Military Base

*The Shaman Kygrek and his trio of Felucian warriors led Icrarusk to the Jedi Base, and to meet with the Jedi. While Kygrek had been here before, the warriors had not, and they were doing their best not to let some manner of anticipation show. They'd heard the stories of the Jedi, but their experience with them was limited to Morgan, Felucia's Daughter, and she often dressed like they did, bringing along very few items indicative of her culture. The Jedi were believed to be of fantastic mold, wielding items and operating machinery far advanced, and the warriors hoped to receive at least some small glimpse of it during their short stay here.

The Shaman stopped at the gates to the Base, speaking with one of the guards on duty.* "We found this man lost in the jungle," *he explained.* "He was seeking the Jedi. He seems to wish to know answers regarding an attempted annihilation of their species..." *There was a slight air of skepticism in his mannerisms and projected voice, but the recognition in the guard's eyes was telling. Was there some truth to the figure's claims?

The guard acknowledged the Shaman's words and attempted to summon a Jedi capable of dealing with the man's apparent pressing issue...*

ROEL!!!

Makia almost interrupted Maroth- but she didn't, by a split second. But more than that, the raven haired green eyed woman was ignoring all the swiveling blaster rifles tracking her quick movement toward one of the guards and and gave him a hug.

It's been forever! You look the same.......wait- you are Roel, right? I get clones mixed up....


Unfortunately ....I am who you think I am Makia. It's... nice to see you, now go away.
The guard said, struggling to peal the woman off his armor. He took a step away from her, trying his best to retain his dignity. And stop bringing big- evil looking creatures to the base. It's not helping your record here.


That's raciest. He's obviously a scholar!
Makia retorted, thrusting a thumb backwards at Maroth. Now are you going to let us pass or...are you not. Certainly my friend isn't the worst thing you guys have let into the Felucian Archives.

Roel grumbled and folded his arms. It's not him I'm worried about. What are you two looking for exactly? Answer me that and I might let you in. If you try to force your way in- we'll have to remind you that you're not as powerful as you think you are. This kind of stuff happens all the time. You're not special.
Roel tilted his head. The other guards kept their weapons trained.

You do realize my guards and I are not the only ones here.

Roel responded- waving Makia off so she could go somewhere else, like stand beside her new pet or something and stop bothering him.
We have some material on more ancient topics. Lucky for you- we got a healthy supply of stuff from the Courscanti temple. I'll let you in if you don't mind being under close observation.
He hesitated and peered up at Maroth. It's really not you....really. I'd watch that one if I were you. She is not at all trustworthy. He jabbed a finger at Makia and shook his head as the other guards lowered their weapons and moved out of the way. I'll also ask that you not bother the Jedi here. This is one of the few places on the planet where something isn't trying to eat you. Also, they might bother you back- especially if you get them talking about philosophy... Roel made a face of distaste at the memory of hour long conversations with some Jedi here, he fought to stay awake through.


Wait...what? That's it? What happened to your cute defiance? Your dislike of anything you couldn't take down yourself? Your passion! Makia almost exploded. What made you SO boring?!


Experience.
Roel answered crisply. Welcome to the Felucian Conclave. Please keep the peace.

The young Twi'lek Jedi led her... Was he technically her prisoner? She guessed her was and this thought made her somewhat uncomfortable given their current camaraderie... She led their charge, yes that sounded better, through the large security doors that allowed for access to the detention center and onto the smooth sandstone floors of the Jedi Base itself, pausing a moment to allow a somewhat harried looking student rush past. With slight smile she turned left, gesturing for Caoimhin to walk with her, Gorath bringing up the read as always.

=Leila=
"Its not far to the hangar from here, Cao..."

She luxuriated in being on first name terms with him then caught herself sharply, mentally shaking her head at the familiarity.
I should have stuck with Master Shan, or Jedi Cao... A rueful and very slight shake of the head accompanying the though.

=Leila=
"Though we can stop and get refreshments if you like..."

Wait... Did that sound like I just asked him out for a drink? Her face grew hot as she once again blushed, the third time in the last ten minutes. Her voice broke slightly as she sought to amend what she had said, stammering a little over her words.

=Leila=
"I... I... I mean... If you want a drink that is... Or maybe food!"

She spoke the last word with an enthusiastic lilt before her mouth dropped open in horror at how ridiculous she sounded. She glanced over her shoulder at Gorath but go no help from those impassive features. She wasn't even sure if the other Jedi was listening at all. Oh the Force, Leila! Whats wrong with you!?

=Leila=
"I mean..." She concluded lamely. "Gorath would be there too.."

=Leila=
"Ah... oh... ah... of course."

The words stammered agonisingly into a rush as her face once again flushed with heat.

There it was. The brush off. Stupid, stupid girl! What were you thinking!? She fought valiantly to keep the horror from her face as the terrible demon of rejection rose within her, threatening to send her flying down the corridor in tears. He was kind to keep the scorn from his face and voice, his attempts to sooth her idiocy with a soft laugh an admirable if unsuccessful kindness.

She kept her gaze fixed forward as they continued down the corridor, unable to meet the look he threw in her direction. Her lip trembled slight and she clamped her small white teeth down on the offending flesh, forehead creasing in a forwn of concentration as she battled with the emotions.

Her physical attempts to keep her chagrin at bay was matched only by her herculean efforts at controlling the emotional storm from forming a torrent in the Force. Her feelings swirled beneath the surface of calm poise that all Jedi were apparently suppose to maintain, creating ripples that bled spikes of her plight to those skilled enough to pick them up. She wanted the smooth sandstone floor to swallow her up, causing her to retreat further behind the wall of Jedi stoicism. You do it to yourself, Leila. Always leaving yourself vulnerable. This time the voice didn't seem to be her own but something from the past, a stern female voice that lacked any kind of compassion to her circumstance.

The doors into the hangar bay seemed to take an age to draw closer, her gaze fixed relentlessly on a small blemish on the wall next to them as they drew agonisingly closer.

A sickly smile stained her features, skin now an unusual mix of pale and rosy, and her voice was tight with strain.

=Leila=
"First things first..."

Her words trailed off as the hangar doors slid open...

Chalco gestured for Menzine to step through the doors, falling in besides her as they moved into the corridor beyond, Molan following just off of his right shoudler. Leila quickly dipped at the waist into a bow, grateful to the gesture for hiding her stricken features. Gorath likewise followed suit, his bow as devoid of emotion as his face. With a slight smile Chalco returned an inclination of his head before his emerald eyes found the mismatched iris' of Caoimhin Shan, narrowing slightly at the mans presence here.

Chalco knew of Cao from his Yavin IV days but had had little interaction with the man. Indeed, he wasn't aware that the man had been given leave of the detention area following the "incident" on Nar Shaddaa. He reached out with the Force but found it difficult to sample due to the proximity of Menzine besides him, a mere shadow of presences pulsing around him instead of the dazzling flares of sentience.

His eyes flickered to Leila but the girl couldn't seem to meet his gaze for some reason and the face of Gorath may as well have been carved in stone. Instead his eyes found their way back to Cao, a slightly flinty look the only hint of feeling towards him.

"Master Shan."

His head inclined again and his gaze lingered with the mismatched eyes as he added...

"Knights Nem and Varr..."

Both Jedi spoke in unison with a "Master", Gorath in a low growl, Leila in a high whine.

Chalco's face maintained its stern demeanor as he continued to hold Cao's gaze, eyes still narrowed with grimly. His hands moved slowly to situate themselves in the opposite sleeves of his voluminous robe, his posture relaxed and at ease, contrasting sharply with the intensity of his features.

"You hold the title until Aerandir Calmcacil says otherwise, Master Shan..." His voice was steady.
Even. A smooth tone that betrayed nothing of the steel that obviously lurked underneath. "It is not an honourific that one may simple discard when it no longer suits but an integral part worth salvaging before it is exercised."

The tone and expression didn't change but there was definitely a trace of warmth in the sentiment. Perhaps not sympathy but certainly understanding, as of a shared knowledge of heinous mistakes made.

Indeed Chalco did understand somewhat the trials his fellow Jedi had struggled through of late. Perhaps not the specifics of what had transpired but the emotional toil that had been taken on mind and spirit. Chalco's years had not always been spent in education and science after all,
his own tumultuous youth leaving a vivid comprehension of the intricacies a Jedi's life could hold. As he looked at the man in front of him he regretted that they did not have time to pursue such a line of thought further, the demands of the present intruding on the need for contemplation of the future. He made a note to seek out Master Shan at some future date to further his understanding of these issues.

His lip twitched slightly, the only sign that there was more to their conversation than had been presented, a very small sign but one he was sure Caoimhin would catch. Finally breaking eye contact Chalco made a show of looking chagrined, a look of apology flashing to Menzine.

"But forgive my manners..."

His left hand left the comforts of his right sleeve to gesture, open-palmed, to Menzine, a slight dip of his head offering deference and respect.

Master Shan. Jedi's Nem and Varr. Allow me to introduce Menzine of Domain Kwaad."

Left hand returned to its den while the right now gestured to the three Jedi.

"Menzine. May I present Jedi Master Caoimhin Shan and Jedi Knights Leila Nem and Gorath Varr."

The two Jedi Knights bowed low once again, Leila's Lekku dropping down over her right shoulder as she did so. Even Gorath's face showed a hint of wonder at being introduced to the Yuzhaan Vong shaper and Leila was clearly still flustered from so earlier situation, eyes dropping to intently study the floor at her feet.

Of course.

That sort of "philosophical babble," as it had been so aptly put in narrative, had never been Cao's favourite part of being a Jedi. That wasn't to say he wasn't good at it, nor that he didn't enjoy a good bout of it from time to time.. just that it wasn't his favourite. The fact that he knew the man's words had merit against his own made him hesitant to join in such a back-and-forth anyway; besides, there were more pressing matters at hand.

One such matter was that of the Yuuzhan Vong Shaper looking at him rather intently. First she commented on their machinery -- a comment which prompted him to casually tuck his arms behind his back, holding his left hand in his right to cover the exposed metal of his knuckles -- and then she stepped forward toward him.

Cao didn't flinch as her hand came up towards his face, nor did he turn or move away. In fact, a playful smirk wrinkled his left cheek as she reached for the right, toward the scar he had received from none other than Yuuzhan Vong weaponry so many years ago.

"Nothing special, unfortunately," he said. "I've had 'em all my life.. though situations do keep trying to change that."

He issued a single chuckle at that..