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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Apr 4, 2016 19:18:38 GMT -5
The morning had been leisurely, but at the same time surprisingly short. They breakfasted on leftover food from the feast, Raasha gladly taking more still as provisions. They'd loaded up two large packs carefully. As Raasha usually had her own, there wasn't much to add to it besides food and a good solid pan. That and a large fur pelt over the normal bedroll. She'd kissed her family goodbye, shouldered her rifle, and started up the long hike.
The whole morning they'd managed to not see any changes from the terrain near the village, but by the time the sun was climbing back down, things had started to change. The trees were fewer, farther apart, and scragglier. They looked not unlike hermits stooped over their customary crags, watching. Periodically a mountain goat would peer down at them and hop away across a rocky surface no creature should be able to traverse so swiftly.
Raasha only made camp about an hour before the sunlight gave out, picking a sheltered dale nestled between two walls of thick rock, accessible only by a narrow path below and above, if someone could call it a path without laughing. It was clearly favored by the same goats, who nevertheless appreciated the easy way now and again. There was pale green grass in the dale after all, and a small spring. What was more, there was a view.
Far below them, scarcely visible save for cooking fires, was the village. Stretched out beyond it were all the lands leading out to Cover City.
Already as it grew dimmer in the sky, their breath began to form small clouds. Raasha looked to Bekk carefully and realized division of labor might be difficult.
"Firewood or shelter?" She asked simply, "Which is more easy for you?"
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Mr. Slender
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Post by Mr. Slender on Apr 5, 2016 18:19:14 GMT -5
Bekk was honestly quite sad to leave the village after just one day in their midst. Now that things had been straightened out with Raasha's mother most of the tension he'd felt when he arrived had lifted, so the village's rustic charm really got to him. Within a week or two the zabrak had a feeling he could've won over his friend's brothers and father as well, but moving on was sadly something that had to be done.
The journey into the mountains wasn't as bad as Bekk had imagined, being far from the sheer rock faces and deep crevices he'd been dreading having to tackle. Plus, trying the exercises granny suggested really helped whittle away the hours, not that he wasn't enjoying Raasha's company.
During their sporadic breaks the zabrak had made a point to close his eyes and try to reach out to whatever living creatures around. It was obvious that sentients were out of his league, and he aimed for something like a thimiar. Several times while he was fishing for consciousnesses Bekk felt like he'd noticed the species of goat lurking around seconds before they went about doing their thing. However, he rationalized he could've unconsciously picked up sounds from their hooves or falling pebbles to tip him off. There just wasn't solid proof that this was the work of the force.
Eventually, Bekk gave up on developing his senses for the day, shifting gears to attempting telekinesis. Sadly, with about the same result. He was still attempting to levitate a pebble resting in his palm when Raasha called out about a choice. The zabrak gave the exercise a few more seconds of effort before opening his eyes and letting out a tired huff.
"I can handle the firewood, I honestly don't know thing one about making a shelter." He admitted, with a lopsided grin while rising from formerly kneeling. "Plus, give me a chance to try this out on something other than bar walls and dirt." Bekk added, removing his save from the glowrod holster on his belt.
With that said the zabrak started walking back the way they came, remembering the last time he saw some timber. "I'll be back soon."
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Apr 5, 2016 20:27:22 GMT -5
Raasha nodded approvingly of Bekk's lightsaber plans. Some people might have harrumphed about dignity and respecting a Jedi weapon. Raasha on the other hand saw no problem with him getting familiar with the implement, and also getting them some firewood out of the deal. Besides, shelters were something she always took a degree of pride in. They required so much excellent variation based on the weather, the temperature, and what was on-hand.
Luckily there was an inward dip in the rock wall, not much, but enough to shield from rain or snow falling normally. She set her pack down in the area, and she produced a tarp, stringing it up on ropes and stakes to serve as a wind block. Then the laid down the enormous fur pelt over the rocky ground in the alcove. Then she paused to survey the whole affair, looking carefully to see how it was situated for wind, for potential shelter. She decided to go all in, in case the weather took a sour turn overnight. Another tarp rested on the other side, and her final one was carefully nailed to the rock above them, expanding the shelter very nicely indeed.
The rest was simple, just stacking large rocks around a hole for fire, so it would absorb essential heat all night. It freed her up to really think.
She could remember the night before. Bekk had handled himself well, and she was starting to question how exactly she felt about him. On the hand she still thought of him, at least a bit, as a silly little creature that needed taking care of. He was still an herbivore after all, it meant things hunted him instead of him hunting things. Carrots didn't evade you or move. they just sat there.
Yet, she was slowly admitting to herself that she liked the man, and enjoyed having him around. Even if their meals were incompatible. He was... A good friend.
The last of the stones was set, and Raasha set about stowing away their packs neatly and laying out the bedrolls.
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Mr. Slender
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Post by Mr. Slender on Apr 5, 2016 21:07:23 GMT -5
Besides the rustle of wind against stone whistling cut through the near silence of the mountain, while Bekk continued on his hunt. Singing was not once of his strong points, unfortunately;but he could whistle almost anything he put his mind too. The zabrak honestly couldn't remember the name of the one he was currently doing, yet was sure the original artist would've liked it. Even if they didn't, he was in too good a mood to care.
Failures with the force aside, this trek had been rather enlightening. If you'd asked Bekk a week ago if he ever thought he'd ever go this far up he would've answered only to climb and repair an antenna. Hell, it would've been doubt in his mind if he could even make it this far on foot. It was equal parts funny and pathetic in hindsight.
A few minutes later the zabrak came across the last tree they'd seen, and interestingly it was small than his remember. Either way, it'd do for their purposes. It felt like the return of an old friend when the blade appeared with a 'snap hiss' after a button press. Now that the moment was upon them Bekk recalled that he really hadn't answer the survival part of how much wood they'd need for the night?
He figured all of it would hold then for at least more than the whole night, if they weren't going for full on bon fire. Speaking of which, not making the wood burst into flame from a plasma blade before they reached the destination was a little detail he hadn't planned on. The first strike put his mind to somewhat rest as a diagonal slash bisected the plant in half at an angle resulted in only a very charred stump and trunk.
Nearly fifteen minutes later Bekk returned to their camp with the collected wood in his arms, stacked so high he could only longer around to the side. This was only a faction of the total weight the tree had maintained during its life, but even now it has to weight several hundred pounds bone tree.
"Firewood, just like you asked. With only a slight aftertaste of plasma on the wood!" The zabrak announced, going quite theatric with his words and facial expressions still in good spirits.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Apr 5, 2016 21:30:23 GMT -5
Raasha turned to look as Bekk returned, and her jaw dropped. If she'd been carrying anything, it would have likewise dropped. He came back with enough firewood for two days. He must have missed the point of 'firewood,' namely that you picked up all the different dead branches and dry bits of wood, along with kindling. Instead he'd about stocked up for winter. Still, she couldn't berate him, it would be like scolding a puppy, she didn't have the heart.
She gave him the little smile that said he'd been silly. Hopefully he was used to it by now.
There was enough though.
"Next time, try not to kill the tree," She suggested. "Here, take a pot and fill it with water while I get the fire started."
Raasha handed him a pot, and then she rummaged in her pack for flint and tinder. In a few seconds she'd started a merry little blaze, and soon tall flames were dancing. They'd be plenty warm, after all she had to use up as much of his firewood as they could. Small blessing at least, it would be very comfortable indeed when it really got going. She wouldn't say anything more negative, he was learning after all.
She patted the pelt next to her, motioning for him to sit, and adjusted the now-full pot to start boiling.
"Have you thought more about finding the ship?" She inquired softly.
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Mr. Slender
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Post by Mr. Slender on Apr 7, 2016 20:56:34 GMT -5
The suggestion to not murder a tree next time he went looking for kindling, was a poignant one, but definitely not for the reasons Raasha intended. Being a vegetarian, he probably be guilty of crimes against floral kind for casually genociding and devouring what he could get his hands on. One of the reasons he didn't eat meat was because it seemed like it was cruel to the common, defenseless game animals. The zabrak knew it was crazy, but he started feeling bad about killing that tree and the poor vegetables he'd consumed over the years.
Thankfully this feeling was extremely brief, as a stomach rumble brought things back into prospective. Bekk wasn't a carnivore by any means, but was still a hunter in his own way. It was also nice his leafy prey couldn't run away from him.
The zabrak sat down next to his friend as she'd motioned for him to, and stared into the fire as she asked her question. He pursed his lips for a few seconds while he gave the next milestone of the journey some thought, still gazing at the blazing logs of the arboreal corpse he'd brought back. "Well...a little, but we still really don't have many options sadly."
"We both agreed stealing one is out. Swiping one from the Empire isn't really stealing, but it still sounds like a bad idea to draw that much attention. We could book transport to a different plant, yet that would just leave us broke on a world we know nothing about. Buying or bartering for one is our best bet." Bekk rambled on, pausing for a second to select a stick to idly poke the fire with.
"Although, I don't have much in the way of savings. We could ask Auntie for help I guess, unless you know someone with a ship or credits we could borrow?" He asked, finally casting a curious expression to his friend.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Apr 7, 2016 21:31:33 GMT -5
Raasha silently thought about how she'd deal with meal arrangements. Normally, if it was her, she'd probably put the meat into the water, and produce a nice broth. However, that was... Not approved. Given present company, she reached into the pouch she'd carried, and cast a large teabag into the water. It would have to do for their shared 'meal.' After that he could make do with his veg, and she'd quietly eat some of the meat she'd brought that didn't last. By the time they reached the summit though, she knew it'd be down to the salted and dried meat. But she'd be able to show him the surprise there...
The ship discussion did keep her attention, and she largely filed it away as 'still unresolved.' It was so far ahead still that she was scarcely concerned about it. They had a mountain range to cross and at least a week of travel on the other side. There were predators to worry about, even as soon as the summit. That had her primary attention.
She shrugged a little in response to his question.
"I only know one man in Corvala. He is- Ahhhh..." She wracked her brain for the basic word. "Mother-Brother-Son. He helped Jedi when I was little girl. But I don't know if he can help."
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Mr. Slender
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Post by Mr. Slender on Apr 7, 2016 22:11:01 GMT -5
Given that his friend was a country girl through and through Bekk didn't figure she'd actually know anyone in the capital, with his question being more a formality or covering their bases than anything. The lead was....dubious to be sure, but was certainly welcome if it still turned out to be a valid option. As selfish as it sounded, he wanted to keep Auntie as far from this Jedi thing as he could, seeing her help would've put in her in unnecessary danger.
"Gotcha." The zabrak replied flatly while he continued to prod the fire, trying to recall how much he actually had saved up in the bank. It was at this point that he realized for the first time that the empire would've probably have frozen his assets by now. However, Bekk couldn't dwell on this new obstacle for long, as something more dangerous and immediate was present.
Staring into the flames had let the fledgling Jedi to relax and emptied out the more nagging functions of his brain until nothing but musings on the future remained, at least until a funny feeling started to creep up his spine. At first this sensation seemed rather ambiguous, but slowly it gained clarity in the form of primal bloodlust and the patience of a hunter.
Bekk's lips slowly parted as this experience seemed to grow in intensity, and he dropped his stick before going for the saber instead. "Uh, Raasha, what kinda predators can we expect out here?." He blurted, obviously shaken, eyes darting about while his forces senses tried and failed to pinpoint the source.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Apr 7, 2016 23:17:24 GMT -5
Raasha stirred the tea about with a wood spoon, watching the light fade further from the sky beyond. She took the pot away from the flames, and her fingers lightly touched the butt of her blaster rifle. It seemed somehow pleasant to have when Bekk asked his question. After all, the topic of predators, especially the more dangerous ones, was one that inspired defensive measures. Not that she was worried really. It was the beginning of fall now, food was far from scarce, and that meant predators weren't generally desperate enough to attack people.
"Well," She answered, cradling her rifle in her lap, fingers lightly stroking the laminate, "There is the shriek-eagle, which is very large, and eats young goats. And there is Kuvaka."
Her mouth stopped momentarily as she tried to decide how to best describe it. Truth be told the word 'yeti' hadn't entered Togruti parlance yet, or she'd have seized on it. Somehow the concept of a large primate omnivore that blended in with snow was ubiquitous. At least in folkore, if not so fully in most realities. Wampas, after all, were rare. Still though, there was a fine and honorable tradition of spooky campfire stories amongst all races, Togruta included. Raasha gave him her best toothy smile, and she dropped her voice in volume and in tone.
"Nobody know what they are. Like great hairy apes, white, blending with snow. They like to hide, and then, when least expect... Maybe when you sleep, SPOOK! They come for you!" She cheekily grinned, even though 'boo' was the correct etiquette, not 'spook.' Her Basic needed work.
"I am making joke," She amended. "They are very nervous, shy creatures. Mostly they eat goat, scavenge as often as kill. To cause problem for people is rare. But not unheard of..." She smiled spookily to accent her ending statement.
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Mr. Slender
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Post by Mr. Slender on Apr 8, 2016 10:56:13 GMT -5
Ironically, the harder Bekk tried to concentrate on the source the more elusive it became, to the point it dropped down to just a mild sense of dread rather than imminent danger. Raasha both helped and worsened his worried state; the former by remaining calm after his warning and the latter by filling his head with images of their doom. Eagles he might could handle, but the Kuvaka sounded like a nightmare and a half.
The zabrak dialed his shakey appearance back to just a slight frown as his friend filled him in on the creature. What she said was not very reassuring. His frown only got deeper and deeper with each syllable, until her proclamation of 'SPOOK' came out of nowhere. For a split second Bekk kinda just stared blankly trying to process what just happened, before breaking into a short burst of laughter.
It was mostly guaranteed that Raasha hadn't made the joke to ease his stressed nerves, yet it succeeded wonderfully. "BOO. You meant to say BOO, not SPOOK, but I got what you meant *heh*" Bekk responses, flashing a lopsided grin and her toothy one. The zabrak added a nice sense of humor as another facet to why his friend was such a gem.
"That was funny, but...The reason I kinda brought up the predators thing, was because I felt one around. Your granny told me a few exercises to try with my connection to the force, and I think I had a breakthrough with one of them. Thankfully, I don't sense whatever it was anymore." Bekk stated, maintaining his grin and idly rapping his fingers on his lightsaber.
"On a side note...um, what kind of customs would someone have to know to like..integrate into a togruta village? Or join a family" He queried next, not knowing what possessed himself to be wondering this now of all times.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Apr 8, 2016 11:15:10 GMT -5
Raasha laughed along with him, though she was perhaps slightly disappointed he didn't jump a little. Bekk had stronger nerves, for an herbivore. Of course he then proceeded to correct her, and the explanation made no sense to her. In fact, it made such little sense that she didn't directly answer his predator sensing experience. Probably because he had said it was gone, and also because she was never all that worried. You didn't get far with undue worrying. However she didn't get all that far with Basic either, and this one she needed straightened out.
"I am not understand this, no one is say 'boo-ey,' they say 'spooky.' So why would they say boo and not spook?"
She shrugged her shoulders and decided it wasn't really worth pressing, he was better off getting some real explanations.
"Kuvaka probably saw the fire, and watched. They are very a-feared of fire. But as you ask..." Raasha turned her mind back onto the question of village life. In order to live in a village... Well it was hard to tell what he meant by integrate. It really all depended.
"There is difference between each village and tribe. Most, person would marry to. Provide useful skill. Weaving, or tanning are good. Brewing is good too. Nomad tribes would be hardest to in-teh-grate, I am thinking coast would be easiest."
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Post by Mr. Slender on Apr 8, 2016 11:51:02 GMT -5
Bekk had to raise an eyebrow at Raasha's insightful, if off the wall under the circumstances, question. He chuckled a little more and widened his grin while attempting to figure the best approach for this. "I honestly don't know why, but BOO is just what is said when you want to scare someone. Plus, I think BOO rolls off the tongue better...." He explained, stroking his chin thoughtly.
In an instant Bekk turned with arms held up menacingly and shouted "BOO!" He quickly settled back to sitting calmly, but had a massive smug smile. "See? Much better than spook~" He added in a sing song cadence, going back to jabbing the fire with a stick.
The fact it seriously could've been one of those dangerous primates stalking them was kind of comically defused by Raasha substitute for 'afraid'. Still, the village info that followed was interesting, if not exactly what he needed to know. Although, pressing the issue might get awkward again, and this time he didn't have her family to swoop in to save him from expressing his turbulent feelings.
"I was asking more about your village specifically, but good to know what my best options are." Bekk said casually, also just noticing the aroma of tea in the pot over the fire.
"So does the Empire ever send patrol out this far, and have they ever stopped in your village?" He asked, hoping to keep the conversation flowing, then winced slightly when the stick's tip finally snapped from the burn damage.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Apr 8, 2016 12:12:18 GMT -5
Raasha wasn't surprised overly by the 'boo.' It did seem quicker to say, but not by much. She didn't actually SAY anything, but privately she till preferred 'spook.' Basic was a strange, strange language... She busied herself by turning back to the tea, and filling two wood mugs she'd brought out. While she did so, once again she managed to stay rather blind to any pointed thrust Bekk was making. Her thoughts about him integrating into her village didn't involve her, they involved the notion he must have really liked the village. That wasn't hard to believe for her either, she liked the village too.
The next question definitively barred further thought into his village preferences. The Empire. They were a big question-mark yes.
"Patrol, maybe," Raasha said tentatively, after thought. "Sometimes hunting parties hear their speeder bikes. Very few though, and they are never visiting village."
The Togruta woman delved into her mind a little bit and thought about the why and wherefore. She found an explanation for the questions, and decided it was as good as any other.
"I am not thinking that they care. There is... Little out here. Nothing Empire might be wanting."
She slid Bekk one cup, and took the other herself, sipping it. There wasn't any solid way to say it in Basic, so she lapsed into Togruti again.
"They always stay around the main pass, because I think they have to. Something about rules. But I'm glad we don't have anything they want. I know the Empire wouldn't hesitate to cut down all the trees and dig up metals if it meant more credits for them."
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Mr. Slender
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Post by Mr. Slender on Apr 8, 2016 13:48:58 GMT -5
Bekk honestly couldn't the tell if the tea that Raasha served out was the same brew they'd shared in his home, but that hardly mattered given the high quality of the drink on both occasions. At least he assumed this new one was tasty, judging by the smell. Either way, a spot of tea was really going to hit the spot at the end of the day like this.
Raasha's reply to his questions were quite insightful, putting his worries to ease about the imperial presence out here, and brought up a point he rarely thought about: why was the Empire even on Shili? Given the surge of Jedi that arrived after the Clone Wars it made sense to keep a garrison, but now it rather seemed like a waste of resources.
Then again, he was literally living proof why they needed to keep the garrison around. A Jedi has to come out of the woodwork sometime.
"You know, it might be a very long time before we return to Shili. Did you want to do you want to get any supplies or clothes in Corvala you might not see in the rest of the galaxy? We can pinch a little off of our ship fund." Bekk remarked, before raising the cup to his lips to blow on it.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Apr 8, 2016 21:24:58 GMT -5
The Togruta woman sat cross-legged and sipped her tea again, listening to Bekk attentively and patiently. She was good at that, as her exotic features always seemed to be quietly expectant in a way that demanded nothing, and simply accepted realities. It was hard to imagine her ever looking angry actually, it was like trying to imagine a blizzard in summer. Slowly a quizzical expression dawned.
Raasha didn't own many clothes. Apart from her main tunic, her vest, and her boots, she had just one spare tunic, and a pair of woven pants for use in the cold. She traveled immensely light, and she'd simply never owned much that didn't fit. Clothes had always been made, not bought, and they'd been made to grow into, even now her's was loose-fitting. She pursed her lips carefully and tried to envision what she might need.
She'd never left Shili, how was she supposed to know?
"I... What things would I need?" She asked, hesitantly.
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