First Reply Warm night

[Kenu Shan]

Tatooine is known for many things: the warm, even hot climate, the desert people, and the criminal underworld. But in certain areas of it, one can find a serenity that is hard to find in any other corner of the galaxy. The interior rubier, however, has its own unique charm. Just when both suns were slowly hiding behind the horizon, the old but still operable Z-95 slowly began the process of landing on a sandy cliff, far from any city or civilization.

Kenu jumped off her ship, wiping her forehead of sweat, walked to the edge of the cliff, watching the beautiful sunset from above, spanning the sand dunes and the breathtaking landscape.
Taking a deep breath, she sat down on the edge of the cliff, took out her lightsaber, and placed it in front of her. She closed her eyes and indulged in deep meditation, not really listening to the environment. As time passed, night came on, slightly cooler but still far from cold. The connection to Kenu's power slowly gained strength, her lightsaber gently floated to the ground, and with it the surrounding stones. Such a power projection in such a remote area surely cannot go unnoticed.

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto was on Tatooine for a routine supply run, and to ensure the recovery of the dead and the scuttling of any remaining Lilaste tech from the last time he'd been here. The mission was simple, clean. Now it was done. A low rumble pushed from his throat as he stood in the troop bay of the LAET/I MKII gunship, joined by a single team of Elegshaki spec ops he'd accompanied on the op. The gunship flew low over the desert, hugging the sand to avoid detection, the hum of its engines steady in the background. Then, mid-flight, something pulled at him.

He straightened, ears perking, head turning toward the dunes off to their east. The feeling was faint, but distinct an echo through the Force that didn't belong to the mission. His hand went up to the side of his helmet. "Pilot. Make a course diversion fifteen degrees east." No further explanation was given. None was needed. The gunship adjusted, veering toward the source of the disturbance. Something or someone was calling to the Force in the silence of the sands.

Kenu Shan

 

[Kenu Shan]

As Kenu deepens in her meditation, in her mind fly some visions, some pictures of some force users in the near distance. She seems interested in this picture, trying to make it clear, but without success. Minute after minute, she feels this strong feeling of a force user, knowing somebody is getting closer and closer to her position. Finally, she decides there's no other option than to confront this somebody.

She stood up, with one swift motion, she grabbed her saber mid-air and looked in every direction. As dust and small rocks fall on the ground, she looks into the sky, sharpening her vision. Low-flying machine on her horizon, she had never spotted something like this. With a strong grip on her saber, she awaits a response.

Laphisto

 

[Laphisto]

As the gunship drew closer, the pilot pivoted it so the loading bay faced the girl standing at the top of the ridgeline. Laphisto looked out at her with a raised brow, standing well over seven foot eight. His wings rustled lightly in the wind, while his tail lay loosely on the floor, curled around his feet so as not to get in the way of the eight soldiers now standing alongside him, all looking out at the girl.

The tall, dragon-like figure before her was dressed in armor similar to those around him, though noticeably heavier in design. Mag-locked to his hip sat a Broad Saber. A small rumble pushed from his throat as he studied her, peering out with heterochromatic eyes one green with flecks of gold, the other blue with hints of red. The Force washed over his vision as he instinctively reached out, softly prodding at her alignment.

He noticed the saber in her hand and gave a small frown before raising his hands in a mock gesture of surrender. "Don't worry, lass. We're not here to hurt you we're friendly."

Kenu Shan

 

[Kenu Shan]

She looked as the full team slowly rose next to her. Her grip on her saber tightened, her finger swirled across the tilt. After a brief moment of silence, she heard his voice. "So... who are you? And what do you want from me?" She asks, gently putting her saber on her belt, crossing her arms, still a bit scared by the small army, heavily armored in front of her.

Laphisto

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto rested one hand on the overhead rail, giving Kenu Shan a small nod in return. "Whatever it was you were doing sent a ripple through the Force," he said, his tone calm but curious. "At first, I thought it might've been some artifact… or something else buried in the sand. Didn't exactly expect to find myself face-to-face with a Jedi. Especially this far from Alliance space." He glanced back toward the squad behind him, giving a brief gesture with his hand. The soldiers silently nodded and stepped away, returning to their debrief in the hold. Only then did he turn his full attention back to her.

"Apologies for the... dramatic arrival," he added with a slight shrug. "My men and I were wrapping up a mission in a nearby town. We were en route to our ship when I felt you through the Force. Figured I'd take a look." He tilted his head slightly, studying her with those mismatched eyes curious, but not hostile. "Didn't mean to startle you."

 

[Kenu Shan]

Kenu nods in an understandable way. "Okay... I know Galactic is full of bad people and creatures." She gave a small smile. "I'm glad you're not one of them." She takes deep, slow breaths, unfolding her hands and resting them on her hips. "I'm Kenu Shan and I'm not a Jedi nor in the Alliance. I think the best way to describe myself is the grey knight." She nods. "I'm here to get better knowledge of the Force and to spread my vision of it... From time to time, I'm landing here to clear my mind and strengthen my connection to force."

Laphisto

 

[Laphisto]

"You'd be right," Laphisto said, his voice steady beneath the hum of the gunship's engines. "Plenty of bad people out here… especially on Tatooine." His wings shifted slightly behind him as the wind rolled across the ridge. Dust swirled lazily through the air between them. He studied her more closely now, eyes narrowing just a bit not in suspicion, but in curiosity. "Shan?" he echoed, one brow arching. "I knew a Shan once. That was… a long time ago." There was something almost reflective in his tone remembering the old Jedi master from the Jedi civil war all those years ago. just a flicker of memory but he didn't linger on it. When she mentioned her philosophy, he gave a small, approving nod.

"Another grey? glad to see more of us popping up," he said, letting a hint of wry amusement enter his voice. though he wasnt exxactly a traditional grey. if he could even call himself that. he often dabbled in both sides of the force simultaniously blending the two in a strange harmony "Not many can see the flaws of jedi and sith dogma's" He stepped forward slightly in the bay, the metal beneath his boots creaking under his weight. His gaze drifted past her, toward the old Z-95 resting on the sandblasted cliff, before settling back on her with a faint tilt of his head.

"And you chose Tatooine, of all places?" he asked, a look of puzzlement on his face "Not exactly a quiet temple world." He let the silence hang for a moment, his mind rolling over and seeming to come to an answer for himself. Then he gave a slight shrug, his expression softening. "Suppose Tython's off the table… given what happened to it." His eyes flicked briefly toward the horizon, as if remembering something distant. A pause. Then he looked back at her again, more grounded. "You come here often for this… clarity?"

Kenu Shan

 

[Kenu Shan]

She takes a step forward, with a smile on her face. "I didn't know my parents... so I can't tell you if I'm somehow related to your memories." She takes a look at his soldiers. After a moment, her gaze returns to Laphisto . "I think I'm far from typical grey, too. I don't believe in Sith or Jedi codex or words. I believe in my way how interpreting Force." She comes closer to her Z-95. "Old but solid, I replaced the thruster and cannons for never one. Cannons switched from x-win t56, and engines are a fresh new ion thruster." She takes a look again at the armored dragon-like. "From time to time... I can feel force from this planet, really pure force, not light nor dark, pure."

Laphisto

 

[Laphisto]

" the woman i knew was way before your time, way before the time of your parents even. if anything a possible distant ancestor" Laphisto gave her ship a once-over, his gaze lingering on the upgraded cannons and clean ion thrusters. He gave a small, approving nod before folding his arms across his chest, then slowly bringing one hand to his chin in thought. "Y'know," he said after a moment, "if you're looking for a place to call home… the Lilaste Order's recruiting."

His eyes drifted from the Z-95 back to her. "We're stationed over Bastion right now. Operating under permanent contract with the Diarchy. Both our factions believe the Force is… well, just the Force. No Jedi dogma. No Sith extremes. Sure, some lean one way or the other—but there's no pressure to conform. Just clarity, purpose, and your own path. Could even swing you a few upgrades for that ship of yours if nothing else." He paused, giving her another look not one of judgment, but quiet understanding. An unspoken I've been where you are.

after some time he thought ofer her words about teh planet and its connection to the force. he couldnt say if he felt what she felt. but he could at least understand her position and her reasoning. " cant say i know much about this planets force sensitivity. but i can see what you mean from a certain point of view"

Kenu Shan

 

[Kenu Shan]

She nods to him with a note of understanding and curiosity. "A place to call home? I've never had a home... Maybe I should take a look, I was considering myself as a lone wolf after my master passed out. Maybe is a time to really help with something and be helped." She moved her head down, thinking about something. "Can you tell me something about this Lilaste Order?"

Laphisto

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto turned his head back toward the gunship, giving a small gesture to the pilot. The ship shifted position with a low mechanical whine, pivoting smoothly before descending toward the sand beside the girl's Z-95. As the engines powered down, a soft hiss escaped the vents, the hull settling into the desert floor with a gentle thud. He stepped down from the bay a moment later, taloned feet sinking slightly into the sun-warmed sand. A low rumble rolled from his chest as he approached her at a calm, measured pace.

"Apologies," he said, casting a glance back at the gunship. "Fuel was hitting the halfway mark, so I had the pilot land to conserve what we've got left." Crossing his arms over his chest, he looked down at her with a composed, open expression. "Go ahead and ask whatever you need," he added. "I'll answer everything in full." His tone carried no pressure just quiet certainty, like someone who had offered this conversation more than once before.

Kenu Shan

 

[Kenu Shan]

Kenu takes a look as the ship landed, big, massive, impressive, she nods with respect at the pilot, knowing he must be a trained one. After landing, her gaze went back to Laphisto . "I have to simple question, what can this faction offer me, and what services can I provide to be useful for the general good?"

Laphisto

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto considered her words for a moment, one hand rising to his chin in thought. After a quiet pause, he extended that hand slightly toward her as he spoke. "The Order offers something simple, but rare a place to belong. A home. Companions who see the Force the way you do, or at least close enough to understand. We've got a growing weapons division, training programs to keep you sharp, and the kind of structure that helps you grow without chaining you to dogma." He let the thought hang for a breath, then continued, his gaze steady.

"As for how you can be useful… the Lilaste Order, and by extension the Diarchy, are focused on restoring balance to the galaxy. Real balance. Not just Jedi or Sith ideals something beyond them. We believe that Light and Dark can coexist, that the endless war between them has caused more suffering than either side wants to admit." His voice firmed slightly, not aggressive but resolute. "Ending that cycle through diplomacy, or force if it comes to it is how we bring stability to this fractured galaxy. And anyone willing to walk that path, no matter their past, has a place with us."

Kenu Shan

 

[Kenu Shan]

Kenu nodded her head, fully understanding his words. "Sounds good to me, I feel truth in your words." She stops for a brief moment, thinking. "I can agree and join this Lilaste Order. If I can help and you can help me, I'm in." She tapped the head of her ship, bouncing from it. "How should I start? Talk to somebody? Sign a contract? Anything?"

Laphisto

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto raised his arm and activated the wrist-mounted holo-computer on his vambrace. A quiet series of beeps accompanied the flickering blue light as he keyed in a short string of commands. After a moment, a small data chit ejected from the side of the device with a soft click. He retrieved it and offered it to her with a slight nod.

"These are the coordinates to Aurora Station," he said, his voice even but with a sense of purpose. "It includes clearance codes for approach and docking. Head there and land in Docking Bay Four. From there, make your way to the recruitment center and present this data chip." His gaze remained steady on her as he continued.

"You'll be fast-tracked into the academy receive orientation, gear, and whatever training you might need. After that, you'll be a full-fledged member of the Lilaste Order, with access to everything we can offer ships, tech, support, and most importantly, a place to stand for something greater." He let the words settle for a moment, the wind tugging lightly at his armor and wings. "Welcome aboard, Kenu Shan."

Kenu Shan

 

[Kenu Shan]

She looked at him as beeps started to play, as he headed a data chip for, she grabbed it, flicked her finger, and hid it in her pocket. "Looks interesting, thanks." After listening to his words, she nods. "Okay, after my meditation session, I'll fly there. Thanks again, Laphisto ." She bowed a bit to him.

Laphisto

 

[Laphisto]

he brought a closed fist to his chest, smacking it against his chestplate and dipping into a small bow of his own " untill we meet again then. may balance guide your hand" tilting himself back up he turned heading back for the gunship, boarding as the ship then took off over the sand, heading for its rendezvous point to return home
Kenu Shan

 

[Kenu Shan]

As she looks at he flies off, she decides to jump into his Z-95. She inserts the data card into the panel and sets coordinates into her destination and slowly flies off the desert planet.