To be honest, Solork wasn't sure that this was a good idea. He was inviting someone new to the effective safehouse of their little fallen Order, and that carried risks. On the other hand, there were opportunites to be had. Sol liked to think that he was a willing student, an able student, but it came to helping Zim taking her next steps, or even knowing what those steps should be, there was simply so much he didn't know. There was some trepidation mostly because Zim was very much a believer in her traditions, and those traditions were not the Jedi's, but in the end, his belief that all would grow and flourish had won out.

Plus, there was another he felt might want to come along, and had asked that they meet before making the final push to the shack.

"This is Junkyard Guardian" Sol called on his commlink as soon as he came in range. "I have new friends, and I would like to offer a proper introduction."

SCaT, or should he go by 3CaT currently, waits patiently, for whatever his "master" has to show him.

The shape of Zim appeared on the horizon at about the time they had agreed - a robed, hooded figure walking slowly, the light of a glowrod illuminating the way before her. The yellow-greenish hue of her skin showed through here and there, as did some tendrils moving about outside the hood as she took in the feelings of the place she had been invited to. As she got closer, it was clear she was wearing something else under the robe - environment gear, most likely.

As she tried to make out Sol's shape in the distance, she took out her own comlink, dialed his number and spoke into it. "Solork? Can you hear me? I see a shack. I think this is the right place?"

If she sees the Droid, she doesn't seem to mention it for now.

Sol raises a hand "Copy. I am knocking on the front door now"

There wasn't much to the old shack that when the approached the group would easily be able to make out the sounds of chatting coming from inside. By the time he knocked, they could see the image of Kira behind the sheets that gave cover from the sand as she approached and opened the door, leaning on the doorway.

"Oh, hey! Gonna have to get used to all these visitors.." she glanced among the faces present.

"Your hospitality continues to amaze Miss Kits. May we come inside?"

"It's- literally- the least I could do," she smiles and gives a nod over her shoulder. Pushing the door open a bit wider to accomodate everyone as she waked off back inside. Taking up a spot on a nearby desk she was sitting on while Cartess herself seemed to be cross legged on the floor, tending to a few small objects that had no apparent practical significance.

Taking a look around to make sure no one is going to point a weapon at him, SCaT then takes a moment to really take a look at the items on the ground. Are they parts to something, trinkets, bits of information perhaps? "I presume the one cross legged on the floor is your master Mr. Tan?"

Cartess looks up with a quizzical look about her between Solork and the droid, furrowing her brow as she focused on Solork, "You have made strange friends.. and shared much more with them than I would have advised," she says with a tinge of displeasure that is hard to pin down specifically.

The items in front of her appear to be knickknacks of likely only sentimental significance.

Solork Tan wrote: ↑

Sun May 16, 2021 5:32 pm

Sol raises a hand "Copy. I am knocking on the front door now"

"Right. Almost there", her voice answers as she raised a hand as well.

Kira wrote: ↑

Mon May 17, 2021 7:20 am

"It's- literally- the least I could do," she smiles and gives a nod over her shoulder. Pushing the door open a bit wider to accomodate everyone as she waked off back inside. Taking up a spot on a nearby desk she was sitting on while Cartess herself seemed to be cross legged on the floor, tending to a few small objects that had no apparent practical significance.

When the Mikkian reaches the shack, Solork has been already received inside, and she nods with a peaceful to the woman who received them. "Good evening, miss." She extends a hand as she pulls back her hood, revealing the tendrils that wave about as if exploring the scents and noises in the area. "I'm Zimrzala Skalirz. Thank you kindly for receiving me."

The SCaT Droid wrote: ↑

Mon May 17, 2021 7:26 am

Taking a look around to make sure no one is going to point a weapon at him, SCaT then takes a moment to really take a look at the items on the ground. Are they parts to something, trinkets, bits of information perhaps? "I presume the one cross legged on the floor is your master Mr. Tan?"

Seeing the droid inside, the Mikkian seems slightly uneasy for a moment, but she slowly relaxes, first hearing him addressing Solork... then noticing it seemed to be the same one that had accompanied her to that tent in the Badlands. "Metallic friend", she says, letting her voice easen up. "We meet again, it seems."

She then looks to the side, seeing the cross-legged woman the droid had just pointed out as.... Sol's Master.

Zim lowered her eyes to the woman's... then lowered them further to the ground, and bowed. She stopped for a moment - she could feel that brighter thread extending from her to Solork... and to others. The Mikkian had a faint smile on her face, but she spoke seriously and respectfully. "So... you are Solork's Sh'sei, then. It's an honour to meet you, friend."

Cartess Kenotte wrote: ↑

Mon May 17, 2021 7:56 am

Cartess looks up with a quizzical look about her between Solork and the droid, furrowing her brow as she focused on Solork, "You have made strange friends.. and shared much more with them than I would have advised," she says with a tinge of displeasure that is hard to pin down specifically.

The items in front of her appear to be knickknacks of likely only sentimental significance.

Sol shoots a glance over at ScAT, not quite angry, but the droid had certainly made the introduction.

"I didn't need to share anything with ScAT here. It would appear that his memory banks remain predominantly untouched from the Clone Wars, and he knows a great deal about the participants. More than me, it would seem. I am curious why we haven't taken a trip to Ilum yet, considering some of my interests Instructor Cartess"

It was a bit of a low blow, but the droid had been the one to tell him about the site where Padawans had harvested their kybher crystals. After a year of travel, Sol hadn't gotten a whisper about it. He believed she must have had her reasons and his own quest meant that obtaining a fresh crystal was moot, but it was hopefully an unexpected reveal that would level the playing field for when it really mattered.

"Knowledge seems to include significant adversaries from the CIS forces, including a Count Dooku, Asajji Venriss and General Greivous. As I said, I believe the Droid know more lore than I do"

Sol clears his throat. "And, uh, I did warn you that I had met someone interested, and that I wanted to follow up. I offered her the discretion on further details that she may want to share, and I would with yours Instructor"

He motions to Zim. "This is Zimrzala Skalirz, a student of H'Kig. She was drawn to this planet as well, as a traveler for...similar reasons. I have introduced the droid currently under designation 3C-AT, colloquially known as ScAT. You two, this is Instructor Cartess, my spiritual advisor."

Solork Tan wrote: ↑

Mon May 17, 2021 10:40 am

Sol clears his throat. "And, uh, I did warn you that I had met someone interested, and that I wanted to follow up. I offered her the discretion on further details that she may want to share, and I would with yours Instructor"

He motions to Zim. "This is Zimrzala Skalirz, a student of H'Kig. She was drawn to this planet as well, as a traveler for...similar reasons. I have introduced the droid currently under designation 3C-AT, colloquially known as ScAT. You two, this is Instructor Cartess, my spiritual advisor."

Zimrzala keeps bowed, waiting for Cartess' answer. She does add something though, in the same serious and respectful tone as before "H'kig... and a version of the Cosmic Balance. I've been reflecting and studying with the Sh'sei who taught me for some years - and I've had the chance to discuss some of it with Solork. Again... it's a great honour to meet you, Sh'sei Cartess"

SCaT sees that this wasn't exactly warned of, but at least she isn't pulling out a weapon like other jedi did. SCaT waits patiently for the response, making sure not to make a noise until after the master.

"I-.." she pauses before she begins, glancing to Kira for a moment. Closing her eyes Cartess inhaled deeply and exhaled, focusing in on Solork as she did. Watching him with a presence of mind but speaking none of what she thought.

After a moment she breaks, looking then to Zim, "Zimrzala Skalirz, it my pleasure to make your acquaintance. I.. am not familiar with what you speak but, in the nature of the cosmic balance I am certain there is much we could discuss, in an appropriate setting but we rarely do get the chance at such chances these days.." she sighs, inhaling again.

"Solork.." she said, the name coming out with an exhale. "This droid with a breadth of historical information- and information that is kept secret for a reason, such as the presence of Ilum, worries me greatly. How this droid learned of it is- very concerning. Further.. your demeanor.." she closes her eyes again, taking a breath and steeling herself. "I cannot train you any further, Solork Tan. Your reaction to the discovery of Ilum has taught me all that I need to know and I am only disappointed in myself for not trusting my gut sooner. I fear that any training I continue to offer would only further you down a darker path."

[Solork also gains 2 Conflict]

"I...what?" There is a trace of anger in his emotions, but mainly confusion. Sol clamps down on them a moment later, a year of dedicated training of his discipline offering him at least that much.

He takes a deep breath and then exhales, the vocabulator letting out a hiss.

"I respect your decision Instructor. But I do not see the logic in it. You posed a statement that indicated that I had put you and others at risk by telling too much. I countered your claim with information that, while significant to you did not reveal the secrets of which you were so terrified of being released."

"And so, after you learn that I have discovered knowledge that you consider forbidden, and my choice is to bring that source before you, and that your course of action is" Sol does not need to feign bewilderment "To stop offering guidance, because that information might tempt me. Which might be allayed. With guidance"

Sol sighs, acceptance tinging his voice. It had been a struggle for her to take him as a student at all. "You have already taught me much. For that I thank you. I simply find your lack of faith disturbing."

He offers a bow to Cartess and looks over to Kira. "Thank you very much for your hospitality again"

Sol looks over to Zim. "She does indeed have much to teach. Please do not judge her by this alone"

The Gank nods to SCaT and turns to leave.

"Query: if Ilum is where many Jedi went to get their lightsaber crystals and the chief executive of the CIS was a former Jedi, why would it be controversial for the CIS to know that Ilum exists? Knowing about a location and being able to go there are two separate issues, I merely followed a paper trail to learn some of Count Dooku's meditations." He then takes a moment to process the separation between student and master, but ultimately says nothing until the gank nods and moves to leave. "Master Tan, I recognize that you are likely no longer welcome here, do you require I leave too?"

Cartess offers the droid a brief glance but her attention returns to Solork. There is a lingering there like she wishes to say something further but steels herself against it and allows Solork to react as he must to the news. Folding her arms into her lap as she glances down and thinks on the event.

Kira glances between those present with a surprised look to her expression, "I uh.. don't think you need to leave?" she mentions to SCaT and in the same breath glances to Cartess but can't read her either. Glancing to Solork just as he turns to leave she gives a quick wave, "Uh.. anytime," she says, the uncertainty clear in her tone.

"SCaT" Solork pushes his face into the palm of his hand and sighs. "I was pointedly not using the J-word. But I guess the bantha is out of the barn on that one." The gank looks over to SCaT. "You are a free droid good sir, you don't need to keep up the pretense here and call me Master. If you stay, just as a warning, you're dealing with a Clone Wars veteran. One with not great memories of that time"

He sighs once more, acceptance washing over him as he steps back out, into the world.

[Will leave unless stopped]

Zimrzala nods at Cartess' words to her, but then keeps silent as the exchange between the Master and the Student happens. Her expression is mostly blank and calm - whether that calm comes naturally or with an effort unclear to observers.

She does look at Cartess with a slightly raised eyebrow as she says she'll refuse to teach the Gank further. And kind eyes are cast to Solork as she watches the surprised reaction of her newly met seeking companion, and.... friend.

The word resonates on her mind as she feels shifts on the threads connecting those gathered. She still keeps silent, but a slightly saddened tint washes over her eyes, if only for just a moment. The glow in one connection dulls down. Some others seem to quiver uncertainly. But they're still there...

She looks at Solork's eyes as he stands at the door, the nod at him indicating thankfulness... and, she hopes, companionship.

Will meet you again, friend. Soon. No true peace is reached without acknowledging emotion..

If he does leave, she will keep silent further, waiting for the woman's next words.