Private Lyfjaberg

[Mykel Dawson]

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Gallo Mountains, Naboo.

Robes

After nearly a half a day of hiking on foot, Mykel finally reached what he believed to be the first checkpoint to Shiraya's Sanctuary. Or rather, the general vicinity of it. No obvious markers revealed themselves as he scanned the twisting terrain. The Jedi founders had done exemplary work concealing the temple; even when he reached out through the Force for guidance, he only pulled blanks. He hadn't glimpsed so much as a hint of it from the air either, despite having an easy overview of the whole area while descending into the mountain range in his fighter.

Hmm.

He consulted the map again, checking and rechecking his position. It was a little hard to tell with a thick blanket of snow and ice smothering every landmark (sadly no footprints through the snow), but after much squinting he correctly reoriented himself and trudged on.

Hopefully, only a little further. Then the real trek could begin.

Lily Decoria​

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Naboo - Gallo Mountains
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Tag: Mykel Dawson

A morning hike was something that Lily had found herself enjoying some days. It was a good cardio workout and the young Echani was constantly finding ways to work herself as much as possible. She trained hard daily, hours at a time till her body was exhausted. The hike was something that she found fun as a cool down since it was gentle and with her level of fitness, did not push her body too far. Lily was also enjoying the wintery weather as well, felt more akin to Eshan and the Echani had always been a fan of the frigid air.

She wandered somewhat aimlessly, just enjoying the walk and wander at the views that Naboo held. Not too concerned with finding an actual end point. Lily looked around the surroundings as she stretched her figure, breathing in deep the crisp morning air. In the distance there seemed to be someone that was walking around, potentially a little lost on their way. Lily moved towards them, lifting a hand to wave and call attention over to herself as she walked towards them.

"Hey! Hey!" Lily called out loudly, making sure that they knew she was trying to be friendly and helpful, "are you okay? Are you lost? Can I help?" Lily shouted as she continued to wave.

 

[Mykel Dawson]

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Robes

Mykel's ears perked up to the sound of a woman's voice, turning toward her direction in surprise. Normally, he probably would have sensed her presence before casting eyes upon her, but something about the protective wards of the mountain were leaving his higher perceptions hazy. He was not yet accepted here, his first trial as the uninitiated incomplete.

He turned fully toward the woman, gloved finger tugging down the top edge of his scarf covering to reveal his face, waving with his other hand as a sign of peaceful intent.

"No I'm fine!" He called back through the howl of the sharp mountain wind.

Quickly, he closed the remaining gap with the woman, his boots no longer sinking through the snow as he telekinectically reinforced the surface lattice of ice crystals.

The woman was of a fair complexion, with bright eyes and and platinum locks of hair that nearly matched the fresh snowfall around them. She appeared completely unbothered by the cold. Also donned in all white, a more superstitious man of an older age may have believed her to be a mythical Khione born of the mountains themselves.

"I certainly wouldn't turn down your assistance, though. I am Knight Mykel Dawson of the New Jedi Order, currently on the hunt for the first checkpoint to the Jedi temple of these mountains." He held up a physical laminated map to her. "Normally I wouldn't have had too much issue with navigation, but these mountains are a different beast in the winter. I don't suppose you could tell me if I'm on the right track?"

Lily Decoria​

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Naboo - Gallo Mountains
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Tag: Mykel Dawson

As they approached one another, Lily got a better look of the man and noted that his face was not one that she recognised from the temple. While she did not know everyone at the temple, she did try her best to be aware as much as she could. Lily also could sense the Force following through him so before he announced he was a Jedi Knight, Lily knew he was a Force User of some skill.

"Well met, Knight Dawson. I am Jedi Knight Lily Decoria." Lily introduced herself with a small but respectful bow to Mykel. "A number of New Jedi Order former members have made the temple and High Republic their home, so there should be a few familiar faces for you to reconnect with." Lily stated as she placed her hands behind her.

Looking around, Lily had not thought about there being any difficult in traversing the mountains. But it was only a reminder of how adjusted Lily had become to living on Naboo, while she thought often of Eshan. Naboo was a second home to her now and it was shown with the face that Lily could wander the area and feel comfortable with where she was. "Well, I could point you in the right direction but it be might a while till you can tell whether you are on the right track. Or."

She turned to face Mykel, "I can lead the way. I am basically done with my hike so I was heading back to the temple myself. Saves having to worry about getting lost again."

 

[Mykel Dawson]

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The woman introduced herself as a fellow Jedi Knight and a resident of his intended destination. He gave her a respectful bow in kind, then nodded as she mentioned the influx of several of his brethren from the New Jedi Order.

"Yes, I'm aware of the some of the diaspora now call the Republic and the Sanctuary their new home. I can't thank the Jedi Order enough for being such gracious hosts during these trying times."

He wasn't quite so sure if he would settle down within the High Republic for good, but the temporary respite it offered was much needed after months of constant warfare. Precious time to refocus on his spiritual development as a Jedi.

In the end, Decoria offered to personally guide him to the Sanctuary instead of just passing directions; to which he eagerly accepted.

"Your guidance would be much appreciated. I wasn't looking to play a game of hide-and-seek with the temple so much as taking the scenic route. There's just something refreshing about a good mountain hike."

Lily Decoria​

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Naboo - Gallo Mountains
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Tag: Mykel Dawson

Lily began making her way towards the temple, there was no hesitation in her movements. She was used to travelling to the temple, so even with the snow coating the ground there was enough familiarity in the trees and horizon for Lily to know roughly where they were. She nodded her head to Mykel, "well, we are all Jedi so makes sense to take in the others who were displaced with the collapse of the New Jedi Order and the Galactic Alliance. The High Republic has been taking in as many refugees as they can so there has been a lot happening and some important changes to the way things have been done around here." Lily informed Mykel, updating him on how things are with where they were now.

"Of course and luckily Naboo has some of the best views for hiking and taking the road less travelled by. But easy to get lost when you are new to the area." Lily mentioned, she moved forward, "I know for the first few months all I knew where to go was my dorm and the training rooms. They were the ones that I visited the most but still, took some time adjusting after starting my Jedi training in the New Jedi Order." Lily continued to hike forwards, breathing in the crisp cold air deeply.

Looking back to Mykel, "so, what brings you to Naboo? Seeking out anything in particular?" Lily wanted to make sure she could assist Mykel the best she could and make his introduction to the Jedi Order and the High Republic the best that it could be.

 

[Mykel Dawson]

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Decoria was on the move again, Mykel now following closely at her side as they continued to converse. He no longer actively drew on the Force to ease his movement, but nonetheless there was a new lightness to his step with the knowledge of now being on the right path.

"I thought it would be a good idea to meet with the fine folks of the Jedi Order and make connections."

In truth, he wasn't certain he wanted to make a permanent home with the Jedi Order at all. Moving from the Silver Jedi Order to the New Jedi Order on Tython had already demanded its share of adjustment. All for the NJO High Council to decide to dissolve and leave the remaining NJO Jedi and the Alliance on their own. The Jedi Masters' abandonment had left scars that hadn't quite faded. He wasn't ready to place himself beneath another hierarchy so easily.

On the topic of transplants… a small light sparked in his mind.

"Wait a moment...you wouldn't have happened to have been part of the strike team deployed against the Mors Mon at Woostri?"

He had never met Decoria in person, but her name and appearance stirred in his memory now, recalled from old battle reports he had studied in the Jedi archives. Woostri. That engagement had been infamous.

"That was quite brave going straight into the heart of the Sith Order's war machine." His voice now carried a note of respect.

Lily Decoria​

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Naboo - Gallo Mountains
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Tag: Mykel Dawson

Nodding her head, "well, hopefully we can show you that while some things are different to the ways they were in the New Jedi Order, the goals and work being done are just as important and just as worthy for a Jedi to be spending their time working on." While Lily was still doing the same work she had been within the New Jedi Order and the Hidden Path, she understood that others wished to ensure that the Jedi Order did not collapse to the same errors of the New Jedi Order, that things could be done to ensure that the Jedi were able to stand strong once again and remain strong.

The risk of collapse was there for anyone to fear but it was the dedication every person needed to take to ensure that they did not fall victim to similar mistakes of the past. Too much reliance and pressure was placed on specific members of the council previous. Lily desired to ensure that every Jedi put in as much effort going forward. As strong as the weakest link.

When Mykel referenced her work during the invasion of Woostri, Lily felt a slight stiffening in her body. That had been a dark day, especially since she had still been a Padawan back then and the survivor's guilt that she faced was insurmountable. "Ye...yes. It was not a good day for the Alliance, nor was that a good day for me." Lily confessed as she shook off the stiffness and lingering dark memories of the day. She was stronger now, had a better main weapon and honed her skills even more. She would never allow that to happen again.

"We lost a good number of Jedi in that battle, Carnifex and his ally carved through us like we were nothing. Speed and skill that I have not seen in Jedi." Lily stated, it was part of way Lily worked so hard to train her skills more and why she desired to see others reach similar heights in their skills.

Shrugging her shoulders, "perhaps, but it was naught. We did not destroy the Mors Mon, we did not prevent the Sith from taking over Woostri and we failed to organise any sort of push back for that attack. It feels like that was the beginning of the end for the Galactic Alliance." Lily sighed deeply as she continued to push forward in her walk. "All I aim to do is to ensure that I am better than I was back then, that the Jedi Order is more prepared and capable for fighting the Sith than the New Jedi Order was back then and determined to find a way to take down Sith like Carnifex and Quintessa."