Won't somebody get me off of this reef?

[Brooke Waters]

The galaxy was always a changing place, and it was easy for a girl to get lost. Brooke, known to a lot as ‘Token’ was finding her way still, Working her for cousin at his casino line, she was doing her best to not let the money ruin her. And with the way the Confederacy was working? She was worried about more than just her wallet. It wasn’t one of those ‘soul’ concerns. But what she was looking for, as always, was her place in this all. Now she was part of the Blue Diver clan of Dathomiri witches, but she was more than that. She knew what her cousins were, they were Jedi.

It didn’t mean she needed to be one. She had a lightsaber, but she was not the type to have delusions. Still, she knew where she should be going, to get a bit more schooling. And who better than the Echani Superstar [member="Manu Xextos"]? Right? She knew that was the best call. Her ship was not far off from where she was, landed in a public lot, because she knew what happened if you landed on the beach, without proper permit.

Still, it put her not too far from the sea, and she was already out in the water. She knew that Manu got her commblast. A rashguard on top, hair in a tight braid, and legs bare, she paddled out, relaxed and enjoying the sun. She knew what life was about, but she needed to confirm it, and see if she could live this. She needed to find her focus.

Find her stoke.

 

[Manu Xextos]

“Tokes Magokes!!” My baritone voice booms across the shoreline, as I rush out onto the sea without a board. Been doing that more and more, surfing without a board. Maybe it’s a meditation, or maybe I wanted to show off.

I don’t know, but it’s another beautiful day on Sabarene, and the waves are choice.

“The not-so prodigal daughter of the dance floor returns to the sea. It’s been too long Token. How’ve you been?” Token’s known me long enough to know such things as asking how someone has been was an act done for the other person’s benefit. If I want to know, I do. My empathic mind rages on, and the petite Echani on the water looks about ready for a day or sixteen of the home life.

Redirection, if not simple refinement of her goals. It was time for Token to take her temperature, or so it feels to me. I could be wrong, and that alone is as awesome as the waves on this mighty sea.

Slumping down on a ‘board’ made of water, I lay on my back and grin up at the balmy sun. “Aaaahhhh. Ocean makes you feel alive, don’t it?”

[member="Token Waters"]

 

[Brooke Waters]

Some things never changed. Token was always happy to see her Master, especially over here on Sabarene. The water was feeling fine, and Manu was up to his normal crazy stokedness. She laughed and waved from the lineup as he swam out. Without the board. She remembered seeing that once or twice. Seemed like a whole lifetime and different universe ago. She splashed at Manu before shaking her head.

“Been… doing life. I guess? Cousin of mine came out of the woodwork, needed help running some casinos. But life over in the Confederacy has gotten… hot? Between that and just… I dunno, the life of running those establishments? Kind of chased the rabbit too far.” She shrugged but was still smiling.

“I think I’m ready to come back to Sabarene for a bit, and see where the next step takes me.” A hand running through the warm water, she was glad to be back here. Leaning her head back, her hands went to the tail of her board as she looked up to the sun. “How about you? How’s your little academy treating you?” The blonde was really glad to be back here.


[member="Manu Xextos"]

 

[Manu Xextos]

[member="Token Waters"] was home. Funny in my years to consider this dustbucket planet home, but after being stuck in perpetual battle inside a crystal for so long, maybe it’s not so bad to get sand in places. At least the ocean was warm, when it washed the sand away. It’s great to see Token laughing, I get the impression there’s been a lot of chuckling, but not a lot of laughter… yes, the difference is vast.

“Gah! Water! Not the hair!” I flail and sputter at the water splashed my way, peeking out of one eye to watch the way Token moves.

“Sounds like the road took you where it promised. Still something missing though. Must’ve been me. I solve all ills.” I grin and laugh, shaking my soggy white head. “The Light pulls us back, when we drift, Tokes. Like the tide shifting sand and erasing someone’s doodles. Even if that art on sand was beautiful. Nothing wrong with the art in the sand, just… temporal. Only thing that isn’t is the ocean. Welcome home.”

My ineffable grin falters. Eyebrows knit into a facial expression Token’s never seen from me. Concern. I flip onto my belly, held aloft by a telekinetically shaped ‘board’ and let my hand drift into the rising and falling water.

“Carnifex was here. Killed a thousand people to quote-unquote rescue this little Mando kid from her grandmother… Baiko was… well, she was one of my decendants and she brought her granddaughter Adara here for healing. Force-danged spiritual healing.” I shake the rising bile down, punching the water with a slapping hand. “I wasn’t here, Tokes. I’d gone off to Coruscant to rescue some refugees. Fight off an invasion, and I missed it. I missed it all. Didn’t get back in time to save my own kin. But… the girl’s father, he’s… he’s coming to Sabarene for training.

Learning the ways of the Light, and maybe I have a chance to rectify it. Heal his little girl, and somehow fix what broke. You should’ve seen them, Tokes. They put up a fight. No matter what I did, how I tried to cloister and protect us… the fight came.

And when it did, I wasn’t here. The Academy is growing, though, Australis has many, many people around him. I’ve begun to reach out again, my distaste for the actions of the Jedi in these times is fading for the desire for community.”

 

[Brooke Waters]

The blonde tended to find worlds where she could get around with the least amount of clothes possible. She was just a fan of, well, one her body, and two, the feeling of the solar energy and heat. Maybe it was from her time among the Blue Diver Clan on Dathomir, no the good Dathomir, not the creepy red one. She could pick and choose, ok? But anyway, it was true. Bright Star Entertainment held their casinos and resorts on proper resort worlds, and when she wasn’t putting out fires there? She was able to be on the beach. “You’re in the ocean, silly!” She shook her head and rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, it got me around. Was fun to see the galaxy, see what is out there. And finally see where I want to call home. I think that’s the big issue.” She looked up at the sky. “Or big answer.” Sighing in the heat, she smiled, until she heard Manu speak up.

“The Sith were here?” She shook her head and let the Jedi Master continue. “That… I’m sorry I wasn’t here Manu…” The sadness emanating off her was genuine and deep. “I’ve been hearing tale of the Jedi gathering. Silvers sure, but even after the Alliance. Maybe they can help?” She wasn’t sure. She tried to stick out of Jedi business, but she was on the side of light.

And that meant sacrifices.


[member="Manu Xextos"]

 

[Manu Xextos]

“Yeah, but my hair!” I laugh and splash [member="Token Waters"] across the board, letting the freedom of the ocean guide us both in its’ way. Today the ocean is a beautiful mistress, lulling us to our entertainments. “You know, I kept your place all fancified for you. Kind of hard to doubt you’ll come back, when I could feel you coming.”

Another tap of my temple, the sensation of familiarity growing once again. Emotional longing? That I can sense for parsecs.

“The Sith won’t find another chance so forthcoming.” What the next days bring I assume will be more akin to a monsoon.

“I’m unconvinced Jedi gathering a good thing.” I grunt and pick up a sphere of water, tossing it between my hands. “The Jedi of this era sink their moral high ground to the gutter the second they think they’ll lose. It’s pathetic but staying as far from them as possible was my version of purity. Guess I got it wrong. I figure it’s worth reaching out. Tried to hit up [member="Veiere Arenais"], but he gave me the old ‘don’t call us, we’ll call you’, then didn’t. No, we’ll have to be cautious, but… this isolation only did us good as long as nobody came poking around.

Get the feeling we won’t have that anonymity any longer. I could use your help, Tokes.”

 

[Brooke Waters]

She was the type of girl who listened to all the gossip of the galaxy. For better or for worse, she was the type to listen and wait. She wasn’t as bad as another one of this writer’s characters for the gossip rags, but still, she had her moments. The blonde was paddling around, before getting to a place she could settle and sat up on her board again. Moving with the flows of the ocean had taught her a lot in her early years with the Force, and much of that was thanks to [member="Manu Xextos"] anyway.

“I was going to ask, if I can keep my room here. Use this place as a bit of a jump off as I do… I dunno, what I can do to help the galaxy heal?” She tipped her head to the side, watching the Echani master and nodding.

“I don’t think the isolation helps in the long run. Keeping groups of people safe? Maybe. But for the greater galaxy?” She shook her head, looking down at the water. “And I’ll be here, can’t state I’ll fight well, but I can move people and keep them alive and safe.” She didn’t want to over extend herself. But Token was going to be here.

 

[Manu Xextos]

“Course, Tokesmagokes. Always will have your room here. You can use it as much as you like. Feels better, knowing our best musician is going to be around.” I grin and feel it, the glee of a dear one returning home. “Anything else you need, you know where to find it.”

A hefty sigh smacks my chest in tandem with salt water.

“Thought I was done saving the universe. What can one guy do anyway?” I smack at the water, a timid smile as it splashed me back in the face. But I’m not one guy. I’m the figurehead of a planet of refugees, folk who needed healing away from the bustle of the core and it’s wars.

“Heh. What?! [member="Token Waters"] can’t do everything?! Since when?! Was I notified about this?!” I Kick the water and send an arc of it at her, grinning like the idiot I’ve become. Doddering old fool.

“Yeah. I’ve got some contacts in Republic space, might poke my head around. Get into some trouble with the Jedi. I opened up the Temple for any who wish to learn. Start of a contribution, I guess. We can always save the galaxy by teaching tense people to surf! Might prevent a war with a surfboard!” Crinkling lines to my eyes betray something else. A final tension, which I know absolutely is gone.

Something I’ll have to let go.

 

[Brooke Waters]

The energetic blonde was smiling at Manu. He was always so good to her, and those under his charge. The ideal of a Master, in her book. She was happy to be back here. Not to mention it was warm weather and she got to be in the ocean. Both of these things made her very happy. And then her Master complimenting her musical skills? That was a neat addition too. “That I do! That I do.” She grinned and looked at the water, feeling the rhythm and the energy, so much potential energy in the ocean.

“Well, with the whole Jedi approach, you’re supposed to be able to save everyone, or at least work with the others and get something saved as well as you can. Slow the bad guys down while rescuing kittens from trees!” She laughed and ran her hands across the surface of the water and turned her head to the side to crack her neck.

“I picked up a few tricks in the Confederacy, with their witches and the like. We’ll see what I have in store if its needed!” She nodded. “Republic is good, I know the Alliance is still kicking around. And the Confederacy for all their leadership aren’t so… evil just… dark? Not as bad as the First Order or Sith.” Chewing on her lip, the girl shrugged. “Could be worth looking towards the Silver Jedi as well. Biggest gathering I’ve seen.”

But she wasn’t here to change the world, just save those she could. “And yeah, teaching everyone to surf, and maybe we could turn a war into a contest…”

[member="Manu Xextos"]

 

[Manu Xextos]

“Good to have you back, Tokes.” A familiar face in the lull of identical faces. Nobody much knows. There are so many identical versions of her face, but I know my wife is gone. Hard to blame her for it, waking up in a clone body with an insane mother-in-law hurtling her over to a broken man. Maybe this planet won’t seem so lonely if I filled it with people I actually like.

“Frick. I didn’t give you enough combat training if you think it’s only about slowing the bad guys down. But one thing I’ve learned in eight centuries of beach bumming around?” I kick my heel into her lower thigh, my board floating those inches further out. “This galaxy has more kittens up trees than it has planets. And asteroids. And… space dust…. that sounded much more eloquent in my head. Gosh.”

I go out to paddle, and end up flopping on my back on the board, letting the ocean take me wherever it wants.

“I’d trust the Silvers more if they didn’t keep blowing up civilians in their spare time.” I shake my head, and sigh, sitting up on my board with the waves lapping against us. “Republic, maybe… but the more I see, the more I know how wrong it feels when Jedi are the centre of a government. We should be beyond politics, Tokes. Not bound by it. An old friend of mine popped up. Pointed my little grey head toward the Praxeum. Who’m I kidding? I’m too rebellious to be part of anything larger than a tea party.”

[member="Token Waters"]

 

[Brooke Waters]

Being back here was definitely the best place for her. She was a Witch, sure, but she accepted the light side as her own side of the Force. It was different than her Master’s approach, or the Jedi proper. She didn’t mind being on her own, but she knew what her role was, she was a healer and that made her firmly on the side of helping her friends.

“It does, there are more ways to help than to just slow the enemy down. I can work on rescuing, just like a few others in this galaxy do. But … Its not where the main action is. Where I can directly help. Its one of those… challenging mindsets, knowing I can accomplish a lot but that its not waving a lightsaber around.

“I know they intend well, but…” She shrugged, it wasn’t her fight. “I was within the ranks of the Confederacy for too long. I have seen how it can go back. The Prax are interesting, the idea of a school like that. But I mean… I’m not a Jedi so I’ll be going my own way, and helping out where I can.” She smiled. “It’s a matter of getting the Jedi and light side to help each other, I think.”

The real challenge. She was paddling towards Manu as she was discussing her mind.

[member="Manu Xextos"]