Private In Living Color

[Zaiya Ceti]

Commenor Jedi Enclave
Commenor
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Iris Arani

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Zaiya couldn't believe what she'd found! A Jedi Enclave on Commenor? Hidden right under her nose the whole time she'd lived on the University campus? She practically buzzed with excitement as she poured over the details in the Jedi Archives. It was like finding out there was a secret treasure buried in your own backyard.

To be fair, Commenor was a big world, and she hadn't exactly expected to know every corner of it. But the idea of a Jedi presence, and one that was supposedly carved into the cliffs and hard to find, felt like stumbling onto a long-lost legend. The Silver Jedi Concord had built it, some old Jedi organization that had been a big deal across the galaxy decades ago.

The real question was: were there any Jedi still there, or had the enclave been abandoned long ago? Since Commenor was within Alliance space, Zaiya figured it couldn't hurt to go take a look.

No harm in a little exploring, right? Besides, if she did find anyone still hanging around, maybe she could learn something new -- maybe even a different perspective on the Force. And if the place was empty, well, it'd still be pretty cool to explore, and who knows? Maybe she could even pitch the idea of restoring it to the New Jedi Order.

With her heart set on discovery, Zaiya decided to extend her visit to her old Guardian at the University by an extra day. She managed to borrow a small shuttle and set off toward the last known coordinates of the enclave. The thrill of adventure mixed with a tinge of nervousness, her skin flickering between soft blues and curious citrines.

She knew she was on her own this time, but that was part of it, wasn't it? She'd learned in her training that sometimes, you had to go solo. Sometimes, you had to figure things out for yourself -- even if that meant facing the unknown without a familiar hand to hold.

And maybe, in more ways than one, Zaiya had to prepare herself for that.

 

[Iris Arani]

​

Had she been to Commoner before?

Iris scanned over the largest wall of the temple, humming softly. Before she learned to see through it all, the haze of colors that made up the Force, she'd been to a lot of temples. Not that she particularly remembered them. But there'd been no sign of her tell tale mark. Her paintings. That wouldn't do. How long had it been since she last did art?

The woman rubbed at her chin as she continued to look over the wall. It was now very colorful. Paint cans dripping still with wet paint were scattered on the ground far below her. Paint stained her hand, her face, hair, clothing. She'd never cared if she got any paint on her. And, well, as she wiped her brow she often just spread it more and more.

Probably didn't help she was currently hanging upside down near the top of the mural she'd created. Paint dripped from her hair as she let another can fall to join the rest of the pile that she'd eventually clean. Probably. If she didn't forget it again.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Iris Arani

The playful way the Force seemed to dance led Zaiya closer to the cliffside temple, her steps light as she followed the lively energy. When she finally turned the corner, her eyes widened in awe. Sprawled across one of the largest walls was a massive mural of a kissing couple, painted in bold, swirling colors that almost seemed alive. And there, hanging upside down from a rope, was the artist -- a figure completely covered in a kaleidoscope of dripping paint, like a walking piece of abstract art.

The temple itself looked mostly abandoned, save for this one person turning the stone wall into a vibrant masterpiece. Honestly, the whole scene was stunning. Not just the mural, but the artist too, dripping with paint as if they'd just stepped out of their own creation.

But what really caught Zaiya's attention was the way the Force swirled around them. It felt warm, alive, and strangely familiar. She didn't sense anything malevolent. Was this a Silver Concord Jedi Master? Someone who used the Force to paint? It was just like Zaiya to assume the best rather than the worst, her hopeful nature always leading the way.

One big question popped into her mind, though. She couldn't help but voice it, her cheerful tone echoing softly within the temple's high walls.

"Why did you decide on two people kissing?" she asked, her voice bright with curiosity. As she spoke, her silvery skin began to shimmer and shift, colors washing over her in waves of citrine curiosity, burnished ambers, and glowing gold flecks.

There seemed to be a lot of coincidences with kissing topics around Zaiya lately. Was the Force trying to say something?

If the painter was a walking canvas of splattered hues, Zaiya was the living embodiment of color herself, her skin a swirling, ever-changing display that pulsed with the vibrant delight and inquisitiveness she felt. Even through the Force, she radiated those shifting, curious colors, like a sunbeam filtering through a stained-glass window. A living canvas in motion.

 

[Iris Arani]

​

Iris didn't even look from the mural, instead rubbing at her chin again to spread another line of pink over her chin. "What do you feel when you see this?" She didn't answer the question, instead tossing out her own. After a beat she then dropped from the rope, falling right to the ground with a simple, graceful twist. Dressed in just a tank top and jeans the scars she had were clear as day. Burns that spread across half her body, amongst others scars. The opposite hand was missing a pinky, and the skin seemed cracked with it's scars as if it had been stone.

Without another word she started to clean up the cans, idly tossing them in a backpack they'd seem to have come from.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Iris Arani

What do I feel?

There was a contemplative dance of thoughtful ambers and curious orange ombres that would paint across Zaiya's cheeks and waterfall down her exposed arms. She was in casual attire for visiting, in an embroidered vest and pants — yay for movement in an abandoned temple — with her colorful hair wrapped up in a multitude of braids up in a half ponytail before the rest came waving down past the middle of her back.

The Lovalla was quiet for a moment, her color-shifting melting and blooming in tune to the emotions she felt as she studied the portrait longer. It was a bit complex, a puzzle waiting to be solved. There was more than met the eye.

"Initially, joy and relief. I thougth they might be mates if they are kissing." when one thinks of kissing, the thought of love and affection and joy come to mind -- but the longer Zaiya considered, the more she began to wonder.

"The colors are pretty, vibrant, and make it seem as if this is a perfectly poignant moment betwee them... but if you look at each of their poses, it makes me wonder if both of them were feeling the same thing."

The man had the woman clutched tightly, his actions exuding a sense of possession. The woman, on the other hand, seemed to be holding back, her actions painting a picture of restraint. Concern would now bleed into a medley of dove greys and pale yellows, a subtle tension in the air.

"He wanted to kiss her. I don't think she felt the same way. She doesn't have her arm wrapped around him, inviting him in. Instead, its almost as if she had no choice in the matter."

"It's very pretty... but even pretty and colorful things are used to try and make one feel better than how they really feel." Much like Zaiya herself at times, with dying her hair or all the shiny jewelry she wore.

"It isn't black and white, in more ways than one. Seems like there is more to the story than what is there." Zaiya said as she mulled on her musings. Opal blue eyes would fall from the massive painting back towards the figure. Oh, it was a woman.

Curiosity would spark and Zaiya could sense the Force thrum through her. There was intrigue at the multitude of scars, but more than that, there was empathy at the pain that they might have caused at their creation. It didn't seem as if the woman cared about it, idly starting to pick up her spray paint cans. Zaiya stepped forward, ready to offer her help.

"Are you one of the Silver Concord Jedi?"Zaiya asked, walking forward, curiosity painting her expression and skin, bending down to pick a few spray cans that had come to a rest near her.

 

[Iris Arani]

​

"Huh."

It was the only response Iris had to Zaiya's rather deep interpretation of the art Iris had displayed. In truth, she had no idea who the two were, she just found that image on the holonet and decided it would be a challenge to incorporate something realistic to her otherwise abstract and colorful art. The cans were, much like Iris herself, dripping with paint. Even touching them was a quick way to get covered in paint herself for Zaiya, though Iris didn't seem to notice.

She was half in a world of her own, after all. Distant and distracted.

"I was when I was a kid, but I joined the New Jedi Order some time back. You? What kind of Jedi are you?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Iris Arani

Was that the wrong answer? Zaiya wasn't sure.

Could there even be a wrong answer for how someone felt? The question buzzed around in her mind, but before she could think about it for too long, the young woman responded, mentioning she was once part of the Silver Concord, but now she was with the New Jedi Order.

Zaiya perked up instantly. "Oh! So you're in the New Jedi Order too?"

Her words tumbled out with eager excitement, but her expression shifted to one of confusion. Her head tilted to the side, and her skin rippled with a bemused mix of dove greys and inquisitive ambers. "What kind of Jedi? Are there different kinds?" she blurted out before she could stop herself. "I mean, other than the different Orders?"

She paused, recalling a conversation with Aris Noble when they first met -- he'd mentioned there were different places to learn about the Force. Was that what this woman meant?

"Oh, I'm Zaiya. Padawan Zaiya Ceti, if you want to be exact," she added quickly, a friendly smile spreading across her face as her skin flushed with a curious blend of pale blues and teals. S

 

[Iris Arani]

​

"Tons. They can be grouped up, but every Jedi is supposed to be unique to themselves."

She didn't go much further into detail. Zaiya had answered the question, whether she intended to or not, simply by saying she was a Padawan. That was a type in on itself. For a moment Iris paused her cleaning to stare at Zaiya. Not her specifically, but very much in her direction. Her oddly colored eyes scanned over something unseen. The colors, emotions and life, intent, all of it was clear to Iris's eyes.

Not that she was aware that Zaiya herself was literally glowing those colors already.

She looked back to her cans once the last was taken care of. "Iris. Jedi Knight, I think. Haven't been to the Temple in a long time so I don't know if I still am. Doctor, though. You come here with anyone?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Iris Arani Roman Vossari

"Tons?" Zaiya's eyes widened in awe, her mind spinning at the thought of how many 'tons' might actually mean. But before she could ask more, the young woman introduced herself as a Jedi Knight.

"Oh, Iris? That's a pretty name. Well, nice to meet you, Knight Iris," Zaiya said, quickly switching into formal mode. She wasn't sure how Iris liked to be addressed, so best to play it safe. Zaiya noticed the woman pause to study her for a moment. A slight flush tinged her cheeks, and Zaiya took a calming breath, fully aware that her color-shifting might have been what drew Iris's attention. It wasn't malintent or even curiosity that she sensed -- it was like Iris was looking for something. Was she blind, too, like Jalen?

Testing the waters, Zaiya piped up, "Yeah, I know. I glow and change colors. Can't help it. It's just how my kind communicates -- my emotions pop out like a holobillboard." She shrugged, trying to play it off as if it were just another regular part of her. Best to address it head-on rather than let it hang awkwardly between them.

Without waiting for a response, Zaiya's curiosity sparked again, and bright citrine colors rippled over her face and down her arms.

"So, wait -- you're a doctor? A Jedi Doctor? Do you know Knight Shan ? He was my master for a bit before he had to leave for medical school. And why haven't you been to the Temple in a long time? Oh, wait, the Dark Empire recently blew it up, so maybe that's why...but we just rebuilt it." She answered her own question, thinking back to how everyone was now scattered across various temple ships like the Prosperity.

Her mind jumped from one thought to the next, buzzing with questions and half-formed connections. Zaiya couldn't help it -- she was a bundle of bright energy, glowing in a swirl of colors that reflected her endless curiosity and the eager drive to piece everything together.

 

[Iris Arani]

​

"Iris, is fine."

There was an awkward looking frown on her face as Zaiya addressed her as Knight Iris. Titles and the like weren't her thing at all. They made her uncomfortable. She didn't use them for others either, save for the rare occasions of someone she truly respected. But no, no titles for her. She did blink though. Surprise, mostly. Her eyes suddenly focused directly on Zaiya, eerily so as she stared.

"Huh."

It'd taken her years to be able to see through the haze of colors that was her connection to the Force. Everything, life, emotion, death, intent, they were displayed as a constant, swirling mass of colors that even closing her eyes Iris couldn't stop seeing. In her youth she couldn't even interact with people because she simply couldn't see them. Even hearing them was difficult with the overbearing world she lived in every second.

But now she'd at least learned to see through them. To see people, to know people. To make friends and learn joy. And sorrow. Ara Sheridan had left. Jasper Kai'el was.. Somewhere, she was certain she almost saw him. Kai Bamarri was dead. So much of her generation was just, gone. That's always how it ended up, though. They became adults, and their lives changed.

Sometimes she wished she never did learn to see through them. But now she could see the girl, her odd colors that matched what she saw in the Force. So Zaiya displayed for all what only Iris could see?

Interesting.

"I don't, sorry. I don't know a lot of people, honestly. But good on him for going to medical school. It's important. Now again, did you come here alone?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

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Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Iris Arani

There was alot going on behind Iris's eyes and over her expression. Honestly, it was a little harder to pin for Zaiya, since she wasn't able to get a good proper read on her. Oh sure, Iris didn't seem to be judging Zaiya at all, more as if pondering a curious Padawan specimen, but at least she was still talking to her.

"Oh, okay, Iris it is!" So maybe Iris was casual like Shan outside of the Temple? Either way, Zaiya continued to help out, grabbing spray cans and not minding getting paint over herself. What's a bit more color?

"Umm, yes. I came by myself. I took some time to visit my old guardian at the University of Commenor and took advantage to come over here to see what was left. I found out about it in the Jedi Archives and was really curious if it was still here and if anyone was left, especially since I've lived on Commenor practically all my life." That she could speak so much without becoming breathless was a feat in itself, but Zaiya was well used to chatting it up if anyone let her. All the while, she was a constant shift of kaliscopic colors as she talked, curiousity blending into thoughtful ambers and then empathtic bronzes.

"It's okay if you don't know that many people. I don't either. But I am trying to make friends. I've actually only joined the Jedi Order about two years ago, so I have a lot of catching up to do. I have to do lots of studying just to learn the basics and then make sure I continue my University studies." She walked over to place the collected spray bottles beside Iris. "Should I put these in a bag?"

 

[Iris Arani]

​

Iris squinted for a moment, but seemed to visibly relax once it was clear Zaiya was here to at least see a guardian. Too often Padawan's were wandering around worlds without adults to rely on. Iris had done it herself several times. It's how she got some of her scars, even. She nodded a little, handing the bag over with a faint smile. She could put the last of the cans in there.

"Uni studies? That sounds like you have a lot going on. You able to keep up?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

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Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Iris Arani

"Uni studies? That sounds like you have a lot going on. You able to keep up?"

"Yeah, it does take up a lot of my time," Zaiya admitted, not sugarcoating it. "I have to keep my holo calendar updated constantly, and most of my classes are in distance learning formats now. They approved me for self-study to finish my degree, but it's gonna take me a bit longer than planned."

Balancing her Jedi training and history studies with her university work was no joke. It felt like she was always catching up, always cramming in a lesson or reading between missions or while hanging out with friends. It's why she hadn't seen Aris, Loomi, Braze, Mahsa, or Ayhan as much lately -- even though three of them were her own dormmates. Time just slipped through her fingers, lost to holopads, study sessions, and training.

"I try to use any travel time or breaks to catch up, so I always have my datapad with me." Just like now. She collected the last of the spray cans, slipping them into the bag Iris had brought along.

"So, what was the Silver Concord like? Is it any different from the New Jedi Order?" Zaiya asked, her curiosity piqued as she looked over at Iris. She'd heard about the different Jedi factions, but hearing it firsthand was always more interesting.

Plus, anything to take her mind off the endless to-do list that was her life right now. The faint shimmer of her skin shifted into thoughtful ambers and blues, reflecting her eagerness to learn something new, something beyond the pages of her datapad.

 

[Iris Arani]

​

"Good. Taking a break is important." Far more than most people realized. Her gaze shifted up to the mural she'd painted. There was no real emotion on her face, but they were swirling around in her head regardless. She'd been away too log. A whole new generation of Padawan's had come, and from what she heard, war was on the rise. If Coruscant's temple was destroyed as they said, then, these new ones were in for a long haul of pain.

Maybe it was time she stopped hiding from her own to help shield them.

"Don't know. I couldn't see through the colors then, so I don't remember really anything." She paused then. Blinked as she glanced over her shoulder. From nearby a small BB droid ran it's way to her. For the first time, she had a full smile, clear as day as the droid hopped onto her shoulder and focused on Zaiya. A wave of emotion came from it, curiosity, welcoming, joy. No voice, but it was clearly communicating through those feelings.

And Iris seemed to know exactly what the words were.

"Padawan Zaiya, of the New Jedi Order. I guess she's visiting her old caretakers. She's not in danger." Then she paused, glanced to Zaiya again as if she'd realized Zaiya was there still.

"Zaiya, this is Domxite. One of my closest friends. They're not a droid, as I'm sure you've felt by now. The droid chassis just lets them move."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

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Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Iris Arani

Iris couldn't see through the colors? What did that even mean? Confusion flickered across Zaiya's skin in muted shades of gray and silver, her spots shifting in sync with her puzzlement. Of course, she couldn't just leave it at that.

"Couldn't see through the colors? " she asked, her curiosity piqued.

But before Zaiya could press further, a small BB droid came whirring toward Iris, its presence sparking a familiar ripple in the Force. Zaiya's skin rippled with deeper shades of curiosity, her gaze tracking the droid as it hopped up onto Iris's shoulder. The wide grin on Iris's paint-splattered face said it all.

A wave of fascination bloomed over Zaiya's face, her skin lighting up with shades of opalescent wonder as she stared at the droid. The sensation it gave off was oddly familiar, like the one she felt whenever Seszil was near Aris. Wait...

"Hello, Domxite! It's a pleasure to meet you," Zaiya greeted, her natural bioluminescence radiating a warm, friendly glow.

"I kinda had a feeling they wouldn't be. The sensation ielt is just like Aris's flying sword, Seszil." She tilted her head, glancing over at Iris, her curiosity now fully piqued by the similarities.

"Why is that?"

 

[Iris Arani]

​

Where Iris seemed like she didn't feel emotion herself, Domxite was practically bursting with it. Every motion and movement had some sort of emotion circulating from it in a clear line of communication with Zaiya. Mostly excitement and joy practically singing in the air. Iris reached up to pat their head though, chuckling just a little as she did.

"I don't know what a Seszil is, but Domxite here is a Rainbow Gem. They communicate through their feelings. In color, actually, much like you do I suppose. Because Domxite is sensitive to the Force, they project that out to 'speak'. Not that many actually know what they're saying and just flooding them with emotions doesn't actually help."

She booped the side of the droid, who let loose another flurry of emotions. Mostly stubbornness.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Iris Arani

Zaiya couldn't help the wide grin spreading across her face as she stepped closer to Domxite, totally unaware that she might've been inching a little too much into Iris's personal space. The droid's emotions were radiating so strongly that Zaiya could feel them like a current in the air. The kyber crystal in her hair comb hummed softly, resonating with the waves of energy Domxite was giving off, refining the sensations she picked up. It was all... so fascinating.

"Seszil is Aris's flying sword," she explained, her voice bubbling with excitement. "He said Seszil used to be a crystal at some point."

Of course, Zaiya had no idea about the darker truth behind Seszil's creation. To her, it was just another wild and amazing part of the galaxy's mysteries. But something else caught her attention now. A rainbow gem? Her eyes lit up as her curiosity took over.

"Wait, does that mean Domxite can change colors, too?" The idea made her iridescent blue eyes sparkle, and she glanced between the droid and Iris, utterly captivated by the thought. Domxite was a sentient gem, capable of communicating through emotions. It was beyond amazing.

A burst of giggles escaped her as she felt Domxite's joy practically bouncing off the airwaves. The droid was practically vibrating with excitement from its spot on Iris's shoulder.

"They're so happy right now!" Zaiya grinned, feeling the joy echo in her own chest. Her skin responded in kind, the bioluminescent hues swirling across her body like paint on a canvas. Glowing pale blues and teal danced across her mottled patterns, edged with bright, golden shimmers. Her emotions mirrored Domxite's, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that communicated her own giddy delight.

"So they are also sensitive to the Force? Does that mean Domxite can also use it?"

 

[Iris Arani]

​

"Flying sword. Alright."

Aris, though? That was one of the Noble kids if she remembered correctly. She hummed before nodding once. Whatever the case in that regard, there was a story. She'd hear about it eventually. Iris kept smiling as she nodded, again poking the side of the droid's head as it continued with it's waves of joyful emotion. And a sense of being pleased, at that. Zaiya at least could understand the emotions, and that seemed to make them all manner of happy.

"They can, yes. They do, more often than not. It's how they control their body."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Iris Arani

Iris's comment about the flying sword made Zaiya giggle, her skin flickering with soft hues of turquoise and pink. She totally got it -- Seszil was surreal and kind of amazing in action. But now, her focus was on Domxite, the droid whose presence was intriguing in a way that tugged at her curiosity.

"Oh really? How do they control the droid's chassis?" Zaiya asked, her mind already spinning with ideas. Could it be some kind of telepathy? The thought popped up before she could stop it.

"Like, a form of telepathy?" she continued, eyes wide as she watched the little droid move. There was something so unique about Domxite, something that made her want to understand more. "I know a Master who is able to use visual telepathy with a Convor, who is also Force Sensitive. Are you able to do the same with Domxite?"

They had just finished cleaning up the spray cans, and Zaiya glanced down at her hands and robe, both speckled with paint. She didn't mind the mess, but it wouldn't hurt to clean up a bit.

"Would you happen to have a clean rag I can use?" she asked, glancing at Iris with a playful smile, her skin now shifting to a calm, but happy, shimmering turquoise teal.

 

[Iris Arani]

​

"Technomancy, of a sorts I believe. The Force can be used to affect machinery, if you can feel it anyway. Machines don't make much for colors for me, not in a way I could influence them like some others."

She reached into her pocket, pulling out a very paint covered rag to hand over to Zaiya. She seemed blissfully unaware on just how dirty it was. When it came t oher eyes, she couldn't truly see much.

"Yeah, here. I've been using this to keep myself clean."

Zaiya Ceti