Temple of the Blueleaf Cluster

Ryan flailed slightly when he noticed someone grabbing him- well three someones. The remaining troopers lifted their comrade up and took him quickly to the ship, Roel insisting they follow orders and prepare to meet Master Alora at the river. They needed to stabilize their fallen friend before anything else happened.




For a moment, the weight of sorrow felt so crushing, that Raven hardly understood how she was even breathing. It was more than her loyal friend's dead body before her. It was more than the long, sojourn across the galaxy and the feeling of guilt. It was more than the sadness of watching a good friend fall so far. It was much more than herself.

Kaj's blistering rage, Adieumus' sorrow, his struggle to do the right thing and failing. It all spun together, pushing itself onward until the empathetic Jedi felt her mind would rupture from the chaos.

But then- something happened. Her blurry eyes gazed up at a girl, walking calmly through the raging storm of thoughts and power and energy. She only caught Raven's eye for but a second, but in that second, Alora felt a strange, out of body feeling. Stunned serenity attacked her. Such a peace she'd never felt on the receiving end before, and she wondered if this was how others saw her. She felt tired now though, her mind begging for the force to return, longing to feel everything and nothing again, like it was suppose to be. A chill draped over her, the clambering emotions of other people slowly fading away as the strange girl calmed the storm, leaving Raven feeling rather useless. Thus far, she'd only provided target practice for the angry darksider, and amusement for a dark immortal. She'd been absolutely no help to Adieumus, and now one of her men lay dead because of her inadequacies. Perhaps the dark immortal creature was right.

A hand touched her.

Raven jolted defensibly, clutching at the dead trooper's helmet she only just now realized still resided in her hands. Only until Adi's voice reached her hearing, did she drop her shoulders. But his words- his question. Was she alright?

Absolutely not.

And she was really tired of pretending to be.

No...

She whispered shakily. and wrapped her arms around the helmet, allowing an unhindered fresh wave of tears to cascade over her. Perhaps they would wash away the guilt and leave her the Jedi Master she was suppose to be. But until then, she didn't care about the others. She no longer noticed the unconscious darksider, or his daughter who reminded her of who she was suppose to be. There was just a friend, with his hand on her shoulder, and she closed her eyes, drawing closer against him and trying to control her dwindling emotions.

I should not have come here...

She said, plainly, swallowing hard and letting out a small sigh as she finally felt the fingers of the force start to penetrate her. But they were not warm and welcoming. They were sharp and chill, ripping the curtains of blindness back to reveal the world through the force again- far too quickly for Raven's tastes, and she shuttered violently. Her empathy shut down almost at once, until she could get better control of it, and the mark upon her chest flared- only once, before giving her rest from its taint. But the whole ordeal was enough to rattle the already rattled frame of Raven Alora.

I'm sorry.

Raven closed her eyes, breathing sharply through her teeth as the wave of empathy lock down passed and she felt human again. Details of the environment finally splashed back into color and the Jedi Master calmed significantly. Any pressure, emotionally, she was unknowingly placing on Skylar dropped to a minimum, and she opened her eyes once more, taking in a few breaths to stop crying. Gently- so as not to interrupt her friend's embrace, she leaned forward and placed Jakk's helmet back on his chest and sighed, resting against Skylar's chest again. Inwardly, she admitted that she liked the hug. It was rare for her to brake down like this and expose herself so completely, and this was a completely inappropriate place for it too. What if the darksider was still conscious? What then? She just gave him the perfect time to spear her without even trying.

But he wasn't conscious, and at least for now- thought the force, Raven felt the danger had passed.

So now it was time to make a decision. Should she stay or leave? Should she turn Adieumus in to the Jedi council or leave him here? Considering for a few seconds, she figured she had no where to go- certainly not back to Felucia. She could not turn Adieumus in. Even if the Jedi council sought to redeem him, their tactics would hardly work on someone like him. Of that, Raven was certain. And she certainly couldn't leave him here, alone with that unconscious darksider holding such a sway over him. Slowly, she turned her head to look up at Skylar's face, and spoke purposefully.

I'm not leaving you this time.

She swallowed the last of her tears and gently wiped her eyes with one of her sleeves, lifting the other to remove his own tearful streaks.

If my first task to redeem myself, rests with redeeming you, then the force honors me.

She said sincerely. Glancing about as if just now realizing they were still at the ruined temple with the strange woman and an unconscious adversary, Alora rolled her shoulders, feeling the force fully returning to her.

Besides, we have got to talk about the company you're keeping these days.

She said, nodding in Kaj's direction.

If I recall- the last time I saw him, he tried to kill you.

She blinked questioningly for a moment and then shrugged.

Regardless, I suspect you need another perspective on things, and I'd like to provide that. If you'll have me.

She had absolutely no idea what she was getting into, but Raven Alora rarely did. Adieumus now, was a mystery to her, yet something pulled her toward him, something unyielding. That same thing that got her into so much trouble all the time. Perhaps this time- it would be worth it.

Raven calmed almost fully as she felt Adi's hand catch her's and hold it to his face. Closing her eyes, she let out a very faint sigh, allowing the light energy, she had worked her whole life to achieve, to radiate unhindered from her person. A warmth, from her palm, would reach within the former Jedi master- if he would but allow it. Raven was not a forceful creature. She never buffeted anyone into a choice that would change their lives forever. Every one of her students, whether they came seeking to become a Jedi- or finally turning their back on the darkness, had all come to her of their own free will. This time was no different, and, at least briefly, she fully expected Skylar to refuse her. He spoke of tears though, and she nodded slowly, opening her small brown eyes and smiling kindly at him.

People who forget how to cry- are so truly lost. Weeping makes us human. Pain, without suffering, is corruption.

So many people, with so many ideals had crossed Raven's path, from sith who invited pain into their lives and twisted it into some warped sense of power- to people who mourned when their friends were suffering. It made the Jedi Master see her empathy as a gift, more so than a course, as she had felt in her early years with the Jedi order. That reckless padawan, so easily brought to senseless rage, when anyone else displayed the emotion, had matured into a well balanced, controlled adult- who, unlike others, sought to use her gist to help others, rather than take advantage of their fragile emotions.

Because emotions were such fragile things.

But they were also so very important. Raven tended to disagree with any Jedi who thought otherwise, despite the current code most of her colleagues aspired to. Without emotion- where is motivation?

When Adieumus spoke of Kaja, Raven turned her gaze to the unconscious man and nearly shuttered- though, with great effort, she restrained herself.

Won't be the first time I've had close ties with someone who was constantly on the verge of killing me.

She composed herself and slowly stood to her feet, shaking her head and casting her eyes away from the body of her dead trooper. Looking over to Adi, she gave a faint smile.

It's comparable to being around Zendodra all the time- except, she can be reasoned with- most of the time.

She did cast her eyes down at her trooper than and sighed. But this- this killing without cause or reason- It never settles well with me, and I assert that it never will.

She spoke plainly, and steadily- quite differently than the soft, gentle tones she'd used earlier. As he spoke of accepting her to accompany him, she turned back to him and bowed her head respectfully, a flutter of anticipation welling up within her heart.

It is, and will be, my pleasure. I'll, She cleared her throat and shook her head. I'll have to inform my men. I'll send them back to Felucia- without details of where we're headed. I assume you don't want them following us, so they won't, I assure you.

As he spoke of now knowing what she was getting into, Raven almost smiled. Life had always been unpredictable for the Jedi Master, and she liked it that way.

Though- I know you better than anyone else around us. It's not you I'm worried about. You will make the right choices, and I'll be there to make sure of that.

For a brief moment, she sounded like the teacher she was. Her kind, but firm tone seemed ill placed on such a small- even weak looking creature, but at the same time, it suited her. She would help this man back on the path he was meant to follow, and no Jedi order could tell him what path that was. That was a quest he would have to work out with the force-

And himself.

Raven remembered the small cat droid from earlier just after Adi had left the temple. She shook her head when he spoke about trusting himself.

Good thing we're all a little screwed up then.

She cleared her throat and smiled warmly at him. It felt good to be doing something good again, for someone else- rather than just herself. She figured sending her guys back to her planet with tidings of her continued existence would be good for the Jedi base there. She'd heard tails of Felucia becoming some center of the Jedi order now, or something like that? Raven had yet to give credit to those rumors though. The thought of very important Jedi occupying their sparse council chambers, almost amused her.

I should get some kind of droid- some day, maybe.

She mused to herself. He spoke of finding what he was looking for here, and suddenly a warmth began to spread throughout Raven's body. Perhaps- this time, she could actually make some sort of difference in someone's life. Perhaps it wouldn't turn out with Raven found beaten half to death on some remote planet. Maybe, just this once, her efforts wouldn't result in a condescending 'I told you so' from well meaning friends. If she was lucky, Zendora wouldn't have to save her this time.

Regardless to past experiences, and the ever snaring trap of helping people, which always gripped her, Raven nodded when Adi complemented her men.

They're loyal. I couldn't have asked for better companions over the past few years. You go get your things and meet me over there. She motioned to the still settled, J-type star skiff. I'm going to inform my men what's going on.

With a nod, the small Jedi master made her way over to Roel- who stood pensively at the bottom of the landing ramp. Now in the presence of her familiar companions, she suddenly scowled.

And why aren't you at the river.



Sorry ma'am. Your orders were clear, but we wanted to get Ryan stable before lifting off, and, well Roel cleared his throat. We were worried about you, and- no one was shooting laser cannons at us. So, we um, decided that- due to the current circumstances, your past orders had shifted into, how would Zen put it- irrelevantce? Roel shifted uncomfortably before glancing around, unwilling to make eye contact with the small jedi woman. So, ma'am- where to now?



Home.

Raven stated firmly, while putting a gentle hand- completely off setting her vocal tone, against Roel's arm.

You are to return home.



At last!, or, ahem, very well. Are we done here, or do you need to finish a few more things before we take off?

Roel asked. Their time away from Felucia hadn't exactly worn down his crisp military discipline, but being with someone rather carefree and peaceful, like Raven Alora for an extended amount of time, almost made one doubt the over done importance of military manners. She wasn't as tough on them because they were not her Padawans. They were her weapons- and you don't normally yell at your weapons.


I'm not coming.

Alora held up a hand at the trooper's opened mouth and potential retort.

I feel your shock and anxiety, but please, Roel, I need you to go. Take Jakk's body back to his family. Tell the others that I'm still alive. Tell Aerandir NOT to try and track me down, and you, do not follow me.

Raven frowned. She disliked the feeling of saying good bye. She absolutely hated the look in Roel's eyes right now. His blue orbs were sharper than she'd ever seen them, bordering on Zendora's strength.

This is something I must do alone.



Will you be alright, Master Alora?

Roel asked, with an over composed voice. What I mean is, Will you be safe?


No.

Raven said, truthfully.

I will not tell you that I'll be safe, because chances are- darkness will fine me eventually- just like it finds all of us. I will not promise you that I'll come back to Felucia, because I do not know if that's a promise I can keep. But what I need from you now- is to follow orders, and trust that these orders will never become irrelevant.

She blinked a few times and shook her head before glancing around her and then giving Roel a swift- ill practiced salute.

You guys have been more than companions to me. You're my best friends, and I couldn't be more proud of you.

Adirumus had said his peace, and reintered the temple to clean himself up and gather his belongings. Raven turned back to Roel- figuring the freighter would be a better option, especially for keeping Ryan in a stable condition.

Take that transport ship over there. It's faster than this one, larger, and has more medical supplies than our ship is equipped with. Use what you need, and store the rest on Felucia. We'll be back for it- at some point.

Rather unexpectedly, the small Jedi master embraced Roel, quickly, so as not to draw attention. She released him and he saluted her. Steppinb back, she watched silently for a moment as her men assembled themselves, took up Jakk's remains, and boarded Adieumus' transport. With a heavy heart, she watched them go before turning and heading to the temple. It had been a quite some time sense her friend took his leave. Perhaps something detained him? Raven Alora wanted to find out.

The lone figure of Adieumus emerged and Raven felt a strange sense of purpose in his stature, as if he'd just come up from a terrible ocean, only now beginning to take in much needed breaths of air- a resolve. She watched him approach her silently, time feeling like an eternity in but a moment, as her small brown eyes analyzed him. Empathy was bad enough, but a curious mind, with an empathetic spirit created a strange person indeed, an understanding of how people worked- shoved into the mold of optimism and hope that they could always work infinitely better. Raven did not know what Adieumus just finished doing. She was unaware of the bitter suite memories translated into images on a data pad. But she did know that he'd just struggled through something- and for a time, in a long time, he'd come out victorious. Adieumus was already, working better.

Our past experiences are but building blocks, that eventually create a most magnificent palace, but only you can decide how to build yours.

She looked up at him, offering her small hand in friendship.

Still, others can help. Are you ready to go?

Raven grinned at Adieumus' come back and shook her head, pointing at him and speaking sternly.

That's why you look where you're going. A mindful Jedi, aware of his surroundings, rarely trips over his past experiences. That's why the darkness is so very dangerous.

She pointed out and shook her head, distracting herself with the pictures Adi was showing her. She couldn't recall ever going to Naboo, which was odd considering it was a peaceful planet. Indeed her very ship had origins on that planet. Regardless, she enjoyed adventures, and now, she would be having them with different people- people who needed her help. Inwardly, she wished her troopers were here with her, but she knew that for Ryan's sake, and the others, it was best for them to head back to Felucia. They'd be taken care of there, and be given meaningful jobs. Roel probably missed his men anyway.

Well I'm not exactly sure what we're trying to accomplish, but I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually. If Naboo is our next stop, by all means, let's get going. I've never been there before.

She lowered the landing ramp to her ship and motioned for Adi to follow. Though the inside was smaller than his previous, Raven had taken great lengths to keeping it spotless and in solid condition, just as she'd bought it. Perhaps, some might consider it a bit too luxurious for a Jedi, but it was one of the very few nice things Raven Alora afforded herself. She rarely dabbled in worldly pleasures at the Jedi base on Felucia, only shaping the place to be comfortable for others. Even on this ship, her cabin wasn't fancy. But the ship offered itself a step up from the common transport- just in the way it was designed, and Raven found it pleasantly unique.

Welcome to the Diadem, I've had this ship sense before I took over the base on Felucia... Make yourself at home while I prep for takeoff.

Ai and navigational systems were very important to Raven, because she was almost blind, and flying without them would be very-dangerous. As she made her way to the pilot's chair she peered over her shoulder at the other.

And I do hope you won't be so difficult that I'll have to get help with you, Mr Matango.