Life Day

[Silver Strand]

The Silver Jedi Concord's people have suffered greatly in the last months, with many species coming close to the extinction at the hands of the marauding Bryn'adul.

But they have lived, in large part due to the sacrifices of the Silver Jedi, the Concord's defense forces, and their allies.

These sacrifices have granted a particular special meaning to the celebration of Life Day on Kashyyyk.

Members of the Silver Jedi Concord and their allies have gathered at the relatively remote Kachirho Village, specifically chosen in order to better get away from the rigors of the outside galaxy and better enjoy some long-needed time of rest and camaraderie. A number of trusted vendors have come from across the galaxy to join traditional wookiee chefs in providing a scrumptious meals for the attendees, with most taking their food to eat among the tree-born platforms or on the beach while traditional wookiee music like "A Day to Celebrate" softly plays in the background. A number of Concord organizations and allied corporations will be giving away tokens of appreciation to attendees as well.

But among these mild and low key festivities, more intriguing opportunities and chance encounters await....

Settings:

Kachirho Village: The entire village itself has almost come to a shutdown in order to partake in the traditional festivities. Most of the native wookiees have donned their traditional red Life Day Robes except those who must wear more practical clothing for their jobs. The villagers have been quick to give out Life Day Orbs and meals to all attendees, but there are other gift exchanges and giveaways taking place for those not into pondering their orbs, including a rather mischievous little tinkerer who has decided to give many of the younglings and other children Life Day Tinsel Bombs (The elders have been ensured that there will be absolutely no hi-jinks involved. Absolutely none....none).

Sparring Ring: Kachirho Village has a tradition of hosting a Wrruushi tournament every Life Day. While dozens of strong wookiee fighters are continuing this tradition this year, the village elders have gracefully opened the tournament up to those who use other styles, with the understanding that no strikes or weapons used can inflict permanent damage to participants. Aside from the fighters, dozens of more spectators have lined the ring to place bets or simply talk and enjoy their meal with some more vivid entertainment.

Tree Vikkilynn: Home of the Claatuvac Navigator's Guild, this base has only rarely been opened up to outsiders. But given the large loss of life this year so close to home, the wookiee navigators and explorers here have done just that in order to better preserve and restore life - secret hyperspace routes and exploration info dealing with the Slice lost to the Bryn are being bartered and discussed upon by multiple parties here, along with several other deals, some of which are more under the table than the Guild would like...if they knew they were being discussed.

(OOC Note: The Silver Strand account will be dispensing gifts via NPCs and/or providing chance encounters for this thread. These posts are not intended to be ongoing exchanges).

 

[Starlin Rand]

A couple of blocks away from the celebration in the Wookiee village, Starlin could be found. He’d wandered away from the party shortly after grabbing a cup of hot chocolate. Now he found a nice wooden bench to sit on, removed a flask from his jacket, and poured some whiskey into the mug.

Something in him could barely stand parties anymore, even though he kept chasing them like a moth drawn to any source of light. Parties were usually bright, after all, especially around the holidays. They also often had free food, and sometimes free drinks. Starlin’s hybrid physiology, with its high tolerance for toxins, made it difficult for him to get drunk, so a few rounds of free drinks was a blessing upon him and his wallet.

Looking around, he quietly put the flask away. Wasn’t sure why he bothered to maintain secrecy here—he barely knew these people anymore. He’d been a stranger here ever since… well, since he fought on the wrong side at Dantooine.

At least this particular spot had a nice view of the trees. Lots and lots of big, tall wroshyr trees. The forest in winter had a nice loamy scent. He took deep breath and a sip of his spiked hot chocolate. The liquid burned his throat. He coughed a little, then chuckled to himself, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. He’d suddenly remembered, the professor told him once that Luke Skywalker had loved hot chocolate. Just a random bit of trivia about his old hero.

“Oh Force,” he muttered, rubbing his eyes. “What the hell am I doing here?…”

Creuat Ryv​

 

[Leddie Gred]

Leddie had, for some reason, asked to come to this celebration. Maybe a part of her didn't do so well settling down on Taanab like her family, but more she just wanted to see Kashyyyk.... And maybe show off a little bit.... Either way, the young Mandalorian had simply decided to sit down and start playing her bes'bev flute. She looked around, smiling a bit as she let her fingers fiddle around the instrument. She danced a tiny bit as she played the little tune, watching the others around. She just wanted to enjoy her trip to see this massive jungle world.

 

[Ura Iolar]

Ura let of a happy feeling as she walked through the village, listening to Balru give her a hundred questions in her mind. It was funny listening to the younger presence attempt to learn what she could about something was was new to her.

So this happens every year?

Hahaha. Yes. It's an important day to the Wookiees, and many across the galaxy. And after everything that's happened recently. Ura would continue to walk through before seeing a Wookiee, and giving them a slight bow of respect. She then slowly grabbed one of the Tinsel Bombs, getting an idea. Hey. Watch this. She then through it out, and watched the bomb explode with tinsel everywhere.

Ooooo. Pretty.

 

[Hayde Torve]

Hayde strolled down the wooden walkways that connected the massive Wroshyr dwellings together, letting her eyes casually scan the dwellings. A Core Worlder at heart, she'd privately admitted that it was all a little off-putting, though it had a sort of rustic charm to it nonetheless. Perhaps more unusually, she felt like she could lower her guard here - in large part everyone seemed to be trying to enjoy the festivities aside from a minority who seemed to be more somberly remembering friends and past lives. It was liberating in a way she had not felt in years.

She heard the sound of a flute break out over the soft music wafting down from the posted loudspeakers. That doesn't sound like any wookiee instrument I've heard here yet...She spotted what appeared to be a horned zabrak female, and judging by her clothing, Hayde guessed that she wasn't a jedi nor a member of the Concord guard. That intrigued Hayde's interest - a possible kindred soul to hers? One drawn to be alongside the Silver Jedi Concord, but not truly part of it. Torve approached Leddie Gred and offered a curt nod at the instrument.

"Sounds like you've had some practice with it. School of the Arts on Alderaan? Or bit more of hard knock school of life sort of thing?"

 

[Yula Perl]

Wearing: Hat.

The last time she'd been on Kashyyyk, Yula had been in the company of Mathieu Brion . The pair had been tasked with retrieving an important artifact to settle a clan debate, leading them into the depths of the Shadowlands. She nearly killed the man by felling a tree on him, then she'd been attacked by spiders.

She and Kyra Perl had agreed to meet in familiar Silver territory to exchange Life Day gifts. Yula hadn't bothered to wrap the pair of boots tucked underneath her arm, heeled and trimmed with fur for both style and comfort. No doubt Kyra would like them—because Yula was wearing the exact same pair.

The baby Perl always had a thing for shoes, and another thing for stealing them from her sisters.

As she meandered towards the village center, a pair of younglings rushed past her. A small piff!! was heard, and suddenly the Zeltron was covered in tinsel, festive hat and all.

 

[Creuat]

P A R A G O N

A wolf among sheep. That’s what Starlin Rand was. How could he possibly live with himself after his atrocities on Dantooine? Giving aid to the Sith and striking down on his fellow Jedi. An ally to tyranny and evil, an empire that oppressed countless of worlds and terrorized others far from their decadent reach.

He betrayed the Code and everything the Jedi stood for. How could the people they swore to defend trust in the Jedi when they gave relief to the Sith? How could they indeed. Justice would come for this fiend.

The mug was crushed and broken through the Force, hoping for the hot liquid to burn on Starlin.

“Reflecting on your sins?”

A blade of emerald came to life from his lightsaber. He could dwell on his mistakes all he wanted, there was simply no penance to be given.

 

[Starlin Rand]

Danger sense flaring, Starlin had just enough foresight to stand up before the mug suddenly exploded in his hand. His hands promptly went from dry and cold to wet and warm, but otherwise he was unharmed. Therefore his wide-eyed, yelping reaction had more to do with shock than pain.

“What the fuck?!”

Someone said something about sins, then he heard a lightsaber ignite. Flinging the shards of broken pottery away, Starlin yanked his own lightsaber off his belt and whirled around to face the speaker, still not sure what was happening.

Dude with a lightsaber was a Nautolan, and he looked vaguely familiar, but while Starlin wracked his brain, he couldn’t dredge up a name.

“Who the hell are you?!” he squeaked.

Creuat​

 

[Leddie Gred]

Hayde Torve

Leddie stopped as she heard the person speak up. She looked, a little surprised as she quickly slid the instrument to her side and spoke up. "Oh! Um.... Neither really. I... learned from one of the older member of my clan. She's taught me it a few years ago, and I just learned from her and others from there." She would them walk up a little, extending a hand to the stranger. She wondered who she was honestly, but she'd have to just hope she would explain a bit more with time.

"I'm Leddie. Leddie Gred."

 

[Hayde Torve]

She nodded at Leddie Gred 's introduction. The woman offered a brief smile in turn while she thought of what lie to say next - she wouldn't exactly be the best spy if she ran around using her real name...though this was probably the longest in a while that she'd been tempted to. Unlike most interactions in her professional life, she wasn't trying to pump information out of someone, nor was that person an immediate threat to her. The atmosphere wasn't tense, but relaxed, though she felt a sense that someone nearby was angry - but that was true of almost everythere these days.

"You can call me Tor."

That was an old but true nickname - one actually used by some of her friends during her childhood - a pair of rodians who had trouble pronouncing the 'v' to the point where they eventually just left it off altogether. That simple memory brought a some genuine happiness to her - they, no she too, had been so innocent during that time.

"You're lucky to have a clan like that - not every group of people is accepting or outgoing, especially to pass along any sort of special talent or skill. It sounds like you got more than one lesson out of her. Ever think of going professional?"

 

[Kyra Perl]

Kyra grinned impishly, her fingers still tingling from the tinsel bomb she had thrown.

"Bulls eye," she declared, a hop-skip pulling up to Yula's side. The final growth spirt had hit Kyra's limbs, the once short sibling now lean and almost... almost taller than Yula herself. The babyfat had stripped from her once chubby cheeks, and her hair had grown out past anything that could once be managed in a bun.

That grin only grew as she snuck a small hug around Yula's side.

"Got you."

Yula Perl

 

[Makko Vyres]

Jhyrracc stood in his life day robes beside the sparring ring. There were several more roped off areas where young wookies were sparring and warming up.

He wasn't fighting, at least not right now. There had been talk of avoiding injuries. Right now several human competitors were prancing around the ring.

As far as Jhyrracc was concerned, the only way to fight a human without any risk of doing causing grievous bodily harm was to not fight a human.

He returned home only once a year now, for Life Day. His path had taken him far from the one followed by the Silver Jedi. Perhaps far enough that he couldn't even call himself a Jedi any more.

His protocol droid Brackard Cain had floated off to converse with some other droids. Most here at least understood his language, or should have, as far as he was concerned. He would enjoy food, fighting and celebrations. As long as no one threw a glitter bomb at him and messed up his fur.

 

[Yula Perl]

"Oof." Yula wobbled slightly from the unexpected impact of the hug, offering a one-armed embrace in return. "Your aim's gotten better, kiddo." She chortled, pressing a hand on Kyra's shoulder to put a bit of distance between them—not to push her away, but rather to get a good look at her baby sister who was…taller. Almost as tall as Yula herself, who took after their mother in growth. It seemed that Kyra did too.

"You look…old." She grinned.

Yula ruffled her sister's hair for good measure. Kyra always looked the most like their mom, especially with the red locks.

"These are for you," She shoved the boots unceremoniously into Kyra's arms, tired of holding them. "Gottem on Eshan, figured you'd like em because I'm wearing the same ones." Now with both hands free, she accompanied her gift with a handful of stray tinsel collected from her person, deposited on the younger Zeltron's head.

Kyra Perl

 

[Creuat]

P A R A G O N

“Justice.”

Was his response to the fallen Jedi.

“You crimes are unforgivable the moment you raised your blade to your fellow Jedi.”

He would not further anymore dialogue with the scum. No more delaying the inevitable; he wouldn’t even give Rand the opportunity to surrender himself to Rhis. Compassion and mercy to the wicked only continued their misdeeds. He learned that when the Silver Jedi would not counter the pestilence of the now defunct Sith Empire.

The Nautolan attacked first, sprinting to close the distance and slashing downwards on the man. Aggression, but with technique; he’d keep Starlin defending for his life and not take control of this duel.

Starlin Rand​

 

[Starlin Rand]

“Raised my blade to—what?”

Starlin was slow to process what the Nautolan was referring to. Somehow, he didn’t think the events of five years ago would still be relevant. Given what he had done, he probably shouldn’t have been so optimistic.

Still, this was a pretty delayed reaction.

His opponent lunged with a downward strike. Blue and green blades met, the peaceful wintry pavilion now filled with the sound of clashing lightsabers.

The Nautolan forced Starlin on the defensive with fast, powerful blows. Swiftly sobering, Starlin was nonetheless fighting for his life. Rhis’ blade sliced through a railing where Starlin had been standing milliseconds earlier. Chunks of charred wood clattered toward the Shadowlands, the smell of smoke rising in their wake.

Would someone come? It seemed doubtful. Starlin had come here for the solitude of the location, isolated from prying eyes. He didn’t even think they’d hear his shouts for help over the din of music and laughter in the village.

So that left him to try and reason with the furious Nautolan. Probably wouldn’t work, but he could try, right? As their blades became caught in a bind, Starlin opened his mouth to speak. Then realized he had no defense for his actions that any self-righteous Jedi would even consider a viable excuse. I was just a kid wasn’t going to cut it, nor could he offer up his numerous attempts at making things right by capturing the firebrand who had led him astray, because all of them were failed attempts. Laertia Io remained at large, growing more powerful and more consumed by hatred with every passing day.

The Nautolan’s motives abruptly made far too much sense. If anything, Starlin deserved to get whacked.

Shit.

“Look man, I don’t want to have to—hurt you!” he yelped as the Nautolan’s blade got a little too close to his left arm before a parry. “But if you leave me no choice—I’ll do—what I have to—!”

He slashed at the Nautolan’s wrists in a move that eerily mimicked his disarming of the Padawans on Dantooine.

Creuat​

 

[Kyra Perl]

Kyra grinned.

"If I'm old, you're ancient-- is that a wrinkle--" She pried for Yula's face, only to be assaulted off by presents and tinsel. Kyra blinked in shock, her mood turning apologetic in and shamed in a heart heat.

"Oh, I... Ididn'tgetyouanything," she murmured, her cheeks flushing red. She struggled to find a proper grip on the boots, her hands shimming around them.

Feth they were cute, too.

 

[Leddie Gred]

Hayde Torve

Leddie smiled a little and nodded as Tor said her name, then was surprised. Pro-professional? She blinked a few times, caught off guard by the question. Sure she had thought about it a time or two, but never really with any seriousness. She looked down. Thinking about how to answer.

“Yeah. My Bu…. Sorry. My parents are great too, and they encouraged me to keep at it. But… I… never really thought about playing for a living. Not sure how many people would want to see someone play a flute by themself.” To be fair her family probably would, but she wasn’t sure about anyone else. Though maybe she could convince her aunt to actually sing…. No. She wasn’t about to poke that rancor.

 

[Hayde Torve]

Hayde shrugged at the comment from Leddie Gred .

"The galaxy's a big place," said the woman, briefly sparing a glance at the rising jungle around him, "think about how many musicians are on Kashyyyk alone? Probably at least several thousand? Now within the System itself, with the moons and the outer colonies? Probably another several thousand at minimum, and just scale it up from there to the point of the entire galaxy.

Someone, no, some people within the billions that populate the galaxy are going to appreciate a solo flute artist. But I suppose that's the trick, isn't it? Finding the right audience so easily in a market so large? Assuming that's the sort of life you want...but I'm going guess playing the flute isn't exactly your main occupation, is it?"

 

[Travot Ravenna]

"You better not..." warned Travot, holding up a hand to gesture to her to stop.

Lanyria wide eyes remained immovable, even placid before she threw the tinsel bomb at him. Warning you only made you want to do it more...He had counted on that. He focused the Force through his raised hand to send the bomb back at her - it exploded in a shower of colorful paper all over his padawan, much to his amusement and her surprise. Her mouth gaped open but remained silent for a few seconds as the tinsel fell around her and bedazzled her plain brown robes.

"That's why did that. That's why you raised your hand like that, you never do that...Mister play it close to the vest..."

He nodded with a grin, "Sometimes with a little thought, you can prepare yourself for a better outcome..."

A small piece of wood abruptly crashed onto their walkway, followed by a half-burnt strand of rope. Travot frowned and looked upward, almost instantly making out the characteristic bright glow of lightsaber blades along with the sizzling sounds of blades clashing. The sparing is supposed to be down below. What idiot started a fight up here? Some padawans don't think about how their actions can affect our relations with the wookiees. The large man turned to his nautolan padawan. She knows something's up too...well...I guess that's to be expected...

"Stay here for a moment. Seems like some other padawans need a reminder about manners..."

The susevfian abruptly bounded up the spiral walkway that wrapped around the giant Wroshyr tree before coming face to face with two jedi that he didn't recognize, but both seemed far older and potentially dangerous than the padawans he had expected to find here. While not terribly well attuned to other's feelings - he would have been a poor consular - Travot sensed that the sparring going on wasn't exactly friendly. He loudly cleared his throat as he turned his gaze from Starlin Rand to Creuat .

"Who are you two and what are you doing? You do realize that the wookiees and other partygoers are around right? That your actions here might endanger them or cause a diplomatic rift between the Order and the village?"

 

[Silver Strand]

A hulking wookiee with streaks of gray and tan fur and wearing an almost ruby red robe meandered through the village's walkways. From time to time, he'd stop and chat with the festive party-goers, the elder taking careful notes of the activities of those around him. He watched with some mirth as Yula Perl and Kyra Perl exchanged gifts, and even let out a brief bark of delight as Kyra caught Yula unaware with a tinsel bomb. He waited for them to exchange some pleasantries and gifts before hobbling over to them. He offered them both a brief and mirthful greeting in Shyriiwook before offering them both each a large bag and wandering away to see other festival goers.

If the women opened them up, they'd see that they'd received dozens of Kachirho Tinsel Grenades.