Private When the Witch met the Iron

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Enclave of Magick and the Force, Dathomir
Outfit: Nightsister Outfit
Equipment: Lightsaber, Ichor Sword, Dathomir Energy Bow
Companion: Grisial
Tag: Aether Verd

Aileni had started settling on Naboo with his training so Dreidi took the time to return home, return to the enclave and see how her students were progressing.

It was also a chance for Dreidi to focus more on her witch tutoring and learning more into her Dathomir side. It was also a chance to see more of how the Mandalorian Empire was operating in the area and how well they were keeping their word to leave Dathomir alone. Dreidi wanted to believe the words spoken by their leader but she valued actions more than words spoken, so it was good to see things were still very much how she had left it before and the Mandalorians were even seemingly trying to promote the Dathomir culture within their empire. A level of respect that Dreidi did not think they had experienced in many years.

Dreidi was actually impressed and appreciated it, curious to see how these Spiritspeakers would operate, and where her skills might best be served. Dathomir was still home to Dreidi, and with the enclave, she could still remained connected to the High Republic and their Jedi while living back on the planet that connected with her the most. Dreidi had spent several day sorting through her belongings, checking in on the students around the enclave. She was glad to see her enclave doing well, with the archives holding many different historical records on the various clans.

She was in the archives, going over the various records, making sure everything was in the correct order and place. Her slender fingers tracing over the records as she examined them. The artefacts were still placed around, highlighting the different weapons, tools and art that her people found important, it was also a way to make the archive seem less boring and sterile. The witch herself was fully equipped with her weapons and Grisial was never far from where she was. Those the Vulptex was somewhat depressed that he had been separated from Aileni.

"Hmmmm... might be able to add more to this record... Recently found some more information when talking with another clan. Grisial, remind me to update this when I finish going through everything." Dreidi spoke softly as she tapped the record with her sharp nail, her thoughts distracting her from everything around her.

 

[Aether Verd]

Assets: Beskar'gam | Basilisk
Darksaber | Resolute Dawn​

DATHOMIR - ORBIT

The hum of the ship's systems was a low constant, not unlike the quiet drum of tension in the back of Aether's mind.

He sat motionless upon the command throne, armored as always, the glow of the visor a steady presence in the dim light. Around him, the Mandalorians of his escort remained respectfully silent. They knew this trip was not routine, even if it occurred with routine frequency. Every quarter, without fail, Aether returned here: not out of obligation, but out of principle.

Dathomir was the one place he had willingly placed outside the reach of his rule, for now.

From the earliest days of his reign, the Mandalorians had approached the witches with caution. It was not fear that stayed his hand, but respect for the blood memory etched into Dathomir’s soil. The clans and witches once stood united. Despite this, Aether had sworn would honor their newfound desire for isolation. So he left it alone, and by doing so, kept his word.

But that decision had come with cost.

There were Jedi on this world. A whole enclave of them. Training. Teaching. Living.

It made his teeth grind every time he thought about it, but his word was bond. Dreidi Xeraic had earned that much. Her presence had brought stability, and if whispers were to be believed, the enclave thrived under her watch. So he returned to see the truth for himself. He did not trust Jedi as far as he could throw them, but he trusted the name Dreidi.

His voice broke the silence at last.

“Send the signal.”

The comms officer nodded, transmitting a clear, respectful request toward the surface.

To: Dathomir Enclave
From: The Resolute Dawn
Subject: Quarterly Visit: Requesting Permission to Land
Message:
The Mand’alor seeks audience. No weapons will be drawn unless provoked. Purpose of visit is observation and good faith.

Aether said nothing more. He would wait. If Dreidi was still the same woman he remembered, she would answer shortly...and she would not keep him waiting.​

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Enclave of Magick and the Force, Dathomir
Outfit: Nightsister Outfit
Equipment: Lightsaber, Ichor Sword, Dathomir Energy Bow
Companion: Grisial
Tag: Aether Verd

"Sister Xeraic, a message has come through." A young witch approached Dreidi, she nodded her head. Acknowledging that she has received the information as she finished her sorting.

Once she finished, Dreidi looked down to Grisial and shrugged her shoulders, "well, let us find out who this message is from." Dreidi mentioned as she stepped from the archives and took the datapad from the witch, looking over the request to land at her enclave. Temptation to teasingly decline crossed the still mischievous witch. However, she dare not upset the young Manda'lor since they did not have the relationship or history to allow that. She had only seen the young man in passing, having met his father a couple of times during her time within the CIS.

Typing her response, Dreidi was curious in the fact that her enclave had been chosen to be inspected by the leader of the Mandalorians. She wondered if it was due to her willingness to speak up during the meeting, did she truly make an impression. Or was it because of who her enclave brings? Dreidi had stated openly and firmly that her enclave taught witches and Jedi. Mandalorians did not always hold the best relations with the Jedi so that would be a logical reasoning for inspections.

It caused her to pause in her typing. "Hopefully we can demonstrate there is nothing to fear here, Grisial." Routine inspections were never going to be fun, so it was important to show the Manda'lor that the Jedi here were people who wished to learn and accept Dathomir witch history. A branch to prevent conflict between the two in the future.

"All we can do is our best, huh boy." Dreidi stated. Typing her response to the Manda'lor.

//:To: Manda'lor
Request: Granted. Please dock at Docking Bay 1.
Question: Fancy some food?://

Informal question but Dreidi liked it, it was something to break the ice and she had fed as well as bonded with a Sith over spicy noodles. Surely the man with the title of Iron could melt under the meal of spicy noodles as well. Otherwise, Dreidi was doomed since that was the best meal she could make. It seemed that her son took all the cooking talents in her family with him. So she was left with the handful of meals she had dedicated to memory over the years.

"Let's head to Docking Bay 1 then Grisial. Meet him when he lands." The Vulptex rushed ahead of Dreidi as she made her way to the docking bay. Her suspicions were that this Mandalorian was still going to be in his armour but she was curious about whether he would remove the helmet to eat with her or keep that on. Luckily there were not many Jedi here as well, only a couple who she had brought from her last visit to Naboo. Jedi wanting to learn the history of Dathomir and how they developed the differing powers in the Force to how Jedi and Sith used it. Researchers and people who respected culture. Good people to show what Dreidi was aiming to achieve with this enclave.

Hopefully she could show that to the Mandalorian.

 

[Aether Verd]

Assets: Beskar'gam | Basilisk
Darksaber | Resolute Dawn​

DATHOMIR

The reply arrived swiftly, casual in its tone yet not without intent. Aether’s eyes scanned the words, and though his expression remained unseen behind the visor, there was a hint of amusement in the low hum that stirred in his throat. His fingers danced across the console to offer his answer, short and certain.

//:To: Dreidi Xeraic
Response: The Mand’alor will always fancy food. Docking shortly.://​

The Resolute Dawn broke formation only long enough to release a shuttle from its hold. The craft slipped from the warship’s shadow and descended through Dathomir’s clouded sky, guided by coordinates already relayed from the enclave below. Within its hold, Aether stood among his chosen. The red-marked Supercommandos moved with precision, awaiting his word, yet he raised a hand and kept them at bay. “Remain here. I will go alone.” There was no hesitation in his voice, only certainty. His word was law, and so they obeyed.

The shuttle’s ramp lowered upon stone, releasing a hiss of air into the open bay. From within strode the Mand’alor, armored in the void-black and silver that had become his mantle, crimson cape trailing faintly behind. Yet before the first words could be exchanged, he lifted his gauntleted hands to the collar of his helm. A twist, a lock undone, and the black visage gave way to the warmth of his true face. Dark eyes found Dreidi, and with them came a smile that was both steady and genuine.

“Dreidi Xeraic,” he said, inclining his head in greeting. His tone carried neither command nor formality, but the respect due one who had kept her word. “Thank you for having me. Your hospitality is appreciated more than I can say.” His eyes flicked briefly past her to the enclave beyond, then returned to meet her gaze once more. “Tell me, how do things fare here? Is the enclave thriving?”​

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Enclave of Magick and the Force, Dathomir
Outfit: Nightsister Outfit
Equipment: Lightsaber, Ichor Sword, Dathomir Energy Bow
Companion: Grisial
Tag: Aether Verd

"Mand'alor," Dreidi nodded her head respectfully to the Mandalorian leader, "this is my Vulptex companion, Grisial." Dreidi gestured to him, who also provided another head nod. She offered a smile to young leader, "the enclave welcomes you, the mess hall is not too far from here. The food I specialise in making is a form of spicy noodles." Dreidi stated with a soft chuckle. It was a dish that she learned from Coruscant, a local had a noodle shop where Dreidi frequented. One of her last visits to the city world was to grab the recipe for the noodles she had grown to love.

Guiding the Mand'alor through the halls of her enclave, Dreidi moved with a confident and comfortable stride. One that was well versed to the winding ways of the halls as well as someone who was home. "The enclave is a new safe haven for some Jedi fleeing the ongoing conflicts in the Core, there are also many witches who come and learn here as well." There was honesty and an earnest attempt to hide nothing from the Mandalorian leader, he had placed much trust in Dreidi and she was attempting to demonstrate it was not just well placed but reciprocated as well.

"How are things faring in your empire?" Dreidi asked, curious as she walked forward. "Spicy noodles are the dish of the day. Well... More the only dish I can create with any real talent." Dreidi laughed softly as she looked over to him. "Hopefully you can handle spicy food."

 

[Aether Verd]

Assets: Beskar'gam | Basilisk
Darksaber | Resolute Dawn​

DATHOMIR

Aether raised his hand toward Grisial in greeting, palm open and steady, before rubbing his hands together at the mention of spicy noodles. “Now that is a welcome surprise,” he said, his tone laced with an ease that came naturally when the subject was food. “I grew up on Rylothi spicy noodles. If yours are anything like those, then I am more than looking forward to them.”

He fell into stride beside her without hesitation, his helm turning on a swivel as he absorbed every detail of the enclave’s halls. Stone and shadow, woven with purpose and care, spoke to him of a place still finding its voice but already strong in its foundation. When Dreidi spoke of what the enclave was, he raised an eyebrow unseen beneath the visor. “I must ask,” he said after a measured moment, “how do the rest of the Witches feel about this endeavor? I know enough of Dathomir to understand that some among this generation have been particularly... firm in their views. Many would sooner see foreigners barred from these lands than welcomed. How are they taking the presence of Jedi in their backyard?”

For himself, he kept his thoughts unspoken. Only recently had he ordered the Alliance’s Jedi from their enclaves across Mandalorian space, and that decision had been firm and final. Yet here, upon Dathomir, he walked with a tempered hand. While this land was within his Empire, he treated it far more leniently than the others. This approach was to honor his grandmother, nothing more, nothing less.

When Dreidi’s curiosity turned to his own empire, his reply came without hesitation. “Things are faring well. The ancestral worlds are secure, and our borders expand with each passing month. Prosperity has returned to the people, and there is more yet to come. I am proud of the work we have done to elevate not only Mandalorians but others who dwell among us. The principle is simple: whoever is best suited to a role will have it, regardless of their birth. That ideal is taking root across our systems, and I believe it is making us stronger.”

A smile tugged faintly across his lips beneath the helm as he looked toward her once more. “As for your noodles...I am always up for a challenge!”​

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Enclave of Magick and the Force, Dathomir
Outfit: Nightsister Outfit
Equipment: Lightsaber, Ichor Sword, Dathomir Energy Bow
Companion: Grisial
Tag: Aether Verd

Grisial nodded to Aether, the Mandalorian would see a level of intelligence, wisdom behind the eyes that was far beyond what was known for his race to hold. The Vulptex was in a way sentient, but there was also the fact one could tell that Grisial's sentience was tied to Dreidi. So whether it was something that could last without Dreidi was a question both herself and Grisial thought about often. As well as the concerns of what else could be changing about the Vulptex because of Dreidi's influence.

"I'll have to try them and see if I can figure out how they are made. New noodle recipes are about all I can handle in making cooking or being adventurous with food." Dreidi giggled softly, thinking about the chances of new recipe to try out and attempt to master. The Mandalorian asked about how the other witches accepted the Jedi and mentioned that some were wary, unwelcoming to off worlders. "My clan is cautious but trust in my judgements, especially as I am growing stronger and taking on more responsibilities to become the next Clan Mother." Dreidi stated, not commenting on the other clans yet.

Entering the mess hall, Dreidi sighed softly, "my sisters and brothers from other clans... They have good reason to be cautious with strangers. You know our history, the trauma that we have had to endure. I am sure that your Mandalorians can also understand being cautious of Jedi and Sith, given the trauma they have inflicted upon you in recent years." There was a empathetic gaze as she looked over to Aether, what Carnifex did to the Mandalorians. That was something no race deserved to suffer with.

"So, it means I hear the whispered rumours, the side glances and endure the isolation that other witches give. But my job here is to demonstrate not only are the Jedi reliable and trustworthy, but that the witches are not people to be feared, to be culled and deserve the defence and respect the Jedi give many others who practice the Force differently to them." Dreidi explained, heading to the kitchen, grabbing supplies to begin making their meal. "Easier to ignore or hate a group of people you are ignorant about. So, my plan is to change that. Ensure that the galaxy cannot ignore us or leave us to die at the hands of others." Dreidi stated, it was how she approached all the cultures that she had learned about. Connected with over the years.

Nodding her head, "good to hear. Hearing you... You remind me of your father. I wasn't in the Confederacy long, nor was I someone close to him. But I saw him, fought the same wars he did at times and I listened to meetings that were held by him. My time at the Confederacy was probably the biggest influence on the Jedi I am now, I saw Sith that were not the villains we see now. I saw harmony there and a community that had a load of differing religions and beliefs but united and accepting of one another." Dreidi wanted to inspire that once again and it seemed that Aether was also channelling that energy.

"Now, tell me what brings the Manda'lor to my humble enclave out of all the delightful and deadly areas of Dathomir to visit." Dreidi grinned but there was an inquisitive glint in her eyes as she was attempting to figure out his reasoning for being here as she began prepping the meal for them. Chopping the vegetables as the water boiled for the noodles as the marinated meat sat ready to be cooked with the vegetables. Dreidi was using a little of her Magick to move things about and handle a couple things while she maintained the conversation with Aether.