A galaxy Far Far Away (Open)

[psf]

Solus'ad stood almost regally. He'd worn a decorative suit of Beskar for the occasion, A red sash hung from his waist, and a cloak hung about his shoulders. He'd left his helmet back aboard his ship. He had to admit that he wasn't used to receiving invitations to parties. Death threats were far more common, but that's the price you pay for being Mandalore.

He stood on the upper most dome there in the observation deck, a serenely sad look on his old face. His long scar seemed to stretch in his reflection in the transparisteel. His gloved hand rested there near his own reflection. He pondered it. He thought about it. He'd survived a lot, and silence was something he would need. If he went down to the club, he'd need some drinks in him to keep away the old visions he had of dead comrades, and death.

Loud music and people screaming would sometimes set him off down that path and he didn't want that. He sighed and lowered his eyes slightly.

He brought his eyes back up and simply stared out into the black. Every star had worlds, every empty place had serenity. He let that thought comfort him while he rested. Somewhere nearby he found a semi circular couch and found himself a seat. He still stared off at those little sparks of light and life. He sighed and enjoyed the emptiness.

[Talau]

The force called her gently, urging her to move upward through the station. It's gentle whispers growing louder the closer she got to her destination. Her senses pressed outward as she allowed that carefully controlled presence loose in the lift. It was like being able to breath properly again after loosening the laces of a bodice or corset...the difference was astounding and relaxing, but the respite was only temporary. Being in a station full of potential force users, the rilan woman had to be on her guard, not only as one of the team of bouncers, but also for her own purposes.

Reaching the upper levels of the station, the lift paused at the second section...reserved for the celebrities, politicians, and nobility. All the "posh" people of the universe tended to congregate here...technically she should be here as well, rubbing elbows with the other dignitaries to get her planet a "good standing" but she not only had no desire to, but she wasn't being called to be here and play with public relations. The doors slid open, and she immediately pressed the 'close' button and went up another level.

It didn't take long to get to the observation deck, and once the doors opened, she was greeted by the calming scents of flowers and brewing caf. Smiling slightly to herself, the woman stepped out and looked around, golden green eyes tinted even more green with her curiosity as she scanned over the occupants of the area. The whisper of the force had stopped, becoming a pull, begging her to move like an anxious child would tug on a mother's shirt to get her to follow. Talau smiled at the capricious tugging of the force around her and she took another three steps to appease it for the moment.

A veritable rainbow of colors greeted her eyes and she took in a happy breath to keep her heart from nearly bursting.

Life.

This was how life should be: calm, at peace, gentle and caring....everything in this room spoke of comfort. Of course there were tints of sadness or negativity, she herself had those feelings even now, but they were part of life and they were still oddly soothing. The tugging came again and she continued looking. It didn't take long to find what she sought.

Seated on a small semi-circular couch, a man with a silvery aura caught her eye.

Silver?

Yes...him...the force whispered to her quietly and nudged her in his direction, trying to get her to do more than just stand there and look at him.

Talau gazed at him, ignoring the nudge for now. The man was dressed oddly...she had never seen a fully armored mandalorian before except for in the archives history books, and it took her a moment to realize just what he was. She had long since brought up the restraints on her emotions, thoughts, and presence, but this man had her curious now and so she released her grip on them just a bit more.

A weight rested upon his shoulders...not so unlike her own...and the threads of fate were woven tightly about him, though she couldn't discern just where they led to...simply that they were there. There was a mantle about him, invisible to the eye perhaps, but it was there...woven of the force and those self-same threads of fate. He was a leader, whether he knew it or not, he was...though by the armor he wore, Talau assumed it was safe to say he knew it, and knew it well.

Another tug, this time on her heart, and she moved at last.

With one ear to the force, and the other to the life surrounding her, the Rilan could (as she got closer) all but hear the drums of war about the man. This would have been more obvious had see been able to see the scar along his face, but at the moment it was hidden on the opposite side of him. There was a saddened melody wrapped about him in a language she didn't understand, something hauntingly stirring to her soul and she couldn't help but remember the battles she had been part of.

Well worn, yet well cared for, brown combat boots moved near silently along the carpeted floor toward him, slate grey cloak pinned about her throat by an odd star-like symbol and swirling behind her, seeming to shift color ever so slightly. Black pants were tucked into the tops of the boots, a deep blue, long sleeved, top hugging her form lightly. A brown leather cargo belt that seemed as if it had seen even MORE use than the boots (if that were possible), and almost looked as if it could have been through several wars but had survived for the woman adorning it to find, completed the outfit. The silver buckle of the belt, having some sort of shape that, at one time, had likely been an emblem of some kind...though it had been worn down with use and time (and no doubt its history)...glistened brightly against the dark clothing she wore. There were no signs of any weapons on her, though she knew that they were there, hooked to the back of her belt and hidden beneath her cloak.

Chocolate brown hair was accented by a natural golden brown and now, also silver...the full back length tresses plaited into a braid and a silver circlet with the same star upon it woven into the hair and settled atop her head. No, Talau really had nothing that screamed for attention, not even her body called for much attention. Her form was lean and fit, she had only decent curves, her face was pretty, but not beautiful, and her age was beginning to show. The most astounding thing one might find on her where her eyes, and those were easy enough to miss. The golden green orbs remained that way (their natural color) much of the time simply because she had learned long ago to be able to keep her emotions in tight control without cutting them off, as well as a handy little trick that she still employed from time to time. The funny thing about her eyes was not the almond shape, or even the color of them or ability to change, no, it tended to be HOW she looked at you. Despite her seeming neutrality, those eyes often belied the caring and warm nature of the woman, and the glint in them seemed to never dull, as if a bright flame were dancing behind them as she studied you.

Those able to see or feel beyond the physical, however, might find the woman considerably more interesting. For those who could see such things, her aura was a royal blue over all, swirling with deep green, purple, silver, gold, and even traces of reds and (though very rarely seen) the occasional black threads. Most, it seemed, couldn't see these tell tale colors, so it wouldn't likely matter much, however, the feeling of easily controlled power and grace might catch a bit of attention. Yes, the Rilan woman was a force user...a well trained one at that...and had spent all of her life learning about it, how to use it, adapt it to her strengths and fill in her weaknesses, she had fought with it as both light and dark on many occasions, she had LIVED with it, fed off of it, used it to keep her sane and comfort herself when she needed...she had spent a LOT of time learning about, and growing in, the force...it tended to show. Her mind, however, was like the strongest wall, coated in beskar, and with a shield over it. This wasn't to say it was impenetrable, but it would be difficult as hell to get into, and if one did manage....well....they wouldn't like what they found waiting for them on the other side.

Tal, being the woman she was, tended to exude an aura of comfort and soothing warmth, unless....like now....she adopted a more neutral state. Even with this, she tended to keep her force signature...dampened. She'd been told before that she tended to show a bit more brightly than most, and the last thing she wanted to do was attract all kinds of attention; so, in recent years she had turned to working on learning to control and suppress that signature of hers to a better degree. Certainly she'd learned how when she was younger...if you were a jedi you'd had to learn or end up dead...but to suppress something that she couldn't see herself? That had been a LITTLE more difficult.

Finally she reached the place the man sat, gazing out at the stars, and she turned her head in the direction he was looking.

I always find it amazing to think of just how much life is out there...just how much has happened, is happening, and will happen to the lives of those out there...it always drives me to do something to help them if I can.

Her warm voice was rich with an almost musical accent as she spoke, her face still turned toward the stars that he had been looking at. Talau stood, waiting for him to reply, her golden green eyes studying the star field beyond as she allowed her senses in the force to study the man himself.

[psf]

Solus’ad had become vaguely aware of another that had approached him from his rear, though he wasn’t worried. This place. Everything still connected to Zeltron seemed to sweep up all in its jubilant past. No one was ever left wanting, and no one felt out of place. He looked up at a well dressed Lady, of strange race. He’d never seen one quite like her before. Though she seemed human, her appearance said something different. He was too self-distracted right now to think almost, his mind had been chewing upon many things as of late. If one could read his mind likely they would have found it turbulent.

He stood up out of respect and brought his fist to his chest slowly in a salute. He turned his attention back to the stars for a long moment and observed them thinking upon her comment. She had a respect for life. At least that was something her words told him. As well as what seemed like a selfless drive to aid those in need.

“You must be a Jedi.” He said his eyes still on the stars. “I’ve met but one before. You talk alike. Though something tells me you have several years of wisdom and experience on him.” He was silent for a moment as he took it all in. He let out a long sigh and turned to face her again. Her eyes were eerily alien. He had glimpsed them briefly, and now as he looked at them in more depth he found them difficult to engage. They made him feel transparent, like she could see right through the layers of his life. He didn’t like that much. Though he had already mourned his failures, and become somewhat comfortable with them. He still didn’t like the idea of getting read like that. Regardless of his comfort, he was hardly proud of the things he’d done.

“My name is Solus’ad.” He said softly and he bowed his head to her. “It is always a pleasure to make the acquaintance of a Jedi-“ He looked her up and down a moment before reaching a conclusion. “Master.” He said finishing his sentence. His words were pure politeness, though his words felt somewhat disingenuous even to himself.

“And they are indeed full of life.” He turned his attention back to the stars. “Even out in the Tingal.” He bit his lip in thought. “Possibly even beyond the edge of our galaxy. Though it will likely be millennia before we encounter anything that far out."

[necrofear]

Ramseye had seemed to have misplaced his date. In fact, he could not find Rhissai anywhere. His hands wandered toward his chin, scratching the raspy hair, as he looked down from from a stair case onto the observation deck. then he turned back up the stair case and sighed, figuring if Rhiss wanted him, she'd come and find him. He let his hand dance along the all before turning the hall at the top of the stairs into the large atrium with people musing about, drinking, dancing.. chatting. What a drag he thought... what a drag indeed.

He slowly let his feet carry him towards a table with drinks, picking one up, and tossing a bit of food on his plate, that he so easily reconnoitered by the drinks. A tall pale man stopped to say something to him, and Ramseye simply flashed him a vision filled with hate and malice.... a vision that flew forth from his eyes and simply said.. **** off...

He turned away and rubbed his eyelid with one of his fingers, then headed towards the seating area.. which seemed to be a lot of illustrious couches and lounging chairs.

Picking one that seemed like it was firm enough for his back, he sat down and watched two interesting figures engage in conversation...

[Talau]

Talau smiled lightly, the motion only barely touching her face, as he stood and saluted her...well, it seemed like a salute anyway, she'd seen a few of the clone troops do it, but that was about the extent of things. As he sat again, she opted to take a seat as well, thinking of his motion as a type of invitation for her to stay at least a little while. Green and gold eyes took him in now, gazing for a moment on the scar that adorned his face, the colors of his armor, the way he moved. Yes, he certainly seemed to be a warrior and a leader, but she wondered of what?

Honey colored eyes returned to gazing out at the star field as she allowed him to speak his piece, though...as he said it was a pleasure to meet a jedi master, she sighed. There was some lingering resentment there, even in his voice, and she wondered why. Yes, perhaps if she had truly wanted to, she could have discovered the reason for it, but it wasn't her place to go snooping about in people's lives. The force wasn't meant to be used that way. As he finished, she nodded slightly.

Hmm...jedi? I have not been jedi in over 20 years. I belong to a faction older than them now...a faction that helped teach the jedi when their Order was still learning to walk...but yes, at one point I was a jedi master. I suppose it's difficult for someone such as myself to ever fully hide the affiliation.

She chuckled a bit, the sound holding an undercurrent of ruefulness, though it was barely noticeable.

I'm Talau...and please, you don't have to be polite around me; I'm tired of people being polite, rather than honest. I have enough of that on my home world.

I don't think you really find it a pleasure to meet a jedi of any kind...though I'm not entirely sure why. At least, not for you in particular, but then again, after years of war between force users I know for a fact that there are more than a few out in the universe that hold force users in contempt. I am sorry if we have failed you in some way, but we are not infallible and the life of a jedi is not an easy one, especially when it comes to making decisions.

Previously green and gold eyes had shifted to include threads of silver as she turned them back to him. Life, yes, there was life out there...life and war...and where the two coexisted there was death. A bit more grey crept into her eyes as she thought of that, but carefully hid any other signs of her sadness at the thought.

Yes, but I am not so concerned with life we cannot reach yet. I am far more concerned with helping the lives we CAN reach.

Talau paused, thinking a moment, letting the force slowly filter information to her from the station as a whole. So far so good, except that there was now a third member interested in their conversation. Ah, one of the men who had been with the other bouncers...a dark jedi. She bristled again behind her emotional and mental shields, but kept a calm exterior even in the force. She seemed distant for a moment before chuckling and shaking her head. It seemed that Daawn had, for once, wished she'd accompanied her mother of the planet to go to the party. Well, she was still young, who could blame her?

I've spent my life helping others, Solus'ad, and I think that it has been in a way very similar to yourself. You've seen war...that can, at times, be the only choice one has left to help others.

Grey gold eyes were now threaded with thick strands of deep purple as she turned to look him in the eye once more.

[psf]

Solus’ad chuckled darkly. She was far wiser. He was impressed, to say the least, and somewhat saddened that she was not someone he had met in his youth. In another time or another place they may have become fast friends. He found himself asking why couldn’t they still?

“Yes, you are far wiser than the Jedi de’kut I met in my youth. It is good to meet you Talau.” This time his words were indeed genuine. He even smiled faintly. He watched as her eyes changed shades of color and he found himself somewhat distracted by them. He studied them a moment cocking his head slightly and then straightening it again.

“Indeed he failed me, but more so, he failed my mother.” Why was he telling her anything about his past? He thought to himself a moment and considered his position. Where was his soldier’s caution? His smile had faded slightly over his grim thoughts. This was a Naak bal Nuhur. Peace and good times. One would need to be very dishonorable to interrupt just a rare thing in this galaxy.

His smile grew again, this time somewhat more genuine. It touched his eyes, making his scar distort.

“Indeed I have seen war, and brought war upon those who likely did not wish it. However, the ones we help.” He hesitated a moment, his eyes scanning the room. They found a strange man eavesdropping, rudely, on their conversation. His eyes returned to her once more as he ignored him.“Well, that all depends on what agenda you’re pushing.” His words were not meant to be threatening. The slightest touch of melancholy rested upon them.

“A Daywing becomes caught in the web of a Bane Back. So is it right to save the insect from a terrible fate and deprive the Bane Back of a needed meal? That is war. War is our nature.” He looked away from her a slight anger and frustration settling upon his shoulders as he spoke. “Two wrong sides of a situation created by greedy squabbling politicians, unable to communicate or prove their own honor against each other. Useless Utreekov’e.” He realized his temper was rising over nothing other than his own personal opinions. He smiled again. “Forgive my ramblings. What brings you to this festivity Talau? You seem to have more purpose than to simply enjoy yourself.” He chuckled softly. “Unless you get your kicks chatting the philosophy of war with Mandalore.” His smile grew.

[Talau]

The Rilan woman smiled and nodded in return to his first statement. Well, it seemed she had somehow won him over with this elusive ‘wisdom’ many people seemed to have been fooled into thinking she had. She gazed back at him steadily as he studied her eyes and she smiled a bit more…until he righted himself and spoke again. She sighed and nodded again.

I’m not sure about being wise, Solus’ad. I’m just experienced…if you call that wisdom, then yes, I suppose I have a bit more than I did when I was younger. I am sorry for your mother, however. I may never had known mine, but I lost my master to death’s grip when I was younger and he was like my father…that is about as close an approximation as I can make, and it is not something I would ever wish upon another.

She allowed another small smile to form as he smiled at her, but remained silent, allowing him to continue to speak his piece about war. She sighed and shook her head.

I know nothing of political wars, only wars of beliefs and wars involving slaughter. I was not involved in a war where the Sith of our time…Dark Jedi to you I suppose…came to slaughter us at the temple, chased us from place to place, the empire and republic both hunting all force users while we tried to protect ourselves and them from new threats that were forming…eventually war was the only option left to us.

Talau shook her head slightly and sighed again, letting out some of her frustration at the past. It didn’t help to dwell on it, nothing could change what had happened anyway.

That war haunts us still, just in new ways. I don’t believe there has been a time of peace for us since….

The chocolate haired woman actually needed to pause for that and try to remember back. If she hadn’t been fighting with the jedi in a war, then she was fighting with the Feanturi in a war, or harboring jedi from a war for a short amount of time. Just when WAS the last time she hadn’t seen some form of war?

…I would think almost 30 years ago now would be the last time I don’t remember there being war.

Thirty years ago…she had been fifteen then…had it really been that long ago? His question roused her from her musings and she blinked once as she came back to reality.

Heh…no forgiveness is needed, I ramble enough on my own accord, obviously. As for what I’m doing here…I’m one of the “bouncers”…the hired muscle, I suppose…for this event. I don’t, however, mind some philosophy jabber here and there, I was, after all, a jedi and as we all know…all jedi love philosophy.

Her last words were laced with humor and she smirked a bit as she poked fun at herself and the Order she had so loved and devoted so much to. It was a widespread misconception that all jedi loved philosophy (even though many did), and Talau just couldn’t help but take advantage of the moment, a bit of green seeping back into her eyes.

Mandalore…hmm…I only know that name from two places: the planet, and the archives…and some of the words you speak are foreign to me, even the melody that hangs about you in the force is spoken in an odd language I cannot place. Forgive me if I seem curious, but I am…just where do you come from?

It was rather obvious, now, that she’d not gone dipping into his mind. If she had, Talau wouldn’t have needed to ask as it would likely have all been very clear to her just who and what he was, but considering the woman didn’t particularly find enjoyment in sifting through others memories, she did need to ask. If only to satiate her own burning curiosity.

[psf]

Solus'ad chuckled softly at her question, his graying eyebrows furrowing slightly making him appear like a hawk, eying a morsel "Indeed they do love their philosophy. But I'm not here to play at being a Master Jedi. This is a party after all. We should be enjoying ourselves. Even you." He smiled at her for a moment.

Her question seemed perplexing but it was not the strangest thing he'd ever been asked. "Are their no Mandalorians where you are from Talau?" He asked a look of interest on his face, and in his voice. He shook his head. They were not galaxy renowned. Though he would have thought one of the most ancient enemies of the Jedi would be known to her if she truly had been one.

"Your curiosity needs no forgiveness. I prefer curiosity to fear any day." He considered for a moment where he should begin. "I am Mandalore, Leader of the Mandalorian people, conquerer of worlds, liberator, murderer, bounty hunter, amongst other things." he narrowed his eyes at her. "I come from a sector of worlds near the Hydian Way."

He considered her final comment for a moment. He was unsure as to how she could hear a melody when all that was playing here on the observation deck was a soothing ambiance of instrumentals.

"I'm not sure what your force is telling you. Can you perhaps mimic it?"

[Talau]

Giggling a bit, she shook her head and grinned at him. The first real "Talau" smile she'd had in a long time.

Ah, but I AM having a good time. It's rare I get to get away from my home these days. Being away and out of the public light for a time is enough for me.

His question caught her by surprise, however, and she tilted her head to the side slightly. Her eyes flooded with an intense green that overwhelmed every other color in them as she listened to what he had to say, the color showing just how curious she truly was. No, she was no Sanariel Blueskies, someone curious enough to have learned the history of aqueducts on Kashyyyk, but she was a curious individual (in almost every sense) none the less.

No...I'm afraid there aren't. In my time, and yes I mean that in the literal sense that we are from different times, there are none who follow the Mandalorian culture. The closest I have ever encountered are clone troopers who use a variant of your armor and know only a little bit of the culture but are bred to only follow orders. The last mandalorian that we know of died nearly 2,000 years in my past...though...I believe that is far, FAR, into your future...or perhaps even a different time line entirely.

It's a difficult thing to tell because time is always moving and flowing like water, always constant, but never the same and always so many ways to move along it depending on one's choices.

She thought for a moment, debating about how much she wanted to say about herself. It was only fair that she did considering he had told her at least a bit about himself...the problem was...there really was no way or reason to tell him, and she didn't exactly like to toss her title around. It was of no use to her, but it was of use to those who wanted her dead. He mind immediately went to the dark spirit that seemed infatuated with her family and herself, and she decided to remain silent unless he asked her something about herself.

The Hydian Way...my own planet is between the Corellian Run and the Hydian Way.

Mimic the music? No, she doubted she could mimic it....at least not without making it unintelligible to him and further embarrassing herself. Shaking her head in the negative, Talau had a different idea in mind.

I don't believe I could without butchering it, and that would be a shame. I CAN, however, allow you to hear it if you give me your permission? It would require me acting as a link between your mind and the force, and I don't wish to invade your privacy without your permission.

[psf]

Solus'ad had indeed found a kindred spirit. He returned her smile and chuckled darkly. A different time. This place was truly remarkable if it was accessible to multiple dimensions. It saddened him to hear that all his people had not survived. It was an amazing idea for him to conceptualize. His culture was brutal to some, but their fire was unquenchable. Or so he had thought.

"It is sad to hear that our fire has gone from your universe." He said his smile changing to one of bittersweet sorrow. His eyes seemed to be searching far away even though they remained trained on her. Almost as if he could see the truth of that sorrow through her.

He grumbled softly in thought as she spoke of the location of her home world. "That covers a lot of ground Lady Talau. The Hydian and the Corellian run almost the length of the galaxy." He said his smile still sad.

Then came her offer. A strange one that. He wasn't sure what would happen or how it would turn out, but he wasn't here to be rude. It was not dishonorable.

All drew closer to her his stare almost predatory. His eyes searched hers for a moment. As if he could read deceit in her eyes. He wasn't sure what it was but he felt secure about it. "You may." was all he said, and he drew a deep breath and attempted to relax. He wasn't sure what was comeing or what it would be like. But like any good soldier, he girded his spirit, and attempted to push his fears back down, and waited.

[Talau]

(( www.playlist.com/playlist/17256089867 #21 "Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan" is how i imagine his nana's song sounding erm, the background music Tal is hearing I mean...the words would obviously be the mando'a words ))

Talau gave a more impish grin to his comment on the location of Rilia. A sparkling blue shimmered through her eyes in her humor and she nodded once.

Oh yes, I know...that's why I stated it the way I did. I rather prefer my planet to be as...undisclosed...as possible. It works far better for the Jedi, and my own people, that way. Forgive me for not giving you exact coordinates. War has made me over-cautious, perhaps, but you understand that I'm sure....you don't openly give away the position of an important bastion for your cause when prying eyes and ears are about.

With a wink, she watched him try to relax. Really it was unnecessary for him to do so, but the more he relaxed the easier it would be for her.

Don't worry, it won't harm you...it won't even hurt. I promise you.

With that, she wound her way through the force...expanded her awareness. Her eyes closed slightly as she found that haunting melody. Once she had a hold of it, the Contess wrapped warm rays of light about his mind. Her presence couldn't really be described any other way. It DID have a feel, something tangible that allowed others to know she was near their mind, but it wasn't something that was easily definable. It was warm and almost fluid, but it WASN'T fluid, it wasn't solid...it just WAS. So, light was the easiest way to describe how the woman's presence felt as it wound its way around the considerably strong barriers of his mind.

Talau was actually quite impressed. For someone who wasn't a force user, he was incredibly strong minded, strong willed, and well defended. For someone in his position, however, this was hardly unexpected and so she chided herself for being so impressed. Blue eyes subtly shifted to a deeper purple as she searched for a way in, past his mental barriers. It really wasn't difficult for her by this time...finding even the tiniest of cracks would allow her entry, and with him relaxed it was far easier. Talau was, however, careful to shield his mind from any others who might try to attack him mentally at such a time. She'd have none of that.

Once she had a secure hold of his mind, the Feanturi priestess called up what latent force resided in him...for there was some in all beings after all. It didn't take her but a moment to do, and once she did the man would be able to better understand what it was like to be jedi. Her own power seemed to flow about her as she allowed the haunting, beautiful, music to flow in and around her through the force, and from her to him. At the moment, Talau was...for all intensive purposes...a glorified antenna. How she saw, he saw. How she heard, he heard. How the world felt to her, it felt to him.

Each person was surrounded by a softly glowing color, or combination of colors. Stars and plants seemed more vivid. Vision seemed sharper and more clear, small details seen more clearly...as if looking through a lens at the world around. Scents were ever so slightly more clear, some of them almost strong enough to taste. Textures against the skin were more definable, sounds were slightly sharper and more clear...and there was something else as well. It was almost like being able to feel the air around them, but it pulled at one's attention as well as being felt physically. It almost seemed to whisper things without using words, but the meanings got across anyway. "Look over there," "there is a friend close by," "there is trouble at the bottom of the station," "a woman is feeling alone and useless," "the one you care for is thinking of you..." The list went on, each one pulling the attention in a different direction. Sometimes threads of light appeared to flicker away as soon as one noticed them. A soft, lilting, haunting melody rose up...it would be something he would recognize, something from his past, the words were anyway...the music, however, had more meaning to it.

Through Talau's guidance, the other senses dulled to a more normal state for the man, but the music remained as she heard it. It was more than hearing though, it was FELT. Stringed instruments, drums, voices, it was all felt though the skin and the mind as well as heard...or almost heard. The song was on the edge of hearing. It was not physical, nor was it simply in the mind, but rather somewhere between. Reverberations of it could be felt prickling at the hairs on his skin, and together, the whole thing felt deeply of a destiny that wasn't entirely laid out yet. The universe, the Force, had a plan...it was clearly woven into the song...but it was so layered and complex that it was almost unfathomable. If it had been a woven cloth, the threads would have been so fine, the pattern so detailed, that to puzzle out the making of cloth would have taken years...even a whole lifetime.

Simple at first, the music flowed and grew, it became more rich and deeper a points, more melancholy at others, bittersweet in yet others, and in the end it spoke of war and love and valor before finally trailing off into the sound of a gentle wind through the trees.

As it ended, Talau slowly untangled her presence from his, careful not to do any damage. It took quite a bit of time, this part, since she'd had to become so utterly wrapped about his mind to allow him to hear what she had heard as she had heard it. As she slowly worked parts of herself away from him, he would notice his senses slowly returning to normal.

That...is what I heard. I'm afraid that....

She made a mildly frustrated face as she worked at untangling a particularly stubborn couple of senses from each other.

I'm afraid that I don't understand it, and my language is rather more flowing. It was just so beautiful, however, that I didn't want to risk butchering it. Besides...it loses some of the import if you don't hear the entire thing.

She sighed a bit and continued untangling. The woman was honestly wondering just how she'd gotten so entangled...there were some places even she was finding it difficult to tell one person apart from the other.

[psf]

Solus'ad wasn't sure how he should react. What he heard was his Ba'buir. A woman both wise, strong, able, and at the end, totally insane. She had heard the haunting lullaby of his Grand Mother. It was beautiful, but the memory that he had buried along with its haunting tones was one of loss.

His face had gone white as a sheet, and his eyes had widened somewhat. He didn't know how to feel. In one consensual moment, this alien woman had brought likely the most agitated of times in his life to the surface. The catalyst event that had changed his life from being a farm boy on Dantooine toward his life now as Mandalore. It had been a long road. He'd seen friends suffer and die. Every funeral, every salute, every kiss, every death, and moment of blood came rushing back into him. Finally his memory if Lia settled, faded, and dissipated.

The almost overwhelming agony of so much emotion all at once nearly made him weep.

"It.." He hesitated, still reeling from what Talau had just done to him. "You... likely would not have butchered it." He said, slightly confused internally. "I'm afraid I have to meet someone down in the docking bay."

He offered his hand to her, and bowed his head. "Be well, Talau. I hope the parties jubilant attendance remain manageable." When she had said her goodbyes he made his way to the lift with a subtle flurry of his cloak.

((Gone to Mid Levels.))