Tonight they fought, maybe died. That remained to be seen. But for today they were still alive and with his hours possibly numbered there were a few people he wanted to spend time with. One of those people was Dhel. They had had a whirlwind introduction but one Deonis had thoroughly enjoyed so far.

Their last discussion had lead to some interesting places, before it was sidetracked as their talking often was. Deonis thought maybe the Grotto, well more of a cavern now that everything had died, would be a good set piece for further discussion.

He had picked her up and taken them in as far as he could on the speeder before trudging through the swamp to get to it. He was wearing his armor when he picked her up but stripped out of it to enter the Grotto left only in a tight black tank top and black pants "It isn't what it once was. Used to be a spot of life among the decay. Now its just another cavern. Maybe could be restored one day."

For her part, Dhel reflects that she's seen more of the planet's wild places in the past few days than she'd managed in months. It had been a long time since there'd been any of the lighthearted gatherings she remembered just a few years back.

Dhel shakes the rain from her hair as they pause there for all the unbuckling and careful stowing of armor.. Her own shorts, short sleeved top, and raincape are practical for the day and for hiking through a swamp. The latter is shed as Deo sets his armor aside, more because it feel odd wearing it 'indoors' than because it's much of a hinderance.

"What happened to it?" She asks, following his lead through the place.

Deonis looked around a slight frown on his features "I do not know." There was a sadness in his voice as a crimson hand ran along the walls.

"I think" He started slowly "the balance of the force on Bellionas has been thrown wildly. The light has been weak here since I arrived. Darkness, darkness has grown in the past weeks." He paused for a moment and a small smile came to his lips "but it's not too late. There I always hope. I think it can be fixed."

[If looking around, Perception vs Hard]

Dhel frowns, more in thought than any anger, talking as she moves into the space. "So does this force reflect that directly in things? Like all the crackdowns making things harder, dimming the sparks that have been lit in the city. Is that what's making this darkness or is the growing darkness what makes that stuff happen?" She offers an apologetic smile. "Sorry if that's a dumb question, it's all still pretty new to me. How do you fix that kind of thing? Will tonight help? If we succeed?"

She looks at all the dead leaves. "Was it alive, before? Before the dark got stronger?"

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D10 EA, Perception vs Hard, Boost for Uncanny Sense: 1eP+2eA+1eB+3eD 1 failure, 2 advantage

Developed in her senses, Dhel was able to feel.. something here, despite not being able to see it. There was a difference to this place than any other and while it appeared dead Dhel was certain this was wrong somehow but it was that inexplicable gut feeling one couldn't put a reason to.

He chuckled "No stupid questions when it comes to this. You were not raised in it. It isnt always this dramatic. Usually they are generally in balance. Planets that is. With the Empire spreading the galaxy is tipped in darkness. Bellionas though, Bellionas is bathing in dark energies. An ancient spirit deep in the swamp is most of the problem. The Imperial presence is only a small part of it all. Every little bit helps."

he looked around but saw nothing significant "yes before there was grass, a tree. Was a kind of beautiful. I meditated here often. A small white fox also resided here. I think its gone now." his voice had hints of sadness to it.

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d10 grotto perception hard: 2eA+3eD 2 failures, 1 threat

Deonis Harik wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 11, 2021 6:01 am

-snip-

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d10 grotto perception hard: 2eA+3eD 2 failures, 1 threat

Deonis might have noticed something but- Dhel sure is pretty, isn't she.

"i've tried to do a bit...those little bits here and there. Something Phroth said when I met him, about trying to do a bit of good each day, kind of resonated. I guess because that seemed possible in the face of a lot of things that didn't." She looks up into the branches, feeling the rain that made it through against her nose and ears where the fur couldn't catch it. "A fox? Do you think it's gone for good, or would it come back if this place heals...or, I guess if the planet does. If things change."

She feels like she's listening for something faint and far away, ears straining for it. Shaking her head slightly as she steps away from the tree, she adds quietly, "There is something though. It feels like no place I've been before, though maybe that's just because I don't step out of the city much. There are probably a lot of wild spaces I haven't been."

Deonis smiled at her a hand coming to her arms "that is..good of you." He said kissing the top of her head "as for the fox I am not sure it may return, it may still be around but more frightened. It I hard to say."

Deonis thought for a moment before nodding "hmmm I didn't feel anything, I must be a little distracted." He said grinning to her "let me see if I can focus and sense anything." He moved to a rock that was big enough to sit on and then sat down cross legged on it closing his eyes and opening his mind to the flow of the Force around him.

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D10 grotto sense check: 2eF 2 Light Side, 1 Dark Side

Dhel grins, pleased with the little touches, but settles herself to quiet as he meditates. The whole sitting still, eyes closed thing is a reasonably obvious ’do not disturb’ sign.

But it does allow a chance to observe him, and look around the otherwise empty grotto, finding beauty in both. Even without the grass and life that had been here, the stone and wood still had s natural grace missing from the streets of the city.

Deonis can sense that the room isn't entirely barren, there is.. still a presence here that is unmistakable.

Deonis opens his eyes after a moment "mhm yes there is still something here. Faint but there." He looked at her curiously for a moment "Dhel, you sensed instinctually what I had to meditate on. That is....unusual. I think you might be sensitive to the force as well." He paused thoughtful for a moment "it can take a blood test to be certain but you may have latent abilities that have never been fostered to grow." He said unfolding his legs and putting his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward studying her.

"Uhh..hmm" She frowns a bit, which rapidly shifts into a nervous laugh. "No, I...probably smelled something," she taps at the side of her nose, uncertain why it was so unsettling to have him looking at her like this. Being the center of attention is old hat, but this is somehow different.

She comes closer, leaning in to press her forehead against his. "That's not... I'm not..." Laughter fading to a confused silence as he hands brush down his arms, from shoulder to elbow, comfort and motion as small pieces click through her thoughts, eventually drawn out in a hummed, "mmmmmaybe?"

The voice she's trained to fill a room is small and quiet and almost swallowed back before it can be heard. "Are there other ways to tell?"

He smiled as she pressed her forehead against his. His hands on her waist as she rubbed his arms "It is not the worst thing in the world Dhel. If anything it is a gift. One that you can foster or shun as much as you want." He gave her sides a light squeeze.

"Blood test is the only way to be sure. That or you know you just using the force. I can sometimes sense it in people but that is less reliable." His voice was low and slow trying to be gentle and comforting.

And it is comforting, the rumble felt as much as heard. She steps forward, resting her chin on his head, hands pausing at his shoulders. "It's just surprising. Confusing. I don't know what it means or what that means I should do."

After a long moment, she sighs, "and...even knowing better now, there's the picture in my head of Jedi trying to control this place. Like...I can see the picture in the textbook, pretty much." There's a small laugh, as she draws back, meeting his eyes. "It's hard imagining myself in that picture."

"What you just did is...hmm, part of that picture though too, yeah? What is it like?"

"The Jedi have a lot of flaws. Their heart was in the right place. Even if the Republic ended up becoming evil." He gently rubbed her sides with small motions.

"It feels...it is hard to explain. You have to concentrate and open your mind. Open yourself to the force around you. Once you recognize it you can see how it flows through things. Well, feel it rather than see it."

"Is it something you could teach? Or..well..." she smiles a bit, nuzzling at his temple, the constant touch soothing her. "I guess maybe 'open your mind' might be all the teaching there is to it?" She sounds a bit skeptical.

Stiffening a bit in realization, she adds. "Oh! But that bit that's there. Is there something to do for it, or with it? Help it? That's probably more important, yeah?"

Deonis thought for a moment "I can.....try. I know somethings I have learned some techniques that can help. But you crew with Phroth and Shoula yes? They might take issue with my teachings. I was taught...differently than them."

He looked around "As for the remnants of life here. There may be something to be done. I do not know what it is though. Figuring out how to lessen the darkness will help. Need to foster the light as well. See if we can build this place back up again. Will take research, Knowledge I don't have. But it is possible. Things can almost always be fixed. No matter how broken."

Dhel nods. "They don't have any more claim to me than you do, why would they take issue with that?"

"Then whatever can be done here isn't...I don't want to say it's not urgent, but I guess not an emergency? I was worried it was like..a fish gasping in air that we really ought to push back into the water before paying attention to other things."


(hmm, given all the light sabers on the table at the planning meeting, I'm going to assume Phroth's status came out there as part of strategizing. Since we haven't really noted it doing so on ship, though that also makes sense over the weeks.)