Private Remember the Name

[Syn]

Talia Larkin Swift

"THe jedi are usually welcomed all over, the world welcomes anyone who comes searching." He said it and was looking at more of the island as they came closer to shore and they were larger looking but the ones on the rocks rose into the air. Syn moving to the shore and remaining there enough for Talia to join him before there were several more on the shore looking at them. "Where is your roost mother." He said it as several of them were looking among each other and making some movement for a moment before several flew around and Syn was looking towards Talia. "Their eldest controls the nests as a group and there is a lot here. She'll know a lot more information."

 

[Talia Larkin Swift]

Talia guided her Ashla the final distance to shore, remaining focused on the bond until she felt solid ground beneath her feet again. Only then did she relax her concentration, turning her attention toward the Fairlee gathered along the beach. There were far more of them than she had expected, and her archaeologist's curiosity immediately began cataloging differences in size, behavior, and even the places they had chosen to perch.

"One individual oversees all of them?" she asked Syn quietly, watching several of the Fairlee take flight in search of their elder. "She must be remarkably old if she's the eldest of something that has lived here for generations." Talia paused, reconsidering the assumption almost immediately. "Unless eldest is a position rather than literally referring to age."

She smiled faintly at herself before looking farther inland. "What exactly are we asking her about, Master? The creatures beneath the island, or are we checking on the Fairlee themselves?" There was no hesitation about following Syn farther, but she wanted to understand why the Jedi made these visits rather than merely accompanying him through the motions.

Syn

 

[Syn]

Talia Larkin Swift

He looked at her and gave a nod of his head. "Yes, the creatures below the island and across others are dangerous and for their young or their eggs it is a danger." He said it as looking forward though there was a small clearly so they could walk and she spoke. "As to their elder it is different in some ways, age is important but they are a species thaat roosts so their nests and eggs are important. The one who gives the most to the clan is honored." He said it as walking there was some more and one of the nests was larger that could be seen a several dozzen eggs and one of the larger fairalee there who looked up and came over as she was tall and slender with her feathers gleaming from cleaning. "Ah master jedi have you come for the hatching?"

 

[Talia Larkin Swift]

Talia listened as they walked, her attention moving between Syn and the Fairalee gathered around them. His explanation clarified what she had misunderstood before. Their elder wasn't simply the oldest member of the species, but someone whose place had been earned through what she contributed to the survival of the entire roost.

"That makes more sense," she said thoughtfully. "Leadership through contribution rather than age alone." A faint smile touched her lips. "I rather like that."

The enormous nest ahead immediately captured her attention. Talia slowed when she saw the dozens of eggs nestled within it, careful not to wander too close or do anything that might make the Fairalee guarding them uncomfortable. When the roost mother approached, Talia inclined her head respectfully, allowing Syn to answer the question that had clearly been directed toward him.

The mention of a hatching, however, brought unmistakable curiosity to her expression. She glanced from the gleaming Fairalee to the eggs and then toward Syn. "The hatching?" she repeated softly. Apparently their visit had coincided with something considerably more significant than a routine inspection. "Master, did you know they were this close to hatching, or did we happen to arrive at exactly the right time?"

Syn

 

[Syn]

Talia Larkin Swift

"THeir eggs hatch within four months and they stagger them. The chance of arriving close to a hatching is..." He trailed off as the roost mother was looking at him. "Giving away all of our secrets, let the girl be impressed." There was some squawks but the eggs were there as Syn moved forward checking on them. "So how have thing been progressing for all of you?" The woman looked him and shrugged large winged arms. "As good as can be expected, the water filters the jedi have installed have been helpful as well as the fisheries. We have been able to feed more and share it among the larger roosts."

 

[Talia Larkin Swift]

Talia couldn't quite suppress her smile at the exchange between Syn and the roost mother. "I was impressed before he explained the odds," she assured the Fairalee, amusement warming her voice. "Though now I know better than to let Master Syn explain away a fortunate coincidence before I've had the opportunity to appreciate it."

She followed at a respectful distance as Syn moved closer to inspect the eggs, careful not to intrude upon the nest itself. Her attention shifted between the dozens of eggs and the Fairalee gathered around them. Knowing that the hatchings were staggered explained the differences she could see among the nests, and she found herself wondering how much planning went into maintaining a roost of this size.

The mention of the water filters and fisheries caught her interest as well. "So the Jedi aren't only helping with the creatures beneath the islands," Talia observed. "You're helping the roosts become more sustainable." She glanced toward Syn before looking back to the roost mother. "Has that allowed the population here to grow, or does it mostly mean you can support the Fairalee who were already living on these islands?"

Her gaze returned briefly to the eggs, curiosity evident in her expression. "And if we're fortunate enough to be here for a hatching..." A small smile appeared. "I would very much like to see it, provided outsiders are permitted to be present."

Syn

 

[Syn]

Talia Larkin Swift

"Boh, we can feed more but we can also just survive better. Saltwater is fine for a little flavor on the fish, drinking it is not advisable. The Filters means we can be on the islands that might not have ready access to fresh water but has more space or outcroppings." She spoke as she was there and Syn stopped only to look at them as he shrugged. "I have never known them to complain though I am not certain if they imprrint like other species. you might have an island dwelling flying species that you need to take care of if you want to stay and watch." He said it and the roost mother was looking at him. "It is not like that... Those lightsabers on the other hand, shiny things are wonderful and reflective and we can see them as they glitterr in the sun."

 

[Talia Larkin Swift]

Talia's expression brightened with understanding as the roost mother explained. "More places to live without being dependent upon whether an island happens to have fresh water," she said. It was a relatively simple solution, but one that could dramatically change which islands were suitable for the Fairalee. "And I imagine having more roosts spread across the islands makes it harder for those creatures below to threaten too much of your population at once."

Syn's warning about imprinting earned an immediate turn of her head. Talia stared at him for a moment before glancing toward the eggs. "You might have mentioned that possibility before I volunteered," she said, although the amusement in her voice made it clear she wasn't particularly alarmed. "I'm not certain Bramoc would object to a flying addition to the family, but perhaps we should establish whether that's actually possible before I accidentally become responsible for one."

The roost mother's correction brought a relieved laugh from Talia, though her gaze dropped instinctively toward the lightsaber she carried. "Oh. Well, that is considerably easier to manage." She carefully removed the weapon from her belt and held it where the sunlight could catch against the metal without offering it within immediate reach. "Although I'm suddenly wondering whether carrying something shiny into a roost filled with curious Fairalee was the wisest decision I've made today."

Her blue-green eyes lifted toward the roost mother with a playful smile. "You may admire it, but I'm afraid this particular shiny thing isn't available for the nest." She glanced toward Syn, clearly entertained by the unexpected turn in their visit. "I think I preferred being in danger of accidental imprinting. At least then I might have gone home with something rather than losing my lightsaber."

Syn

 

[Syn]

Talia Larkin Swift

"I am not certain you would want to have a child that is able to fly around." He said it but was looking at them as several circled and a few were coming in to the rim of the nest. The roost mother was there as she remained at the ready but only laughed. "They have seen a lightsaber, many of us have been recruited by other jedi over the eons. It is known heralds were used at Ruusan and we pass the information and history downt ot he rest over time." She said it and she was proud though while she was moving. "And the hilts are not nearly as shiny as you think they are. When you are flying high in the clouds from island to island you want something that glitters in the sun and shows you where nests are."

 

[Talia Larkin Swift]

Talia glanced upward as several of the Fairalee circled overhead before looking back at Syn. "Considering the family we're hoping to have, I'm not going to assume anything about what our children might eventually be capable of," she replied with a small laugh. "Though I admit, learning to walk sounds considerably less frightening when the alternative is learning to fly."

Her amusement faded into genuine interest when the roost mother mentioned Ruusan. That was precisely the sort of unexpected connection to galactic history that inevitably captured Talia's attention. "Your people were at Ruusan?" she asked, eyes brightening. "And you still preserve accounts from that time?" Thousands of years of history passed orally from one generation to another fascinated the archaeologist in her. "I would love to hear some of those histories sometime. Especially your version of events. Records preserved by the Jedi are one perspective, but the memories of the people who were actually involved can tell a very different story."

She looked toward the distant islands when the roost mother explained what truly attracted the Fairalee. From the ground, Talia had naturally imagined something small and reflective. From high above the islands, however, the scale changed completely. "Oh, you mean something large enough to serve as a marker," she realized. "Something that catches the sunlight from far enough away that you can recognize a roost while you're still flying between islands."

A thoughtful smile crossed her features as she returned her lightsaber to her belt. "In that case, I withdraw my concern about losing this. Apparently, my lightsaber isn't nearly impressive enough for you." Talia looked toward Syn with feigned disappointment. "I've learned something important today, Master. If I ever want to impress the Fairalee, I need to think much bigger and considerably shinier."

Syn

 

[Syn]

Talia Larkin Swift

"Yes, we pass the stories and there are some cave images of it. Like many species at Ruusan we were with the jedi in a united front against the sith. All clan matriarchs know it. We shaare it with hatchlings who are able to learn about themselves but also our history with the jedi. They give us quite a lot on this world and we are able to work with them to provide for ourselves." The rooast mother said it while she was walking and sat on one fo the eggs while motioning for Syn and Talia to be able to sit on the edge of the roost. The branches interwoven to be thick and stiff. "ANd yes enough that it can be seen to show where we can go for other clans and food."

 

[Talia Larkin Swift]

Talia accepted the invitation and carefully settled onto the edge of the roost beside Syn, testing the woven branches before putting her full weight upon them. They were far sturdier than they appeared, and she found herself studying the construction for a moment before her attention returned to the roost mother. The mention of cave images had predictably captured the archaeologist in her.

"Cave images too?" Her interest was immediate. "I'd very much like to see those someday, if they're somewhere outsiders are permitted to visit." She glanced around the roost and toward the Fairalee moving overhead. "Written records survive because someone deliberately preserves them, but traditions passed from one generation to another can preserve things no archive ever recorded. Especially when your people were actually there."

Her gaze drifted toward the eggs, and her expression softened at the thought of generations of hatchlings learning those same stories. "I like that you teach them where they came from before sending them out into the world. Not only what happened at Ruusan, but why your relationship with the Jedi matters now." Talia looked toward Syn with a faint smile. "I think that's something we could learn from. If Bramoc and I are going to build something new, our people should understand what came before it rather than only being taught what we hope comes next."

She looked back toward the roost mother. "And now I understand the markers better too. They're not decoration. They're a network." Her eyes traveled toward the neighboring islands, imagining how different the geography must appear from the air. "Roosts, food, safe places to land. You're mapping Ahch-To in a way someone walking its islands never could."

Syn

 

[Syn]

Talia Larkin Swift

"I guess if you wanted to go from island to island." She seemed to shrug while sitting on an egg with some of the others following suit. "You are putting a lot more grandeur into living then it is. We fly and migrate around. It is a living thing over something big and noble. The jedi build temples. I have a nest with a hundred eggs for children that will need fish and water." She was saying it and Syn looked over some of it before he pulled his legs up there to take a moment He could balance himself on the edge almost matching their perching for the look and despite his size make it seem effortless with a weightlessness to his form. "She has a very grand view of things it has been enlightening to see things with new perspective."

 

[Talia Larkin Swift]

Talia's lips parted as though she intended to defend herself, but the roost mother's perfectly practical assessment stopped her. She looked around at the enormous nest, the eggs, and the Fairalee perched comfortably around them before conceding the point with a small laugh. "All right. Perhaps I am making it sound grander than you consider it." She had spent enough of her life studying civilizations to know how easily someone looking from the outside could attach significance to something the people themselves regarded as ordinary. "That's probably the archaeologist in me. We find meaning in how people live, sometimes while the people we're studying are simply trying to make certain everyone has something to eat."

Syn's observation earned him a mildly accusing glance, although her smile remained. "I wouldn't say very grand." Talia considered that for a moment before looking back toward the roost mother and the astonishing number of eggs surrounding her. "Although a hundred children does sound rather grand from where I'm sitting. Bramoc and I have talked about having a family, but I think he'd faint if I suggested starting with a hundred." The thought drew another quiet laugh from her before her expression softened. Whatever greater historical significance Talia might have found in the roost, the Fairalee had reduced its immediate purpose to something beautifully straightforward. Children needed food, water, shelter, and adults willing to provide those things.

"Maybe that's the perspective I should be learning from," she admitted, glancing between Syn and the roost mother. "Not everything has to represent something larger. Sometimes a nest is simply a home, and making certain the people inside it are fed and safe is important enough on its own." Her gaze wandered toward the eggs again, curiosity inevitably returning. "Though I'm afraid I'm still going to think your history is fascinating. You'll have to forgive me for that part."

Syn

 

[Syn]

Talia Larkin Swift

She seemed to think about it and Syn laughed more to himself. "I guess if we can't help it. There isn't much history, we have just been here and go to other worlds with the jedi sometimes when they need us." She said it but Syn only gave a nod as he spoke. "Their help at the temples is invaluable and since a number of jedi who come do not bring more then their own ship it can usually be beneficial to have a means to get around the islands. The Lanai are skilled in their boats but they have the dangers and can't fly above the storms if they are around or risk getting thrown about on the waves." He said it and there was a nod. "Yes but we can answer questions, there are always more islands on the world the jedi do not know about."

 

[Talia Larkin Swift]

Talia smiled at the roost mother's assessment of her people's history, finding the simplicity of it almost charming. "I think you and I have very different definitions of what counts as history," she admitted. "You've lived alongside the Jedi for generations, fought beside them, traveled to other worlds with them, and passed those experiences down to your hatchlings. To an archaeologist, that's quite a lot." She had learned long ago that history didn't need to involve the rise and fall of civilizations to matter. Sometimes the lives people considered entirely ordinary were the ones that revealed the most about a culture.

Her attention shifted to Syn as he explained how important the Fairalee were to the Jedi moving between the islands. She hadn't considered how difficult travel across Ahch-To could become when the weather turned against them, although the ocean surrounding them made the problem obvious in hindsight. "Flying above a storm sounds considerably preferable to discovering how well a small boat handles one," she said, glancing toward the Fairalee with renewed appreciation. "Especially when someone has to reach another island quickly. I can understand why the Jedi value your help."

The mention of islands even the Jedi hadn't discovered immediately caught her attention, however. Talia turned toward the roost mother with unmistakable curiosity in her eyes. "Now that is exactly the sort of thing you shouldn't tell an archaeologist unless you're prepared for questions." Her smile widened as she looked briefly toward Syn. "An entire world occupied by the Jedi for so long, and there are still islands they haven't explored?" She returned her attention to the roost mother. "Do the Fairalee know what's on some of them, or do you simply know they're there because you've seen them while migrating?"

Syn

 

[Syn]

Talia Larkin Swift

"Most jedi who come here never get past the island and the first temple. They are not here for the world, its history or its mysteries. THey are here for the temple, for the status of having 'rediscovered it' of being able to say that they trained there even if they only arrived to look around." He said it and offered a small shrug as the roost mother spoke. "We know aa few but they are not visited because they are not as important to the jedi. They do leave the world like they found it untouched largely and the Lnai clear out whatever they might bring." Syn was remaining there though as he thought about some of it and there wasn't a lo who used the worlds resources as visiting jedi just wanted to mostly meditate.

 

[Talia Larkin Swift]

Talia's expression shifted as Syn explained why so many Jedi never ventured beyond the first island. She understood coming to Ahch-To because of what the temple represented, but arriving merely for the distinction of claiming to have trained there was something else entirely. "That's disappointing," she admitted, glancing toward the horizon and the islands scattered beyond their own. "To travel all this way to a world this old and only see enough of it to say that you were here seems like such a waste." There was no accusation in her voice, merely genuine bewilderment from someone who had spent much of her life searching beneath surfaces rather than being satisfied with what everyone already knew.

The roost mother's explanation softened that judgment somewhat. If the consequence of the Jedi's lack of curiosity was that Ahch-To remained largely untouched, perhaps there was something worthwhile in it after all. "Although I suppose there's an advantage to being overlooked," Talia conceded. "No one digging where they shouldn't, taking things because they think they belong in a collection, or changing places they don't understand simply because they can." She had encountered enough poorly done archaeology to appreciate restraint, intentional or otherwise. "If the Lanai remove what visitors leave behind, and the Jedi aren't exploiting the islands for resources, then perhaps being interested mostly in meditation has protected more of this world than anyone intended."

Her gaze traveled toward the distant islands again, though now she regarded them with even greater curiosity. "Still, knowing there are places here that have remained virtually untouched..." Talia caught herself and laughed quietly before Syn could accuse her of making things grand again. "I know. There I go." She looked toward the roost mother with an apologetic smile. "You see islands. I immediately start wondering who might have lived there three thousand years ago and what they left behind."

Talia turned back toward Syn, her curiosity becoming a little more pointed. "You've obviously gone much farther than most Jedi who visit. How much of Ahch-To have you actually explored, Master?" Her eyes narrowed playfully as another thought occurred to her. "Because if the answer is that you've been quietly keeping unexplored islands from an archaeologist this entire time, I may finally have found something worth questioning your judgment over."

Syn

 

[Syn]

Talia Larkin Swift

He looked at her aand thought about it. "Maybe a third of the world. The continent when it rising is an interesting discovery on its own." He said it and the roost mother snorted but laughed more to herself as he spoke. "It is, most worlds do not have tidal continents. Those are either above or below but something that will shift depending on the polar regions." There was a small nod of heads but they didn't understand all of it. THe jedi master was there though to explain and look it over. "It is a difficult thing to see for some but there is a lot more and when the tides are right it is visible for several months and then under the sea again forr a decade."

 

[Talia Larkin Swift]

Talia stared at Syn for several seconds, whatever playful accusation she had been preparing disappearing entirely. "A continent?" Of all the answers she might have expected, that had not been one of them. She leaned forward slightly, her attention now completely fixed upon him. "An entire continent rises out of the ocean for months, disappears beneath it again, and doesn't return for another decade?" Her expression carried the unmistakable mixture of disbelief and excitement that usually appeared whenever someone revealed something she desperately wanted to investigate. "Master, you led with unexplored islands when you knew that existed?"

The archaeologist in her immediately began considering the implications. A landmass exposed for only a few months every decade would present an extraordinary environment for preservation, though she suspected it would create just as many problems as opportunities. "If anyone ever lived there, anything they built would spend years beneath the ocean between periods of exposure. Even if no one did, there could be evidence of what Ahch-To was like centuries or millennia ago preserved there." She paused as another possibility occurred to her. "And if the coastline changes with every cycle, there could be places accessible during one emergence that aren't accessible during the next." The questions were multiplying considerably faster than she could ask them.

She glanced toward the roost mother and caught enough of her amusement to realize how predictable she must appear. Talia laughed softly at herself. "I'm doing it again, aren't I?" She settled back onto the edge of the nest, although there was considerably more energy in her posture than before. "You have a hundred eggs to feed, and I'm sitting here getting excited about a piece of land that spends most of its existence underwater." Her blue-green eyes returned to Syn almost immediately, betraying the fact that she wasn't remotely finished with the subject.

"Have you actually been there while it's above water?" she asked. "And more importantly, when does it rise again?" A smile slowly spread across her features as she realized exactly what she was doing. "I realize I'm supposed to be here learning about the Force, but you really cannot tell an archaeologist there's a continent that appears once every ten years and expect her not to want to explore it."

Syn