Faction Troubled Waters [Jedi Outcasts + FWA]

[Braze]

༺Troubled Waters༻
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Tags: Leos Dirk | Open to Jedi Outcasts / Farworlds Alliance

​

Shiomura, known more fondly as the Tide Village, was the closest settlement to both the Tidewatch Aerie and the Veridian Jedi Temple. It rested along the distant shoreline, near enough that its lanterns could be seen after dusk from several of the Aerie's higher terraces and watch towers. Those warm pinpricks of golden light, scattered between the darkened sea and the coastal hills, had helped in giving the hidden refuge its name.

The village itself was a pleasant little port town, sustained by a respectable fishing trade that kept its markets crowded with the day's catch. Silver-scaled fish hung beneath striped awnings, shellfish stirred in shallow water troughs, and heavy nets lay drying along the piers beside rows of colored glass floats. Yet wherever fish gathered in abundance, so too did Shiomura's other famous feature: Cats.

Shiomura's cats wandered nearly everywhere throughout the little bustling village. They slept beneath market stalls, and balanced along tiled rooftops. Many often could be seen gathered at the docks whenever the fishing boats returned. Most were remarkably friendly, having grown accustomed to gentle hands and easy meals, though they were equally accomplished beggars and shameless little thieves should the need for a quick meal arise. An unwatched basket of bream rarely remained unwatched for long.

The villagers considered these furry little creatures beings of good fortune. Small ceramic cats with raised paws sat beside shop doors and household shrines, beckoning prosperity inward and misfortune back toward the sea. Fishermen sometimes tied bright colorful satin ribbons around the necks of familiar dock cats before setting out, believing that a well-treated cat would guide its favored vessel safely home. A common local saying warned that one should never refuse the first cat seen at dawn, lest the tide refuse them in turn. Because of this, bowls of fresh water and scraps of fish could be found throughout the village, set beneath shaded alcoves for any wandering feline that happened by.

Braze had passed through Shiomura often during the ongoing construction of the Aerie, traveling back and forth through the vast stretches of wilderness separating the village, the Temple, and the hidden palace. During those journeys, he had come across a narrow river descending from the mountainous interior towards the coast line where it let out to sea. Years of unchecked growth had nearly swallowed it in large swaths of foliage. Reeds crowded its banks, whilst thick weeds choked the shallows, and fallen branches trapped silt until the water ran brown and sluggish. Although the water was murky and full of silt and mud he had noticed often enough that several of Shiomura's cats drank from it.

That alone had been enough to earn Braze's attention, and today was the day he had decided to do something about it. He had placed a simple notice at the Temple requesting volunteers for a community service project, inviting anyone willing to help clear the river so that fresh water might once again flow freely through its channel, and the village cats might have somewhere clean and safe to drink.

Braze, of course, had specifically asked his students, Leos and Dirk , to join him in this endeavor. The meeting time, however, was quite early; they were meant to gather at the edge of town around five in the morning, just before sunrise.

Braze stood upon a nearby pier, watching the slow, steady waves wash along the shore as the village stirred around him. Early risers prepared to set out for the day's fishing, while those returning from the night hauled their catches ashore to supply the town's markets. The tide stood high, and fresh salt air swept across the sandy shoreline, carrying the briny scent of the sea and the muted clatter of boats being secured along the docks.

 

[Vohm-Raet]

Vohm-Raet strolled along the paths linking Tide Village, struggling to accept that his people now lived beneath the occupation of the Sith Covenant. Returning home would place innocent civilians in danger, yet knowing that did little to ease the guilt of abandoning his family and friends.

They had shaped him during a childhood spent in a galaxy constantly ravaged by war. More importantly, they had been among the few who never treated him like a monster or mocked him for his immense size. His fellow Jedi were different. Their acceptance came with an expectation that personal attachments be kept at a distance, lest emotion cloud their judgment and open the way to the dark side.

Vohm respected that teaching, even when following it proved difficult. He pushed thoughts of home to the back of his mind and reminded himself why he had come to Veridia. He had a clear purpose here and that was to assist Braze in his mission.

To some, sending Jedi to help the native creatures of a distant world might have seemed wasteful when thousands of refugees went hungry across the galaxy. Vohm understood the criticism, but he also knew the Jedi could not measure every act of compassion by the scale of the crisis surrounding it.

That mattered now more than ever. Division had begun spreading through the High Jedi Order, threatening to draw its members into conflicts with one another while the Sith continued to tighten their hold elsewhere. If the Jedi hoped to restore the faith people once placed in them, they would have to do so through small, meaningful acts, one world at a time.

For Vohm, that effort would began on Veridia.

"It is good to see you, Braze," he said softly as he approached the pier, careful not to disturb the nearby villagers.

Many of them had watched his shuttle land beyond the village, but he had not been given the opportunity to explain himself before they fled from the sight of what appeared to be a giant whale walking on two legs. Their fear was understandable, though that did little to keep his spirits from sinking.
​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Vohm-Raet

​

Braze smiled when he saw the Jedi Master arrive, although unlike the villagers, he didn't shy away from the towering figure; growing up within the Jedi Temple had surrounded him with beings of countless species, shapes, and sizes, and he had long since learned to regard them simply as people. He brought one fist against his open palm and offered the Master a respectful bow in greeting.

"Master Vohm-Raet, what a pleasant surprise. I expected Younglings or Padawans to be more interested in assisting with this cause, but your presence is most welcome. Thank you for volunteering your time," Braze chirped softly. "I suspect we have quite a bit of hard work ahead of us."

His jade-green gaze shifted toward the townsfolk who had drawn back from the unfamiliar visitor and he offered them a smile accompanied by a knowing look. The people of Veridia rarely encountered other species this far from the busier reaches of the galaxy, and Master Vohm-Raet was certainly an unusual sight among them. Braze passed the onlookers a knowing glance, though he showed no fear of the towering figure. He was hardly imposing himself, small enough to give the townsfolk something else to whisper about.

Unlike the people, the city's cats saw little distinction between one bipedal creature and another. Several early-morning strays paused nearby, their noses lifting as they tested the Master's unfamiliar scent. Curiosity soon overcame caution from teh small furry creatures, and they wandered closer, brushing their sides against his massive legs as though welcoming him to the village in their own fashion.

"It seems the cats quite enjoy your particular scent. " Braze offered simply in mild observation. Once the cats seemed to accept the man it seemed the tensions the Villages had about teh odd fellow eased just alittle bit more though an under layer of caution still remained. "Do you like dishes with fish ?" Braze asked curiously.

 

[Leos]

Veridia
Tags: Vohm-Raet , Braze

Epo-1, YT-1760 small transport
​

Leos walked barefoot along the the cluttered river, on his way to the peer where he was to meet with his teacher. The water sloshed around him as he walked, taking in the sights and smells that were slowly becoming less alien to him the longer he resided on Veridia. Daiyu was not a beautiful place. Him and the orphans often talked about how they would run away to somewhere green and vibrant, live in some place that was real. Not the artificial city world that had given them nothing but smog and sadness. He came here to get stronger, but it was hard not to indulge in the experience. He didn't seem to mind the abundance of cats as he strolled along, kicking the water as he walked.

It wasn't long before he hopped out of the shallow water and made his way onto the peer. There was a large Giju there, a species he was rather familiar with. They were prolific traders, so they got around to places as highly populated as his homeworld. Leos assumed they were one of the many Masters that frequented the temple.

"Master Braze," he addressed, dipping his head. He would turn and dip his head to the Giju as well. "I'm ready for what you have planned today."

Maybe. But even if that wasn't true, he was in to far to not do whatever was asked of him now. Leos wanted to get it right.

No do-overs.

 

[Braze]

Vohm-Raet Leos

Braze smiled at Leos, seemingly pleased with the honorific he had used, and returned the polite gesture of greeting.

“Good morning, Padawan Leos,” Braze greeted in return, though his somber green gaze soon lowered to the boy’s bare feet, already coated in mud. It was hardly the best outcome. Despite the underlying urge to scold him about the possibility of getting some manner of fungus beneath his toenails, Braze decided to let the boy have his fun and worry about any medical complications later, should they arise.

“This old creek leads into a larger basin fed by water pouring down from the mountains. The locals built it long ago to divert part of the river this way and provide the village with fresh water. Since then, they’ve gained plumbing, wells, and pumps, so the creek has naturally fallen into neglect, leaving all the cute kitties without clean water.”

Braze gestured toward the dense weeds and reeds choking the narrow channel.

“From my investigations, it seems someone deliberately blocked the stream some time ago. We’re going to begin by tearing out all the weeds and reeds and clearing the creek. Once that’s done, we’ll power-wash the old stones and temporarily relocate any fish, turtles, or other small creatures we find while we remove the built-up silt. Afterward, we’ll uncork the basin and allow the water to flow freely once more…”

He looked along the overgrown waterway, as if mentally measuring the work ahead.

“It’s going to be a lot of hard work. Even with a handful of volunteers, it may take us several days to clear everything.”

 

[Vohm-Raet]

Vohm-Raet kept his legs perfectly still as the stray cats approached. A sudden movement from someone of his size might send them scattering, or worse. The rough brush of their fur against his calves brought a small, unexpected comfort. Animals did not look at a Herglic and see a towering monster. To them, he was simply another creature who carried no scent of a predator.

"The pleasure is mine, Braze," Vohm murmured, keeping his deep voice low so it would not echo across the water. "And yes, I am fond of fish, though I suspect the local variety might find me a rather formidable diner." A faint, dry smile tugged at his mouth before the arrival of another volunteer drew his attention away from the cats.

Padawan Leos was barefoot and already caked in mud, carrying the restless energy of someone trying very hard to appear ready. Vohm offered him a slow, respectful nod. "Greetings, Padawan Leos. It is good to have your strength with us today." With the introductions settled, Vohm turned his attention to Braze explanation of the blocked channel.

His years as a fisherman made the danger easy to understand. Water left stagnant for too long would sour, leaving the small creatures that depended upon it vulnerable to sickness. Clearing weeds for local wildlife might have seemed like a minor task, but it offered exactly the kind of quiet purpose he needed to steady his thoughts.

That was reason enough to begin. Vohm stepped from the wooden pier with deliberate care, placing his weight slowly so his massive boots would not splinter the edge of the planks. The creek bed swallowed his ankles with a heavy squelch as mud pressed around them.

Once he found stable footing, he lowered himself onto his knees in the silt. The movement brought him closer to the level of the two smaller Jedi, sparing them from having to work beneath his shadow. His thick fingers then closed around a dense clump of reeds. Rather than tear at them, Vohm used a slow pull as the roots peeled free from the mud in one tangled mass, rising without sending a wave of filthy water over the Padawan beside him.
​

 

[Leos]

Veridia
Tags: Braze , Vohm-Raet

Epo-1, YT-1760 small transport
​

"Greetings, Padawan Leos. It is good to have your strength with us today."

"Uh, thank you, sir..."

“From my investigations, it seems someone deliberately blocked the stream some time ago. We’re going to begin by tearing out all the weeds and reeds and clearing the creek. Once that’s done, we’ll power-wash the old stones and temporarily relocate any fish, turtles, or other small creatures we find while we remove the built-up silt. Afterward, we’ll uncork the basin and allow the water to flow freely once more…”

“It’s going to be a lot of hard work. Even with a handful of volunteers, it may take us several days to clear everything.”

"Oh..."

Leos looked back to the creek and frowned a little. His ears flicked as he examined the scene behind him and pondered on their course of action. After a moment he turned back with a slight frown on his face.

"We have tools to help do that, right?" he asked. "Some of those clumps look... really rooted in."

 

[Dirk]

Location: Veridia
Tags: Braze | Leos | Vohm-Raet

Dirk was incapable of articulating the full scope of his disappointment upon learning that oceans were made of salt water. Where he lived on Dantooine there were no seas or great lakes. Sometimes rivers that could get pretty wide during a flood but would dry up just as often. So the knowledge of its toxicity as well as its abyssal scope unversed Dirk deeper than he fully realized yet.

A yawn escaped from the young Dantari’s mouth. It was still dark. Yet his circadian rhythm was beginning to adapt to this new planet. Stepping out to the peer he saw Braze and approached. He was unsure what the meeting was for and hoped that he arrived on time. Reading time was still a bit of a hurdle for him especially while still adjusting to Dantooine’s local time.

There was Leos as well and another persona he was unfamiliar with. A mountainous aquatic looking man. Dirk wondered if the ocean here was his home. Even at this hour plenty of cats were still busy.

His attention shifted then to the shallow murky water. Stagnant and nasty from neglect.​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Vohm-Raet Leos Dirk

​

"They bring in tons of fish every day here… We'll take a break for lunch later, and I'll treat everyone to whatever they might like from the local fare," Braze offered softly before turning his attention toward Leos .

"Well… yes. I brought gloves, gardening tools in a variety of sizes, and several buckets. Mostly, though, it's going to come down to hard work." He chirped the last part before gesturing toward the speeder bike and the hover cart trailing behind it. The cart had been loaded with everything from shovels and rakes to gloves, pruning shears, and broad-bladed tools meant for cutting through the denser growth.

"Try to pace yourself so you don't wear out too quickly," Braze added, stepping off to one side of the riverbank. He bent to gather the first handfuls of vegetation, pulling the plants free and adding them to the piles already forming along the outer edge. The work ahead promised to be tedious, and more strenuous than the quiet little river first suggested.

Several of the village cats watched with open curiosity as the group began their arduous task. One sat primly atop a rounded boundary stone, tail curled around its paws, while another crept closer to investigate a loose reed dragged onto the bank.

Braze pressed the heels of his boots deeper into the muddy silt to brace himself. The riverbed gave beneath his weight, swallowing the soles in a wet, sucking grip as he leaned back and tugged at a stubborn cluster of weeds. He worked to draw them out by the roots, intent on keeping them from reclaiming the channel as soon as the work was done.

 

[Vohm-Raet]

Vohm-Raet kept his hands in the mud, staying quiet as Braze responded to the Padawan Leos question about the tools. He felt no need to interrupt, letting the young but skilled Jedi handle his volunteers while he concentrated on the heavier task of clearing the canal.

He noticed the new Dantari boy Dirk hanging around the pier. Vohm gave the boy a slow nod of greeting, then shifted his focus back to the water channel beneath him. His thick fingers dug deep into the cold muck, feeling a dense tangle of submerged roots.

He leaned back, using his weight to pull the mess from the riverbed, the clay releasing it with a thick pop. He turned to place it on the edge of the rock wall for the Padawans to dispose of, just as he spotted a small freshwater crab scrambling out of the disturbed earth, its tiny claws waving angrily in the muddy water.

Vohm froze, keeping his large hand still until the crab scurried away to another den near the bank. It seemed even creatures were afraid of his size, and he couldn't blame them. Looking down at his hands, he imagined them as vicious claws that could harm everyone around him if he ever fell to the dark side. The thought troubled him as he wiped a streak of silt from his arm before reaching back down to continue his work.
​

 

[Casaana]

Around the bend in the path, the group could hear the slow whirr-clump of a heavy droid slowly approaching. Soon, its blue carapace was visible through the trees as it moved closer until it stepped fully into view and they could see the old loadlifter droid walking towards them. Sitting perched on its back was Casaana who gave them a cheerful wave. "Hiiiii, I brought Loadie!" Also floating nearby was her ever-present friend T4p-1t.

As far as Casaana knew, Braze had meant the exercise to be about some more profound meaning or work than simply clearing the canal, but to the young Padawan, work was just work. And since she'd recently repaired the labor droid, it made sense to put it to the test. It already looked like it was walking on short stilts, and its large shovel-like hands would probably be perfect for scooping.

Jumping down from the droid's back, Casaana made her way towards the other two Padawans before promptly getting distracted by a cat halfway there. "Hey there, kitty!" She cooed and squatted down next to it to let it sniff at her hand before enthusiastically petting it. Behind her, Loadie waded into the canal, sending out a wide ripple as he approached Braze and Vohm-Raet. It let out a low, rumbling interrogative in binary, awaiting instructions.

Tags: Braze Vohm-Raet Dirk Leos​

 

[Sindar Malik]

Location: Veridia
Tags: Braze Vohm-Raet Dirk Casaana Leos

Sindar was still getting used to being away from the battlefield. With the sudden retirement he'd had, things were just not making sense. He hoped that he'd be useful one day, until that day, he would do his duties on Veridia. He'd been a bit late, but with good reason he felt! He stopped off at a small bakery to pick up some sweet buns for the group.

"There's a lot of work to do today, though with all of us working on it, we might finish before sundown."

There was a somber tone in his voice, Sindar seemed completely out of it. Every time he got a free moment, he seemed lost in thought. He absent-mindedly dug at the muddy earth with a shovel for reasons he himself wasn't sure about. This wasn't how he envisioned things, he was still young and strong, he should be fighting. But what was the point?

Whenever he thought about things, it just made him angry. He wasn't being the hero he was supposed to be. But, on the other hand, he was free, free to live the life he wanted to. So many thoughts that he couldn't speak about all pinging around in his skull. Each one counter to the other....

 

[Sergeant Omen]

Tag: Open

Omen spent most of the time downstream of the Jedi on his own personal crusade. The trees wouldn't lift themselves after all. And so he started to pull the bigger logs out of the water his own way. Planting his unique seeds in the soggy earth, he watched vines slowly emerge as he focused on helping them grow. Gripping the tree trunks, pulled them out of the canal and put them off to the side for collection later. Looking downstream at the group of Jedi, the only person he halfway knew was Braze. And right now, he was happy to work by himself.

Slowly, he managed to fish out most of the logs nearby. Time to take a break. Sitting on the canal's stone edge, his boots smudged in the murky water, Omen took a drink from his water pouch. Overall, this wasn't a bad way to spend the day. And as one of the cats rubbed up against his side, he smiled as he decided that no, this wasn't a bad time at all.

 

[Leos]

Veridia
Tags: Vohm-Raet , Dirk , Braze , @Others...

Epo-1, YT-1760 small transport
​

"Well… yes. I brought gloves, gardening tools in a variety of sizes, and several buckets. Mostly, though, it's going to come down to hard work."

"Try to pace yourself so you don't wear out too quickly,"

That was fine. At least this wasn't some insane training thing where they had to figure out how to do it all with their bare hands. Leos spared a glance at Dirk for a moment. Well, maybe Dirk would be able to do that sort of thing just fine, but Leos was going to take advantage of whatever tools he had access to.

Sitting perched on its back was Casaana who gave them a cheerful wave. "Hiiiii, I brought Loadie!"

He'd been a bit late, but with good reason he felt! He stopped off at a small bakery to pick up some sweet buns for the group.

"There's a lot of work to do today, though with all of us working on it, we might finish before sundown."

And it seemed like they would be having a fair amount of help. That would hopefully make things faster. Leos would dig through the gardening tools until he found one with a looped blade on the end of a large post. Clearly meant to hook onto the base of plants and help pull them up, right? He picked it up and moved over to a clump of weeds in the river, which he analyzed for a good moment or two...

Then didn't really do anything. How was he supposed to use this thing? There weren't any plants on Daiyu, so he never got the chance to build those motor skills. He sort of just looked back at Braze for a moment before he spoke again.

"How... do I use this?"

 

[Braze]

Tags: Vohm-Raet Casaana Sindar Malik Leos Sergeant Omen Dirk

​

"Hiiiii, I brought Loadie!" Also floating nearby was her ever-present friend T4p-1t.

Braze watched as Casanna showed up with a large droid to help. He certainly would not complain about the extra assistance, knowing full well that heavy foliage ripped from the riverbed would be difficult to move, even for some of the stronger members of the group.

“Good to see you out and about, Cas. Where did you come across that droid? ”

"There's a lot of work to do today, though with all of us working on it, we might finish before sundown."

“That’s an ambitious outlook,” Braze chirped in reply, a coy, knowing grin curving across his features. He had cleaned up an entire beach once before and knew precisely how much backbreaking labor went into this sort of project.

"How... do I use this?"

He glanced back, curious to see what Leos had chosen, then stifled a chuckle.

“You’ve got to use the leverage. Hold it near the far end of the handle,” he instructed simply. “Move it back and forth, dragging the blade over the roots you want to pull out.”

Braze continued working through the muck, knowing that the more people they had helping, the sooner the project would be finished. He was grateful to see so many friendly faces willing to invest their time and hard work into something that might appear small within the grander scheme of things. Still, they were putting some good into the world, and that mattered. It made a difference no matter how small.

It would certainly improve the lives of the curious little cats gathered along the riverbank, watching each newcomer with bright-eyed interest.

He looked to Dirk as he paused having fallen back in to the muck from attempting to pull free a particularly stubborn root... He frowned standing back up no sopping wet and covered din mud... But he watched Dirk curiously perhaps wondering what was going on behind those eyes. " Dirk you alright?" He called gently. " Think you can help me with this one here? I'm not so sure I can get it out on my own."

As Vohm-Raet plucked out a few more plants, a small, silver-scaled fish tumbled free and landed upon a broad rock jutting from the muck. It flopped there only briefly before a black-and-white cat sprang down, snatched the fish into its maw, and padded off with its prize, trailed closely by two others intent on stealing it.

As Sergeant Omen settled along the canal's edge, the wildlife slowly began to reclaim the space he had cleared. Tiny silver fish gathered in the calmer murky water around his boots, weaving between the disturbed stones while a pair of green-backed frogs climbed onto a nearby ledge to warm themselves.

Another cat pressed more insistently against his side before noticing one of the lingering vines. Its ears tipped forward. A pale paw reached out, hooked the curling stem, and drew it closer before the creature began batting at it with growing enthusiasm.

A third cat soon appeared along the wall above him, carrying the limp remains of a small river crab between its teeth. It paused, regarding Omen with solemn golden eyes, then dropped the mangled offering beside his boot as though presenting tribute to the strange man who had pulled trees from the water.

 

[Vohm-Raet]

Vohm-Raet looked up when the heavy clack of the loadlifter droid echoed through the trees. A young girl by the name of Casaana sat on its back as another young man Sindar Malik walked nearby carrying a box of food for them to enjoy from the local bakery.

Vohm shifted his body in the mud as the droid stepped into the canal, taking the small wave against his knees without moving. He went back to digging at the roots around his boots, As he pulled a heavy clump of weeds free, a small silver fish flopped out onto a rock.

A black and white cat pounced on it immediately, running off into the tall grass with two others chasing after it. He was almost jealous of the way these animals could move freely from area to area without being looked down upon.

Vohm watched them go, letting out a short breath through his blowhole at the top of his head. The water eventually settled around him as a few tiny fish swamp up into the space between his boots, nudging against his skin as if to say thank you for the clean up effort.

Up on the stone wall, above him a cat dropped a half-eaten crab onto the dirt next to his foot, looking down at him with wide eyes. He gave the small animal a single nod, then turned back to the channel, reaching down into the silt for the next root.
​

 

[Dirk]

Location: Veridia
Tags: Braze | Leos | Vohm-Raet | Casaana | Sindar Malik | Sergeant Omen

Dirk was able to quickly piece together what they were doing here as he watched the others begin to clear up the lousy water way. He scratched his head in compilation as he brainstormed ideas. Looking further upstream from the others. Feeling that if they cleared the water farther up more than it could strengthen the flow and current to wash away more of the garbage on its own.

But he looked back to the others who were setting aside the debris that they found. If he did his plan it would just push away the mess into the ocean and onto the beach and docks. It would just push the problem from one spot to another. Dirk looked back to Braze when he was addressed and watched the pale one fall into the gunk. He nodded to the suggestion before he felt something below.

Looking down he saw one of the cats annoyingly bapping at his ankle with its paw again and again. Frowning some at the feline Dirk shifted his leg and foot to gently push the animal a bit away from him but as he did the cat performed a startled jump before stiffly walking away from the Dantari. “Hmm…”

Bringing his attention back to Braze had hopped into the stagnant waterway. Helping and getting his hands dirty now. He wasn’t sure if his previous idea had any merit, or even if he could properly articulate it as he began removing junk from the pitiful waterway. ​

 

[Leos]

Veridia
Tags: Braze , Dirk , Vohm-Raet

Epo-1, YT-1760 small transport
​

“You’ve got to use the leverage. Hold it near the far end of the handle,” he instructed simply. “Move it back and forth, dragging the blade over the roots you want to pull out.”

"Right..."

Leos moved the tool out as instructed and set it into the water by the base of one of the many clumps of weeds. He moved it back and forth and... nothing initially. Maybe he just didn't have the right angle? Or he wasn't putting enough effort into the motions? Maybe he just had to do the same thing but with more power behind it.

Vohm shifted his body in the mud as the droid stepped into the canal, taking the small wave against his knees without moving. He went back to digging at the roots around his boots, As he pulled a heavy clump of weeds free, a small silver fish flopped out onto a rock.

The Themian would look to the Herglic master than to his own arms and let out an exhale. He wasn't a particularly muscular person at all, not like Vohm-Raet or Dirk. Even Braze was deceptively strong for his size. He, however, was about as scrawny as he looked. No deceptive layer of muscle underneath, just bones. He couldn't seem to bulk up either, much as he tried. His eyes moved to the tool again...

Hopefully it was more about finesse than strength.

 

[Casaana]

Casaana looked up from her armful of cat as Braze called out to her. Scooping the feline up, She made her way over to the canal's bank. "Bought 'em from a junk dealer out on Klatooine. Jerk thought he was getting one over on me, but I only had to fix up his motivator, primary hip bushings, find a new photoreceptor, and rewire parts of his core. Now look at him! Good as new!" The loadlifter burbled his proud agreement in binary and the cat in her arms started squirming at being held so long, and Casaana let it down to run away.

"Anyway, Loadie, you're to help the others. Listen to their orders and- Hey! No kicking the cats!" She yelled at Dirk as he gently startled one with his foot. But she'd only seen the aftermath and hustled over to the offended kitty, kneeling down to pull it into her lap. "Awww, did the big mean Paddie kick you?" She cooed at it while giving it head scritches, thoroughly distracted yet again. Ever patient, the loader droid turned its photoreceptor back to Braze, waiting for instructions.

Tags: Braze Vohm-Raet Dirk Leos Sergeant Omen Sindar Malik​