Private Rocky Start

[Jane]

Outfit: Jedi Robes and Armor
Inventory: Jedi Training Lightsaber, pouches with seeds, standard Jedi equipment.
Tag: Gavin Restur

Location: Alderaan, near Alexandra Feanor's Garden

---

To say that Jane was surprised when alarms went off, followed by numerous elder Jedi directing the students to evacuation shuttles, would be an understatement. Jane had only been on Coruscant for a few cycles before she was already sent to another planet in that awful metal box. But to be honest, she didn't mind. The depth of the invasion was lost on her. Sure, Jane heard the fighting, saw the bolts fly overhead as the shuttle left for orbit and caught the distraught expressions on people's faces. But the impact of what it all meant, the depth of their sadness? That she didn't understand. And Coruscant? She didn't like Coruscant to begin with. It was a cold place with little flora and fauna, save from the billions of humanoids and near-humanoids. Alderaan however? Alderaan was alive. The Force sang to her, and she heard the melody of the Living Force the moment her feet touched the soil.

To her, this was a win. If only people stopped looking so sad.

Jane did not linger at the Jedi Garden. There was a lot to discover, and she didn't enjoy being surrounded by a large crowd. Especially not when their souls sang such sorrowful songs. So she left for the outer rings of the Temple of Grey, wandering about the bright vegetation with dark empty mechanical eyes tracking the countless brances overhead. Finally, her short journey came to an end when she found herself in front of a little creek. The Temple of Grey was just behind her, and the Jedi's voices were barely a whisper. And just in front of her, beyond the stream, there's an entire forest to explore.

The short doll-like girl knelt down to the soil, reaching for her boots to take them off and prepare herself for a journey down the creek.

 

[Gavin Restur]

So he's not around for, what, five minutes? And everything goes to hell...
​

Gavin had been led across the galaxy, except for anywhere near the Core. Going from being in the middle of Black Sun Syndicate territory, to along the border of Sith and Alliance space, he hadn't had the opportunity to come to the aid of Coruscant when the attack on the planet happened. So, you can imagine the look on his face when he heard about the news, and chimed in to the communications systems.

Well, that's not good.

He boarded the shuttle with other people to head towards the Garden. However, he didn't spend too much time lingering around there. After a few brief discussions with some of the people in the area, he got the gist of what had gone down. He's glad he didn't own any property in any of the planets that were taken, and he's even more glad he has no intentions of doing such in the future. Could you imagine the prices?

Regardless, he had eventually made his way to the outskirts of the area. While his excuse was that he wanted to "clear his head", the honest answer was that he wanted to look around the place. He's never been to Alderaan before, and this was an opportunity to see some new scenery. All of the government officials and military planners can inform him of what's happening next later, or what the next big move is. To which, at least he'll actually be around this time.

Walking around with his hands gently resting on his belt, thumbs hooked. For the first time in a while, he didn't have his respirator on. Taking the opportunity to breath some fresh air, finally. Eventually, though, as he would continue walking, he'd notice... what seemed to be a little girl up ahead? A brow raised for a moment, as his head turned to look around in search of any sort of adult or parental-looking figure around. To which, there were none nearby. Huh.

After double-checking and triple-checking to see if there was anyone nearby, he elected to approach. She seemed to have the same robes that the Jedi normally wear, so maybe she's someone... what're they called? Padawin? Padewon? Whatever.

As he had gotten close enough, there was a clearing of his throat to make his presence known. The last thing he'd want to do is scare her. " 'xcuse me, little girl. Are you lost?" It was of genuine concern. With all of the chaos going on with the evacuations and fleeing, he wouldn't be surprised if people are being separated from their families. He came to a halt a bit away from her, though still keeping his arms relaxed, and his tone light. It was a nice day, after all.

Jane

 

[Jane]

Tag: Gavin Restur

---

Shoe laces were another invention she couldn't understand. Shoes in general seemed odd to her: why cover your feet when you can feel the world through them? When she entered Coruscant without shoes, at least two Jedi ushered for her to put on her boots. They seemed to be genuinely concerned for her, as if she'd stand on a pointy rock and injure herself. So she caved in, so they'd stop worrying. In public, at least.

By the time she had freed herself from the leather construction of doom, she heard crunching leaves and branches in her cybernetic fluted ears. They twitched up and down, twice, before her attention returned back to the creek. There were plenty of wild animals around after all. Jane pushed herself up onto her bare feet, boots tucked beneath her left armpit, and was about to move forward when she heard a voice behind her.

Jane's head twisted almost unnaturally over her shoulder, her expressionless eyes lingering on the man who stood a little bit away from her. She should have been surprised, or possibly scared. But instead, her entire body turned around a second later, facing the man properly. "Hello." Her monotone and flat voice echoed through the forest, while the painted metallic plates on her face reflected in the light. "I am not lost."

For a moment, it appeared that she was about to turn around and continue what she was doing. But then she paused, a thought passing through her mind. Her gaze returned to the man, lingering on him for a second. She'd never seen anyone dressed like him before, though she admired his hat. Yes, it was a beautiful hat, she concluded. But he wasn't a Jedi. "Are you lost?" She finally asked.

"Wait. I was told I can not talk to strangers."

Without waiting for a response, Jane began to approach him, coming to a stop right in front of him, far too close for comfort. Her small, scarred hand reached out to him for a handshake. "I'm Jane. Now we're not strangers. Are you lost?"

 

[Gavin Restur]

["Hello. I am not lost."]

And then it seemed like she was about to turn around. It was still a child out here alone, though. He's not the best with kids, but surely he can't just leave her out here by herself, right?

Fortunately, he didn't have to make a harsh judgement call, as the other instead went to continue the conversation.

["Are you lost?"]

"Well, I-"

["Wait. I was told I can not talk to strangers."]

"Oh."

He wasn't given an opportunity to say anything else, as she quickly approached him. Despite how close she had gotten, he didn't move much. Merely shifting his body to look at her better.

["I'm Jane. Now we're not strangers. Are you lost?"}

A brief moment was taken to glance between her, and her extended hand. Gradually, one of his own would lift from its grip on his belt. Taking a gentle hold of her hand, before a brief shake was given. Letting the hand fall slack to his side, afterwards.

"Name's Gavin. And no, I ain't lost, little missy. Merely out here to take the time to myself, and enjoy the scenery." The same hand he had let fall limp lifted itself up once more, gesturing out towards all of the views around them, all of the fauna and nature.

"If y'ain't lost, then what're you doin' out here? Don't you got a... guardian or somethin'? You look like one of 'em Jedi."

Jane

 

[Jane]

Tag: Gavin Restur

---

Jane's handshake was stiff and awkward, in contrast to the man's which was brief and gentle. She was merely imitating what she had seen others do. When he let go of the handshake, Jane's arm fell limp next to her side.

She listened to him speak and give his introduction. They seemed to be here for the same reason. Somewhat. She didn't exactly need time to herself, but she was enjoying the scenery. When he gestured around, her cybernetic eyes followed suit, taking in the beautiful and vibrant flora and fauna before rising to look up at him again.

"I am doing the same as you." Jane replied matter-of-factly, her expression never changing beyond a blank stare. "I'm a Jedi. I do not have an assigned guardian. I am a learner, not yet a Padawan." She corrected the boots tucked beneath her arm before continuing. "I am meant to stay with the group. But it's too busy back there."

Jane paused as another thought entered her mind. If she needed a guardian and he was old enough to be on his own, couldn't he be her guardian, at least for now? Plus, he seemed capable of protecting her if something happened, though she doubted there would be any dangers around here. "You are my guardian now." She decided. "Where were you planning to go?"

"My plan was to go down the stream. I saw some pretty fishes"

 

[Gavin Restur]

["I am meant to stay with the group. But it's too busy back there."]

There were a few nods as she spoke. He can understand not wanting to be near large gatherings. Though, he wasn't expecting to hear that she didn't have anyone assigned to her. But that wasn't the most surprising thing of the conversation.

["You are my guardian now."]

What. "What-?"

["Where were you planning to go? My plan was to go down the stream. I saw some pretty fishes."]

He didn't get much of an opportunity to comment on what Jane had said. Another moment was spent looking around. There really was no one else around, huh. He did not sign up for this. But unfortunately, his morality would get the better of him. Again, he can't just let her go off on her own.

Damn kids.

With a sigh, he spoke. "I don't got much of a map in mind. I was merely plannin' on... walking 'round, 'till I don't want to walk no more. I'll come with you down the stream-- just don't go too far down without me, please."

And so, assuming she started making her way along, he elected to follow. "So, uh... you ain't got a 'guardian', you said? No Master?" Electing to make some conversation, in the meanwhile. She seemed sweet enough.

Jane

 

[Jane]

Tag: Gavin Restur

---

Jane listened to the man's response with her eyes fixed on him. In reality, she would have left down stream regardless, but the companionship was welcome. After all, she didn't really know anyone. Any friend or association she can create now would be wonderful, especially since she didn't have the best impression of the Temple of Grey's company and was debating her stay. So any friend was welcome. Although, on second thought, she was not really sure what friendship meant.

"I won't go too far down without you." The girl answered, then dipped her feet into the water. She let out a quiet sigh; her scarred flesh felt almost nothing, but the coldness of the water made her feel something. And it was soothing. Then, without another word, she lowered her eyes down to the water she stood in and began to waddle down stream.

Hearing his voice, her doll-like head twisted up to face him. "No master. I just recently became a Jedi. I counted 21 moons before we had to leave Coruscant. A horrible place." As she talked, her gaze shifted to a giant orange fish with long swirly fins that swam just around her ankles before it continued upstream.

Her gaze returned to him as the fish faded from her view. "How about you? You are no Jedi. Jedi don't wear cool hats like you do." Jane concluded with that matter-of-fact tone that never faded. "You look like somebody I've seen on... Hm. What was it called?" Jane paused to think. "Oh. The 'holomovies'. Yes, that is it. There was a man there wearing a cool hat like yours. And a pistol."

While they continued downstream, the nature around them changed; jungle leaves above them began to disappear, allowing more sunlight in. The ground in front of them replaced its soil with patches of grass, with a deep green meadow as far as the eyes could see in the distance, with a small lake at its center.

 

[Gavin Restur]

As she was walking within the stream itself, he kept himself off to the side. Taking in the scenery as she spoke.

["No master. I just recently became a Jedi. I counted 21 moons before we had to leave Coruscant. A horrible place."]

Interesting way to say how many days passed. "Yeah, Coruscant ain't for everyone. I was there occasionally for work, but I preferred avoiding that planet if I was able to."

["How about you? You are no Jedi. Jedi don't wear cool hats like you do."] At this point, he's pretty sure his hat gets more attention than he does, sometimes. His eyes lifted to look at the brim of his hat, before looking back towards her. ["You look like somebody I've seen on... Hm. What was it called? Oh. The 'holomovies'. Yes, that is it. There was a man there wearing a cool hat like yours. And a pistol."]

Now that had earned an amused look on the man's face. Grinning for a moment, as he averted his gaze elsewhere. "Yeeaahhh..." He took a few seconds to try and figure out how to respond to that. "Suppose I'm glad you think it's 'cool'. And hey, I ain't big on watchin' many holomovies, but I'll take the fact that I look like one as a compliment."

"Regardless, you've got it spot on that I ain't a Jedi. I'm what's called a bounty hunter: I basically go after criminals and bad people, capture them, and hand them over to the Alliance. In turn, they give me credits." Keeping the explanation of what he does pretty simple. One of his hands shifted, as a badge that was on his belt was removed. And, it was offered for her to look at. "Here, can have a look at this." It was merely the Alliance's symbol in gold, but it was clear that it was supposed to represent the fact that he does have a measure of authority.

Jane