Private Panic on the Dance Floor

[Alana Calloway]

Location: Nibelungen
Tags: Matsu Ike
Gear: In Bio

Alana followed the narrow, winding street with her head lowered, poncho brushing against the dirty stone walls. Every corner turned into another corner, every alley bent back into itself. She cursed under her breath. Whoever this lightsaber-smith was, they picked the most karking impossible place to hide. She had never been to Nibelungun before, and perhaps it showed. The aura of this place felt lighter, but alien in several ways to her.

People here were too fething nice. She had been walking around for what felt like hours, trying to find this ‘esteemed crafter’ she had heard about, but had little to show for it. Not even a hope that this person may reside within this market she found herself milling about in.

However, she caught voices ahead, and desperate for a lead, she moved forward. Before her, people gathered beneath a glow lantern, talking in low tones.

"…it's about the art, you need to see what she can do," One said, hand lifted in a precise gesture, mimicking a flow motion.
“But I can not do the art, I do not have her gifts.” Another voice lamented.

“There are no gifts, the art comes to us in different ways, everyone has art to share.” Another voice spoke, trying to bolster the spirits of their colleague.

Alana's pulse flared. Finally. Clearly, this had to be it. They were talking about the force. She eased closer, letting the lining of her poncho drop.

The circle of people turned, smiling at her as though they'd been expecting her. Someone seized her hand before she could speak.

"Have you come here for the art as well?" They asked brightly.

"…Yeah," Alana said carefully, trying to sound like she belonged. "I'm here to… learn the art."

"Perfect!" Another laughed, and before she knew it, she was pulled into a a side building, ushered forth by the group as they slowly brought her to the front. She swiftly became aware of music, and what seemed to be a club she was being led into.

Seemed like an odd place to have a workshop, but soon she realized the mistake she had made as she was led out to the center of what seemed to be a theater. Musicians were waiting, drums already pounding, feet stomping. A dozen bodies whirled in rhythm, several parting as they witnessed the group coming towards them.

Her stomach sank, as she realized her folly. How could she have been so wrong?

No. No, no, no. This isn't the forge, this isn't the workshop…this is a blasted dance club.

She tried to think of an excuse, of some way out of this whole exchange, but it was too late.

They shoved her into the center.

Alana stood there, stiff as a board, red eyes wide as her escape was now blocked by a sea of eager faces. Someone clapped as they seemed to try and motivate her. The crowd whooped.

They were out for blood.

"I don't-this isn't-" she stammered, hands twitching toward her belt. The music only got louder. Someone shouted:
"Show us your art!"

Horrified, Alana realized they actually expected her to dance.

The dancers about her began to close in, as some sort of group line dance seemed to be underway.

Hope died in her eyes, as a set of hands grabbed her and pulled her in to join the masses of dancers, the music thundering now.

“I’m not here to dance!”

She cried out, but alas, she was silenced.

How the hell was she going to get out of this?

 

[Matsu Ike]

Alana Calloway

The world was a microcosm of the system itself. Five worlds all of them filled with Jedi... each a temple dedicated to the various ranks, stations and more so areas of study.. it was easy to get lost in the streets as you watched what was essentially a civilization built upon a singular foundation.... then you realized that each one was a highly trained warrior who could defend and they had been forgotten by the galaxy itself. The Silver Jedi had come here several times over the years to work and trade with them.

Expanding the knowledge of both sides in terms of the jedi. Now their grandmaster who was more like a ruler above anything else with this many subjects had declared they would aid any jedi order who requested them. The logistical nightmare of moving near a trillion jedi would be dangerous. Matsu moved with a few of them now as they were dancing. The style meant to be art and channel the force through their own movements... a meditative state that their mind would be able to enter. "Alright alright."

A smile was there when she moved around with a few of them. She came here to use their workshop and provide sabers to many of the jedi but... they also made amazing fresh pressed juice drinks. She saw another one enter and be brought in who was a stranger... to herself but also to the world based on how they reacted which was unusual but not unheard of. Plenty of traders came but exploring was usually something done quietly. She moved with the music as the jedi all locked arms and spun around in a large circle with some holding their sabers in the air.

 

[Alana Calloway]

Location: Nibelungen
Tags: Matsu Ike
Gear: In Bio

Alana had edged back a step when the circle widened, her first instinct had been to retreat. Of course, that faltered as she had been waylaid by her dancing captors.

She hated all of this.

The laughter, the motion, and now the hum of the sabers overhead; it was all too much, too communal, too open.

These people had to be on spice.

That was the only explanation.

She wasn't supposed to be part of this. She belonged on the fringes, where it was safe to watch without being seen. Not being shoved into, a damned dance party.

But one of the dancers-a man with a padawan braid sporting a mischievous grin-caught her sleeve before she could turn away. "Join in the art," He said with a chuckle, pulling her forward.

"Wait-" Alana's protest was lost as another hand caught hers, and then another. Suddenly she was in the circle, spun along with the momentum before she could dig her heels in.

The rhythm swept her up. She tried to resist, tried to slow her steps, but the linked arms on either side gave her no choice but to move with them. Her breath came in sharp bursts, one part nerves, another part came from the strange exhilaration of it. The sabers above cast arcs of light across her face, and for an instant she felt like she was part of some living current of the Force; an energy too vast to ignore.

The monks had always told her that things didn’t just happen, but that it connected to pathways beyond what she could see.

Of course, at times she felt that was nonsensical, but maybe they were in to something?

When the circle turned again, she caught sight of the smiling woman at the center and Alana's lips pressed into a thin line.

She could at least look like she was enjoying herself, and eventually, this would have to come to an end.

"This isn't what I came for," She muttered under her breath, as if that would help her. Though her feet betrayed her by keeping pace with the others; they seemingly hadn’t gotten the message.

No matter how she pulled back, the circle only tightened, drawing her further in.

She was apart of this now, one way or another. She might as well try and get something out of it in exchange.

She was going to hit someone at this rate, she could feel her blood pressure rising along with the music.

She tried to ignore it, instead, focusing on herself, the Force, the clash and union of life within this room.

Try to make a learning experience out of this personal hell of hers.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Alana Calloway

The dancing slowly died down.. mostly with the jedi present finding a place to practice among themselves as some used the dancing to form kata's. Matsu backed with a few of them as they were showing off their armor, robes and other equipment. Her silver robes contrasting to the white and blue robes of many of the other jedi. "This looks wonderful, yourr seamstresses have a talent." She said it and wasn't going against it.. the seamstresses they used were almost like force weavers... able to imbue the force into the clothing of all the jedi here. SHe might have plenty of skills.. and she did but there was something nice about seeing more local works.

She found a place to sit and relax, the petite jedi master stretching herself out where she could look around more. Once the final large group moved on she was only left with the smaller outliers and a nice glass of juice she could drink. It was good for a healthy body after all before she smiled offing looks. "I will return to the workshop those who want to build or tune up their sabers we have plenty of supplies brought in from Sasori and the other worlds." She got nods before starting to move off towards the doors and took the glass of juice as she moved. Hovering just barely above the surface of the streets so it looking like she was gliding rather then walking.

 

[Alana Calloway]

Location: Nibelungen
Tags: Matsu Ike
Gear: In Bio

Alana felt her shoulders ease the moment the circle broke apart. The music quieted, the rhythm dispersed, and with it the pressure in her chest lifted. For a fleeting heartbeat, though, her senses lingered sharp-every rustle of fabric, the cadence of voices, even the faint pull of a half-smothered laugh felt painfully vivid. It was as if the air itself had been tuned to a higher pitch and she alone was hearing it.

She tried to hold onto it, curious as to where this had come from.

Then, just as suddenly, it slipped away, leaving her wondering if she had imagined the whole thing. She rubbed at her temple, unsettled. Maybe that was the point of the dance, she thought-some strange Jedi exercise to sharpen awareness. A way to feel the world, rather than just see it.

Her gaze found the silver-robed woman as she drifted toward the workshop doors, glass in hand, every step effortless. Alana hesitated. Asking for help wasn't easy; scrapyards taught you to fix what was broken with your own hands or not at all. Sadly, she wasn't here to patch an engine.

"Wait," She called, her voice quieter than she intended, but enough to carry. She stepped forward, her jaw set against the knot in her throat. Serially? Now of all times? "I…want to learn. The workshop, the saber. Maybe even…I need your guidance." Her hand gestured vaguely back toward where the circle had been.

Her eyes dropped briefly to her boots before lifting again. “I want to learn, and…figure out what to do.”

She extends a hand, red eyes gleaming.

“My name is Alana, I’m…sort of but not really a Jedi. Trying to change that.”

 

[Matsu Ike]

Alana Calloway

She stopped forr a moment and looked as she was approached. A raised eyebrow as she took in the sight of the woman and offered a smile. "Welcome and well... I never turn down the chance to help with a saber or equipment." She said it with a smile on her face when she motioned with her hand for the girl to come with her and follow. The short movement into the shop as she held a hand out to open the door. The force unlocking it as going inside the area changed. The workshop was designed to invoke a workshop at the temple as she moved around to a smaller area with components and parts laid out. "So you came a long way for a saber. The fortress system of the jedi is not a place many would come." She offered a smile though and place for the woman to sit and talk but also displays to help build her saber.

 

[Alana Calloway]

Location: Nibelungen
Tags: Matsu Ike
Gear: In Bio

To be honest, Alana was surprised at how easy this whole thing seemed to be going now.

Was it that easy to get help on….making a lightsaber? She watched the woman’s hand movements, and gave a quick glance around as the rest of the gathering seemed to be going their separate ways.

She was…free to just go, and make this thing? Really?

Well, Alana wasn’t going to risk that changing, and fell in line behind the woman.

“I heard you were the one to speak to. I’ve never made one, and figured I might as well go to the best….and like I said, that’s apparently you.”

She remarks, trying to throw on as much praise as she could. Her record was less than stellar, being who and what she was?

Yeah, it certainly wouldn’t hurt. She found a seat in the workshop, and quickly seated herself, fumbling for the small storage device that contained her rough ideas for the lightsaber she sought to make.

“Like I said, I’m not a Jedi. But, I figured if I intend to join, I should probably make a lightsaber.”


Have to start somewhere, right?

 

[Matsu Ike]

Alana Calloway

"It is one of them. The other is usually to want to help people... sometimes there is also the chance of meeting really hot senators." She said it and it was in humor... but she had met Hanna like that only vice chancellor which was like totally higher then senator so it was better. twenty percent hotter then a normal senator. She said it while looking at the woman. "But we can construct the saber first. Do you know what kind you would like? Orr do you want a standard one? Do you have crystals already or do you need some?" There were a hundred questions for all of it. She knew a lot more things that they would be able to do but she was adjusting the table to show the various displays of the sabers, crystals and more. "Oh there are just so many choices and options... and that is before the internal components are chosen."

 

[Alana Calloway]

Location: Nibelungen
Tags: Matsu Ike
Gear: In Bio

Alana blinked at her, brow arching just a tinge.

Hot senators? Vice chancellors? She felt like this was some kind of fever dream now after the dancing.

"Well, I ain't much for politics," She drawled, voice low and flat. "Hot or otherwise. Last senator I met was about as appealing as a Hutt in a sunburn..not their type anyhow."

Her eyes flicked to the table, rows of gleaming parts and humming crystals, and for the first time since stepping into this mess she looked genuinely interested. She leaned forward, hands sliding from her belt to to display the hologram she had prepared for this moment.

"I got a crystal or two in mind, and a design," She admitted, patting the pouch at her hip. "Picked it out a long time ago. Just… never had the know-how to make it into something I could use."

She glanced up again, expression caught somewhere between wary and hungry. "I don't need it fancy. No gilded hilts, no senator-seducing shine. Just it's a big unusual I suppose."

A beat passed, before the weapon displayed itself. A tri-bladed lightsaber, with a sword guard.

"I have no idea how to make a hilt like this."

 

[Matsu Ike]

Alana Calloway

She gave a nod of her head to that. "Alright." THen she was looking at the design and moving it around with the hardlight displays projected. Letting her check the hilt. "Hmm tri blades are like a crossguard." She tapped her chin check it. "With a proper assembly for the energy and the crystals that will be simple enough. The guards we can build in. She turned to look at the woman and offered a smile while motioning her over to the hardlight hilt based on her design. "Alright, grip it as best you can and we can see about the grip and design. If it would be better as an imni hilt or something specific to aa grip and hand."

 

[Alana Calloway]

Location: Nibelungen
Tags: Matsu Ike
Gear: In Bio

Now Alana was lost again, as the woman started to speak about....stuff. Whatever it was, the woman seemed to...know what she was doing?

Maybe? "I just, I'm a decent fighter with a sword, and...thought maybe it might work best if I just, tried that...have it use three separate crystals, let me switch what blade I want to utilize." She starts, unsure if it was..actually of any help, looking the grip over, and frowning. "I'm worried about, slipping and it it will be solid for the combat that this thing will demand...I imagine the impact behind three blades would be rather significant, right?"

She had no idea what she was talking about. She just knew from what she knew about lightsabers, that her design was...unusual.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Alana Calloway

"Oh it can work." She said it with a smile. "See the hilts design will hold the power cell and the divide in it will allow for the blade to be emitted with all three. Depending on the crystal assembly you could make the blade itself broader which will using all three here turn the blade larger. The three blades strength will be in your arm. It will be more dangerous yes and you will be able to deflect blaster shots much easier. Catching them with three blades gives an advantage as well as when facing things like cortosis if you don't opt for the lens or circuits to avoid it. THe cortosis once it is impacted would only deactivate the blades before being damaged from the impact. It is decent effect wise but strength wise it doesn't stop like phrik or beskar." She moved her hand up to her chin and nodded her thoughts with it. "Oh you are going to be the belle of the ball as it were when you come to the order. Having a saber to begin with is one thing but having one that is beyond the standard can help you meet others and get along."