Behind Enemy Lines (Day One)

[Akirapryde]

Aelyn smiled and nodded, "it's a flower that I rescued from the crash site. It's not special," he said giving a half glance to Trsyta who was checking out a nearby fruit bush. "But still, damaged. I have been nurturing it back to health. She just started to bloom after so long." He reached over and pulled up a book. "See" he said showing a page that covered this plant. "I didn't think she would make it, but it looks like the worse might be behind us."

[Jaden_Starchaser]

'Sounds like we both thought of the same person if that glance was any indication,' Jaden thought as he observed the book while taking a sideways glance at Trysta. It seemed that whatever Lysire did to her it was to heal her. 'She said that she would give us a guide right before she touched her...' "It's a good sign that all things heal with some care," Jaden said to Aelyn. "This plant, even perhaps this world and her people. Still you definitely have a green thumb."

[Akirapryde]

He smiled a bit bashfully, "thank you." He reached out through the Force as his hands moved over the plant. It appeared to react to his actions. "I was an orphan before I went to the Academy," he explained as he focused his efforts on the flower. "I was lucky that I was accepted in to the academy on Fray. I had no where else to go. I passed my entry tests," as he explained the story reminded both brothers of how easy it was for them to be accepted after their father made large donations to the Jedi. "I was so scared I wouldn't pass. There were fifty of us competing for only three seats that had become vacant."

He looked down, "after my first year at the academy, I was told I wouldn't be moving on as a counselor. I had failed to achieve the desired passing grades. I was reassigned to the Healing and Agriculture program. I was lucky, I could have been expelled from the Order all together," he looked up from his plant

[Jaden_Starchaser]

"Your hard work definitely got you through what I heard was a difficult entry test," Jaden said as he remembered how his father's money went into Dooku's coffers. He remembered hearing his father saying once to his mother, "Only the best for my sons." He never felt privileged until her heard him say that and it secretly made him feel ashamed that it wasn't his hard work or diligence in his studies that got him into the most prestigious Jedi Temple, but the fund his father donated.

"Perhaps your calling wasn't in being a Consular, but being a healer. It takes a a special kind of person to save a life rather than possibly take one," Jaden said to him truthfully.

[Akirapryde]

He nodded as Trysta returned to the conversation, "yes," she said softly. "I have always told him that." She leaned over and smelled the flower, "I love this scent,"

He smiled, "the color also suits you."

She looked up at him with a smile. She the turned to Jaden, "not all of us are Jedi. I for one am not" she said as if it was a badge of honor.

He laughed, "I think if you would have taken the entry test you would have passed."

"Ha" she laughed off the statement, "I don't need a test to tell me where my heart lies." Tapping her sword hilt, "I was brough to the academy under the guest student program. My sister took your test and passed it with flying colors. She would have been a Guardian if she were here today."

[Jaden_Starchaser]

The wording of Trysta's past sentence did not go past Jaden. 'She said "if she were here today" which most likely means she's gone. Definitely not a subject to be bringing up right now,' he thought and made a mental note to ask her about it at a later time. Instead he said, "I don't see you being a Jedi. Rather I see you more on the dueling circuit..." And that's when it hit him. When he first saw Trysta he felt that she seemed somehow familiar, but he couldn't place where until now. She was competing in the Balkid Games several years ago. He remembered her being introduced along with another woman who looked similar to her had it not been for the blonde hair and lighter skin tone. 'That must have been the sister she was talking about. They were so graceful and yet deadly in their blade work. Yet, it was like they were playing a game with each other,' he thought.

[Akirapryde]

The Bothan let out a laugh, "you are speaking to Trysta Shiloh, the best duelist in the Outer Rim," there was a playful almost joyful tone in his voice.

Trsyta frowned making a point to let it be known she wasn't serious, "best in the Galaxy!"

He turned and smiled at her, "you only competed in the Outer Rim."

Trysta waved off the comment, "I battled Prince Saar and beat him!"

"That wasn't sanctioned," he countered.

She thought for a moment, "I fought Graff,"

He smiled and looked back to Duncan and Jaden, "to a draw."

[Jaden_Starchaser]

Jaden had to suppress any visible shock as he heard those words. 'She fought the supposed Sky King to a draw?' He knew first hand that she was powerful, but to that extent? 'Definitely feels like the cards are stacked against us in this conflict.' He then asked, "Who's Graff?" Truthfully outside of the brief conversations with Auro that visibly brought pain to the Vurk he had no idea who the man was. 'Let's see what his acolytes think of him,' he thought to himself.

[Akirapryde]

"Who is Graff?" They both said in surprise.

Trysta took the question, "he was the former leader of the Saberblades."

"Rumor has it that he dueled the Chancellor and lost his life," Aelyn said.

Trysta shook her head, "like all rumors, that is only half right. Yes he fought the Chancellor. Yes he lost, but he escape. Jenna said he called to her. Summoned her and he revealed his grand plan to her." There was conviction and pride as she spoke. "He showed her a Galaxy free from corruption. Where everyone is treated the same, no matter their background."

"Graff is more than that," Aelyn said. "Before all of that, Graff was one of the most selfless persons you could meet."

Trysta nodded, "back a Fray, he was the kind of guy that would give you the short off his back. He created the Saberblades you see today."

"This is true," Aelyn said. "I was there at the Academy before Graff. The Fencing Club was more of a joke than an actual competitive team. He gave them purpose and leadership. Even ask me to join them as the teams official medic and trainer."

[Jaden_Starchaser]

'If they only really knew what his action would bring upon the galaxy,' Jaden thought. He remembered the future Lysire showed him and he couldn't help his stomach from churning at the memory of watching the officers eat meals made from actual people. His skin became clammy and he couldn't stop the bile from rising in his throat. He quickly excused himself and proceeded to empty what little contents of his stomach onto the ground. Duncan came over to his brother's side and helped him up after he was done.