Public Stumble to Refuge | Refuge, Village of Respite (Jedi and Allies)

[Alwine Bergen]

Objective I, Temporary Housing Units
Tags: Mykel Dawson Jonyna Si Lander Stalwart | Open

---

Alwine had just finished sorting through a stack of ration packets when the hum in the air changed. It was faint at first, almost a stutter in the rhythm of the camp's usual noise, and then the generator's sputter, a child's cry cutting short, and at last, a ripple of unease that made her spine stiffen.

She straightened, scanning the lanes. Nothing seemed amiss yet. Just the same heat, the same weary shuffle of people trying to build a life out of scraps. But then the old man by the broken generator suddenly screamed, his voice raw and frightened.

"Mynocks! They're here!"

Her body froze for a brief moment, not yet realizing the scope of the matter. She couldn't see them yet, couldn't smell them yet, but her body had already jumped into action, her fingers coming up to remove her shirt and pants with practiced speed. As Mykel Dawson took care of the critters where he was, Alwine, now naked, sank to the ground as her body began to morph. The satchel fell from her shoulder, supplies spilling into the dirt. Her heartbeat steadied. The shift came with a shiver that started deep in her bones, her body folding in on itself and reforming in the same breath, bones cracking, breaking, and rebuilding themselves. Where the small woman had stood, an even smaller wolf now rose. Even in her wolf form, she was small, not much larger than a cub, even if the adult proportions were evident in the limbs.

She bared her teeth, the growl that escaped her throat more a promise than a threat at… Nothing. The man had taken care of the problem in the thirty seconds it had taken her to change. Well didn't she feel like a fool now. If her children saw her, they would've mocked their mother for it.

If she'd had her human arms in that moment, Alwine would have face palmed herself.

Thiry seconds more and the woman stood there once again, hands quickly redressing herself, not seeing any need to be shy or coy about what had just happened.

And as if nothing was amiss, she collected another crate right there and then, and continued as though the last minute and a half was just imagination.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Cora hummed, low and thoughtful.

"Perhaps the Force is at play, then. Guiding refugees to sanctuary in their time of need. I can certainly see the appeal of getting as far away from the Empire and Sith Order as possible."

Everything had collapsed within a matter of months, and right now, it didn't look as though any particular group was poised to reclaim the core. Perhaps, a new coalition would rise from the dust once it managed to settle.

"And…those here are fortunate in having a steady hand to guide them.”

The curve of her smile deepened a fraction. One didn't get to hold the title Sentinel of Harmony for no reason.

"Makko is well. About as excited and nervous as I am. Probably moreso," she chuckled softly. "I promised him that I wouldn't overextend myself while I'm here. Speaking of, where would I be of most use?"

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Lander Stalwart​

"I appreciate it." She smiled, hefting a box herself. "I remember the fall of the old Republic. It was...not much different than this." She noted, before a trio of chaos followed behind her, trotting around still on four legs.

"Of course..." Jonyna chuckled, looking back. "Back then, I didn't have the pleasure of allies across the galaxy to help me. To find such sanctuary. Take solace in that, that we can still raise our young with friends, rather than on the run. This Empire is not so all encompassing as the one I faced all those centuries ago."

 

[Mykel Dawson]

Objective 1 - Temporary Housing Units

A sudden flare of aggression scythed through the grief swell of the mourning family around him, causing his eyes to narrow as he looked over Rupert's shoulder.

However, his hard expression quickly faltered into a look of bewilderment as he witnessed a grotesque figure in the midst of metamorphosis.

At first glance the creature vaguely resembled something like a small dark canine, but quickly its body swelled beyond all recognition, skin stretching and fur shedding in several large clumps by the second. Bony protrusions jutted and rolled just beneath the surface of the deformed figure like some macabre sculpture being molded by demonic hands.

Eventually, the twisting sack of flesh settled into a final template, now standing upright on two legs instead of being on all fours where it had started.

It was a woman. Small, slender, golden-haired. Stark naked.

With her form resettled, it finally dawned on him that it was the same blonde he had locked eyes with from before, now scurrying about collecting her clothes and belongings. Was she some kind of shifter? He knew of them, from his studies of xeno like the shi'ido, but never had he witnessed one in action until now. All against his will.

"Ah...Rupert, if you or your family require anything else, then just feel free to reach out later. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to check something out. Enjoy the food."

He gave the man one last pat on the shoulder before he departed from the family and moved on to tail the blonde.

By now, she was fully clothed and moving about carrying crates like he had witnessed from the outset. If he hadn't caught her in the act, then he would have been easily mistaken that she had been at the same task this whole time. Thankfully, his sanity was checked as at least a few other bystanders had witnessed her transformation and looked equally as dumfounded by the whole sequence. Under normal circumstances a panic may have ensued, but the calming influence the Consular had just instilled upon the surrounding refugees produced a more muted response.

"Ma'am?" he finally called out once he was only a few paces away from her. "Need anything?"

___________________________________________________________________

Alwine Bergen​

 

[Alwine Bergen]

Objective I, Temporary Housing Units
Tags: Mykel Dawson Jonyna Si Lander Stalwart | Open

---

Alwine was not a woman who muttered to herself. Not outloud, anyway. Her internal monologue was always rich, and the same sharp language that she often used for others was one she used for herself as well. She was nothing if not consistent, and while she worked the crates, her mind scolded herself for jumping into action so quickly when there was nothing to jump into action for.

It was not the mistake itself that she found so humiliating, but the fact that she had reacted as though the past decade and a half or so had never happened. As though she was still the young woman who needed be rescued, who had been terribly glad to jump into violence for nearly every little thing in the years that came after that. She had thought, at the time, that being a warrior was all her heart desired. Life had shown her that she'd been so awfully wrong.

And yet that part of her had yearned to be released a mere few moments ago. No thought. No control. Nothing of the things she prided herself on being. She had acted like a child younger than her own, and with less restraint.

She promised herself it would never happen again.

So engulfed was she in her thoughts that she never noticed the approach of Mykel Dawson . When he spoke to her, she nearly jumped out of her skin, her fiery internal monologue coming to an abrupt halt.

He had asked if she needed anything.

Alwine blinked, looking at the man. A young human, or humanoid, and she could scent the Lightside of the Force on him in the same way that most of those who were attuned to the Force would be able to. Still, he was the first to actually speak with her since she'd come here with her children. He was also more than a whole foot taller than her.

"I am well," she answered. Her face did not flush, "But I believe the monotony of the work at this time is beginning to get to me. I do not supposed there are other things that need be doing with the same amount of urgency?"

She paused, before lowering the crate and holding her hand out. "I am Alwine Bergen."

 

[Mykel Dawson]

Objective 1 - Temporary Housing Units

Normally it was difficult to parse the mind of another Force Adept without a noticeable probing, but as the woman walked, distress bled off her surface thoughts like a leaky tank. Whatever inner conflict she wrestled with had so absorbed her attention that she appeared genuinely startled when he addressed her.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to sneak up on you," he apologized with an easy smile. "I just wanted to see if you needed a hand."

Despite the initial jolt he caused, at least outwardly she maintained her bearing as she answered him.

"Mykel Dawson, and it's a pleasure." He intertwined hands with hers for a few shakes, his grasp firm but not crushing. "Refugee resettlement is usually grim business, so I can see how this process can be draining. You're a real trooper for holding out this long."

After releasing her hand, he took a knee to pick up the crate she had set down. "Why don't you take a load off for a bit to clear your mind? Do you care chat for a bit while I deliver these supplies?"

___________________________________________________________________

Alwine Bergen​

 

[Alwine Bergen]

Objective I, Temporary Housing Units
Tags: Mykel Dawson Jonyna Si Lander Stalwart | Open

---

Mykel Dawson was his name. Alwine nodded in acknowledgement and offered a small and polite smile to him. She understood the sentiment, not wanting to sneak up to anyone. In truth, it was her own fault for letting her guard down while so completely encompassed with her thoughts. It was a weakness, she knew, being able to think so loudly that you didn't notice the air around you anymore. But it seemed no matter how hard she tried, it was not a piece of herself that she could undo and replace with another.

He said she was a real trooper. What could she but nod to that statement? Alwine was very aware of herself and what she could bring to the table. Still, he surprised her a second time by simply kneeling down and collecting another crate, offering her a much welcomed break.

She sat herself down on a nearby stool and looked at him as he worked.

"I appreciate this," she thanked him, "and I would love to chat. It seems merely speaking with those outside of my household is a rare treat nowadays. What brings you here, Mr. Dawson? Is this part of your job with the Jedi or are you here for personal reasons?"

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Refuge, Objective I
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

Lightsaber, Refuge, Respite, Order of Outcasts
​

"I promised him that I wouldn't overextend myself while I'm here. Speaking of, where would I be of most use?"

"Something that decreases what you're carrying I imagine," Jasper mused, rubbing his chin. "I'm due to link up with the crew overseeing the distribution of supplies. Why don't you tag along? I believe Jonyna Si is there. She was supposedly linking up with the representative of Sacorria..."

Sacorria. Jasper's family built their home in that place thousands of years ago. Only in his adult years had he found it, long since abandoned. It was safe there. The location was remote and difficult to get to. Even so, it was not safe to remain now that the Galactic Empire held that territory. It pained him to leave that place behind. One day, though, he was certain he'd see it again. He was quick to raise a hand and hail one of the many transports zipping between portions of the village.

"May as well link up... well, y'know."

Link up what had been. That was what remained unsaid. They had all stood on the council. Not that such a fact could change anything. After all, Jasper had seen first hand that the Jedi couldn't win wars...

Not without becoming something different.

 

[Lander Stalwart]

Refuge, Objective I
Tags: Jonyna Si

Lander's Blaster Pistol, Lander's Prosthetic Arm
​

This Empire is not so all encompassing as the one I faced all those centuries ago.

"Perhaps you are right," Lander relented.

That didn't mean he wasn't going to be bitter for a while. Some responsibility fell on his shoulders. He told the Galactic Empire himself that Sacorria would stand and fight. Maybe an agri-world had little sway over a war on the front lines itself, but he had still made his assertion nonetheless.

In many ways it was he who failed his planet.

Lander moved to the transport and threw a box of supplies up onto his shoulder. His mechanical hand made it a little easier to get started. It didn't have the same strain as his old flesh and bone, now lost to the war with the Mandalorian Enclave.

"Priority is food and cloth," he relayed to the other volunteers. "If these people are cold and hungry we've failed our jobs."

At least it wasn't cold just yet. The afternoon was mild, comfortably warm with a pleasant breeze. That made things a little easier.

 

[Leos]

Refuge, Objective II
Tags: Braze

Epo-1, YT-1760 small transport
​

"The Force becomes the bridge between your calm and their pain. That's why healing always costs something. You're giving a part of what you have and sacrificing it so that someone else can find theirs."

"So you need to give a part of yourself..."

And surely it had to be something positive. All the angst he carried with him couldn't do folks much good if he tried to give a part of himself. He had to bridge his calm to their pain. Another reminder to tack on that he needed to change his attitude. Maybe that was the sort of motivation he needed.

It's not like he wanted to feel the way he did.

"How do you... get in that headspace?" Leos asked. "Block out all of that... frustration? Does it feel weird to present that calm only to give it away?"

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Lander Stalwart
"Well, hungry is at least something I can solve pretty easy." Jonyna assured, as she looked up to a Maclunkee Class Freighter landing not too far from them. "Make sure to feed yourself eventually. The flying diners are prepped with enough food for two weeks of operation, so don't be shy. As for supplies, that's something we can work on together."

Tag: Jasper Kai'el Corazona von Ascania
(Surprise Kitten Attack)​

The trio of young Cathar had slipped away from their mother, just far enough to find the two jedi whom seemed to be talking about her. Maybe it was the fact they had mentioned her that drew them over, maybe they just felt a connection to the two.

Either way, there was now a trio of cathar trotting towards Cora specifically. The first seemed to be the spitting image of Jonyna, save for his shorter hair and much smaller stature. The second, a black haired beauty, whom seemed particularly interested in Cora's blonde hair. And the third, a shy redhead but strangely black striped, heading up the back of the short line.

The first walked over, letting out a meow that seemed to be curious, as it stared up to Cora with it's big eyes.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Master Si. Of course she'd be here - no doubt the Cathar had heeded Jasper's call. Cora smiled.

"I'd like to see her again."

The collapse of the Alliance had sent shockwaves through the galaxy. Fortunately, it seemed to be bringing good intentions out of the woodwork.

As Jasper lifted a hand to hail a transport, a trio of little feet padded their way.

Meow?

Cora blinked, quietly startled, and turned to find three Cathar kittens staring at her. "Oh," she tapped Jasper on the shoulder. "I think we have guests. And we probably won't need to go far to find Jonyna."

She crouched, reaching a hand out to the first kit to approach- red hair, bold like their mom.

"Well, I think we know who these little ones belong to." She smiled.

"Where is your mother?"

Jasper Kai'el Jonyna Si

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Refuge, Objective I
Tags: Corazona von Ascania , Jonyna Si

Lightsaber, Refuge, Respite, Order of Outcasts
​

"Oh," she tapped Jasper on the shoulder. "I think we have guests. And we probably won't need to go far to find Jonyna."

"Ah... there are a bunch of them now," Jasper mused with a smirk.

That sure boded well for the safety of imperials out there, if they were built to be the same kind of murder machine that their mother was. A transport slowed down at Jasper's side, to which he hopped onto the back.

"Well, no time to waste," he called out. "Lots to do and all."

There was lots to do, after all. Plenty of folks arriving from the Core were lost and confused, unsure of what to make of the drastic change their lives had taken. After all, nothing like this had ever happened before, at least in the way this had. They would need more than just food and clothing.

Hope was a difficult thing to repair.

 

[Lander Stalwart]

Refuge, Objective I
Tags: Jonyna Si , Corazona von Ascania

Lander's Blaster Pistol, Lander's Prosthetic Arm
​

Make sure to feed yourself eventually.

"I'll be fine," Lander insisted. "Had a few energy capsules. Should last me a while."

Out of principle, he felt it best to make sure others ate real food ahead of himself. It was an easy position for him to take. After all, the place of a leader was to suffer alongside their people. These were his people, the scattered remnants of the Alliance and Sacorria. He still had to fulfill the duty he was elected for.

His eyes shifted to the ground, where a collection of Cathar kits had been trailing behind the Jedi Master.

"Ah... seems your little ones have wandered off," he noted. "Do children do that often?"

He hadn't exactly sired any himself. Lander was married to his work, so to speak. He hardly had the time to consider what taking on that kind of responsibility would do to his life. When they arrived at the next staging area, the lose formation of a line for supplies was pretty apparent. Already some volunteers were handing out goods, overseen by a green Twi'lek woman covered in vines, her eyes closed shut.

"Senator," she greeted with a bow before turning to Jonyna and offering the same, "Sentinel of Harmony. Master Kai'el has just boarded a transport and will be here shortly."

"Right..." Lander nodded. "Thanks, Misses Senn."

The Senator set down the boxes he was carrying and began to fish blankets out. He may as well jump in and do things by hand. After all...

They wouldn't pass themselves out, would they?

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Lander Stalwart​

"Oh, you'd be surprised how often they do." Jonyna sighed, looking around. She trusted no one would hurt them, especially given those around her. More than likely, they had gone exploring. She took a moment to close her eyes, reaching out through the Force to find them. They couldn't have gotten...

Far.

She chuckled, opening her eyes again. Of course they found Cora.

"They're with a friend."

Jonyna paused, hearing her title for the first time in months. Sentinel of Harmony. The title she had spent decades working to earn now felt...

Hollow.

"Right..."

Tag: Corazona von Ascania Jasper Kai'el ​

The child stared up at Cora, before letting out a noise. A cathar word.

The other two looked back, before turning and walking back towards Jonyna. One turned back, chirped back at Cora, then turned back. They wanted the two to follow them.

They looked so proud of each other, marching in a little fluffy line.

 

[Braze]

Tags: Leos ​

Braze nodded, stepping back from the old fellow once they had finished up.

"Well, you gotta find something that grounds you. I typically think about a memory I like, or a sight or feeling. We can try a nice vista sometime, maybe head down to the shore at night. Looking out into the vast black abyss, or at the stars above, far away from any city lights, you feel very humbled and small. Meditation helps you learn how to get into a specific headspace and find your flow state. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to achieve."

Braze reached out and patted Leos on the head, ruffling his hair.

"Ready to give it a shot?"

Braze let the lesson sit with Leos for a moment, then glanced down the row of cots. He spotted a woman in her twenties sitting upright on the edge of her bed, cradling her forearm. The skin there was reddened and blistered from a recent burn, already cleaned and wrapped, but every time she shifted, a faint hiss of pain escaped her.

"That is the sort of thing you can help with," Braze murmured, tilting his head for Leos to follow. He guided his student over at an unhurried pace, offering the woman a gentle smile as they stopped beside her cot. "My student is learning a bit of healing," he explained softly. "If you are willing, he can try to ease the pain in your arm."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

For a moment, Cora watched that fluffy little line as it moved towards the speeder. Even in the bleakest of surroundings, children could bring some much needed cheer.

"Right," she affirmed, helping the little ones climb into the vehicle if needed - though Cathar were exceptionally capable when it came to climbing.

As the transport sped through the camp, Cora found that one of the children had wriggled their way into her lap. She'd also found that, absently, she'd begun stroking behind their ear.

"Funny how it tastes a disaster to draw us back together," she mused. "Have you heard from anyone else?"

It wasn't long before they'd come upon a pair of figures moving crates - one of which had a familiar head of red hair.

Jasper Kai'el Jonyna Si

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Refuge, Objective I
Tags: Jonyna Si , Corazona von Ascania

Lightsaber, Refuge, Respite, Order of Outcasts
​

"Have you heard from anyone else?"

"Not much," Jasper sighed. "In fairness I'm a little remote. And everything has gone to hell out there. I'll hear from people when the time is right."

It was going to be some time before that happened. Whenever they needed him, he would be there. Only a matter of when, not if. When all of the kittens and Cora were aboard the transport, it zipped off towards the location of Jonyna and Senator Stalwart. It wasn't long before Jasper too saw the fiery red main of his successor to the council.

A council that was shattered now. Whatever was left of the New Jedi Order had surely made something new for themselves.

The Jedi Master hopped off and made his way forward, first shaking the hand of Lander before offering it to Jonyna.

"Good to see you both," he stated. "Found your kids, Master Si. Hard to miss the bright red. Cora came with, brought Jedi from Ukatis. Cora, this gentleman here is Senator Lander Stalwart from Sacorria."

Lander Stalwart shifted his gaze towards Corazona.

"Ukatis stands with the High Republic now, correct?" he inquired. "I hear lots of worlds are putting out pleas for membership."

At least it was something they could turn to. It was something that resembled the security they had known, and it sure beat getting swallowed into the Galactic Empire's maw.

 

[Leos]

Refuge, Objective II
Tags: Braze

Epo-1, YT-1760 small transport
​

"My student is learning a bit of healing," he explained softly. "If you are willing, he can try to ease the pain in your arm."

Leos stepped up, taking a deep breath. A part of himself, given freely. Something light... peaceful... think of a good memory.


"Leos?"

A ten-year-old Themian boy sat bundled up in a window sill, watching the rain fall over the lights of Daiyu. It was back in the warehouse that served as their home, him and the other lost children. He hadn't been there for longer than a month now. He still couldn't fathom why anyone bothered to take him in.

"I'm not hungry," he stated in a muttered tone. "I had nutri-paste."

Sari let out an exhale, dropping herself down beside him on the nook.

"Come on, you're just deflecting," she scoffed. "Nobody here gives a chit where ya came from, I already told ya. Here."

The Twi'lek teen dropped something directly into his hands. A square bar, it's sheen reflective in the light coming through the window.

"A... dirt stick..?" Leos frowned.

"Dirt stick?" Sari chuckled. "No, kid, it's chocolate. Sink your teeth into that guy, yeah? I think you're gonna like it."

Leos hesitated for a moment, but eventually gave in and nibbled at the corner. His pupils grew slightly larger, his long ears twitching. Then they began to wiggle. His face went from tan to a dark brown in the cheeks.

"Hey, you like it!" the eldest orphan laughed.

"N-no," Leos scoffed, turning away. "I-I don't like anything."


The young padawan held out his hand and let the warm memory surge through him. When he was ready, he allowed the energy to flow through himself and out his palms. He was a natural at healing it seemed, even after he had struggled to get down the basics of telekinesis. The burnt tissue on the young woman began to twist and peel away, and a new layer of skin began to knit itself together in it's place.

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Corazona von Ascania Jasper Kai'el​

One would be surprised how often Jonyna's kids wandered off. But their mother always kept them in her perception, and knew better than to let them wander too far without her own ability to reach them.

And yet, they always seemed to bring interesting things to her. In this case, a pair of old friends. Jonyna didn't just take Jasper's hand, she pulled him into a hug, before going to do the same to Cora.

"It's nice to see you both. I've been doing my best to raise these little rascals and start up something out in Wild Space."

The black haired kitten seemed to let out a noise at her mother, before Jonyna rolled her eyes. "Yes, this is your auntie Cora Nal."

She picked up the kitten, before smiling at Cora. "Let me introduce you two the trio of chaos. Nal is the social one of the operation. The boy is K'hosa, he seems to be the leader thus far, and the last one is Sula. She's a bit shy, but seems to keep the lone braincell of all of them."