Private Inner Peace

[Jos Krayt]

TAGS: Iris Arani

There were not many places on Coruscant where one could find some semblance of nature. In fact, one could likely count each place on a hand or two. Jos couldn't help but wonder how many people on Coruscant ever had the privilege of seeing a tree outside of a picture or video. The rich could afford a trip off-world for vacation on Scarif or Naboo... though the former was going to be removed for a while from people's destination lists.

Another heavy weight on his shoulders.

His visit to the temple was certainly time well spent. the archives held a wealth of knowledge and the Jedi healers were exceptional in their craft. And yet, he could do nothing to help those struck by the infection. No amount of healing could combat the virus from turning them into animals. And then the mess on Ilum. Thousands of souls gone in the blink of an eye, the Force wildly shaken out of balance to the point where divine intervention came down on the frozen planet. His heart was heavy, and the temptation gnawed in the back of his mind. Ever since he faced the pirates onboard the Fury, it didn't let go of the Kel Dor. No amount of meditation could push it away.

Dressed in dark robes with only his blaster and electrostaff clipped to his belt, the Kel Dor almost fit in perfectly with the Jedi around him, though the iron heart blending in with the design of the robes on his chest made sure to keep him distinct from the rest. He was a friend of the Jedi, not part of their order. In his hand was a watering can, gently spraying the few bushes and plants around the courtyard as he tended to the plants. A soothing ritual he missed in the frozen lands on Kestri. Every now and then he plucked off a dead twig or branch, making sure the plants were strong and healthy. Though through the calm and serene moment, he could feel faint ripples through the Force. Someone seemed to be having their own kind of distress...

 

[Iris Arani]

The chaos of Coruscant was everywhere. There was no stopping that. But here in the garden it was at least more manageable. Life without thought were always the cleanest, calmest colors. She sat within the garden, here eyes closed as she simply breathed. She wanted to be calm. She wanted to stay in control. Breath, relax. There was nothing else, not right now. She could relax. She could be safe. She-

A flash of lightning, a shine of red in her mind, and her eyes opened immediately.

The dream even toyed with her meditation now.

Iris let out a frustrated sigh as she turned her gaze to a nearby flower. "All you need to do is grow. Life is easy, huh?"

Jos Krayt

 

[Jos Krayt]

The frustration seemed to flare up for a moment, drawing his attention to a young padawan sitting in the garden. He regarded her for a few seconds, the scars across her face and body stood out to him. It was disheartening to see such injuries on a padawan of all people. He calmly worked his way towards her as he watered the plants.

"All you need to do is grow. Life is easy, huh?"

"I imagine many of us wish we could trade places with them. It would certainly solve a number of problems." His calm, digitized voice spoke up with a light chuckle as he poured some water over the flower, his visor staring into her eyes for a moment. "Though even they have their own struggles. Imagine having to fight off termites and birds on a daily basis." He quipped as he set the empty watering can aside as he turned to look at her. Despite his own conflict and giant stature, his aura and presence was calm as a gentle breeze. "It is a pleasure to meet you, young one. What is your name?" He was sure he saw her at the gala for a moment, wearing a dress that made her look vastly different than her Jedi robes.

"Do you mind if I join you?" He asked her as he gestured to the open space on the long bench. If she was having trouble, it was his duty to help her.

Iris Arani

 

[Iris Arani]

Iris flinched, just a little. She turned her gaze towards the stranger, just watching him. His colors. .. No, she didn't know him at all. But.. He was calm. Calm in a way that Jedi Master's tended to be. But he wasn't a master? At least not of the Jedi. "Iris. You?" Why not ask who this was, right? She nodded after a second, patting the ground beside her.

"Yeah. Okay. You can sit."

Jos Krayt

 

[Jos Krayt]

While his mask and visor over his eyes hid any expression, there was a gentle smile in his voice that projected further through his presence in the force. He could tell that she was able to feel him, though he hoped that she wouldn't be able to feel the conflict and contempt in his heart.

"Jos Krayt. I am a Shaman from the Enclave, visiting the temple." He introduced himself with a light bow before joining her on the ground. "Thank you, Iris." He muttered, before his gaze turned to regard the world around them for a moment in peaceful silence. "What brings you up here, if you do not mind me asking? Need a break from your studies?" He asked her with a gentle chuckle in his voice. There was no need to rush in a moment such as this.

"I hope I do not come off as presumptuous, but you seem troubled, Iris. Is something wrong?" He continued, his expressionless gaze turning down to look at her as he rested his hands on his knees, a strong posture holding him up high over her.

Iris Arani

 

[Iris Arani]

The Enclave. Mandalorians. Ooohhh. Iris nodded slowly as she remembered. Tough people, them. "The colors are clearer here. Not as many complex thoughts." She nodded her head, forgetting for a moment that most people didn't actually know what she meant. Though, if anyone was going to understand she figured he might. His colors were similar enough to her own.

"Tired, mostly. Very tired. .. And you? You seem conflicted. Under all the calm, anyway." At least by his colors. The more she watched him, the easier it was to see the different shades and what they truly meant.

Jos Krayt

 

[Jos Krayt]

Black eyes blinked behind the visor as Jos studied her for a moment. Colours? Perhaps a perception of her senses, though he was going to ask her about it. She admitted that she was tired, earning an understanding nod from Jos. He could see and feel the fatigue, though he was sure that it was more than just a simple case of restlessness or, as he knew was the case with a lot of warriors, memories haunting them from their past. Perhaps it was a combination of it all, a thought that made his heart ache for the poor girl's part.

A very soft chuckle rumbled through his mask as he looked at the garden. "It seems that the colours you see do not miss much. I must admit that I am curious about it." He muttered, looking at her again. "Perhaps we could provide some guidance to each other, hm?" A large hand rose and hovered close to her head. "I hope you don't mind. You seem like you need some energy." His hand rested on her back and a gentle surge pulsed through Iris, pushing away the fatigue and lack of sleep with reinvigorated energy. A simple ability he kept for situations just like this. It didn't help to try and guide a troubled soul when they could barely keep their eyes open. A temporary boost to help them reset a bit. Though nothing could replace sleep.

"Your colours do not lie, Iris. I am... troubled." He admitted. "What I saw and felt on Ilum is something I hope and pray never happens again. Nobody ever feels again, like I did." His gaze shifted away. He wasn't used to talking to others about his own problems. It was his duty to be there for them, not the other way around. But he knew the value in talking about it, especially if it meant that he could help poor Iris. "What happened in orbit opened a door to a darkness I haven't felt in a long time. I strayed close to succumbing to the temptation that calls to people like you or me." He reached out to idly inspect a branch next to him.

"But... as a guide and guardian of people in need, I have to ask you as well, Iris. What is it that torments you? Memories of the past? Or something more?" His gaze shifted to her, his tone indicating that he wasn't going to let it slip past with his own troubles.

Iris Arani

 

[Iris Arani]

Energ- what?

Iris just stared in confusion and disbelief as she was.. Filled with energy. It was an odd sensation, but not unwelcome? Like chugging a bunch of coffee, she figured. Still, the lethargy being washed away wasn't something she was going to be annoyed with or hate on. It was.. Nice. Like she finally got a chance to sleep, without actually sleeping. With a renewed sort of vigor she just listened to what Jos had to say.

Then frowned.

"It's.. Something like that, I guess." Talking about herself wasn't something she really knew how to do. Or wanted to. If she hadn't, would Ara been in a better place? Could Iris had looked at it like a Jedi instead of a friend, could she have prevented it?

Maybe. But she was a healer first. "It's.. Never about resisting the dark. It's about accepting that you have it. And that you choose to be something more."

Jos Krayt

 

[Jos Krayt]

The Kel Dor's black eyes blinked with surprise at her words, clearly surprised by the sudden wisdom of the padawan. His mask hid his reaction, but there was no doubt that Iris would pick up on it. "Certainly one aspect of it, you are right." He let out a chuckle as he looked over the garden. "But there's a difference between feeling that temptation, and staring into its face." He commented.

He looked back at her. "Imagine you were in a position, where you know that you could save thousands of lives, including those you care for most in your life. They are seconds away from dying, and all it would take was to give in for just a moment to avoid all of it." The calm and gentle tone of his voice gave way to grief for a moment as the Kel Dor's composure slipped. "I had a chance to do just that. And I was close to taking that path." His calm demeanour returned as he sat back with a sigh.

"We are both guardians, healers, for our people. Going above and beyond is our calling. But even a noble cause like that can be our downfall when we are pushed far enough. Even us healers need healing once in a while." A smile laced his words as he looked up at a tree. "I can feel your hesitation to talk about your own struggle, Iris. I understand, but take it from a mellow Mandalorian... talk to someone. Your master, someone else, anyone. No good has ever come from keeping things bottled up. After all... there is no emotion, there is peace." He chuckled softly as he rose to his feet. "Would you care for a stroll?" He asked gently as he held a hand out.

Iris Arani

 

[Iris Arani]

His surprise had her more confused than anything. Did she say something wrong? .. No, no, she didn't. Iris listened in relative silence as he explained the scenario. She didn't like scenarios. Possibilities to dwell over that might just never happen. "It's never good to use the Dark, no matter what reason you could justify." That was her hard belief, without a doubt. But she couldn't blame him for being tempted. She never would.

She saw first hand just what that temptation could lead to, though.

".. A walk. Sure." Iris reached up to take his hand, noticeably avoiding the topic of how she felt, still. She didn't want to talk about that. Or think about it. It's why she came here, among the flowers. It was easiest to ignore everything here. But why not go to with him, if only to hear more of his problems.

Jos Krayt