Shanda followed the others onto the ship, her steps were light and when Duran looked her way she smiled and nodded simply. "Indeed, let us see what the Force has in store for us."

As neither of you had been off-world in some time, with Shanda in the libraries and Duran finishing his training, the return to space ought to be a bit exhilarating.  Master Orth immediately enters a trance for meditation, perhaps not appreciating the thrill himself.  Cruising through the sky, the atmosphere begins to fade, giving way to the bespeckled black of space.

Upon docking with the space station, there is little time to get to the ship which will carry you the rest of the way to Coruscant, and it seems as if very little time has passed when the jump to hyperspace has been made.  The ship's pilot, a female Kel Dor, informs everyone that the ship will exit hyperspace in approximately 2.75 standard hours.

There is time in which the two of you could talk or have a look around, if you wish.  The ship you're on is an Old Republic-era YT series freighter, so it's not a huge ship but the three of you are the only living passengers.  The ship is otherwise empty, having just unloaded freight at Tython before returning to the capital.

Master Orth finds a corner and sets into a trance again, his eyes shut and head bowed a little with his hands on his knees.

Duran had spent most of the take off staring through the nearest portal and watched as the place he had called home for most of his life vanished beneath him. He grinned, wondering when he would see it again.

When they approached the ship they were going to fly in he tried to get a good look at it from the outside as well before heading to the docking bay. Once inside he avoided the cockpit to start with, he knew till they entered hyperspace the pilots would be very busy.

When they enter hyperspace, and he sees Master Orth about to re-enter his trance he politely cleared his throat,"Excuse me, Master Orth, do you think we could ask you some questions about the mission before we get there? I'd prefer to be as prepared as I can be."

The ship isn't much to look at from the outside.  It could use a good cleaning, for one thing.  But it's like you can hear a hardened smuggler defending it from scrutiny, saying "She's got it where it counts."  It, like most YT-series ships, is rather flat and disc-like, and you can see quad laser cannons on the top and bottom.

It looks much nicer on the inside.  The plasteel floors are shiny and reflective, and the seat cushions actually appear to have been replaced recently.  They even smell new.

The older Master responds, "You must always be prepared for anything, padawan."  A slight smile forms on his lips.  "Patience.  All will be known in good time."

Duran had liked the ship, almost immediatly, there was something honest about it. It wasn't trying to pretend it was something other than a working ship, made to run blockades.

His conversation with the Master made him smile, this was one he'd had with his own master many times,"Of course master, but part of being prepared for everything is trying to find out what you can before you are in the situation." He bowed his head at the mention of patience,"Yes, Master, as you will. I will chat to Shanda, sorry to disturb your meditation."

With another bow he left the room and went in search of the other apprentice.

"It does reflect well on you to seek knowledge.  But we are coming into dark times, and I need this time to meditate."  With that, he dips back into his trance.

Shanda was at another of the portholes though unlike Duran and more like Mul she too was sat in its light meditating. While the view of travel initially had sparked some interest, the announcement of a lengthy flight made the view beyond rather...less thrilling.

So there she sat crosslegged on the floor, her face raised to the porthole quietly meditating. At Durans approach she cocked her head slightly yet said nothing allowing her companion the first move.

Having found Shanda the human approached slowly, noting the tilt of her head, even though he perceived most of the world through the force as well these Miraluka always puzzled him, they seemed far to good at picking colours and things, something that shouldn't be carried through the force, or at least not to him.

"Shanda Rell isn't it? I am Duran, we've got a fairly lengthy trip ahead do you think we might spend that time getting to know each other? If you'd rather meditate I understand....just we might be fighting together so it might be best to understand at least each others strengths and weakness."

Shanda gave one of her customary smiles and slowly rose from where she sat, dusting off her robes she looked to her companion, "Of course Duran, where would you like to begin?" She asked quietly, tucking her hands into the open sleeve of either arm.

Duran smiled, back suddenly pleased the Master had brushed off,"Well, perhaps let's start with something basic. I am learning the Shien and Soresu styles of lightsaber fighting and have managed to learn a fair number of uses for the force....although most are slanted towards battle and mobility. I'm not much of a diplomat or speaker, but I'm able not to insult people."

His hand touched something on his chest, something under the brown robe,"I also have a fair number of electronic gadgets, mostly for communication and survival, to make it easy to find out what I need to."

"My own studies have been less focused on combat than understanding the Force itself. Much of my training has been negotiations and manipulating the Force itself rather than a focus on lightsaber combat." She offered simply glancing towards the porthole, "As for gadgets...other than my lightsaber and my clothes I have none."

Duran nodded a smile creasing his face,"That is what I suspected, apparently the Master's picked too Jedi who seem to compliment each other, what a surprise." Chuckling he said,"Well, if you will perhaps work with me on my diplomacy and force work I can help you with your lightsaber work. That way even though we aren't with our masters we'll keep learning."

He put on a very serious face as he intoned,"There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. A slight smile creased his lips,"We can teach each other what we are missing, grow a bit and perhaps surprise our masters when we get back."

"It is not a matter of missing knowledge. It is more a different direction of focus. The way of the Jedi Knight is through the lightsaber. The way of the Jedi Counsellor is through manipulating the force. I have recieved lightsaber training, have no misconception about that, I just prefer to trust the Force than rely on it." Shanda replied he sightless visage turning to regard Duran again with a smile. "It is like the security personnel. Some train to deal with people. Some train to deal with explosives. It is not a lack of training in the basic needs of thier overall choice of life but rather the specialization they have chosen for themselves is widely different."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:50, Sun 27 May 2012.

A grin greeted her words,"well, my master is a Counsellor, sometimes he makes it feel like I am missing things." He nodded though,"Still, I would think it best to sharpen both our skills, it might be best if we knew our way around the others area of expertise, just in case."

"No, I would not say you are missing anything Duran, we all trust in the Force it is merely the road in that trust that differs slightly." Shanda glanced to the porthole then back to Duran. A light laughter upon her lips, "Come let us find some place quiet and more spacious to exchange tales, I doubt our good captain, nor our resident Master would appreciate an errant swing of mine opening the bulkhead."

A full bodied laugh echoed through the hallway,"No I think that might make us a little unpopular. We don't need to do it now, I'm talking about this whole mission...and of course we can always start with meditation or whatever it is that you can teach me....diplomacy?"

Shanda smiled at his laugh a soft chuckle escaping from her as well, "Yes, quite unpopular. And negotiation and diplomacy is not so difficult a thing. It all comes down to understanding that every side has its own view in a disagreement. Neither is particularly good or bad, though one strives for an outcome that benefits the universe as a whole."

Rolling her shoulders Shandas gaze turned towards the porthole, "In essence the heart of diplomacy lies in the deep understanding of all involved and trying to get them to see through the others eyes, if only for a moment." Crossing to the porthole her arms slid apart, fingers reaching out to touch the the transparent material seperating the interior of the ship from the vacuum of space.

"Take the porthole here. On one side the cold vaccum of space. On the other oxygen filled ship. Yet through this portal we glimpse both sides of a conflict of interests. Sadly, much like Jedi and Sith, it is a conflict with no diplomatic resolve. Though one always has hope that there is ground gained somewhere at some point." Shanda smiled glancing back over her shoulder, "Which makes me wonder why I was called. Special Operation squads are usually a matter of aggressive negotation more so than diplomacy."

[Private to Shanda Rell: Nice post :D]
He listened to her speak, his smile fading as she spoke, clearly she was wise in the ways of diplomacy, just as he was wise in the ways of war. His smile returned though at her final words.

Moving close he patted her shoulder as he looked out at the void,"Not all Special Operations involve brute strength. We may be required to use stealth, diplomacy, bribery or many other methods to get the rest of the team into places they wouldn't be able to shoot their way in. Or to get information from people who won't normally crack for someone only able to claim they can shoot their knees in....sometimes a soft touch can accomplish what a hundred guns cannot, I suspect you may be part of that soft touch."

Shanda smiled and nodded simply, "Well then we'll just have to be sure your aggressive negotiation ability isn't overlooked either." Chuckling softly she folded her hands back into the sleeves of her robe watching space beyond silently.

Shaking his head the young Jedi smiled at her,"Oh it won't be, I'll make sure of that. Now, do we go and discuss some more negotiation options, clash with lightsabers or meditate on the Force?"

[Private to Shanda Rell: We don't have to rp everything, if the GM wants to move us on we can.]

Shanda turned and bowed slightly, "A good plan." Before moving after Duran.

[Private to Duran: Yeah sounds like a good idea.]

I would have cut you off at some point.  Thanks for doin it for me.  :)  We'll move everyone on to the next bit now.

You spend the rest of the short trip in conversation.  Taking a seat when asked to by the pilot, you feel the inertial disturbance that is coming out of Hyperspace.  Looking outside, you can see Coruscant and the constant ship traffic the planet gets.

You're cleared to land at a spaceport near the Senate Palace, and the ship lands there uneventfully.  You're guided to the Palace, an enormous structure, of an ornate beauty rivaling the Jedi Temple on Tython.  The walkways are lined with tall statues of valorous-looking figures, either with a hand up to the sky victoriously or extending a hand as though guiding those below them.  In the palace itself, the halls are lined with holographic busts of various senators from years past, and the occasional plant.  Decorative drapes and the like are everywhere.

Unfortunately for your sleep schedule, as it was descending into night on Tython, it is a bit past daybreak on this part of Coruscant.  The meeting will be soon.  I'll start that thread momentarily.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:47, Sun 27 May 2012.