Where The Force Leads... However Wretched

[Lief]

The Lower Promenade​

Nar Shaddaa​

​

Had there ever been a more undesirable place in all the Galaxy?

She had visited worlds of perpetual storms, existed within a floating Durasteel Graveyard, beneath acid lakes of junk, and yet despite all of this, the Smuggler's Moon took the trophy for most wretched dive.

Her faith in the Force had never been quite so tested as it was in this very moment in time. She did not get the appeal, truly she didn't. It was a land of hedonistic tendencies, where people reverted to their most base forms. Animalistic, predatory, unchecked. Crime ran rampant, gambling was a culture, and red lights shone over many a doorway.

In fact, they weren't even trying to be that subtle about it. She had seen numerous holographic projections of twi'leks, doing Force-knew-what. Scrunching up her nose, she pressed on.

There had been no vision this time, no visuals to draw upon, just a very real sensation in her chest which pulled her along. This better be worth it, she joked, her trust in the Force remaining as strong as ever. It was a confusing Master, that was for certain, but everything it directed her towards ultimately made sense.

Even the Aellin situation.

Her gaze shifted every which way as she wandered through the crowds of people. What she wouldn't give to be back on Aurum right now, transplanting the odd crystals from Teth into their new home... Anywhere but here.

 

[Darth Athora]

It had started to become the norm for the young girl to be sitting in the streets of Nar Shadda, wearing the most ragged of cloths that couldn't even rightly be called actual clothing. But, whatever kept her nether regions away from vision worked for her. Didn't really matter, anyways. Not like she was some high ranked businesswoman who owns a starship manufacturing business. She was just a lowly street beggar.

There was a time that Lora tried to join the Jedi Order, or at least one of their many off brand orders, but she was only met with broken dreams and empty stares. Perhaps they disliked her because of her disability. That's what she thought, anyways. Whatever their reasoning, Lora did not let it drone on her. No, instead she did what she could do to survive. Even if it meant just scraping by.

The diverse population walking through the street passed by Lora without even the slightest glance. No matter how high she held her little cup or how watery her eyes were.

The struggle was real.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

There were so many distractions here.

So many things which drew her attention away from the steady thud which drove her on, like the beat of a drum. It felt as though even the Force itself struggled here, with so much durasteel, and duracrete, and... She let out a small breath, and focused. Not on the sights and sounds and disgusting scents, but on the ever present metaphysical presence that lingered around her at times such as these.

Her feet began to move, one foot in front of the other, as though with a mind of her own. She no longer allowed herself to look, or hear, no, she simply felt it. The motions, the tug at her chest, it was all very familiar to her, like a warm embrace.

And then, slowly but surely, the sensation began to wane. Her gaze shifted across the crowd of people, whatever she had been sent here for had to be close, that was how it usually worked, was it not? She furrowed her brows into a frown, even though the people of these busy streets continued to move this way and that, she received no further directive for which way to go. No sense, no push, just radio silence.

The sound of a small credit chip rattling against plastic drew her attention. To the right, then down to ground level, her eyes finally fell upon the malnourished and frightfully under dressed form of a girl. They seemed to be of an age, though honestly such things were difficult to tell. Asha didn't even really remember how old she was, how much time she had spent on the Durasteel Graveyard. But a guess was as good as anything.

She approached, even as others turned up their nose or point blank ignored the girl, and lowered herself to her knees just a foot or so away.

"Are you injured?" she inquired, giving the girl a once over for any visual signs of damage, bruising or lacerations, or sickness.

[member="Lora Seren"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Lora rubbed some of the tears from her face and looked up at the woman, raising an eyebrow and her cup as she approached. Lora watched the woman's mouth closely as she spoke to her, reading her lips to understand her words. Lora just shook her head in response and continued holding the cup up to her.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

Asha became all too aware of where the woman's eyes lingered when the question was asked: to her lips. So intently, in fact, that it brought about a brief moment of concern, could this woman hear her?

Her good friend Jyn, she who had brought together the Order that they served, was deaf in one ear, it was something she'd been forced to adjust to when they walked and talked together, to keep on the good side, because while Jyn could still hear her she would often miss words or confuse them with others, particularly with the quiet tone most in the Enclave held.

Was it rude to ask someone if they were deaf? Was it wrong of her to jump to such a conclusion after just one exchange? Perhaps. But she did not wish to make this any more difficult for the girl than it had to be. She had shaken her head, and her physical analysis came to the same response: not injured, but no doubt hungry and cold.

When next Asha spoke, she made sure to enunciate each word so that they were more easily read on her lips. Just in case.

"Would you like something to eat?" she asked, remaining where she was on her knees before the girl, trying to reduce any form of intimidation there might have been - although Asha herself was young, and she still held much of a baby face... Not exactly the scariest of people to look at. Slowly but surely she offered out a hand to the girl, an offering, yet with her free arm she began to tug off the jacket which had lay around her shoulders, drawing it down the extended arm.

This, too, she offered to the girl. It wasn't especially cold here, but that wasn't the point.

"I'm Asha," she said, before tilting her head slowly to one side, noticing again how the girl read her lips, "Forgive me if this is rude of me to ask, but can you hear me?"

[member="Lora Seren"]

 

[Darth Athora]

A small grin eased it's way onto Lora's face at the mention of food. It had been some time since someone had treated her to some food. She hardly remembered the last real meal she had. Was some kind of fish, she thought. Maybe. Lora didn't really care. She just needed a warm meal for once. The way the woman talked to her, Lora could feel that she was sincere with her words. That she was a person who had a good heart and wanted to help the downtrodden such as Lora.

Lora looked at the jacket that the woman had offered to her then up at her, not immediately taking the offer but, after a moment, she grabbed the jacket and put it on and returned her gaze to the woman's face should she try talking again. And, sure enough, she did. She asked something about her disability. She could tell that Lora's hearing was non-existent, to say the least. She quickly shook her head and shrugged her shoulders.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

She could see the woman's excitement at the offer of food, and felt both elated and heartbroken in one fell swoop.

Nobody should have to worry over such things, and yet in this Galaxy, if she hazarded a guess, the majority did. It was an injustice, yet one she did not see signs of being dealt with any time soon. If she could help in any way, even if it was just one lost soul with a full stomach, then she would do exactly that.

Rising to her feet she offered her hand down to help the girl up once the jacket was in place, and gave her a small smile. As she had suspected, it did seem as though the girl was deaf. An obstacle to overcome, to be sure, but Asha was never one to turn down a challenge.

Looking at the girl directly, and once again very careful to enunciate each words, she simply said, "Come, with me."

One step back, to see if she would follow, then another. It had been a while since she had visited Nar Shaddaa, but she knew there had to be a decent diner close by.

There always was.

[member="Lora Seren"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Lora smiled as she placed her hand into the stranger's hand and pulled herself up from the ground with her help. There was a warm feeling in Lora's stomach that grew larger and larger the more kindness this woman showed her. However, there was a small essence of distrust. No one had been this nice to Lora before so she was unsure if this woman had ulterior motives or she was being genuine. For now, Lora would follow her, but she would not let her guard down. Better safe than sorry. She followed close behind her, moving whenever she did.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

Though hesitant the girl was helped to her feet and seemed to follow close by when Asha began to move away from the main street.

There was no conversation in the meantime, she was too focused on looking out for a decent enough dive to turn every few moments to hold one up, and besides it seemed as though this girl had no intentions on actually speaking. Could she? Maybe not. Something to work on in the future, perhaps, a way for them to communicate properly.

When a clean-ish establishment came into view Asha turned her head toward the girl and smiled. Then, with a gentle gesture, she opened the door, and bade the girl to enter, following close behind her.

"Two, please," she said, when the host approached them, and soon enough they were brought toward a small table in the back of the diner. There was a window at their side which afforded them a view of more flashing lights, but Asha's attention was now transfixed on the girl who had become her dining companion.

Pushing a menu toward her, she gestured for her to read. "You can have anything you want" she informed her at the same time, before glancing down to her own menu. So many choices...

[member="Lora Seren"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Lora cautiously walked into the diner, hoping she wouldn't get kicked out for her dingy attire. Thankfully, more than like because of the woman she was with, she was allowed in. She followed the host to the table and took a seat. A glimmer of excitement showed on her face as she looked over the menu. So many options. Most of them Lora had never even heard of before. She wanted to try them all, but knew she would barely finish even one plate.

Then one particular food caught her eye.

Lora turned the menu to show Asha and pointed out a picture showing a Hot Gizka Sandwich. She made it as clear as possible that that was what she wanted. She then pointed to the words Jumbli juice as her chosen drink.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

She could see the hunger in the girl's eyes, the way they seemed to light up as she glanced over each and every thing the menu had to offer, a yearning to try more than she was readily capable of eating. Leaning back in her seat, Asha did not even have to glance at the flimsiplast to know what she would be ordering, though when the girl settled on her choices she made a mental note with a calm nod and a gentle smile.

The girl could read. That was a good sign, perhaps that meant she was educated in some sense. Would she be able to write?

Pondering on that, while their Host vanished and they waited for a Waitress to appear, she pulled out a small flimsiplast notebook and pushed it across the table to the girl, settling down a pen meant to write on the odd surface next to it. Then with a gentle wave she tried to get the girl's attention.

"My name is Asha," she said, enunciating each word once again, it was becoming like second nature to her at this point, "What's your name?"

She gestured to the notebook, curious if she would catch on, when the Waitress appeared.

"Ready for drinks?"

"We know what we're ordering, actually," she responded, with a very light smile, "Jumbli Juice and a Gizka Sandwich for my friend here, and I'll have a sampler platter and some tea, please."

"Hot or cold sandwich?"

"Oh... Hot, yes hot please."

The woman took their menus and left without another word, and Asha returned her attention back to the girl, curious as to whether or not she had written anything down.

[member="Lora Seren"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Lora's attention was easily grabbed by the woman's wave. With a smile, she watched her speaking to her, reading her lips to understand what she was saying to her. After her question, she nodded and pulled the notebook to her. Lora grabbed the pen and wrote down her name.

She stopped writing when the waitress showed up to take their orders. Lora, of course, said nothing and let Asha speak for her. When the waitress left, she continued writing. When she was done, she sat the notebook in the middle of the table, facing Asha. It read Lora. Nice to meet you.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

In between the server approaching and taking their order, the girl took the offered pen and paper and wrote something down. It wasn't until her interaction with the waitress was finished that Asha took the time to read the flimsiplast which was pushed toward her, and she smiled in sincerity.

"Lora... Lovely name. It's nice to meet you too."

Sitting back in her chair, she pondered on something for a moment before settling a hand to her chest, while she still had the girl's attention. She then proceeded to sign her name, Asha, in GSL (Galactic Sign Language) though it was a rather slow action. It was clear she hadn't practiced in quite some time, though she had only really taken classes in the event that Jyn's hearing worsened.

Something she should probably continue to learn, who knew when she'd need it again in a situation similar to this.

She made an attempt at signing something else, along the lines of What happened? before realizing that it wasn't really conveying what she hoped to inquire. With a small frown she pushed the paper and pen back to Lora and gestured to her lips, before speaking again, just as clearly as she previously had been.

"You look down on your luck... What happened, where is your family?"

[member="Lora Seren"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Lora had to think for a moment before answering her. No one really asked her about her parents. She presumed that everyone saw her as an adult who did not need her parents. Either that or they didn't care to ask her. Either way, she never had to explain it to someone before. Lora took the pen and paper to write her response. Once she was done, she placed the pen and paper back onto the table and slid it back to Asha.

Gone. On my own now.

Lora seemed impressed at Asha's GSL. She smiled as she attempted signing with Lora. It was a welcome sight to see someone who understood GSL.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

The young Lorrdian could only frown to that.

While she had never known a great big family with tonnes of traditions, she had at least always had [member='Jericho'] and the few little quirks which came along with that, the tea and the lullabies and the serenity and balance he brought. Her rock, her strength... She could not imagine losing that as she had during the time Aellin had her in his grasps. It had been unbearable, yet she had found her way back to her Father in the end.

Could Lora be afforded the same?

The cantina wasn't the busiest, and they had been placed to one corner of it, largely out of the way. Asha wanted to test a theory she'd had since running in to the girl, and as such while they were still waiting for the server to return with their drinks she reached out one hand slowly and glanced to the sheet of flimsiplast between them.

Slowly but surely the thing began to lift, as though suspended in the air between her hand and the table. All at once Asha looked at the girl, raising one brow in curiosity, trying to see how she might respond.

"Do you understand what this is?" she inquired, "I sense a great mystery in you, endless possibilities..." The question was, how much did she already know?

Asha was prepped to gently grab her if she tried to flee in fright, but hopefully it would not come to such.

[member="Lora Seren"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Lora had a look of both amazement and confusion on her face. She was watching an application of the Force right before her eyes. She only knew of one Force User in her entire life and that was her father who had become a Sith. She didn't know how to react. She started to think that this woman was sent by her father and all the kindness was merely a ruse. And then, she thought that maybe none of it was true and this woman was just a nice person.

Lora took a moment before replying as she tried remembering how to sign what she wanted to say. Are you Jedi? Her signing seemed a bit sloppy, but Jedi wasn't a word she had to sign very often. Not at all actually.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

For a simple moment, Asha watched as the girl's wonder and awe took over her expression, yet there was a familiarity behind her eyes all the same. Immediately she knew that this was not her first time witnessing it, which was a good thing... She hoped. Satisfied that her point had been made she lowered the menu back to the table, just in time for the waitress to round the corner with a tray of drinks.

"Alright, so it was juice for you..." she said, settling a large cup before Lora, and then taking off a steaming cup of tea from the tray moments later, "And tea for you. Can I get you anything else while you're waiting?"

"No, thank you." Asha gave the woman a smile, and just like that she was gone, tending to another table no doubt. That gave the two girls a moment to think, to enjoy their drinks, before she responded.

Was there a sign for Je'daii? Likely not. Instead, Asha opted to sign out each letter individually.

Not a Jedi, I'm a Je'daii, she signed, before pointing up to her lips, it was easier to enunciate than to sign... She really had to brush up on her GSL. "We are neutral... Balanced. Neither light or dark. Do you understand?"

Asha hoped she wasn't going too fast, after all Jyn wasn't wholly deaf. This was another ballpark all together.

[member="Lora Seren"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Lora held back her excitement when her drink came. She grabbed hold of the glass and dropped her straw in the drink. She smiled as the sweet aroma of her drink reached her nose. Her lips parted and grabbed hold of the straw. A few sips of her sweet beverage ad she was in heaven. She missed the taste of Jumbli juice, her favored drink during her childhood.

Lora returned her attention to Asha to finish the conversation. She hadn't heard of a Je'daii before. She immediately figured it was some form of Jedi until Asha explained further. She didn't know whether or not she could believe in someone who was either light or dark. That was impossible. She began signing again. How? Is that possible? Then Lora thought about something else. What do you want with me? I'm nobody.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

For a moment Asha simply watched in silence as the girl leaped to taste the drink she had ordered, and the look of pure bliss which ran over her expression was soothing to the soul. Sometimes a deed did not have to be grand to make a difference, that was something she had realized throughout the years. Likewise, though, a deed did not have to be apocalyptic in order to do bad, and she made an effort to check herself before doing any potential harm.

Reaching out she began to pour herself a steaming cup of steeped tea, and smiled in her own sincerity. There was nothing quite like it for Asha, the warmth that such a drink provided, and as she watched the girl sign she took a few small sips, and let out a content sigh.

The questions proved easy enough.

"Balance," she said, "Remaining at harmony within oneself, and within the Force, is important to our Order. Light, Dark, these things are not necessarily at odds, and it is the way you utilize them, the intent behind your actions, that inherently decide the outcome. We serve, observe, study the Force in all its facets, without falling prey to either side of the spectrum. It takes a lot of self-control, but it is a gratifying way of life."

Next was admittedly a little tougher, after all Asha had not picked her out of the crowd due to any specific reason than realizing the girl needed a little assistance, even if only for a short time, yet the realization of her sensitivity to the Force made things a little different now.

"You looked as though you could do with a break," she said, with a very light shrug, "yet since being in your presence I have become more aware of the potential you hold within yourself. You are as I am, if untrained, but that can change if you wish it. Anyone can change their stars, with a little dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to accept help. With your blessing, I would like to bring you with me back to my home, to the people of my Order, and there you can make something of yourself, explore this gift you possess, change your stars..."

[member="Lora Seren"]