Faction (TDF) Plastic Beach

[Ko Vuto]

​

Location: Xa Fel
Tag: Braze | Loomi | Valor the Forsaken | OPEN

Maybe at first things seemed fine. Ko kept himself active and driven. Outwardly much healthier than falling into despair and hopelessness. But Ko wouldn’t cease his momentum and Valor was being dragged along with him. The young Echani was familiar enough with Ko to recognize some of the problems the Kel Dor was dealing with. But what was more pressing was Valor’s own mounting frustrations.

Another morning came, the sunless sky glowed once more with life, and Valor would find once again that Ko was up early. More likely not having let himself sleep at all. Having stayed up studying about the planet they were on, its history, and their long standing subjugation by Kuat Drive Yard. Having tasked himself with a mission on dealing with the splintering holdings of the shipwright conglomerate across parts of GA territory. Which brought him to Xa Fel. A sickly planet with sickly people that have been exploited by KDY for thousands of years.

Even Ko’s dark robes were noticeably dirty. The many pollutants mixed in the air, having caked onto his clothes and skin. His mask was smudged, scratched and dented. A far cry from the normally well kept and disciplined Jedi.

Possibly most concerning as the pot of tea that Ko had made.. Off the side, with several bags of tea that had been steeping for hours now. An overly bitter and caffeinated beverage for Ko to keep himself alert with. Perhaps that was the final straw or something else. Maybe it was over Ko’s sorry state or his own, but Valor finally did the unthinkable and attempted to contact Braze for help. ​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Ko Vuto Loomi ​

Braze was surprised to be contacted by Valor and took Loomi with him, following their little date night, heading directly to Xa Fel and the location described. Valor was there to greet them at the door when they arrived, and the three walked inside.

Braze looked around, taking in the state of the place, embarking on a quiet inspection of how the two of them had been living. His gaze caught on something peculiar: a tea cup, left half-full and suspiciously stagnant. His brows drew together, nose wrinkling with clear disgust. He couldn't help himself as he stepped over, seized the cup, and poured the foul concoction straight down the sink.

Valor, for his part, took that moment to step outside for some not-so-fresh air, slipping his mask back on.

Braze glanced around the apartment, looking for Ko. He turned back briefly to Loomi before calling out softly,
"Ko?"

 

[Loomi]

Xa Fel
Tags: Braze , Ko Vuto

Epo-1, Lushi​

Loomi didn't call out. She simply waited. There was an air of frustration that hung around her at the state of this place. The state of everything going on with her friend. The Godoan surged past Braze with purpose, striding with determination towards the overwhelming sensation of turmoil that made her antennae bristle.

To say that she was tired of what her friends had been doing to themselves was an understatement. If they expected her to be a passive observer they were in for a surprise. Loomi was not happy with the state of how things were, and she was going to make that known. Ko was going to have a piece of her mind before he came home, and she'd drag him back if she had to. There was no way she was gonna let another friend spiral into self-destruction.

There had already been too much of that.

 

[Ko Vuto]

​

Location: Xa Fel
Tag: Braze | Loomi | Valor the Forsaken | OPEN

Hearing the soft call from the other room Ko wasn’t sure why Valor so strange but figured that it would be best to at least check on them. Pulling himself away from his studies Ko also thought that he could grab more of his brew from the other room as well.

Soon enough Ko appeared in the doorway and saw Braze and Loomi. There was a moment of surprise and concern that could be deciphered on the periphery of Ko’s emotionless mask. “What are you doing here? The two of you should be in Veridia. Safe and far away from the Core.” While Ko’s words could be taken as considering that wasn’t how he felt. What he was saying came from a genuine place of concern. “But since you are here, would you be willing to take Valor with you as well?” Speaking of the young Echani he wasn’t sure where Valor was now.

He was surprised to see the two of them here. But not that surprised that he didn’t sense them. The strength of his connection to the Force had been in freefall ever since The Core was lost to the Galactic Empire. Letting out a tired sigh. “It would help me focus, and not need to worry so much about him. I could take more drastic and decisive action here on Xa Fel before finally moving onto Mechis III.” Ko said, sharing some of his plans for more monumental missions he would be subjecting himself to. Under his goggles Ko's gaze shfited to where he nasty tea was. Noticing that it was gone he looked around the room some. Not thinking to ask Braze or Loomi since he assumed they'd have no idea what happened to his brew.​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Ko Vuto Loomi ​

"We came here for the both of you. " Braze announced. " It's time to stand down. You're not a soldier... And it's time for you to come home." Braze stated simply.

He set the icky cup back down where he'd found it after pouring it out. "You're bordering on obsession... you should know how unhealthy it is... Besides... I have some little ducklings at home that could use your help. There's nearly fifty of them with Splayed Legs. " Braze chirped simply.

 

[Loomi]

Xa Fel
Tags: Braze , Ko Vuto

Epo-1, Lushi​

Loomi brushed past Braze and simply wrapped her arms around Ko. It was firm, though not in a manner to cause harm. She just wanted to get her feelings across in the clearest way she knew how.

"I'm not letting go until you come with us," she stated, her tone not quite as soft as Braze. "You're gonna hurt yourself."

She wasn't having that.

 

[Ko Vuto]

​

Location: Xa Fel
Tag: Braze | Loomi | Valor the Forsaken | OPEN

Obsession? Unhealthy?

Braze was one to talk given how they’ve often behaved in the past. It was like the pot calling the kettle black if they really thought that. “I… I don’t have time for ducklings Braze. I can’t be worried about your little critters on Verida. There’s bigger issues that must be dealt with. I have a duty, a responsibility as a Jedi that I can’t just leave behind you know that.”

However, Ko stiffened some when Loomi hugged him. She could feel the tension across his body, and soul. Rigid like a stone from the pressures and stress he was putting himself under. “I’m not gonna get hurt.” The Stubborn Kel Dor said dismissively. “And even if I do there’s a good enough reason. I’m doing my best here to try and give the Alliance a proper fighting chance in this war. To consolidate our industry so if this turns into a war of attrition we can match and even surpass The Empire…” Ko explained, talking like a soldier and not like a Jedi.

The conflict was turning his own values against himself and making justifying his own sacrifice for it. Twisting and contorting himself to fit into this new role. Not fully broken or shattered. Still himself even if uncannily so.

“You two understand that right?”​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Loomi Ko Vuto ​

"I do understand Ko... " Braze's voice softened, eyes dimming with worry. "Really... I do...You want to make things right in a very unfair world... "

"You keep talking about duty, Ko… but you've forgotten what it's for. Duty isn't meant to hollow you out. It's meant to protect life... the small, fragile kind you used to smile about. You remember that, don't you? When you told me every soul deserved peace, no matter how small?

The ducklings matter too, Ko. They have precious little lives that can be helped by a gentle hand," Braze said simply. "You're burning yourself alive to keep everyone else warm. But the galaxy doesn't need another martyr, Ko… it needs you. The Kel'dor who cared enough to save nerfs... " He huffed a sigh.

"You sound like a soldier," Braze said softly. "But that's not what you are, Ko. You're a Jedi. You once told me the Force doesn't demand sacrifice... it asks for balance. Look at yourself. Is this balance? Breathing poison air, drinking bitter tea, fighting ghosts in the smog? This looks like insanity to me..."

He moved over to the window and opened it up. He gestured outside where the haze dimmed the light. "You can't save this world by dying with it. Come back. Teach again. Heal something instead of breaking yourself for it.... This isn't where we belong, Ko… this isn't where you belong. We can do good by helping the ducklings....their lives matter too," he continued softly. "Your talents could be put to better use elsewhere. There are farms, fields, places where life still grows. We can grow food, feed those who need it most. But this… this is a never-ending path, where your efforts are being squandered.... You've stopped seeing yourself. You've forgotten that your life matters too."

He took a quiet breath, his voice almost breaking with sincerity. "Please come home with us, Ko. I miss you. I miss the man who found beauty in the smallest things. You taught me to care that way. Don't make me watch you forget your own lessons. I'm sorry okay...? Just... please?" He said and moved to gently wrap his arms about Ko and Loomi as well joining her.

 

[Loomi]

Xa Fel
Tags: Braze , Ko Vuto

Epo-1, Lushi​

"One man can't win a war," Loomi huffed, holding Ko a little tighter. "All you're doing is killing yourself slowly. And I made a promise to myself that I wasn't going to let that happen to any more of my family. You're so wrapped up in this mission that you can't even think about how important your own life is, or the fact that other people lean on you for support. So don't tell me that you have a good reason to get yourself hurt, because I won't accept it."

Loomi let out a sigh, her body sagging a little. Her grip loosened, but only for a moment. She tightened back up as soon as she released her grip some.

"I'm not leaving."

 

[Ko Vuto]

​

Location: Xa Fel
Tag: Braze | Loomi | Valor the Forsaken | OPEN

Ko took in their words, worries and concerns. He couldn’t really find it in himself to dismiss them. Because the two of them actually seemed to understand how he was feeling to an extent.

“Loomi… Braze…” Ko said softly, his voice losing the false confidence and determination it had before. “It’s… It’s so heavy. I don’t think I can carry it anymore.” He finally admitted before his body began to lose its tension. “The weight of it all is too much, The Alliance, The New Jedi Order, and… it’s too much.” His voice had begun to grow shaky. He could feel excess moisture beginning to pool within his goggles as well. The sight of the two of them holding him got blurry.

“So many people are gone, I feel abandoned… left behind. With the whole weight of the galaxy on my shoulders.” When the NJO was whole before he didn’t feel this way. Where it felt like each member was a pillar or column holding up a massive structure. Now so many of those pillars were gone leaving fewer to keep everything upright. He didn’t want to just walk away like so many others.

“All I wanted was for others to grow up and get to share in the same kind of peace and stability that I had, that I got to enjoy.” Tears were finally beginning to leak and stream down his mask. “That’s why I was in the service corps. I always did what I thought needed to be done. To always set aside my own desires and ambitions. All for a greater good. I’d been ready to give up becoming a real Jedi even when I was little.”

Even as Loomi and Braze held up his legs gave out some and Ko fell to his knees with a heavy thud. His shoulders and neck slumped forward. “Now it’s an Empire that has brought ruin and devastation to us. The same kinds of people I used to idolize. The same kind of war I had viewed as righteous is happening right before me. But now I’m on the other side.” Ko had wondered if this kind of dread and despair is what some Sith may have felt when faced against the Imperial war machine. An engine of destruction he now felt partially responsible for having grown within the GA.

His voice grew shakier and more personal doubts sprung up in his mind. “And m-my family… The Vuto Clan. With so much imperial pride is g-gonna end with me in shame…” Ko expressed as he began to break down on his knees. Venting about all these high and mighty anxieties he had and the kind of pressures he had put himself under for a long time. The kind of pressures that had partially forged him into the mindful and considerate jedi he was were now beginning to form cracks in his soul. From a young age Ko had been groomed into always considering the bigger picture. From his family, the Baran Do and the Jedi within the service corps. Now the scope of it was reaching critical mass and it was taking everything he had to keep from imploding.​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Loomi Ko Vuto
​

"Yeah Ko... Empires sucks... I keep trying to tell you this... you're not shameful... we've come to take you home. You're our family and we miss you. " Braze mused feeling un-easy seeing Ko fall apart at the seems. " It's going to be okay... but I'm not going to let you continue to kill your self alone out here... " Braze said trying to take on a firmer stance. "Come on. You'll feel better after a nice bath and a good rest. "

 

[Loomi]

Xa Fel
Tags: Braze , Ko Vuto

Epo-1, Lushi​

“So many people are gone, I feel abandoned… left behind. With the whole weight of the galaxy on my shoulders.”

Loomi's grip softened as Ko fell to his knees. Her demenor became less rigid, her energy shifting to fill the air with warmth and comfort. She had gotten across how she felt. Now Ko was open and ready to hear what he needed to.

"Look at me, please."

The Godoan's hand gently moved to her brother's cheek so she could coax him to look up at her face. Her motions were slow, but deliberate.

"I will never leave you behind," Loomi stated, the affirmation somewhere between affectionate and firm certainty. "Never. I don't care how lost you think you are. Nothing will ever stop me from coming back for you."

Loomi pressed her finger against Ko's chest, right at where his heart was. When she drew her finger back, a tiny white embroidered heart was left behind on his robes, not even the size of a fingernail. It hummed with a comforting warmth, even given how small it was.

"Promise me you won't ever forget."

 

[Ko Vuto]

​

Location: Xa Fel
Tag: Braze | Loomi

It certainly pained Ko to hear Braze say that empires suck. Partly because it might not have been the most appropriate time to be right. Also because Ko still felt in his heart that Empires he was familiar with could be just and righteous.

As Loomi touched his cheeks where his face met his metal mask he would look up to her. However, the image he had of her was rather blurry from the tears that had built up in his goggles. Making things look as if the world around him was underwater. But it wasn’t her visage, but her words that mattered and the sentiment she was getting across to him.

Weakly, shakily, Ko nodded. “I-I understand… thank you.” He muttered through more of his tears. “I feel my connection slipping. For months now, since Coruscant the Force has grown only more distant for me…” Ko confessed before taking in a deep breath through his mask.

“Every night, I can feel my arm…” He said before bringing his left hand up to feel the empty sleeve on his right. Letting it fall and slip through his grasp. “My hand, even my nails. The body I’ve lost, the friends I’ve lost… won’t stop hurting. Because they’re all still here… You feel it too, don’t you?” Ko asked Braze and Loomi.

“I’m scared to go with you… That it’ll just add to the guilt I feel… I was a temple guard, we were temple guards. Meant to sacrifice everything for the safety and security of our order and I couldn’t even do that correctly. I don’t know If I can turn away those who are still in the fight… not like…” He didn’t finish what he was going to say​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Ko Vuto Loomi ​

Braze didn't like seeing his older brother in such a pitiful state, and he liked even less being reminded that he was part of the reason Ko had fallen into it to begin with.

He drew in a slow, heavy breath before exhaling a frustrated sigh, forcing himself to steady the guilt twisting in his chest. Then, after a moment's pause, he reached inward, searching for the compassion he still held, and tried once more to offer words of encouragement.

"You're not like them; You're NOTHING like them. " Braze chirped softly, voice calm but earnest. "But you can't keep doing this, Ko. We did the best we could with the situation at hand. I'm sorry... but I stopped you from making a mistake you couldn't undo. I could spend my days beating myself up, wondering if I made the right choice...but in the end, I try to live in the moment. To know that I did everything I could at the time to do my best. You can't move forwards if you're stuck looking back. "

He paused, studying Ko ,

"If you keep staring into the past, of course you'll see things you missed in the moment. But as Jedi, we're taught to train ourselves to let go of everything we fear to lose. And remember... the greatest teacher is failure. It's not the end, Ko... it's the beginning of understanding something we couldn't see before."

Braze's tone softened further.

"Even noble causes can consume a Jedi when war starts to define their worth. The Force was never meant to be a weapon, it's a connection. Violence is always the last resort. You can't protect everyone... sooner or later, you'll lose someone you care about. But you'll regret it even more if you forget to cherish the time you had with them."

He stepped closer, resting a hand gently on Ko's head.

"Being a Jedi isn't about fighting someone else's war. It's about building something. You've been trying to fight the galaxy alone, Ko, but that's not the Jedi way. The Force isn't calling you to conquer the darkness, it's asking you to breathe again, to see what's still worth saving."

Braze offered a faint smile.

"You can't heal the galaxy by destroying yourself. Jedi are meant to safeguard the sanctity of life... all life, yours included. Think about it... tending the ducklings, helping survivors, farming, that's what creating life looks like. Not battling decay."

 

[Loomi]

Xa Fel
Tags: Braze , Ko Vuto

Epo-1, Lushi​

You feel it too, don’t you?

"I do feel it... but I still feel you too," Loomi muttered. "You aren't gone. You're here. Alive. You still have people who care about you, and value as a unique instance in a vast and empty galaxy. I... can't replace you. We can't replace you. There is nobody now and there will never again be another Ko Vuto. That makes everything you do as Ko Vuto the mos unique and significant it could ever be. Braze is right that a Jedi needs to be able to let go of the things they love when it is their time... but it isn't your time yet. You have so much more heart and soul and wisdom to share with so many people."

Loomi mustered up her strength and pulled Ko up to his feet. She was, by this point, quite capable of doing so. Her strength had been honed the same as Ko's and Braze's had. She'd guide Ko forward so he could lean on her shoulder.

"You've carried so much on your back," she told him. "It's time for you to cash in some of the positive karma you've gathered. Just for a little while. I owe you that much..."

After all...

"I'd be nobody without the help of my very first friend."

 

[Ko Vuto]

​

Location: Xa Fel
Tag: Braze | Loomi

It was difficult to overcome his own personal sorrow enough to properly take in their words. To not be defensive towards Braze and Loomi. Most of Ko’s own resentment towards the echani had not been because he lost his arm, but because it prevented him from losing his life. In addition to other issues Ko had with himself he didn’t want to accept or express here.

But maybe because he needed to hear or it through some kind of selective hearing the most critical statements got through to him piercing into his heart. Ancient words of wisdom spoken to Jedi in times of needing guidance.

Letting himself get pulled back up onto his feet by Loomi the small godoan had certainly grown since he had last seen her. “Y-Your right…” Ko finally said, his voice growing clearer. Shedding away some of its sadness. Still the world around him looked blurry and wobbly. Bringing his claws up to his goggles he closed his eyes tightly before detaching them from his mask. Removing all the excess moisture and tears before quickly fixing it back onto his face. Letting him see his two friends more clearly.

“It’s foolish and destructive what I’m trying to accomplish. It’s not right.” Ko admitted. "Seeking to strengthen the GA’s industrial base like I was. Going on the war path and trying to build up to a horrible war of attrition. That’s not right, that’s not the Jedi way, that’s not my way. I’m a cultivator, not a destroyer.”​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Loomi Ko Vuto ​

"Great. You finally came to your senses. " Braze moved and bent forwards and pressed his shoulder in to Ko's stomach He hooked an arm behind Ko's knee and stood up. " I got him Loomi!" Braze said struggling to balance Ko's weight and he moved to try and scamper out of the apartment with Ko in Tow. " Quick before he changes him mind Loomi!"