ʟɪʟ' ᴏʟᴇ ᴍᴇ
The coordinates had been good, but Ala made certain not to test exactly how good. Her ship touched down several kilometres from the suspected Vanguard position, on the far side of a broad stretch of D'Qar wilderness where rolling grasslands surrendered gradually to thick, towering forest. She chose the distance with deliberate care, ensuring that nobody could reasonably mistake her arrival for an assault. If the front door could not be knocked upon politely, she hoped the Force might accomplish what diplomacy could not.
She brought no escort with her, though she did bring a small cushion, reasoning that even monumental moments allowed for basic comfort. Climbing above the canopy, she found a weathered stone clearing. Ala placed her cushion upon a sun-warmed rock, adjusted it twice, and sat down.
Doubt lingered.
The tip could easily be a trap designed to draw the Grandmaster away from Naboo, or the Vanguard truly were here. The sheer weight of that second possibility, a potential reunification of the Jedi Order, rested heavily on her heart.
A tiny avian broke her concentration, settling on a nearby branch. Ala opened one eye, offering a soft "Hello." The creature chirped, hopping suspiciously closer before brave enough to inspect her fingers. For a fleeting minute, the crushing burdens of the Senate, Thyferra, and the Sith were displaced by a small bird deciding if she could be trusted.
When it finally flew away, Ala closed her eyes. She chose not to probe minds or hunt for familiar presences across D'Qar. She had come because a greater will had led her here. Folding her hands loosely into her lap, the Grandmaster surrendered to the Force and waited beneath the shadow of the immense forest. If they needed to find her, they would.
