Private Mercy Overflows

[Rix Braji]

Rix tried.

Oh, how he tried to temper the enthusiasm beating strong and bright in his heart.

But he was no blacksmith. He wasn't even a Researcher anymore.

He couldn't begin to conceptualize how he might earn back that title. Maybe he ought not try, let it lie for, say, a few months. He felt beyond blessed by the kindnesses of Master Efret Farr and Grandmaster Ala Quin to even be allowed back into another Light side fold. Respecialization could wait. It would do him good to bask in this rediscovered Light before throwing himself fully back into service to it.

He walked the halls of Shiraya's Sanctuary with the anticipation of a child on Life Day, both expectant and awed of the opportunities for a better life that awaited him, ready to seize each as it came his way.

A young man about Rix' height with brown hair and a younger girl travelled down the hall towards him. They conversed between themselves, but he thought a very brief interjection polite.

"Good afternoon," he greeted with a nod full of respect and gratitude to have laid foot in another temple.

If the other man wanted the comment to led to a conversation, Rix would gladly stop to oblige. After all, maybe this was the first opportunity that would present itself.

Aiden Porte​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Rix Braji​

"Do you think you got enough books?" Aiden said as he glanced down towards Lira, a small smile on his face.

"Of course not! If I could get more I would!" She said with a big smile on her face, peering just over the top book that she carried. She was insistent that she carry them herself.

"Good afternoon,"

"Good day my friend." Aiden showed a small smile and nod of his head. "Have we met before? You seem familiar?"

 

[Rix Braji]

Rix pressed his lips together, racking his mind for any memory of this man. "I don't recall, brother," he said honestly after a moment. "I'm sorry."

He offered his hand to Aiden for a shake. "Knight Rix Braji," he introduced, an easy smile settling on his face in the presence of two people who seemed to be very friendly themselves. "I'm new here, but was a Jedi with the NJO. My former superior suggested that I join the High Republic. You probably know of her at least. Master Efret Farr?"

Then he added, "It's possible that we met in passing at the Grand Temple." Granted, he had spent much of his time at the Taris museum enclave in the years before his arrest, but he had returned to Coruscant every once in a while with Miona to conduct research that was beyond the scope of their mission on Taris.

Aiden Porte​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Rix Braji​

"Rix, its an honor to meet you." Aiden looked down to Lira with a small smile. "This is my daughter Lira."

"It's nice to meet you Mr. Rix." Lira said with a big smiling, beaming at him. "Look at all the books I got."

Aiden chuckled lightly as he looked from her to Rix, he didn't say much at the mention of Efret Farr at least yet. "I have a homestead on the outskirts of Theed. If you know Efret, you should come out to the homestead. There is much we need to talk about."

 

[Rix Braji]

Rix couldn't help but give a quick flutter of confused blinks.

He didn't even know this man's name, or remember his face. How could they possibly have much to discuss, and in private no less? And why did the desire to talk only surface after he mentioned that he knew Master Farr? Was something wrong that she was keeping under wraps? Guilt panged through him. He should have thought to ask deeper questions as to how she actually was on Selvaris, and taken the time to actually listen.

"Whereabouts exactly?" he asked. "I have a meditation time booked, but I can meet you there this afternoon. Say, two o'clock?"

---

With the help of some locals, Rix had arrived at the Porte Homestead shortly before the agreed upon meeting time. He moved unhurriedly down the main path from the gate to the house sitting sentinel on the gentle swell on a grassy hill, watching over the surrounding vineyards growing famous Naboo grapes. A crop of mixed species trees huddled around the multistory home.

The knight fixed his eyes forward, ignoring the urge to take a detour down one of the many offshoot footpaths to get a better look at the vines. Instead, he continued walking until he got the the front porch and ascended its short steps onto it, intend on knocking at the door if Aiden hadn't been waiting for him.

Aiden Porte​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Rix Braji​

Aiden had just finished making some tea when the knock came at the door. "Welcome Rix, please come in." The Jedi beckoned him inside, motioning to one of the chair at the dining table.

"I just made some tea, would you like some?" Aiden inquired. He was sure Rix had his questions, after all he didn't know Aiden at all, but he hoped he gave off a vibe that was good enough to be taken as a friend.

Especially when it came to Master Farr.

 

[Rix Braji]

"Please," Rix replied as he walked through the doorway.

Once sat where Aiden had indicated, he adjusted his tunic nervously. His ill ease was not cause by Aiden himself, but rather the anticipation that bad news was waiting in the wings. "I appreciate the hospitality, truly, but I'm starting to worry. Is this about Master Farr?"

Aiden Porte​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Rix Braji​

"Don't fear my friend. She is doing well last time we talked. I was just curious to know if she had reached out to you yet?"

Aiden said a small smile, offering him the cup of tea, and cubes of sugar to the side if he needed it.

"She is truly okay, but she wishes her location to remain undisclosed. But I just wanted to tell you here, instead of in the confines of the Enclave where people tend to listen more than they should."

"What is your story my friend?"

 

[Rix Braji]

Rix accepted the tea cup on its saucer, but placed it to the side as he listened intently, as if multitasking in any way would distract him. The Pijali knight shook gave a small shake of his head at Aiden's question. "No. Not since coming to Naboo," he explained. "Though I did meet her by chance on Selvaris. She suggested I come here." Not directly that he join the High Republic, but she hadn't needed to say that much for him to understand the next step that she wanted for him.

"But I just wanted to tell you here, instead of in the confines of the Enclave where people tend to listen more than they should."

A small smile curved Rix's lips. Though worry didn't drain entirely from his face, he did seem much more at ease. "That was wise, yes. I apologize. I recently met with another knight who knows her. His description of his last interaction with her was...well, unlike her. I worried that she was losing herself, but I'm glad to hear your assessment is that she's well."

Only then did Rix take a sip of tea. Even more of his concern melted away like the singular sugar cube floating in the warm liquid.

But it returned almost as soon as it had left.

He set down his cup, the slight clink of ceramics the only sound between the Jedi knights for a long moment. Then, slowly, Rix began:

"I worked with her up until two years ago, as a Researcher in her museum enclave on Taris. My padawan and I analyzed the artifacts and high-definition scans that she sent back from her travels. She didn't believe in taking anything from its people unless she had express permission or it was absolutely necessary."

Rix took another pregnant pause. His gaze dropped to the table briefly before raising to meet Aiden's again. "Two and a half years ago, I lost myself to the teachings of the Lightsworn. I tried to steal some research on a stromatolite specimen she had collected from Tython early in her career and recruited my padawan to assist me. I thought that the scientific analysis would aid the Lightsworn's cause, but I was mistaken, and misled.

"I harmed my padawan and friends of Master Farr's. I am trying to atone for that. I owe Master Farr more than I can ever repay for allowing me the chance to."

Aiden Porte​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Rix Braji​

Aiden listened quietly and solemnly to his story, about what happened. "I'm sorry you had to go through that my friend. Those sort of things never get easier. You just need to know how to stand and rise again. And trust me, it doesn't happen without help."

"Master Farr is good and strong person. She sees more than she wants to admit, in my honest opinion. I sometimes feel she has the way of staring into your soul and seeing the real you. Regardless of all the emotions, the facade of darknes that can be placed on a person."

"You are here for a reason, and for that I am glad to have met you."

 

[Rix Braji]

"I'm sorry you had to go through that my friend."

A bittersweet look passed over Rix' face. He recognized that Aiden was only trying to offer comfort, but he didn't take any from that. "I did it to myself," he interjected.

He nodded along with his fellow's assessment of Master Farr. Rix was inclined to agree.

"You are here for a reason, and for that I am glad to have met you."

"Likewise. It's a privilege to be here on Naboo, part of a Jedi Order again." He had retained his title of Knight during his sentence, yes, but he was of the opinion that one wasn't really a Jedi unless they were among others. It felt beyond right to be part of a flock again. "I would have probably died in the Imperial Invasion of Coruscant had Master Farr not petitioned for my release."

A pause. He pushed what might have been from his mind. There was no use dwelling when there was an uncertain present and future to attend to.

"I haven't caught your name, brother."

Aiden Porte​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Rik Perris
​

"Likewise. It's a privilege to be here on Naboo, part of a Jedi Order again." He had retained his title of Knight during his sentence, yes, but he was of the opinion that one wasn't really a Jedi unless they were among others. It felt beyond right to be part of a flock again. "I would have probably died in the Imperial Invasion of Coruscant had Master Farr not petitioned for my release."

"You picked a good time to be a part of it. It is still young, and while mistakes have been made. I still have faith in it, for my part anyway. If anything at least for my father." Aiden smiled lightly. "And I'm glad that you survived, and thankful once more for Master Farr."

"I haven't caught your name, brother."

"My name is Aiden Porte." He spoke with a gentle nod, and a smile.