Private Trip back home

[Laphisto]

Laphisto sat in the shuttle, arms mostly crossed over his chest as he scrolled through the wrist-mounted computer on his vambrace, reviewing mission files and minor documents that required his attention. He was the leader of the Lilaste Order, after all duties did not pause simply because of personal errands.

The shuttle bounced against turbulence that shouldn't exist, but neither Laphisto nor the crew seemed surprised. He had warned Iandre Athlea only briefly about Kiev'ara: that it was once the homeworld of his species, and that it had become something far more grim. He had mentioned, almost offhandedly, that the Force did not behave normally on its surface. The rest he had left unsaid, expecting hoping that she had done her research through the Diarchy's database, including the reports from the first expedition. When the shuttle touched down with a muted jolt, Laphisto closed the files on his vambrace and rose fluidly from his seat. He moved to the hatch, fitting the oxygen mask over his face with practiced ease before turning to Iandre. Without a word, he checked her suit absently, efficiently tugging at a strap, checking seals, ensuring everything was in order.

He walked with her to the edge of the ramp, stopping just shy of stepping onto the planet's surface. Beyond the metal lip stretched a wasteland of ash-gray stone and frozen ruin, utterly still beneath the pale, fractured sky. No wind stirred. No sounds touched their ears but the faint creak of the shuttle behind them and the soft hiss of their own breath within their masks. A faint, familiar ache stirred within similar to fear but leanding between that and regret. fromt he last time he steped foot on this planet but he pushed it down, burying it beneath duty. Turning to look at Iandre, he inclined his head slightly toward the silent desolation ahead. "After you."

 

[Iandre Athlea]

The old Jedi had so many things to catch up on, so learning about Kiev'ara was just another item on the list. Iandre had not neglected to do her research. Reading about what happened and the effects of the Star Forge were just that. Information only. Getting her feet on the ground and feeling it all is what would open her eyes.

As was typical for her, she placed a Force barrier around herself and her spacesuit after her master checked everything over. One could never have too much protection. While he had told her the Force acted differently and she had glanced at the report, actually having the Force taken from her was undoubtedly going to come as a surprise.

Raising a hand to cover the top of her vision, Iandre looked across the barren landscape in front of them. She still possessed the Force as she stood on the ramp of the shuttle that brought them. In the months since she had been a part of the Lilaste order, she had learned many new things. One crucial aspect was her emotions. Most of the time, she remained stoic, but she had started to express a few of them.

Before stepping off the ramp, she turned to look at Laphisto.

"Will you be okay coming back like this?"

She had picked up on his emotion before he locked them down, and she asked out of care and concern. After he answered, she would nod and take her first step onto his former home.

With the sudden removal of the Force from her grasp, her barrier evaporated. She drew in a fast breath and tried to take hold of an item that was entirely gone. Making a fist with one of her hands, she held it above her heart for a moment before turning to face her master.

"I didn't believe it. It's true. The Force really isn't here. At all."

For now, she would be fine and adjust to her missing skills.

Laphisto