Private Weary Bones, Unweary Steel

[Lander Stalwart]

Space, Aboard Grafted into Stone
Tags: Aether of the Iron Order

Lander's Blaster Pistol, Lander's Prosthetic Arm, Feeling Lucky, Refuge
​

After being escorted off of Ghorman by Aether following their brief encounter with Ronhar Tane of Mahporeem, Lander found himself sat in the hangar of the Grafted into Stone, where the corvette that had caused them all that trouble sat. Crown of Arrows is what the Outcasts had decided to call it, a very Corellian naming convention. Jasper wore his inspirations on his... arms. He didn't seem to own any clothes with sleeves. Given how poorly the entire affair could have gone, Lander was just happy to have the civilians somewhere far more secure. Already he was thinking about ways to outfit the Crown to ensure that it had the security capabilities required to conduct another civilian rescue operation.

In the meantime, Lander approached the recently landed vessel of the Shard Jedi and offered a cordial dip of his head.

"Thank you for arriving so hastily," the former Senator thanked. "We were fortunate to not come to blows, but I appreciate it nonetheless."

A soft exhale followed, and the veteran reached up to rub at his temple with his organic hand. His eye bags were quite pronounced. The entire operation had all but ensured he slept very little.

"Apologies," he murmered. "I'm usually more presentable..." Lander paused for a moment, taking in the Shard's constructed mechanical shell. "Do shards require sleep? Sorry if that's... intrusive. I suppose I've just never thought much on the matter until this moment."

That sounded nice, not needing sleep at all. It would make his life a whole lot easier.

 

[Aether of the Iron Order]

AX-01 Vanguard Mark I | [Aether's Build]
Weapons : Training lightsaber x 6 | Hot 'n' Heavy Compensator War Maul

Tags: Lander Stalwart​

The towering droid form stepped off the dock with a deep, resounding thrum beneath each footfall; every step seemed to press its claim into the structure beneath him, heavy enough to make the space feel smaller for his presence alone. Intimidating in the sheer presence of a body built to endure and advance. Yet it stood in striking contrast to the white and gold of his frame, and to the soft intricacies of the cloak draped about him, lending him a regal sort of regalia… the machine of war looked august, deliberate, and severe.


Azure glowing photo-receptors turns down on to the small man that greeted him.

"No apology is required; There is nothing for you to apologize for. Weariness is no failing; it is often the price paid by those who continue to serve when others no longer can. As for your question… no, not in the manner organics do. I do not sleep. I may enter periods of stillness, of reduced activity, but true sleep is beyond me. There are moments when I think that a mercy… and others when I am less certain."

He turned his attention to the surrounding area, taking everything in as his gaze swept across the dock and beyond.

"Rest at ease… if anything here seeks to threaten you or your people, it will find me in its path."

 

[Lander Stalwart]

Space
Tags: Aether of the Iron Order

Lander's Blaster Pistol, Lander's Prosthetic Arm, Feeling Lucky, Refuge
​

"Rest at ease… if anything here seeks to threaten you or your people, it will find me in its path."

"I appreciate the sentiment," Lander remarked, "But I... think my mind will be keeping me up for a while."

How odd. less certain about not needing sleep being a mercy? He knew that shards could be ancient. Lander had no clue how old the Jedi Knight was when compared to him. He certainly spoke in an aged, sage-like way.

"S'ppose I'm not too upset about all the weak flesh I got on..." he decided. "I'm quite fond of the sensory it gives me..." He paused, flexing his prosthetic hand for a moment. Losing a part of him in the war with the Mandalorian Enclave made him appreciate what he had more. "It sounded like you were familiar with that imperial fellow over the comms... Do you think he was likely to resort to violence? I suppose I want to be ready if I'm ever forced to cross paths with them again."

And by them the Crown of Arrows would surely be more equipped to defend itself.

 

[Aether of the Iron Order]

AX-01 Vanguard Mark I | [Aether's Build]
Weapons : Training lightsaber x 6 | Hot 'n' Heavy Compensator War Maul

Tags: Lander Stalwart ​

"One should expect a scorpion to sting, for such is its nature. I would think an Imperial Kath hound no different."
Aether said rearguard to Ronhar Tane .

"Rest when you can get it. Nothing you do now will change what is coming. It is hard to still the mind when concern for the present and the future presses in at once. But one must rest to rejuvenate the body… if you do not, you will not perform well when it matters most."
"Such is the paradox of vigilance."

 

[Lander Stalwart]

Space
Tags: Aether of the Iron Order

Lander's Blaster Pistol, Lander's Prosthetic Arm, Feeling Lucky, Refuge
​

"Flesh is... a fickle thing," Lander mused, smiling a little. "Even if I am weary, I doubt my body would let me sleep. It's chosen to be unkind to me as of late."

He paused for a moment before he spoke again.

"If I may..." he began again, "I... must admit I never worked much with Jedi before. Even in the Alliance. I was both soldier and senator, so I didn't much cross paths with your kind. This has been a... very informative experience, one that's left me with more questions about your creed than answers."

As someone from the Corellian system, he knew the most about the enigmatic Green Jedi, but even they were distant. Not many dwelled on Sacorria, so he only knew as much as had been told to him as a boy.

"I suppose I'm more lost on the contradictory nature of your lot," Lander admitted with a shrug. "You wage wars, advocate for peace, live under the rule of large states then go independent and make your own laws in the spaces beyond boarders. Is there any kind of continuity there? I don't mean that in a rude way, I think I'm just experiencing a bit of... culture shock."

He was genuinely curious, which was evident in his tone. Lander did want to learn about these mystic strangers who had been his allies for so long now.

 

[Aether of the Iron Order]

AX-01 Vanguard Mark I | [Aether's Build]
Weapons : Training lightsaber x 6 | Hot 'n' Heavy Compensator War Maul

Tags: Lander Stalwart ​

Aether considered what had been said and the nature of the question before giving a small nod, as though weighing his answer with care.

"Different people hold different opinions and beliefs. One cannot expect every Corellian to agree with every other Corellian, much less expect two people to share the exact same views. That is the nature of all peoples, regardless of creed. You need not look further than those who gather beneath any other banner… not all Mandalorians agree, nor do all Sith, even on something so simple as creed.

As Jedi, we understand what others like us endure and experience, something uniquely different from the lives of the wider galaxy. We are Force-users, and in many ways, authors of our own reality. It is better for all that we seek out the younger ones like us, guide them rightly, and teach them how best to master control.

Very few would seek to use their gift as anything but a blessing… though there are always those who mistake power for permission to do as they please... generally most parents don't know how to raise a child that is different in such respect... it's hard enough to teach responsibility with such magnificent power to those who have not developed enough to know restraint. More so when it feels a though understanding of perception is a whole new language with out a translator... Most of our kind will oppose the teachings of separatists whom favor a more selfish out look n how their gifts should be used. " "