Faction [THP] Inception

[Connel Vanagor]

Covert Route
Various points
in recent history

Michael, Gabriel, Azrael, Sariel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel, Raguel
[Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]

The crowd was beginning to disperse slowly, conversations brewing like thunderclouds full of action. Orders will come. Plans will be drawn. The fight will begin soon. It was inevitable. It was certain. It was coming.

But before the next war started… There was still room for family.

---

Michael Angellus, in his flight jacket, helmet under one arm, strode toward Connel.

They didn’t speak at first. They just clasped arms — a quick, familiar bro-hug that said everything a battlefield can’t.

Michael then whispered quietly, smirking Still scary. Still proud.

Connel was as gruff as ever, but with a rare smile Still short. They bumped shoulders. Nothing needed to be said. Not between them.

Michael turned — his path already leading toward his ship — but then… He stopped. Turned again. And walks straight to Chrysa, standing quietly off to the side, watching everything with the wisdom of someone who has lost more than anyone should… and still chooses love. Michael didn’t hesitate. He just wrapped his arms around her.

A full embrace. One she immediately returned.

No words this time either.

Just breathe.

Just warmth.

Just home.

---

They all approached @Thurion Heavenshield. The Lion of Midvinter.

And though there’s no formation, no parade, there is still ceremony in this — the unspoken kind. Connel spoke first. Calm. Measured. Thurion… it’s been too long a time. For that I am sorry. A heartbeat, and he sucked on his gumline. We made it. We’re still standing. Because of him. Because of you… because of that… Aunt Coci. And I made a promise…

He didn’t need to say Caltin’s name. It’s already there — in the air, in every breath, in every shadow of memory cast on their faces. Then…

His voice squared up, firming. I’m going to find her. Wherever she is. And I want you to know — I’m not stopping until I do. I know what you’re going to say… but family is family.

Michael stepped forward.

I know you don’t know me well. Not like you might have known my dad. Or Connel… but I wanted to introduce myself. I’m Michael Angellus… of Naboo.

Michael turns toward Chrysa. But that’s not the only reason I came over. Then back to Thurion.

Connel then spoke up. I wanted to ask… could she stay on Midvinter? Mother? Be closer to family. Somewhere safe… but not just that. A heartbeat and he pursed his lips.

Somewhere she belongs. When my dad was killed… I could have saved him… he didn’t let me. I didn’t know then, but I get it now. The people who killed him didn’t know I was there and he wanted it to stay that way. Connel is so busy… and… I watch my mother lose a piece of herself every day in her work. She won’t let herself grieve… process anything… I

Connel shook his head, though he looked at Michael with surprise admiration, the kid was finally getting it. I won’t let that happen to my mother.

Chrysa didn’t object. She didn’t speak at all, too touched for words. She just layed her hand softly on Michael’s shoulder — a mother’s, an aunt’s silent answer: “Yes.” They already knew the answer he would give, before he even uttered it. No more words are needed. They nod. They breathe.

They belong.

---

Thurion Heavenshield ​

 

[Ran Serys]

Location: Odessen
Wearing: Personal Jedi Robes
Tags: Kaleleon

As Kaleleon walked forward to bridge the gap between the two Jedi, Ran remained unmoving. Her desire to be alone and away from the outpost was strong but with every word Kaleleon uttered, Ran's esteem of the Weikian Jedi grew to match it. Her respect for her fellow Jedi reminded Ran to listen as Kaleleon spoke to those certain insecurities, worries, and misgivings in her heart. Whether he knew it or not, his words affected her. What she felt while he spoke, while he closed the gap between them, was not easily summarized, but it was a cascade of complex emotion that ran the gamut from guilt to awe and ended somewhere in the realm of regret. For he, who she had accused, snapped her out of whatever episode she'd gone through.

For a moment, Ran could muster no response. Instead she met his stare until she didn't, until she sank with shame. Again, he was right and she felt as if she had been diminished. "I don't need a follower." The last of her tears came running as she composed herself. "I need a friend. One that will support me, and forgive me, and be patient with me as I move on and make sense of all that's happened as of late." She nodded, bit her lip, and blinked the remaining tears out of her eyes. "I know that's what you meant." She struggled to return his gaze. She did it eventually. She even struggled a small smile.

"I'm sorry, Kaleleon." Ran apologized knowing the error, the abandon with which she had spoken, with which she had let her feelings be transformed. "Forgive me- please." She paused, wiping the wet shine from her face.

"I just- I've lost my way, or rather I may be beginning to realize that I've never had it. I've been trapped for too long, ignorant of the fact that I've been living at the whims of circumstance. Maybe." She questioned her words. "Maybe not. I've felt I've lived honestly, but still, in this moment, I feel as if I might've been mistaken." She said unable to commit to a single thought. She needed time, space, and meditation more than anything else. She'd been through a lot over the last few years.

"I need to find myself again. Center myself through this rebellion and apart from it. You would follow me through that?" She asked the man before her, even though he had already answered.

"-as long as you need me, Ran."

She didn't know if need was the right word. Want might've been more apt. Regardless, knowing she had another person behind her made Ran stand a little taller, a little straighter, and a little stronger already.

 

[Gavin Restur]

TAGS: Kain Aldore , Jane , Michael Angellus , OPEN​

Seemed to be a lot going on. His gaze had to bounce around quite a few times, to look at everything happening.

["Yeah. He's my brother."]

Huh. Interesting. There was a light wave given towards Acier Moonbound as he walked off. Watching for a few moments, before his attention was peeled off and placed elsewhere. Specifically, towards Michael Angellus .

["I'm gonna sound like a "geek" here, but I am loving your hat."]

So his hat does get more attention than he does. There was a brief smile which plastered itself over his face. "Mighty kind of you to say. Name's Gavin, nice to meet you." With a brief flare of his hand towards the man.

["Hey, listen guys. I really need to get going, but I want to give each of you my contact information. We need to keep in touch, okay? I can't promise I will always be here, I have responsibilities, but I will be here whenever I can. You guys are cool, and I want to be and stay friends."]

"Sounds good with me. I look forwards to when we run into each other again." And, after exchanging info with the man, he gave a brief wave. Finally getting the opportunity to return his attention to Kain Aldore . While he certainly wasn't expecting to be running into quite a few new people, maybe it's a good thing that he is.

["We can take the Runner too. Or just all pile into one or the other."]

The Runner, huh? Gaze went towards the man's ship, before letting out an impressed whistle of his own. Kain's ship was certainly bigger than his own. "Think if we're doin' any sort of supply run, I think your ship would be best. You've got much more space than mine does. Think mine would be better suited as some type of escort, or somethin'..." While he's by no means an exceptional pilot, he could definitely put some work in.

["We really should make a stop on Mon Cala for medical supplies. Then If I had my way I'd..."]

It took him a moment to process it, but once he did, Gavin visibly had his brain short circuit for a moment. Blinking a few times, as he waited for Kain to finish speaking. "M- Mon Cala? That's all the way on the other side of the galaxy, Kain. Surely there's planets closer to where we are now, that we can get any needed supplies from."

 

[Jane]

Tag: Acier Moonbound Gavin Restur Kain Aldore Michael Angellus

---

"Hello, tall Gavin." Jan replied to him, as he called her 'Lil' Jane".

Jane's eyes were slightly intense as she looked between Gavin and Kain and listened to their conversation. Something about ships; it flew right over her head, but at least they seemed interested in helping. Ace didn't protest either; he let her drag her along while Michael followed suit, before handing over his commlink information and leaving. "Goodbye, Michael. May the Force be with you."

So far, so good.

She felt a tug on her hand as Ace janked himself free. Finally it dawned upon Jane that something was going on, causing her to look over her shoulder. She saw her new friend walking over to a man covered in metal after he called him his brother. That was fascinating.

Her black eyes lingered on the two brothers as they hugged for one final moment, before her gaze returned to Kain and Gavin.

The short half-Sephi nodded firmly as Kain suggested going to Mon Cala for medical supplies while dropping off credits, water, and food. That seemed logical to her. She didn't have many credits to her name, in fact none, but there were other ways she could potentially help gather resources. Like asking nicely. Even if it meant covering just her own supplies for the trip.

"Oh. How far away is Mon Cala?" Jane asked Gavin, who seemed to be crashing at the suggestion. He was buffering almost as much as her own cybernetics in the morning. "If there are no better options nearby, it can be a 'fun road trip'. I've heard about them before."

She paused for a moment. "Tell me when and where. I will be there. I'm glad we can do this." Despite her monotone and flat voice not once changing, Jane lowered her upper body in deep gratitude and respect for both men before straightening herself again, her white hair falling back over her shoulders. "Once we have the medical supplies, all we have to do is wait for the final assignments. Then we can go evacuate."

 

[Kaleleon]

So much was being shared and willingly given to me. So much of the emotions from her were being let out and shown. It was like weight was already being lifted from her shoulders. She stood a little taller already. Her demeanor changed to be one of a better foundation that was being built. I stood there in front of her. Looking at her face, eyes, tears across her face. She meant and felt every word with which she spoke. No extra agendas. No hidden meanings. Just her. Raw and unfiltered.

She corrected my words just a bit. She didn't want a follower, she wanted a friend. Someone who would be there for her not out of some creed to loyalty, or dogma. But someone who was with her out of a shared feeling and kindness. I understood the meaning of the correction. And it showed she was willing to share more of how she felt. What she wanted and needed. Which was already a step in the right direction. Even if her face hid from me, trying to look away as though she were shamed, or embarrassed of coming forward about this. I showed no change. Just standing there. Listening.

She nearly pleaded for forgiveness of me. She wanted to be forgiven of the way she had just spoken to me, and went into an explanation of how she felt. Lost because what she thought was right, and the path she needed to follow, likely wasn't even there to begin with. And those words, right there, is what I had felt before. My own path seemed to be not of my own for the longest time. I always felt like in the shadow of my mentors and peers. Romi, Jared, Wyaat, Ryv. Even now, there were times I felt like the odd one out. The person very few would go to unless the circumstances were so dire. However now, I wanted to change that.

The circumstances to Ran, are changing who she is. Even now, I can see that this interaction. Standing here, speaking and listening to her confess to me some of the deepest feelings she has, was going to change so much for her.

"Ran, you do not need to ask me for forgiveness. I am not the one that needs to forgive."

I craned my neck down just a bit to move my eyesight to match hers. Correcting my posture to align us upright once more with vision alone.

"You did not hurt me. You are upset, angry, and confused. Its okay for you to feel those things."

Looking away for a moment, I looked around to make sure that we were relatively alone. As far as I could tell, we were. My attention coming back to the woman. Breathing in deeply before releasing it in a soft and slow sigh.

"I already have forgiven you. Yelling out how you feel, snapping because you don't know what else to do, is natural. Trust me, I know."

I brought my hand up to her eye sight, removing my glove from my hand to show the scars along the back of my hand. They trailed down my wrist and forearm before hiding under my sleeves. Surgeries to fix the bones I had broken when I had punched and violently fought against an interior wall of an escape pod. I know what it meant to lash out. Because the only person I was hurting, was myself. She was doing the same. Feeling horrid for her actions when they caused me no pain.

"How about this. You and I can go... wherever. Some place where you feel safe and secure. Where we can just... talk. No strings, no extra people. The outside world isn't there anymore. Just you, me, and a room where you can just... let everything out."

I started to put my glove back on, but looked up to her.

"I will be your friend, not a follower. A friend."

Ran Serys

 

[Lestra Thairk]

Tags: In post already!

Lestra gave a short nod of approval at Valery's comment about them taking care of animals as well. Good. He could get behind this. Well, it wasn't as if he had much of a choice. He was here now, whether he liked it or not. He couldn't exactly head back to the Temple. There was a part of him that doubted there was even a temple left there. Not that it mattered much to him, it was no skin off his bones as the Padawan stretched his arms out and started to take a look at the group gathering.

"Oh. How far away is Mon Cala?"

His ears perked up at that, and he swiftly made his way over towards the trio of Jane , Kain Aldore and Gavin Restur , tilting his head at the trio. There was a part of him that wanted to point out how "weird" Jane's face seemed to him...but whilst he lacked social skills, Lestra wasn't that bad. Jane looked young anyway. He couldn't afford to cause a kid to start crying!...Even if he was a kid himself.

"It's a fair distance away. It depends how long we want to be."

Yes. We. Because Lestra had already volunteered himself for whatever this was. What? He wanted to stretch his legs. He had no issues with being stuck on a ship for an extended period of time. If anything, he was the one who would drive people mad in those moments of quiet.

"A quick journey would take us through the Galactic Empire, and Imperial territory. Some sectors that way also have heavy influence from the Black Sun. So we'd probably be able to expect a few Bounty Hunters coming after us more easily there."

Hunting was something Lestra was quite familiar with. Even if they didn't encounter any bounty hunters there, if they went through that territory it would only be a matter of time before someone got the scent of them being there. Metaphorically of course. Lestra didn't stink that much. Only slightly.

In fact...for a moment, Lestra thought he was being watched by someone. His eyes darting around the camp for a moment before looking off into the distance of the trees that surrounded them. Something was out there...and it felt different to the beasts he had been bonding with. His eyes narrowed for a moment...before he looked back over towards the trio, breaking out into a toothy grin.

"So. What snacks are we bringing?"

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

O D E S S E N
HIDDEN PATH ENCLAVE
​

Oaths were sworn. Plans set in motion. Quests embarked upon.

The Lion remained still, having said his piece. He would stand with Valery Noble through whatever endeavour, and devote himself to her cause entirely. Perhaps, in doing so, he might redeem his failure to hold Coruscant, as well as give his fallen kinsmen some meaning to their deaths. Such was the duty of a king, and the father of a nation. He would be her adviser; her war counsellor; her enforcer. She was the stalwart sword; Kahlil Noble was the shield at her side; Thurion Heavenshield would be the mail about her fist, her will made manifest.

He'd never been more proud of her. Forging her own path, away from rigid doctrine and galactic politics. The Lion seemed to stand taller in her presence, for in his mind she outranked even high kings or emperors. Her soul burned the brightest whilst his flickered; her star ever in the ascent, whilst his had dwindled for many years.

Such was the way of the world. The old give way to the new. All he could do was prepare her for the inevitable:

An age without lions, however soon or late. In every way that mattered, she was his chosen successor. He reached that conclusion when they first met. What hope he once represented to the denizens of the galaxy, he would pass on to her.

He found himself lost in her light, until the voice of Connel Vanagor tore him from his reverence and he was returned to the all-encompassing grief felt by a loving wife and her dutiful son. Thurion let Connel speak his mind, no longer trying to protest his loyalty to his sacred mission. Although Coci was lost to him for several years now, he would not deny his nephew the embers of hope.

The other man spoke next, introducing himself as Michael Angellus. A cousin to the young Vanagor.

Then, the Lion's gaze fell upon Chrysa. Poor Chrysa. It was such a heartfelt request, one only the cruellest of men could ever deny.

"Beloved sister," he took her delicate hands in his. "You will want for nothing for the rest of your days." He bowed down to kiss her hands, then engulfed her in a vast embrace. "On my life, I swear it," he looked to Connel over her shoulder. When the embrace ended, Thurion knelt before the trio.

"I'm sorry..."

 

[Jane]

Tag: Gavin Restur Kain Aldore Lestra Thairk Acier Moonbound

---

Jane's doll-like head twisted up to face the boy with blue hair as he joined their group and answered her question. We? That meant he was another friend, willing to help them. Perfect, that worked for her. Although he hadn't yet introduced himself, that was a problem; she couldn't talk to strangers. But was he really a stranger if he was joining the group?

Hm.

Nonetheless, Jane nodded once. "We should choose a safe way. It is important to be quick, but not at the cost of our mission." She concluded with her flat and monotone voice. "Oh. Wait. I thought Bounty Hunters went after criminals. We're not criminals. That's weird." Jane mused on it, tilting her head to the right while she eyed Gavin for a second. But she'd already moved on, at the mention of snacks.

"I will try to gather some candy. Or honey. Or cookies. Or all combined." She couldn't pay for it, but that didn't mean she couldn't trade.

The half-Sephi's gaze lingered on the group of people surrounding her and on Ace in the background. This, and anybody else deciding to join them, would be a wonderful group.

"I am leaving now, I'll see you all later." She suddenly said, as her mind wandered off. She remembered she had meant to deflect bolts with a training droid, or with someone ready to shoot at her with a stun-enabled blaster. Both worked. She needed to get her training in, before the real deal started. "Goodbye." That was all she said, and without waiting for a response, Jane turned on her little heels and left.

/ Exit Thread

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Covert Route
Various points
in recent history

Michael, Gabriel, Azrael, Sariel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel, Raguel
[Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]

Now it was Chrysa’s turn to speak up.

To embrace him as her brother and tell “The Lion King” that he had nothing to be sorry for. Caltin was always the person who would make the decision he never had to, to make the move that others would have willingly. It was who he was, it was a part of him. He never thought of himself as anyone special, as anyone important…

“Just a regular guy… just a Jedi…”

She said he gave himself because of everyone here, and would do so hundreds of times. She was grieving, but she was proud to have been a part of his life, and learned so much of herself by being with him.

She also reminded him that the big man lived on… and she looked to Connel. Telling how there was so much of Caltin in him.

I’m no longer embarrassed by it. Whatever happens to me… happens to me… but it’s more important than ever that my family is never far away from each other. Thank you for being so gracious, Highness… uncle…

There was never a parenthesis for him when it came to the Heavenshield family. They were family, and had been all his life. He then gave a meaningful and knowing look to Michael Angellus who was just nodding.

Thank you, your Highness. It means a lot. BRED, Michael’s astromech could be heard complaining from a distance.

Booeeep!!! [You really wanna get yelled at again about punctuality, don’t you? Don’t complain to me when you get escort duty for a garbage scow!]

---

Thurion Heavenshield ​

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Zaiya felt a bit of Aris's confusion, as if of all the things she'd be worried about, it would be that she'd see him less. But to the Lovalla Padawan, that was very, very relevant.

While their necklaces allowed them to still be able to feel each other akin to a burgeoning Lovalla bond, Zaiya knew that they already weren't seeing each other as much either due to missions, training, or different obligations as Jedi. It was a duty and responsibility they both understood, but even then... things had gotten so hectic that Zaiya saw Aris less... and well, that was a concern of hers.

Holocalls, comm messages, and their little outings and adventures meant the universe to her -- but it was always way better when she could just be near him and be able to hold his hand, her Lovalla tendencies needing that physical touch or proximity to feel and give affection.

However, she felt his reassurance with the squeeze of his hand and then even gave a ripple of surprise and then a burst of bioluminescence that pulsed over her mottled spots and stripes in a happy joyful kaleidoscopic display of iridescence.

"Wait.. really really? Can we?" She asked, excitedly, her voice basically thrumming with joy. She even began to give little bounces on her feet, making her colorful hair bounce and sway.

"I'd like that!" They could live in the same place and have their own rooms and then be able to come home to each other that would be awesome!

Not that it would happen anytime soon. She still had to become a Knight and she didn't feel she was ready yet. But this would be an awesome thing to look forward to.

"We can plan and start thinking of places in the meantime!" Ooo, planning it and thinking of where they could have their own place would be great!

 

[Aris Noble]

Her emotions were clear as day. Not because Aris was watching her colors rippling around but because of the necklace. because the were holding hands. He squeezed again, even just briefly and gently, before looking ahead. "We can look around. Maybe Midvinter might be a good place. It's not too close to all this, and Granda would enjoy having us around." And it wouldn't have the stares Aris had started to get from those on Niv Hani. The people there weren't the type to care about divinity or the like. They were Epicanthix, not blind worshipers. It was why they'd rebelled against his grandfather's rule.

Seeing another of the Zambrano line achieve what seemed like divinity wasn't something they were ignoring though. There was use there, for most. A pillar of defiance that the God King was not eternal. It wasn't a bad thought, it was more the people who did start to think of Aris like some sort of holy figure that had him uncomfortable.

Thurion Heavenshield and his people wouldn't view Aris like that. Wouldn't put unnecessary expectations on him. Or on Zaiya.

"In the meantime, though, we can always strive to get on missions together. Nothing says we can't work side by side as much as possible, right?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Look around in Midvinter.

Zaiya's expression lit up once again, recalling how it had been to visit the cold world before. Her smile softened, and she then gave a bob of her head in confirmation.

"Yeah. I'd like that." It was further out in the Tingel Arm, but if they were going to start supporting missions like everyone seemed to be referencing, perhaps that was a good thing.

Especially when Aris said that they could conduct missions together. Her opal blue eyes brightened, and another shimmer of kaleidoscopic hues danced in tones of teal, ochre flecked with bright citrine hues.

"That would mean a lot to me," She admitted, giving Aris a squeeze of her hand with his. "So what do you want to end up doing then, in this? What role do you see yourself working towards now?"

With everything that had happened, Zaiya knew Aris had a lot on his mind. The Forge alone had changed so much, even giving him that striking red hair. She reached up gently, tucking a loose strand behind his ear.

 

[Azurine Varek]

Ashes To Ashes

Spoiler: SONG

Outfit: Clothing/Armor | Glove | Right Arm | Talisman | Purple Bracelet
Weapons: Lightsaber 1 [x] | Lightsaber 2 [x] | Hook Swords

The touch didn't quite seem to register. Azzie didn't flinch, but she didn't turn either. She remained rooted to her spot like a statue carved of stone, both present and far away all at once. Underneath her clothing, the rune across her back glowed faintly with fiery tone and the scars it caged burned against her skin. It was a burn that hadn't stopped since she'd arrived to the core only to revieve the transmission that it was too late, Coruscant was lost.

"Rowan, Ashton, Raeth, Baine... Kynn—" Azzie's words, already barely a dry toned whisper, died in her throat. All names that had been lost to time to everyone but herself. Her fingers dug into the skin of her palms, nails scratching so deep into her remaining biological hand that she could smell the blood. "We didn't risk everything for this... They didn't karking die for this."

And now Caltin Vanagor would be added to that list.

I wasn't there, again.

She pulled herself to her feet, gaze clouded over and unable to meet the gaze of anyone around. Though her eyes stung, no tears fell. As if there were none left to shed—all used up on another love that was only mirrored by what she saw before her. Her body was present, but her mind was somewhere far off in a time past. On Utapau, preparing for a mission she hadn’t realized would be her last with faces of ghosts who'd long since returned to the afterlife.

Azzie pulled the cloth mask hanging around her neck up over her mouth and nose as she turned to cast her gaze towards the ships on the periphery. She couldn't stay here, not right now. Couldn't continue to pretend and play a game of masquerade as a Jedi watching as the galaxy collaped around her like a cruel joke.

Everest Vale​

 

[Aris Noble]

"We're adults now. If you weren't still a Padawan I'd say we go move into a place now, but I'm also not in a hurry." Aris shrugged a little. There was a lot still for her to learn, and the last thing he wanted to do was be a distraction for it. Though, looking around wouldn't be a distraction, right? He nodded once.

"Sounds like a good plan for us. Now we just need to figure out the plan for here. Shall we join the others?"

Zaiya Ceti