Fwurg

[Jaicen Hedoss]

"Sure" Jaicen said while he put the thing on speaker through TG-100 mouth. he didn't quite agree with the incompetent thing, but well, whatever. He intended to say something after the initial sentence of course.

[Mercury]

((OOC: My reply here was really unacceptably late and I apologize. Denari's check is a success though!))

As Denari and Jaicen quabbled a moment over the communicator, the voice on the other line seemed quite excited.

"You did? Where is it? Please be aware, rancors are potentially dangerous, under no circumstances should you approach it - it is likely hungry and may attempt to eat you!" the person warned - it just so happened to be a man as Jaicen had guessed.

Denari was quite flexible and especially with Jaicen setting the communicator on speaker, they were now both able to participate in the connection.

"If you let us know where it is, we will send an extraction team to get it safely back into its enclosure. Again, do not approach, it is very dangerous!"

[Denari Merelle]

Denari was slightly amused by the man's warnings, they were Jedi after all and Ranny was happily munching down it's food. Not that he could know any of that yet though. She decided to enlighten him.

Good to hear. This is Jedi Padawan Denari Merelle speaking. My fellow Padawan Hedoss and I just found it somewhere in the Jedi Temple. Let me reassure you that it fed and calm. It is currently eating barrelled meat and judging by the amount of empty barrels, it has been doing that for a while. I also managed to establish a connection with it through the Force, so it is calm and controlled, as long as it does not perceive major threats.

Speaking of it's enclosure, I established through my connection that it escaped to try and satisfy a neglected hunting instinct. Please adapt it's enclosure and daily routine to provide it with more excitement to satisfy this hunting instinct. It will be beneficial for it's health and could prevent it from attempting to escape again.

Having said what she needed to say, she proceeded to offer help for the extraction. Even if the UCZG could not adapt the enclosure, it would be easier to transfer it to a location that could from there.

So, how did you plan to extract it? My connection to the Rancor can help to keep it calm during the extraction and transport. Padawan Hedoss can meet the team at the entrance and lead them to the exact location.

((OOC: I decided to use holo colours for the transmitted voice message, as I've seen this done in many other treads involving communicators as well.
It makes the distinction a little clearer in my opinion.))

[Mercury]

((OOC: Holo colours is smart and I adjusted my post above to use them as well! I'm also not waiting for Jaicen more than we already have, since its your mission anyway.))

"Oh, Jedi! Yes, we found traces leading to the Jedi temple - we sent one of our people there to track it, but they were unsuccessful. Apparently finding something as big as a Rancor is not as easy as it would appear."

Possibly the UCZG employee was not as impressed with the hunter as the hunter himself might be.

"Barrelled meat should be safe for it to eat, so as long as you are keeping it calm and distracted... that should do. Our usual procedure is to sleep-dart the creature, and then bring in a heavy transport to carry it. Well that is our procedure anyway, it is not 'usual' in the sense that, well, this never happened before."

The man seemed to have realized mid sentence that the word 'usual' might suggest this was a common occurrence, which might just be a basis for a lawsuit.

"The creature's hunting instincts were not previously an issue, so this insight is very helpful. Once it is safe within its enclosure, our experts will set up something to satisfy its instincts in a safe manner - and hopefully one entertaining for the public as well, if we can manage." the man promised.

"Now, do you mind if we send our hunter to your location so he can put it to sleep, and we can transport it safely?"

[Jaicen Hedoss]

Jaicen assumed he would hear the holo transmission too, but let Denari do it alone, since she was as agitated as the rancor apperently.

Jaicen said: "Well, that sounds like the best option, I don't want to guide a life rancor to the zoo through the whole city. Hmm, it might also be possible to get him into a cage? and transport him within a cage?, what do you think denari? "

[Denari Merelle]

"I think guiding a Rancor through a city is a very bad idea in any case. And the cargo department of a heavy transport will dub nicely as a 'cage'." Denari quickly whispered to Jaicen, wondering where his fascination for cages came from.

Go ahead and send the hunter, I'll send you the exact location momentarily. Please do tell him to make sure his hound does not go off, since he'll have an easy shot as long a nothing scares the Rancor.

With that, she sent over the location of the freight elevator they used to get into the basement, together with the level they were on.

"Padawan Jaicen, would you mind waiting at the elevator, so that you can guide mister Thr'mshk here quickly and make sure he knows the Rancor is docile at the moment? I'll stay here to make sure it stays this way.

"Oh, and, just in case he brings the hound and it starts making loud or aggressive sounds, please put it back in the elevator and send it up or something. I can calm the Rancor down again as long as the reason for it's aggression is removed."

If Jaicen agrees, Denari turns to Salia first to quickly explain to her that someone from the Zoological Garden is coming to put Ranny to sleep with a sleep dart and that that probably won't hurt him. He will wake up again at the Zoo and they will make sure he has much more fun there than he had before.

She finally turns back to the Rancor to re-establish their, while they wait for the hunter to arrive.

((Check: 8 = 4 Force Level + 3 Energy + 1 Befriend Animal -- Strengthen her bond with the Rancor to keep it calm so it can be easily sedated.))

[Hunter (mask of Mercury)]

((OOC: Your check to keep the rancor calm is successful!))

HunterSalia seemed concerned about Ranny, but Denari seemed to have a bond with the creature, and moreover, she seemed to think this was the best plan, so the girl nodded and once Denari explained that the Rancor would have much more fun than before she seemed satisfied, taking cover nearby to keep an eye on things.

Jaicen moved to the elevator as Denari re-established the bond to keep it calm, and for its part, the Rancor seemed satisfied since there was food and Denari seemed nice.

Not long after, Thr'mshk arrived in the elevator, with his dog, though the creature seemed to remain calm, merely pointing out the Rancor, as if it wasn't immediately obvious. This was a hunting dog, and apparently well trained to not anger creatures ten times its size.

After assessing the situation, the hunter unshouldered his rifle, loading a dart the size of a grenade into it. Salia from her cover looked anxious when the weapon came out, having recently had some bad experiences with her newfound friends getting shot, and looking towards Denari to make sure it was all going to be okay.

"You all best stand aside... the dart takes a few moments to take effect on such a large creature." Thr'mshk warned

[Denari Merelle]

Spades seemed to approve of Salia's action to take cover, and happily stays on the Twi'lek's head, but likewise inclined to keep an eye on things.

'So that's how they plan to pierce it's skin and deliver a large enough dose' Denari thought upon seeing the rifle and the dart. 'Good. Looks like he knows what he is doing indeed.'

She looked in Salia's direction and gave her a reassuring smile and nod when she saw her axiousness. "It might hurt for a moment, until Ranny falls asleep. But he will be healed quite soon." She assured the child.

She then turned her attention back to Ranny and moves backwards in Salia's direction, to give Thr'mshk the space he wanted around the Rancor.
She prefers to have physical contact with a befriended animal that is about to be sedated, but this was a Rancor. It was a tad more dangerous than a buck or a Bantha and decided to not try her luck this time.

She changes the feeling she tries to convey to Ranny from calm to reassuring, as if to say, 'No matter what happens, you are safe and will get even better food soon.'

((Check: 8 = 4 Force Level + 3 Energy + 1 Befriend Animal -- Reassuring the Rancor, using the thrust she has build up so far.))

[Mercury]

Salia seemed for a moment to be scared, but Denari's reassuring words kept her calm, and the Theelin's cool head managed to reassure the Rancor as well.

With a pop, the dart hit the Rancor, which despite Denari's efforts lashed out when it was hurt - luckily, nobody was standing near, though one of the barrels flew through the air and denting the floor upon landing making a loud bang!

The Rancor seemed about to go fully berserk, but Denari's calming efforts working with the sedative finally sent it down onto the ground where it collapsed, asleep. Salia looked really worried now as Ranny collapsed, in stark contrast with the hunter who seemed quite pleased with himself.

[Denari Merelle]

Now that Ranny had collapsed, a little bit of worry creeped into Denari's head. The hunter's smugness did not help.

"I guess this is where you go fetch that heavy transport?" Denari asks him with a smile in an attempt to get him back to work instead of seeming so pleased. She found it unsightly.

To put both Salia and herself at ease, she walks over to Ranny to check if he is indeed just sleeping, or if he is more seriously hurt.

((Check: 8 = 4 Force Level + 1 First Aid + 3 Reason -- Checking up on Ranny's condition))

[Mercury]

Denari was able to determine that Ranny was indeed okay - he was just asleep due to a powerful seditive. The hunter, for all his smugness, at least knew what he was doing.

Salia seemed pretty worried, but once Denari confirmed that it was okay, she seemed to take it for what it was.

With everything secured, the people from the Unity City Zoological Garden would soon arrive to bring the lost Rancor back home. It was probably time to make a report to Master Screetor.

((OOC: I think its time we wrap up the storyline, perhaps. Do you know how to make a story page? If not, I can set up a page for you, tough you'll have to write a report yourself. Once the report is finished, XP will be rewarded. Of course, if you want to finish up any loose threads, I believe we have room for that ^_^))

[Denari Merelle]

((OOC: I have created a story page and a report ^_^ https://www.fwurg.net/dokuwiki/ic:denari_merelles_training_mission

I would like to finish up some loose ends though ;)))

With Ranny safely on his/her way home, there was one thing left to do before Denari could get back to finding out what happened to Jedi Master Screetor.

"So Salia," Denari said, as she picked Spades up and put her back on her shoulder, "Did you ask for permission before taking these barrels?"

If the youngling did not have permission to take them, and kitchen staff-or anyone else- might be missing them, Denari will kindly insist Salia should apologise to them.

[Salia (mask of Mercury)]

Salia"Well..." Salia moved to dodge the question but then couldn't really find a way around it "I did not really ask, but I figured why would the Jedi Temple need so many barrels of meat. We don't normally eat from barrels - at least I don't. So really, the fact that they were even here is like when Master Screetor told about how sometimes the Force makes circumstances happen. That's probably what happened here"

That was, of course, a complete misrepresentation of the idea of the Cosmic Force, but the philosophical implication of her suggestion were probably beyond the girl anyway.

When Denari insisted Salia should apologize for taking things that didn't really belong to her, the girl curled her lekku tightly together to show deference and nodded "I guess it was sort of wrong to take them without asking..." she admitted

((OOC: The report looks good! I am fine with tying up loose ends. Did you also want to find Master Screetor? You mentioned a loose end there in your mission report and I'm game if you want to tie that up as well. If not, that's fine too :)))

[Denari Merelle]

"Probably, sort of, but you didn't mean any harm and couldn't foresee any either, but you should always at least be polite to people who manage and provide food and shelter, so if you go to apologise now, you can make it right." Denari said as she tried to put the youngling at ease a little. "Would you like me to come with?"

In her opinion, Salia handled the situation the best way she could, as the girl was now. At her age, in this place, Denari would probably have done exactly the same thing. Then family members would probably react the same way Denari did now, so that next time she'd be able to think the situation through better. That was what being a child and growing up was all about, wasn't it?

Either way, Salia seemed to be taking it to heart, so that was good.

If Salia wants Denari to come with, she'll do that first before going to find Jedi Master Screetor. If something bad had happened, the other Jedi Masters would have noticed by now, and given the lack of messages, no one was in any hurry for her to go or help anywhere. Therefore she was not in a hurry to find him and she cared more for helping Salia anyways.

((OOC: I'm game for finding Master Screetor. However, I haven't posted a strategy for that yet as I did not want to write down a lot of conditional actions and Denari would prioritise Salia over it.))

[Salia (mask of Mercury)]

Salia((OOC: Apologies for the slow reply))

Salia listened and nodded obediently when Denari explained what she should do. When Denari offered to go with her, she quickly jumped on the opportunity.

"I'd like that..." she nodded firmly, walking with the Padawan to find the kitchen staff who would be in charge of the barrels. As they made their way into the kitchens, it seemed to be somewhat organized chaos, people walking back and forth to get all the food sorted, meals taking into account the various races amongst the Jedi, their individual preferences, etc. It was a bigger operation than one might think.

Salia seemed very interested in all the goings on, but there was just too much happening for her to be able to focus on managing her apology - and where would she even tell it? The head chef made the most sense probably, but Salia didn't know enough about kitchens to figure out that part. She did have a sharp eye though, pointing to the other side of the kitchen.

"Isn't that Master Screetor?" she suggested, pointing her finger in the direction where she had spotted him. It did indeed appear to be Master Screetor, talking to the sous-chef.

[Denari Merelle]

Following the direction in which Salia was pointing, Denari spotted Master Screetor as well. She had intended to keep Salia's specific involvement under his radar, but now it couldn't be helped. As the Jedi Master was currently keeping the sous-chef from being busy kitchen staff, it was a better place than any other to start.

"Well, it seems you are right. Let's go there first. He seems to be talking to the sous-chef, who should have noticed the missing barrels and should know who is in charge of them, so when they are done talking, you can ask to whom you should apologise."

As Denari leads the way to the Master and the sous-chef, she tries to keep herself, Salia ad Spades out of the way of the kitchen staff as much as possible.

When they almost reached the duo, Denari waits at a position from which at least one of the two can easily see they want words with them, while maintaining enough distance to be respectful until they finish their conversation. If Salia does not take her que when they finish their conversation, Denari will give her a small reassuring nudge.

While waiting, she will of course try to listen in. While she may know how to behave, she is still a very curious Theelin.

[Mercury]

Denari manouvered herself through the kitchen, and Master Screetor and the sous-chef soon noticed them. The chef glanced at Spades carefully, keeping an eye on the animal as if worried it might somehow come and contaminate the kitchen. He didn't say anything though, at least while Spades kept quiet.

At the right moment, Denari nudged Salia forward, who looked a tad bit embarassed.

"I uhm..." she looked unsure "Ranny was hungry so I sort of took the barrels and then he ate them." she explained "And I was supposed to ask but I didn't..." she clarified.

The sous-chef seemed more confused at first than enlightened, but after a moment he connected the dots. Master Screetor smiled and watched, seeming to think the entire thing quite amusing.

"I see. I was wondering about those barrels. Though honestly I am glad they came to a good use - one of our apprentices was supposed to order twenty small cans, but they ordered twenty large barrels instead."

Denari wasn't entirely sure if that was true or not, but it seemed somewhat plausible - holonet ordering forms could be messy after all. Salia seemed relieved in either case

"Next time you need food for something though, please make sure to -ask-." the sous-chef noted sternly, the Twi'lek girl quickly nodding. She likely wouldn't forget.

"So is that 'Ranny'?" the sous-chef looked to Spades, with a questioning glance to Denari "It seems rather small to have eaten all of that?"

[Denari Merelle]

Glad that the situation had been cleared up and no one seemed to be in trouble, Denari answered the sous-chef's question.

"Oh, no. Ranny is the Rancor that was hiding in the basement. People from the Zoological Garden picked him up just now. This is Spades, a bat-falcon, and she deems herself above consuming pre-processed meats. Except canned Mynock." She added quickly. "Canned Mynock is an exception for some reason, but I'm very sorry for taking her with me into the kitchen. It keeps slipping my mind that animals and food hygiene in professional kitchens don't go together very well."
Obviously 'but' was not the grammatically correct word to go from canned Mynock to the apology, but the Theelin probably noticed she was trailing off and tried to get back on track without giving the grammar much thought.

"Speaking of going places," Denari now turned to Master Screetor, "Why did you leave Training room 3 while Padawan Hedoss and I were making our way up, Jedi Master? An why put up a cardboard cut-out and not add a little note to let us know whether or not you are alright? And where did the cut-out and backlit lightsaber even come from? They are cool."

[Jedi Master Screetor]

The sous-chef, not having been fully aware of the Rancor story, seemed rather taken aback, not knowing what to say.

Master Screetor was not caught out though.

"I got it produced by the Zoological Garden in exchange for allowing their hunter onto our grounds." he explained "I always wanted to have my own cardboard cut-out - the backlit lightsaber was a nice touch on their part."

"Going outside of the training area and using the elevator was not the exercise I intended." he explained "When I saw you leaving the training area, I set up the cardboard cut-out to provide a fake prize for fake conquering the challenge. As I did, I noticed little Salia rolling the barrel to the elevator and I put it together with the hunter to realise what was going on."

He looked at her "I originally planned to just surprise you by being back down where you had started when you found the cut-out, but I was impressed by the creativeness of your alternative solution, so I figured I would see if you would also notice the tracks left by Salia and her barrel. I wanted to see how you'd handle it."

He smiled warmly "Though you did not complete my original exercise, I believe that the lessons that naturally evolved were much better than what I had prepared. It is a lesson for all of us, that we can trust in the Force - it will guide us to interesting places."

The sous-chef finally managed to decide what to say "And to the kitchens. How about I give you all some ice-cream and then you get out of my kitchen?"

[Denari Merelle]

Denari was still sad that Jaicen hadn't wanted to take the challenging route and splitting up had not seemed like an option, So, when the Jedi Master mentioned that the elevator option was indeed not an intended solution, the sadness showed on her face.

The rest of his assessment did cheer her up a little, but not as much as the distraction by the prospect of ice-cream.

"I'd love some ice-cream." Denari answered immediately, quickly followed by a question directed to Master Screetor and Salia: "Perhaps we could eat it on the way to the meditation rooms, as I think I need to meditate on the events of today... Unless of course,"- this was mainly directed at Master Screetor- "you'd like to see Salia and me, or me alone if need be, cross that training room." she finished with a naughty smile.

((OOC: I think this is a nice point to wrap it up. Playing out the exercise would be fun, but I don't think it adds much to this mission.))

[Mercury]

((OOC: It makes sense to me to end the scene here. I am looking forward to more roleplay in the near future though. Next weekend we have the Fwurg 2.0 meeting, and I expect to open some new things shortly after, including one or two where I'll be involved as player instead of Storyteller!))

[Denari Merelle]

((OOC: I'm looking forward to more roleplay too!

I've updated the report and would like to thank you very much for running the story, I really enjoyed it :)))