((In proper place- if Admin could delete the one in As Time Goes By))
Maerin sits contemplatively, basking in the setting warmth of an impossible garden, kilometers below what passes for sky on the Smuggler's Moon. Sanctuary, as the Evocaii had come to call it, the unexpected gift of Master Yarwin's death and the collapse of the rift forged by the Dark Nexus- a pure spring fed from the moon' unpolluted depths, now cultivated by hidden sun-focusers, insane amounts of botanical smuggling, and the indomnible spirit of the Deep Evocaii, the last free tribes of this system's original people. Protected by the deepest secrecy and the partial cloaking systems delved from her parent's last legacy, for which they died during the Mandelorian Blockade.
Still mostly mosses and fungal mats beginning to establish true soil, the gardener's have nevertheless managed some irrigated raised beds with ferns and even a few trees. Indigenous Nal Huttan plants that had likely had acid-raid or un-yellowed leaves for millennia were shockingly green in the blue and crimsen shadows of the reflected light. A testament to Evocaii scientists efforts to preserve seeds in secret down here.
A hooded figure settles not far from her, having arrived so quietly even her Jedi senses barely registered. He pulls his hood back slightly, an ancient Evocaii face and regal beard beneath the humble robes. "A good place to seek whatever you may be looking for. I sense you have not come here as often as you should, after being the one to tell us of it."
Maerin looks up, smiling sadly at H'taldin. "Leader... I had hoped I might run into you by chance, seek out your wisdom... thought this place might provide a peaceful meeting without troubling your warriors. Had not expected to run into you so quickly, though."
"What troubles you, child, and Friend of the Deep Ways?"
She looks out over the pond, troubled... a tiny violet crystal rolling in her hands. "I'm rebuilding my lightsaber, made in the same fires as this place... and pondering how to tell you a difficult choice I have made which requires it."
The old man smiles, a twinkle in his eye. "A risky place you have chosen, with so much water for things to fall into." This face grows more serious, though still kind. " Yes yes always seeking me out for my wisdom people are- but never considering I might be more aware of what goes on in my world and some old doddering hermit. Still... tell me your choice."
Maerin frowns, considering once more if the man might have latent Force ability. Feeling a pang of guilt, as well for her role in the painful incident with his dark-side using son. Even more so because she fears what came next might cause him only more pain- and for the fact, Undeserved and her mind, that he seemed to treat her a bit like an adopted daughter ever since that incident.
She draws a deep breath, holding the crystal tightly. "I'll keep that in mind for the future," she murmurs sheepishly, for continuing more firmly. "I'll assume comes as no surprise, then that this concerns our non-friends upstairs. Their leader has taken someone dear to me, and threatened massive violence whether or not we do anything about that. I fear there is little choice, nor could I stop her other loved ones from acting. We intend to see this through, or die trying- but do all we can to make sure people below don't suffer for the risks we're taking. But there're no guarantees."
"I have no illusions that your people have any stake in the face of your oppressors new oppressors, nor would I even think of troubling you for help. But I feel you deserve to know as this worlds original people, even if I be the only one that cares about such things. I Admit some guilt- And I want to be sure that you have time to take shelter, And avoid certain regions should things go south."
H'taldin stares across the pond, leaning upon a hand-carved staff and breathing deeply. Finally he speaks. "we have seen many empires and would-be tyrants rise and fall. The Hutts are brutal but predictable, snakes that always eat themselves sooner or later. We have a little trouble knowing how to deal with them. Yet, tempting as it is to take joy in seeing them lick someone else's boots for once, we have hardly faired easily under these hard times here on the bottom. You are correct. It is not our fight. Still it does not mean we are uncaring, knowing what they have done to innocents on many other worlds."
Maerin nods, slowly. "yes, for the first time in a long time many in the Core have a taste of knowing what it feels to be conquered. But as a Jedi, and your friend I cannot allow my desire for revenge to be why I do this."
The old man sighs, stirring the water. "You Jedi and your guilt trips. But I appreciate your care. You should never let it think for you. Regardless, even if we are agreed this is not our battle, and you were bold enough to ask for help, is there something you might ask?"
Maerin looks up, surprise in her eyes, pondering. "Well... I mentioned the matter of moving people, but doing so quietly so as not to lose our cover is difficult. Your people know the ways down here better than anyone. You can't reveal yourselves, of course. But if there were any suggestions of routes and safehouses I could pass on to my refugee workers, I would be most in your debt."
The old man rises to his feet suddenly, with unexpected agility. "We are far beyond counting debts, young one. But it shall be done. And it may be that we surprise you in more ways than one. My son Abuthal we'll contact you, should any of his Warriors decide to make some of this their business after all." He pauses looking back one more time at her before gazing off across the lake and beginning to walk. "Finish your light saber, and find your peace. And may your enemies quake when you break yours to come for them." He taps his staff three times with fierce defiance, before slipping into the underbrush as silently as he came."
OOC: Still planning a part II with Caben, if time allows.
