Private Journey to the Western Islands

[Junko Ike]

"Know, My princess, that between the centuries when the oceans drank Ezogashima and the birth of the gleaming city of Sarnoi, and the years of the rise of the Flower Emperors, there was an Age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world like blue mantles beneath the stars. Shikoku where ancient warriors proved themselves in the arena, Kyushu with its dark-haired women and towers of undead mystery, Quan'lo with its city-states and deadly intrigue, Ishiyakushi with its shadow demon guarded tombs. From the north came Zhong, soldier-of-fortune from the dark hills, Taeda, indomitable barbarian who let each opponent scar her body and Xiang, archer and thief from the horse lord hordes of Jorgas Njai, each with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the world under their armored feet."

Junko sat there on the lounge deck of the Kikyo Class Airship that had been set upf or her.. ths time with escorting Kabaneri Class Fighters that were follow them on the sides to avoid pirate attacks. After the two previous attacks well taking things seriously now. Junko laid there though with her head tossed back over a pillow. Her Otachi taking great care with her hair while one of the young women spoke. A zeltron they were taking back to the Isle ofHōrai from the Imperial cities most prestigious programs. While she laid there int he loose fitted Kimono she sipped from the little bottle of wine created from Xiāntáo plums. She looked over at her and the young zeltron had been born on Horai... had been taught there and through well some of the hardest work had won a spot in the programs at the academy.

She could hear the others who were around her as she lifted an arm for her nails to be done. The feeling of a breeze as large fans designed to cool her. fingers played with her toes as they were being painted with purple polish, the sounds of music fro biwes and flutes before the jedi master opened her eyes. "That was most lovely my dear. Your family will be proud of you." That got a smile and Junko when they were arriving from above stayed there for a moment. "Princess, we are arriving at the port of Horai." Kanna stood there with a look on her face... a smile few had seen as the half atrisian was rarely happy and served in her handmaidens as the captain because of martial training. The airship was heading down while Junko slipped her geta on and the outer layer of her kimono with a smile on her face.

They were heading down as several of the villagers from Horai came to greet and welcome them. The weastern islands with all of its scatttered refugee species had well changed much... it had a gentoku now t had skiffs for going between the islands not just boats and there was the beginnings of defenses being built in aquatic walls that could serve to protect them like the rest of the planet. She rose up and walked forward descending the ramp to look at the others who had come. her Otachi were behind her and as their new works wore similar garbs, hair styles and facial expressions to disguise themselves as her. She was walking and stretched out her senses as Xifang stood next toher coming out of the cargo hold of the airship... he didn't like the deck of the airship so sleep in a compartment.

Rrish'osol'lasi

 

[Rrish'osol'lasi]

Rish had spent most of her day like any other. Waking at dawns first light she started with a morning swim, as was her routine. To a neighboring Island to check in with the local militia that nothing un-toward occurred during the night, then back to her own Island. She made breakfast for her parents, like every morning. A simple fish stew with what other small vegetables that they could grow themselves. Next came her workout routine, this day being leg day. She started with a mile or so run after warming up before returning to her small room, consisting of nothing much more than her bed, wardrobe and a small bathtub. Once home she worked on various lunges and squats before she had her bath.

Thankfully the militia didn’t have a set uniform, so she donned a simple pair of black leggings and boots along with her grey vest and purple overcoat. Affixing her armour and gathering her trusty blaster. Nothing fancy, just a simple blaster pistol. After checking everything was in place she finally put in a communications device into her ear and set off to the town.

Unfortunately, she drew the short straw and would spend most of the day on patrol. Or so she thought, so she went around mostly just to show presence and help out where needed, which was mostly manual labor as there wasn’t really much trouble now-a-days. What had surprised her is that she was called back by a commanding officer, where he briefed the entire militia that the princess was coming so naturally security was going to be tighter. As she had gotten the patrol, she and two others were placed on an escort duty for the princess. To help guide her around the town and answer any questions or fulfill any needs that she had.

So as the ship neared and some villages gathered, Rish and her two companions waited making idle chit chat until the ship touched down and the princess would disembark. Rish hadn’t really seen the princess during her time, she was either too young or too busy. So this would certainly be an experience for her. As she watched the ramp lower and the beautiful princess walk down she couldn’t help but stare for a moment before shaking her head. Decadent was the first thought that came into her head, the next was she had to wipe the dumb stare off of her face. Reaching up she quickly rubbed her good eye and adjusted her hair somewhat, though it was still in a rather messy ponytail. Compared to the princess infact, she was very scruffy. All her clothing was fairly well worn and her general demeanor was fairly causal and slapped together. Still, she put on a professional face and moved in front of the villagers. She tried to put on a more commanding voice but she hadn’t the personality to follow it, with her words being drowned out with excitement. ‘’A-alright everyone just.. st-a-.. Take a step back please.. I-..’’

With a sigh of defeat her partners took over and kept everyone back temporarily while Rish turned to approach the Princess. With a polite bow and lowering of her head, she spoke in a soft voice, much easier to hear one on one. ‘’My lady.. I- ugh.. I am Rish.. It’s a pleasure to meet you..’’ She cleared her throat awkwardly before realizing she was still bowing. Quickly adjusting her posture so she was stood upright, with her shoulders back and chin up, trying to mimic some sort of respectful militaristic stance. ‘’I- .. Myself and my two companions here will serve as your escort.. If you have any needs please, just ask.’’ With that she bit her lower lip as she focused on the Princesses nose, trying to make it seem like she was holding eye contact when in fact she could barely keep herself straight.

 

[Junko Ike]

The last time she was here there had been a festival.. not for her it was an annual thing that they did... bringing everyone around to celebrate and have a sense of community that connected the different islands here. Poetry, singing, dancing and general revelry. She looked around standing there as Ishi came down the ramp standing near her with wide eyes. The zeltron smiling seeing everyone and she could feel the tension rolling off of her while she was trying to stand tall and look much more confident. The princess looked at the guards who came towards them that were from the militia. She took in them quickly but remained neutral in her expression.

"Thank you for that, my first goal is to get young Ishi home." She looked at the zeltron who was standing there next to her and more attention turned towards her as she almost yeeped. Junko wrapped an arm around her shoulder with a small smile coming to her face. "It will be alright my dear... just relax and if it helps... think of them naked... won't be as nervous after that hopefully." Junko said it but was walking and looked at the chiss with scars on her face... she hadn't met her before but she liked that the islands had well a diverse group of them... whether she was born here or offworld and brought here didn't matter... they had developed a great system of trade and providing unique engineers or knowledge.

Junko though was looking at Rish... well at least it was an easier name then her likely long and not made for most people chiss name... so points to her for easier pronunciation. The smile remained on her face before she was moving now and clasped her hands behind her back. "Everytime I come here it seems to get more and more beautiful." She looked at Rish though while she was walking so they could head along the pathway and the other people were dispersing as her atrisian tiger stood at her side and towered over most of them keeping people away. Xifang was adorable and playful.. he wouldn't attack but they didn't know that if they got to close.

Rrish'osol'lasi

 

[Rrish'osol'lasi]

Rish glanced down to the smaller Zeltron, offering a brief but warm smile before her attention returned to the princess’s nose. ‘’Of course My Lady.’’ She spoke in a respectful voice and spun on her heel to walk afew feet behind her, whilst her companions kept an eye on the crowd of villagers. They weren’t expecting any trouble to come out of the visit, but of course they had to play it safe. Still, as they strolled past the princess could see clear admiration in their eyes as the villagers formed two lines neatly on either side, with Xifang helping to keep them at a reasonable distance.

Rish herself strolled a foot or two behind the princess, keeping her hand on the blaster pistol on her hip as she scanned across the sea of familiar faces, in particular looking for any signs of weapons which thankfully she hadn’t spotted quite yet. When the princess spoke again, she looked over and spoke in the same softer voice. ‘’Y-yes My Lady. We’ve been working very hard. Though your help has assisted us greatly..’’ She only looked over for a second before her eyes returned to the crowd, her two companions were slowly moving along the front of the crowds, just infront of where the princess was. Though it wouldn’t take long to get past them.

The two companions broke off from the crowd once the princess had passed the bulk of it, with one going to the back of their group and another to the front to guide them towards the village. If the princess was perceptive enough she could probably tell that the three of them were speaking softly into their headsets, relaying information to eachother and allowing for an easier transition into a formation they needed. It seemed they were adept enough to keep their conversation from being overheard to much, nor to distract should someone of importance be talking. ‘’Does your friend there know where he is going, My Lady?’’

 

[Junko Ike]

Rrish'osol'lasi asked something curious as they were heading towards the Zeltrons village now. "He does." She observed them and looked at Rish... the chiss was different... no she was unique compared to some here. "But well I am interested in you know. I haven't met you before and if you are in charge of my safety then... I think we should at least be on good terms Rish." She said it with a smile but was also looks at the other militia with a small smile on her face as they went through the area. Ishi had her village while the massive atrisian tiger looked around and moved around between her handmaidens and the guards with his mouth wide open.

"I can sense the force on you but I know chiss traditions with force users are not great. Your Ozyly-esehembo are renowned for their skills but have you ever given the jedi a thought?" She asked it and remained with a neutral expression as they walked. Letting Ishi move forward with her. She grasped the princesses arm when in the distance the domed village could be seen... atrisian zeltrons had the energy dome to maintain their pheromones and create a small zeltros like atmosphere within. Which was amazing for their renowned parties. The children who were playing around using wooden practice swords. Junko let Xifang stand there as they approached the tiger and its massive size turned all of them into dwarfs.

 

[Rrish'osol'lasi]

Still walking afew paces behind the princess, Rish appeared visibly surprised that an interest was being taken in her. Why of all people here would she seem of interest? ‘’I- of course my lady? What do you wish to know?’’ She offered in a polite tone, though there was a hint of confusion behind it. Like she still didn’t follow along with why she seemed of such interest. Her eyes briefly glanced towards the tiger, there was a hint of nervousness when she looked but outwardly she was trying to maintain a sense of confidence and authority. Whether or not that was the feeling people got around her was questionable at best.

Upon mention of the force though she was obviously taken aback. She stopped walking for a moment to just stare at the princess, thoughts racing through her mind as to how she could have known when Rish herself hadn’t told a single soul. It took her a moment to shake the surprise off before she quickly rushed back to her previous position. ‘’I-.. w-well My Lady. I- um.. No.. I haven’t told anyone of my ability.. Its ugh.. Probably for the best I suppose.’’ The tone her voice carried changing from a more flustered state to one of defeatism, it’s not like she could just fly off to some Jedi temple somewhere and study. Her parents certainly wouldn’t let her, nor would the militia for that matter, she was far too talented and subservient to be let go.

Focusing her gaze elsewhere, she tried to feign that she was doing her job and scanning the area around them for any threats, it was almost a certainty that there wouldn’t be any. There often wasn’t trouble on the Islands, but at least it allowed her to avert her gaze from the princess and try to somewhat hide her true feelings.

 

[Junko Ike]

Junko didn't pause, instead she let an air of confidence rise off of her and a sort of pressure in terms of the force. She expanded it outwards and Ishi scratched at her arm but Junko spoke. "Maybe but there is always a chance. Ishi can feel the force but has chosen to be a philosopher for the Commonwealth instead." She said it and was proud as they approached the children who stopped to look at Junko and her handmaidens... then her tiger and finally they saw Ishi who came out and ran to hug her. Junko used that moment to turn back and look at Rrish'osol'lasi as she turned to give her full gaze meeting the red eyes.

"Butyou should be proud, the force is wondrous and here on Atrisia there are more options. We have two large jedi temples, the Agora and Xianlong, there are the Keisei and Blackguard who entertain and protect." The smile remained on her face but she didn't press it instead she held a hand out and touched her shoulder. "Or well my bodyguards is always an option. I prefer welcoming allwho live on Atrisia and someone of your talents well the Militia would understand. The Sena clan and I have good relations." She turned around motioning for her to follow with the others into the village. The dome didn't need to open as it was one way and allowed oxygen through it.

Junko passed through though joining as some of the villagers were there.. their militia was a good one she knew and empaths were great for figuring out liars if it was needed. That as soon as she came into the dome the aiir changed... thicker with heat and a smoky flowery scent. She knew zeltron pheromones and looked at the militia who were working as her escorts. "Have you come to the zeltron villages? I know the chiss we have usually work with engineering and the holographic technology that is built here." She smiled though and Ishi was running around in the streets where the other zeltrons were. The music was heavy, the smell of alcohol and food as they had made a small district like on zeltros.

 

[Rrish'osol'lasi]

Rish simply nodded at the Princess as she spoke about the choice of the small Zeltron. Her hand remained on her blaster, even as they approached the domed village. She couldn’t really help but shrink away as the princess looked directly at her, trying to keep an air of confidence around her was particularly difficult mostly due to her position. Never the less, Rish did her best to maintain eye contact when it was necessary of her.

Still she nodded as the princess spoke, and even touched her shoulder. It was strange, RIsh had expected her to be much more formal or.. Uptight. It was hard to place, but her expectations had certainly been set askew. ‘’Its ugh.. not that im not proud My Lady..’’ She swallowed hard before following after her again, forcing out a timid smile as they went into the village, she wasn’t overly familiar with it maybe only passing through once or twice. ‘’I wouldn’t know what to do My Lady, whatever you think is best really.. Im not really of the studious type..’’ She did manage a giggle at that, as she gestured to her rougher clothing. ‘’So, whatever you think is best, is what I will do I suppose.’’

Once in the village and in the dome she clasped her hands together behind her back as they walked, with her two companions now flanking afew feet behind both Rish and the Princess. ‘’Um, no My Lady. I’ve not had an extended visit. I would mostly deal with Chiss matters of dispute as would the Zeltron members of the militia do the same here.. But we all patrol through, just to show a presence. ‘’ She offered a more polite smile, trying to appear professional once again as she walked next to the Princess, her eyes only briefly gazed towards the princess herself as she was mostly keeping an eye on the other villagers as well as the surroundings. It seemed she took her job quite seriously.

 

[Junko Ike]

That made a sort of sense... the communities here on the islands were largely divided among themselves but they didn't compete violently... The Seno clan worked to make sure all got a fair division but it was easier to calm people down and make them feel safe with something familiar. She was looking at the chiss for a moment when finally came to he main street of the village with the others around her. She had a grin on her face though... this was rather exciting and there were artists, there were dncers and even club goers who had come out to meet her once they heard. Junko took the time to meet them and one of her Otachi was right there to turn it from chaos into something slightly ordered.

Still though seeing Rrish'osol'lasi only added an element when Junko was finished as she sat down. The tea being brought was a zeltron take on it and far more sweet and wild then traditional. "Now back to you... you might not be the most studious but there are plenty who aren't. The real question is if you were offered the chance to go and attempt the trials of the Wukong or th jedi would you be willing to?" She said it raising an eyebrow and looking at the chiss as her black eyes sparkled ith the flecks of green i the light of the district. "This tea is surprisingly well made for not being the regular green tea."

 

[Rrish'osol'lasi]

Rish and the others seemed a little more on edge as they came to the main street, closing the distance to the Princess just to be sure. Rish’s smile had now faded to take on a more professional and stoic expression as she eyed everyone but the Princess very curiously. Even when she had sat down Rish remained standing with her companions close by so they could keep an eye out as best they could, considering it was only the three of them.

Not wanting to seem overly hostile though Rish removed her hand finally from the blaster on her side, now bringing her arms to cross just underneath her bust whilst she looked at the Princess. She seemed uncomfortable with the constant focus on herself but it’s not something that she would address, especially to someone of her stature. ‘’I-.. Well my Lady, I’m not much of a tea drinker myself. So I can’t really say.’’ She cleared her throat a little awkwardly as she tried to avoid eye-contact once more. ‘’Though.. If you think those are the best options I won’t argue. I would be happy with either, or staying here.’’ She offered a brief but forced smile as she spoke. Though what she said wasn’t disingenuous, whilst she might be tempted to go off and learn more about her abilities she was equally as content to stay where she was. It wasn’t like she had a bad life, nor that she was unhappy with it at least that’s what you could gleam from seeing her.

Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

Junko sat there and leaned back in the seat for a moment to look at the chiss. One hand coming out as she spoke. "Give us a moment in private." She said it but pointed. "You don't have to neglect your duty, just stand back a little further please." She waited for them and her handmaidens moved back giving her room while they spread out among the crowd that was there looking but not approaching. "One of the greatest things we have been given Rrish'osol'lasi is choice." She used her full name, her family had also had excellent force enhanced memories and reading the militias members was well something to pass the time. She was waiting for some surprise maybe or reaction as her Cheunh might be a little rough around the edges but when Akio had aligned with the chiss well it was useful to learn it.

She was more then happy though to let the woman have her life here but the force was always something and getting the chance to have a student from her own world... sort of who might for the most part understand and bring new insight. Junko moved quickly letting the force whisper around herself... letting her muscles and form rise up in a smooth and quick motion so she could stand in front of the chiss and look up at her. One hand rising but she emitted and changed her presence in the force to be warm and welcoming as she smiled allowing it to be more focused as she spoke. Altering her voice with the force so it was low and warm, like silk against the skin with one hand held out. "I can't force you, I am many things my dear... vain, somewhat petty, a jedi master, a princess but I wouldn't force you into this."

The smile was there and the offered hand. "I am offering you something different... it isn't always perfect, it can be a hard life but you can do so much with it and you can help so many people. It isn't about imposing your will upon another it is about helping in anyway you can to improve the lives of those who are often missed or explited. On Atrisia we have a handful of groups that look out for the poor, the refugees. The militia are amazing but they are only a small part of the greater whole... there is the guards who function to keep dangerous influences away from here, the Wukong who serve the light and teach with the jedi who reside here on the planet. There is even one or two of my padawans here who have become talented jedi knights and serve as advisors to the representives to the villages and cities."