Private Of Liberty and Security

[Ko Vuto]

Tag: Braze

Ko was feeling a little misled now. There weren’t that many of them and fewer that were in any need of his help. At the current moment he was perched up on a rock by a gentle creek watching the water fowl enjoying themselves in the stream. Especially since it was much fuller now during the rainy season. Giving them plenty of space to bathe and play.

Insects buzzed and chirped through the evening air. Many of them are flying over the creek itself in search of food or shelter for the encroaching night. Ko himself was tense even here. Guilt continued to gnaw inside of him for the time being until a distraction came in the form of a wet stirring noise in the wet, muddy soil next to him. Where one of the ducks had waddled out of the water and was drilling with their bill. Getting fresh grubs and minerals from the mud.

Ko reached over to give the duck a gentle pet but couldn’t. Reminded once more that there was no arm on his right side anymore. He hadn’t really had the time to fully cope with much of anything lately. So busy hoping between systems. Moving between different fronts and theaters. In this calm land the only turmoil was what he’d brought within himself. ​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Ko Vuto ​

Braze wore a smarmy grin as he padded up beside Ko. "How's the little ducklings?" he asked, stopping a few steps back and planting his hands on his hips while he surveyed the waddling flock.

He stretched, spine cracking faintly, then let out a wide yawn and covered his mouth with one hand. "Any luck with the ones that walk funny?" he asked, voice still lazy with sleep.

He'd built them a special coop suspended above a diverted stream that flowed down toward the ocean, a little ways beyond the lake. Reaching into his satchel, Braze produced a small cloth bag and offered it to Ko. "Brought treats for them," he said, shaking the bag lightly with a grin.

 

[Ko Vuto]

Tag: Braze

“You know I thought that there were going to be a fair few more ducks with leg problems here. Given the way you brought it up earlier. But I think they’ll be fine. Poultry can have a tendency to persevere over such complications. Especially if they have plenty of water to play in as well.” Ko replied as his eyes shifted towards one of the said ducks that had a noticeable sway in her walk.

The Kel Dor looked back at Braze as they shook the small bag. The familiar sound and item signaled a treat for the ducks causing some of them to quack out loudly to the flock before many of them began to rush out from the water and onto the shore over to where Braze was. Swarming the young Jedi excitedly for some treats. Wet feat paddling around the ground where Braze stood.

However, Ko’s keen eyes noticed something odd in the flock. Something subtly stood out to him. With the speed and precision of a praying mantis Ko launched his clawed grasp out towards where the ducks had begun to bunch up, startling many of the birds before pulled out from it some bizarre looking creature from the group. Holding it up with his one arm by the scruff and it flailed it’s finned arms around in panic.

“What is this?” Ko questioned as he got a better look at the strange creatures. Looking like a strange amalgamation of various other animals he recognized. It had a bill on its face like one of the ducks. Despite how alien it looked the rest of the flock didn’t seem to be alarmed by it.​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Ko Vuto
​

Braze was taking out little handfuls of cold peas and gently tossing them about to feed the small ducklings. The little flock waddled through the grass, their soft chirps rising like bits of laughter between the rustle of reeds. He crouched lower, scattering a few more peas, letting the ducklings chase after them, he offered his fist full of peas to a few, making them work a little to nudge each one free. It kept their tiny minds busy, and he found himself faintly smiling at the sight.

When he glanced over, he caught Ko holding up a strange little creature. Braze blinked once, then let out a quiet chuckle.

"That's a mud duck," he said simply. "I don't imagine he likes being held like that… and the males are venomous, so you might want to put the little puggle down."

He reached out again, offering another handful of peas to the water's edge where the ducklings had gathered. "They're semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammals," he added in an easy tone. "Rare little critters, to be certain."

Braze scooped one of the ducklings up next, turning it gently in his hands as he checked its small wings and soft down. Satisfied that it looked healthy, he set it back beside its siblings. The little group crowded together, peeping softly as they searched the grass for more peas. The moment felt quiet and good, the kind of peace he didn't find often.

Braze smirked faintly. "You planning to keep it as a pet, or just testing how long it takes to bite? They look cute till they remember they've got spurs."

 

[Ko Vuto]

Tag: Braze

“A mud duck?” Ko questioned, he’d never really heard of such an animal before. He was decently knowledgeable in zoology but he wasn’t sure what to make of the ‘mud duck’ while scrutinizing it. “So like… You’re ship?” Ko said before gently lowering the bizzaro creature, and setting it back down onto the ground.

“A venomous aquatic-mammal. Strange. Especially for a world as temperate as Veridia. I would expect something like this somewhere like Felucia where the biosphere is far more extreme.” He commented before the mud duck got back to what it was doing. Moving itself through some of the ducks and running its bill through some of the mud in search of easy worms and similarly succulent bugs to gobble up.

“I’m not really looking for extra pets. I still worry about what may have befallen poor Daisy. I wish I could’ve gotten her to Bogano.” The Kel Dor lamented. Mentally kicking himself for dragging his feet on such a responsibility now that I may have very well been too late.

Taking a deep breath Ko shifted his focus to something he’d been meaning to ask Braze about. “Hey, I wanted to ask how you built up this place. Did you use something like a plant surge for your tree mansion?” If so it was a novel idea he hadn’t really given much thought to before. ​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Ko Vuto
​

Braze kept an easy smile on his face when Ko questioned the ship's name. "Yeah, one in the same," he chirped with that playful tone he used when he knew something the other person didn't. For a second he even looked proud of himself.

But when Ko mentioned his worry for the little pet Braze had given him, that smile dimmed like someone turned his inner light down.

"Oh… yeah… I'm sorry about that." His voice dropped, softer and a lot more tired. "I've just been kinda worn raw from the never ending wars of who owns what and all the needless, senseless destruction and death. I have been worn thin by all of this. The fighting. The arguing over land and borders. The endless cycle... Sometimes it feels like the whole galaxy is caught in a storm that never stops." He tried to offer his condolences, but even he wasn't sure how to say it right.

He reached out, setting a hand on Ko's shoulder, then hesitating and almost pulling back… before deciding to follow through anyway. He offered the comfort gently, uncertain if Ko even wanted it from someone like him anymore.

When his brother in arms asked what he had been doing, Braze managed a weak smile.

"Not the trees, per se, but I could probably do that…" he said with a little huff. "Mostly the gardens I've been building up. Been… kinda just throwing myself into it. Using the Force like this... meditation to shape everything. And honestly it feels kinda dirty and arrogant if I think too hard about it… using some ancient gift to build a palace of luxury."

He rubbed at his arm, eyes drifting off like he was watching something far away.

"But… it lets me breathe. The artistic creation part. The quiet.... It lets me be alone with my thoughts for once... like really lets me just be me and exist without everything crashing in. I've been hoping that by the end of it all I'll have a beautiful home my friends and family can stay in. Somewhere I can keep them safe and sheltered from the galaxy's storm, tucked away from all the strife."

He swallowed lightly, the movement small but noticeable.

"And the farms… I wanna build a lot of those. Feels like a more direct, immediate way of offering relief. No blasters, and no battles. Just something good, you know? Something that helps without me having to bleed or die for it."

 

[Ko Vuto]

Tag: Braze

When Braze would set their hand on Ko they’d still feel much of the residual tension his body still had. Not yet fully relaxed and calm even here. He was out of the fight, but the fight wasn’t out of him. Ko listened closely to what Braze had to say. How creating this new home almost seemed like a kind of moving meditation. Akin to how snipping his old bonsai tree functioned for him. “I understand what you mean. I’m no architect but I would say that your method is paying off. If you let yourself get too hung up on it things may begin to look out of place. Perhaps gaudy even.”

At the last thing Braze mentioned about the agricultural ambitions they have here Ko chuckled some. “It seems you’ve begun to rediscover some of the ancient wisdom shared by the Council of Reassignment all on your own. Using the power entrusted to us by The Force to aid in ways that aren’t so confrontational. It's something your Master knew well I’m sure. The sentinel of harmony was sort of like the modern equivalent to the old council.” Ko explained, finding some historical parallels to what Braze was talking about.

”I agree, regarding how tiring the cycle of conflict and violence is within the galaxy. We were fortunate to have grown up when we did. It wasn’t perfect but relative to how things can be, we had it good.” It was part of why Ko felt the kind of guilt and shame that did. Those that came before and those that will come after are likely to have it much harder than he did, and that ate him up on the inside. ​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Ko Vuto ​

"Nothing is ever perfect, Ko. I learned this the hard way." Braze chirped softly. "Come with me."
He beckoned and scattered the rest of his peas for the ducklings before padding off through the grass.

He led Ko toward the stretch of land he and Aiden Porte had been working on. Terraces had been carved into the long, rolling hills, each level smoothed and reinforced with walls of stone. Morning light spilled over everything, catching on the new cuts in the earth and turning them gold.

"I want these to be the orchards," Braze explained, gesturing across the terraced slopes. "To the north are the open fields. Off to the east will be the rice paddies, since the ground dips down and the water collects there naturally. To the south and west I left the land more wild. There is a mix of shallow pools, swamp reeds, and rural forest patches for mushrooms and acorns, and beyond that the ocean side farming stations."

The breeze carried the scent of fresh soil, salt air, and young plants just beginning to take root. The entire landscape felt alive. "I found something odd on an island not too far from here.... there's little caverns with crystals in there if you head south east along the shore line..."
He trailed gently as he took in the fresh air... He looked at Ko then looked away as an uncomfortable thought resurfaced.

" I want to work on something but... " He paused uncertain how to give voice to some vulnerability that was plaguing him. " I don't think I can trust any one with helping me... "

 

[Ko Vuto]

Tag: Braze

Getting up onto his feet Ko followed along away from the ducks and the creek. Once they got to the proposed space for orchards. Ko paused to look at the terraces. The view taking him back to his homeworld. The way the local farmers would carve into the hills and mountains within the river valleys Ko always found inspiring. Many of the terraces had been hundreds of years old and passed on through the generations.

“Woah, seems quite ambitious for such a small team to work on. But I’ve also seen small crews manage a great deal of land too. Keeping parts wild is good too. Keep bio-diversity robust and the natural resources neigh-endless.” Ko recalled being in the agricultural corps needing to convince some farmers how it could be worthwhile to keep some of their land mostly undeveloped while still allowing for decent revenue for much longer than tearing everything down for lumber.

"What kinds of tools have you been working with for everything? I know agricultural equipment can get extremely specialized.” Ko asked before Braze mentioned something about a crystal cave.

However, they seemed a little upset with another task they wanna work on but couldn’t seem to. But giving no clue as to what it could be. “There’s no one you can trust? Then I presume it hasn’t got anything to do with tending to the land. It better not have anything to do with Sith.”​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Ko Vuto
​

"Well, you know... not much, if I am honest. There are a few old tools I was able to buy off the local farmers, but nothing like tractors or anything like that," Braze admitted simply. "I'm not really sure what I should get. I figured you'd be the one to help me sort that out. I've mostly just been using the Force and my own work with the tools.

No, it has nothing to do with the Sith... not really, not anymore. I want to de-condition myself from that code phrase, but I feel like I'd need to do that with someone who knows what it is and wouldn't, like, take advantage of it, you know?"

 

[Ko Vuto]

Tag: Braze

“I believe that vibro-hoes can be invaluable for smaller scale subsistence farms and the like. Not hard to come by either. The force is great in a pinch. But its difficult to use The Force repeatedly for hard labor. At least I find it to be so. One… maybe two small tractors could work. But not for everything, the terraces would be terrible for tractors.” Ko spoke, thinking back to his own knowledge and experiences. The land here wasn’t as flat and gentle as the fields and valleys of Nubia. So big heavy machines could prove too cumbersome for much of the work that was required. “For the more wild parts of the land I would recommend some other tools as well. Perhaps even a vibrosaw.”

Ko finally looked back towards Braze, pulling his gaze away from the farm they’ve got going. Listening to what was shared and the nature of what they were concerned about. “Oh I understand, I think.” The Kel Dor brought his hand up to the bottom of his mask where it met his chin and thought. “In a venn diagram of people who are knowledgeable and trustworthy enough on the matter, the overlap would be very narrow. I wouldn’t really know where to begin.” Ko admitted, acknowledging his limits on this particular issue. Jasper was likely just as in the dark as both of them were as well.

“Hmm… It could be that the person who can help you isn’t someone you know, yet.” Perhaps in time someone could come along in Braze’s life that could help in overcoming such a problem.​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Ko Vuto ​

"I intend on making fairly big farms." Braze chirped simply. "That is why I set the terraces the way I did. The sloped sections on the ends let a larger machine move up and down without trouble. I tried to make the shift wide enough to give plenty of room."

He paused, rubbing at the back of his neck. "Maybe it is something I need to sort out on my own. I am not sure how yet, but I will figure it out."

His tone softened. "I heard that a distribution network becomes even more important during war. I have been building one for the last several years." His eyes brightened a little. "With that in place, we can move a lot of food almost anywhere we need. That part is good, at least."

 

[Ko Vuto]

Tag: Braze

“I’m also sure you’ll figure out something. Making friends is a real talent of yours. I’m certain there’s someone who can help.” Ko said before turning his attention back to the land.

“Well like I said, where you’re at now with farming I wouldn’t over invest in equipment. Build up your capabilities before jumping into the deep end. You don’t need to get some great big Sorosub tractor or anything like that now, with controls more complicated than what you’d find in the command bridge of a capital ship.” Ko explained, recalling how overbuilt some pieces of farm equipment. “Don’t underestimate the value of some class five labor droids. That way you don’t place all your eggs in one basket. They can work around the clock too if you have a few gonk droids on patrol as well.” Ko wasn’t sure yet if Braze wanted this more to be a peaceful retreat or a serious agricultural hub. Automating all of the work might take away from the pleasure that can come only from doing it themselves.

“I would think distribution will be the most difficult part of your operation here. It's easy for farms to end up with a big surplus that they can't get rid of before it rots away. With the unknown regions being between this planet and the rest of the galaxy. But if your network can reach us all the way out here it could prove useful especially if any adversaries try to undermine it.” With that Ko thought for a moment before raising his arm to place it on Braze’s shoulder. “It sounds like your time working under Jasper is really paying off now.” ​

 

[Loomi]

Veridia
Tags: Braze , Ko Vuto

Epo-1, Lushi​

Loomi had been meditating. For how long? She had forgotten. She had perched herself up in a tree and opened her minds to the threads. It had once been daunting, to reach so far into the fabric of life itself. The thing that bound all things together. Now it was like second nature. She could listen to the echoes that traveled through the unseen, noise that vibrated across the surface of a vast pool. It was those echoes that made her aware of those who had gathered below her. Her friends.

The Godoan drifted down from her perch as though she were floating, though really it was just the threads she strung casually letting her down. She sat herself down beside Ko, cross-legged in the grass.

"You're really good at complementing others and ignoring your own growth," Loomi scolded with a huff. She reached out her hands, and the ducklings seemed compelled to wobble over to her and perch themselves in her lap and on her shoulders.

Of course, it was only natural that she felt that Ko was not feeling well about himself. She was an empath after all. A soft frown came to her face.

"Would it help if I told you we missed you a lot?"

Probably not, but perhaps that was something that would be nice to hear. It was true, after all. Loomi missed that Ko wasn't argound often.

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi Ko Vuto

Braze yawned stretching out allowing a few pops and clicks from his small body cracking. "I'm sorry Ko... I spaced out for a minute." He glanced over and saw Loomi and a bright expression lit up and he smiled. " Oh hey Loomi~ Awee... look they like you~" He stooped down and offered her some of the little duck treats he had on his person so she could better make friends with them.

"Yeah~ You keep that up and you'll be nothing more than a cranky old curmudgeon just like you uncle, Ko~"

 

[Ko Vuto]

Tag: Braze | Loomi

Of course Loomi was here too, though what she was doing he wasn’t quite sure. Maybe it was just hard for Ko to acknowledge his own growth since he’s once again found on a remote farm like in his adolescent years. All while being a little less whole than he was before. To the Kel Dor it hardly felt like progress. But he wouldn’t admit out loud, not in front of the two of them.

Ko’s shoulders sagged some over the Godoan’s second comment. Even when keeping himself here it seems as though his lack of presence has still been felt.

He flashed Braze a look over how they just dismissed what he told the echani. Even his metal mask couldn't quite hide the disappointment in his expression underneath before letting out a tired sigh. “Rest assured I have no desire to end up like my uncle.” It was then that Ko wondered if Loomi knew anything about his relative. If now than it was probably for the best. Even when he was younger Xojo wasn't a very pleasant person to be around.

“But if it helps to ease such concerns I can try and be around more and or keep you two updated more when I’m out and about if that helps too.”​

 

[Loomi]

Veridia
Tags: Braze , Ko Vuto

Epo-1, Lushi​

“But if it helps to ease such concerns I can try and be around more and or keep you two updated more when I’m out and about if that helps too.”

"That's not what I mean," Loomi noted.

Loomi was aware of what was going on, even as her gaze remained fixed on the ducklings. She would accept the treats from Braze and delicately divvy them out so each one got the exact same amount. The ducks would scamper off, and the Godoan would stand up and turned back to Ko, giving him a soft smile. She didn't ask about his uncle. That was something he could tell her about if he wanted to.

"You would usually be excited in a place like this," she noted, "It's full of things you love... yet you hardly spare them a glance. I hope you aren't judging yourself too harshly over something you can't change."

She had done that very thing. All the turmoil of her youth, the things she had done to protect herself. Loomi had taken a lot of time to come to terms with what she had done and that she couldn't change. She'd reach up, being much shorter than Ko, and gave the top of his head a pat. She wasn't upset or disappointed, just worried.

After all, she did care. Ko was her brother.

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi Ko Vuto

Braze rolled his eyes and sighed, dramatic about it. "I think you make excellent points, but I just want you to tell me what you would do rather than what you think I should."

"Droid workforces would be helpful for managing things. You've the mind for how farming really works, and I figured you might actually be interested in helping organize it all. But if it sounds like too much work to be interesting, I won't blame you. I just thought it'd be more your, you know… 'thing.'" Braze offered, making it clear he had listened to every word Ko had said, even if he chose to be deliberately obtuse and facetious about it.

"I think you're capable and bright enough, with a passion for living things, both plant and animal, and I would rather you be that person to help me," Braze said this time, plain and direct instead of circling the idea and pussy-footing around the issue.

"I can't help but feel like you keep not giving yourself the credit you're due, being far too modest out of some sort of pessimistic slump you've fallen prey to… And I can't shake the feeling you just keep shrinking yourself, and setting your worth down somewhere out of reach, as if humility should mean absence."

​

 

[Ko Vuto]

Tag: Braze | Loomi

“You’re not wrong, and it is nice here, and I can still recognize that. I just don’t feel at peace here.” Ko couldn’t quite recognize why he felt that way yet. Loomi was correct, Veridia was a wonderful place. The kind of world he’d dream about. Far away from the woes and worries of the galaxy. Maybe that was part of the problem. Just because they were out of sight didn’t mean that they disappeared. ​

Ko’s attention shifted back to Braze. “I guess I’m not entirely sure what I would do. It’s not as clear cut as I wish. With how I feel, as a jedi, I think greater automation frees a lot of time. You won’t need to baby sit the land. But being present gives it that extra, how should I say… special touch.” With The Force people like them can find great success in agricultural pursuits. But for someone like Ko that wasn’t always worth it. It could come with a great opportunity cost. Every second spent someplace like this, was a second not spent somewhere else.

“Jedi like us have a duty, sometimes making something that’s just good enough, or acceptable is the best we can. What I would do is make this place the best it can be without needing to be a linchpin holding it all together…”​

 

[Loomi]

Veridia
Tags: Braze , Ko Vuto

Epo-1, Lushi​

"You don't feel at peace here because you don't feel at peace in your own mind. Peace... should follow a Jedi everywhere, right?"

Loomi let out a sigh, moving her hands to smooth out a wrinkle in his robes. When her hand moved away a little white ribbon would be left behind.

"You're right that we have a duty," she agreed, "And that sometimes we have to settle for 'just good enough' and don't get much choice. But I have a feeling that you aren't content with just enough. Your 'free time' is being pulled towards other things. You're not thinking of that time as allotted for meditation, are you?"

A somber smile came to her face. Braze could appeal to Ko's interests and talk about those intricate details, but something else lead the words that she spoke. The semantics of running a farm were beyond her. She really only had one thing left on her mind...

"You would tell me if you're unhappy, wouldn't you?"