you are different then them, normally I would have access to their minds, see all of their sins splayed out before me, be able to make them suffer and want the torment to stop. So I can use their life force to continue to live. yet you ask me what I want? It is to live, to survive and walk on my own planet as opposed to being confined in the caves like some beast." He seemed to stand taller and Matsu could feel the crystal as well as many more of the things here now. She was sensing on the planet itself as there was the river and the crystals but also these things that lived here. "What about these others, we saw strong illusions like your at temples." The thing looked at him as he laughed. "Children taught by others, they made deals that allowed them to receive training with the energies of the world and the universe. Taken as apprentices to learn their own secrets. The old gods have found new jobs that these human's have taken."

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel listened and began to understand the creature’s dilemma and their own. It was a sentient and deserved as much right to live as anyone on this planet. But the growth in population and an understanding of its weaknesses had limited its ability to travel freely. So much so that it had become confined to the nearby caves and forced to lure unsuspecting locals to their death in order to live.

“This planet belongs to you all. I cannot see a way for you to roam free here. But a new planet? One where you could come and go as you please and draw on the Force there unfettered? If we could find you such a place, would you be prepared to leave here?”

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu thought about it and convincing one of them would be something, convincing others to do it though would be something. On their own world it might be difficult and she was not entirely certain about all of the things that the jedi would be doing here. She wasn't going to undermine Sorel's intentions though as she spoke. "It is something the jedi can do, help with other worlds and other species but we cannot promise it will be quick or easy." She was looking at the creature and it seemed to think about it. "An interesting offer for sure but this world is in our blood, we live thousands of years because of this planet itself. Another world could destroy the quality of life for one of us, what would you do to make sure we survive past a single generation?"

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel reflected on Matsu’s words as well as the creature. She was no master of diplomacy and tended to have a single thought and that became her plan until it proved to either succeed or not be feasible.

“What I am hearing is that remaining on this planet is your first choice, so finding a way to allow you all to live here harmoniously should be the focus of the conversation. Am I right?”

A common goal was Sorel’s new approach – and she hoped she had understood what she had heard thus far.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu was looking more at the creatures reactions now as it seemed to be quiet and she could see in its face... kind of. It always seemed to be scowling so that changed it a little. It didn't speak but backed away into the shadows as it seemed to vanish from sight. The chamberlain with them was speaking as the guards stayed near it. "You can't want to make a deal with t, those are never good. They know how to twist and make deals be only to their benefit." The chamberlain seemed disgusted while they were all moving around on the ground here to investigate the rest. There wasn't much more but the sounds in the distance returned to the night when Matsu was looking around.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel wasn’t entirely sure if they’d made any progress, not real progress.

On one hand they’d communicated with the creature and had shown they were not easy prey and were resourceful and prepared to make some sort of a deal. But the locals mistrust of the creature was no doubt well-placed and so they could not be fooled into thinking a deal was even possible, let alone easy.

“Do we follow it Master?” Sorel asked, unsure what to do next.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu looked at Sorel and then at the locals with a confliction. on the one hand chasing after them would serve a purpose but on the other chasing after the being would mean that the others were also vulnerable. "No let it go, it could be a large trap that we would be walking into. We have an idea of what these creatures... being are. We might not have an entire story or idea but I think it is safe to say there is a lot more to what is happening." Matsu looked at the others when she spoke. "Are we able to get back and bring the body. We'll investigate at first light the tower." She got some nods while they were preparing and moving to bring the body with them back towards the city.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel listened and learned. There was a level of respect for Matsu because she was her master, but it went beyond that. She respected the person too – for what she had achieved and was currently doing. And she knew she could do a lot worse than to take every available moment to learn from her Master on matters that were not directly linked to Jedi powers. For it was situations like today she found harder to navigate – where the answer could not necessarily be found in the Code.

She bowed to Matsu and prepared to transport the body, whilst at the same time keeping her senses open to anything untoward.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu could see more that was going on, they had worked on some of the things here while all of the people were bringing the body. Back. Matsu left a small beacon to guide them back when she was moving with them. Get the body back to the city and now that she did know somewhat what was out here there did seem to be something. Fear was a mindkiller so no need to be afraid but you needed to understand and process it. These creatures from what she saw used primal fear of the dark, they went with ways to try and ease your mind and coax you into doing things. They were dangerous in their simplicity, anything could be loud and scary... it took more to try and be cunning and patient. With a small look once they managed to get the body back to the estate and she could look it over though there was osme interest to see. She didn't know how much time it was until morning but she and Sorel should rest with the others. It was no use to just be awake all night after the full day and then another.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel was not afraid. She couldn’t remember the last time she was. The greatest fear was death and Sorel did not expect to live forever and knew one day she would re-join the Force and so treated dying as nothing more than an occupational hazard – like a carpenter would consider a splinter.

She had one fear however, but she kept it locked away and it as fortunate she was from the planet she was, as nobody would ever be able to unlock it and would only ever know of it if she chose to share it. Which, since her first Master’s death, she had chosen not to do.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu was going back with them as she could see more of it. Getting to stand in a small place with more interest in what they had going on. There was some other people here but they were giving the body respect before bringing it around and showing the jedi to different rooms. THe lavish beds were comfortable looking and while they might not need all of them it could serve a purpose. "These will be your rooms for the night." The one woman spoke to them while Matsu looked at Sorel. "Well we'll sleep and wake up then go investigate. I don't know about the need for i all but would seem rude to turn down after everything else." She was also eying those pillos and touched on of them. "Also it is rare for a jedi to really experience things like this so for knowledge and advancement."

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel laughed at her Master’s reasoning for accepting such gracious hospitality. But she was right, it would be rude to turn it down. And Sorel could not remember the last time she slept in a bed like this. Most probably never – or rather not since she’d become a Jedi.

As a Youngling she slept in basic dorms and on her ship she had a bunk, but nothing this large, or soft or with so many pillows. So she quickly showered and dived into her bed, unsure if the sensation was almost too soft and comfortable for her to be able to fall asleep.

She needn’t have worried as she was fast asleep in minutes.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu was looking at it and she stayed there while she stretched out. Getting dressed and showered before going to sleep on the bed. She wasn't certain about how long she was asleep at first but he sun was coming across her face from the high windows across her face. Matsu woke up and rolled over as the bed was so comfortable compared to some other things. She should be able to look at it when she got up and rubbed her head with a grin on her face though. before she was moving around until she got redressed in her robes and came out to see the others who were making food for the morning. Tea, some fried food, eggs and oh so much more in terms of fruits they coul eat. Matsu sat down looking at them with a smile on her face.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel slept soundly and it was a combination of sunlight and bird song that woke her. Walking over to the window, she noted a tree nearby and what must have been a dozen songbirds sharing their voice with the early morning.

Sorel dressed, made her bed and headed downstairs to see if her Master was already up. She followed her nose and found where breakfast was being served. Smiling to her Master, she put some eggs on a plate and some fruit in a separate bowl.

“I could get used to sleeping on a bed like that one,” she said to Matsu. “Or perhaps I shouldn’t,” she added with a smile.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu looked at her padawan as she spoke with a look on her face. "There is nothing wrong with enjoying a little comfort Sorel. It is just like anything you need to be able to have control and not over indulge. Enjoying sleeping on a bed instead of a bunk from the temple or the ship is not wrong it is only if you seek out having more of it to the exclusion of your duties." Matsu was ready and offering a small grin on she walked. "Also when you get old like me a good bed for your back will be a lot more helpful." She said it as a joke but was ready for anything as they got up and some equipment had been set out for them from the others. The morning servants were showing them to it and some food for traveling before other reports that they would be able to use. matsu was ready to begin as she held some of the food and it was a nice spread for the morning with a burger that they could walk and eat.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel nodded at her Master’s words and smiled. As a Jedi, she’d spent her life without comforts and found the life just fine. She would not be seduced by a fluffy pillow or a soft mattress.

Sorel sat and ate the eggs before wiping her mouth and depositing the fruit in a bag. This way she could enjoy it all but not have to sit and eat it, thus delaying their journey.

Pulling a large berry from her bag, she popped it into her mouth and then asked, “So Master, what is your plan?”

Aware purple juice was running down her chin, she grabbed a fresh napkin and dabbed below her bottom lip.

[member="Matsu Ike"]