[Day 4, MA] All Dressed Up

[Garth Wayne Ulgo]

"I will keep that in mind, Lord Ulgo. So why are you playing chaperone?" she asked allowing a sweet fruit to fly to her hand before taking a bite.

"Favor for a friend." Garth replied simply before watching Lana casually use the force to pull the fruit towards her.

"Neat trick." He commented with a raised eyebrow.

[Lana Beniko]

"The Force is no a trick," she said calmly.

[Galen Sol]

"Where does Janus fit into that picture?" she asked.

"It's not a pleasant story." he warned. "Janus Sol was a trophy hunter. He hunted dangerous animals for clients who wanted something to hang on their wall or display in their study. He felt live bait was best for that kind of hunt. And, slaves were easy to get."

[Jameela Panteer]

"I am listening," she said calmly. "I want to know, for such a horrible man he seemed to have a large impact on who you are."

[Garth Wayne Ulgo]

"The Force is no a trick," she said calmly.

"Poor choice o' words perhaps." Garth concedes with a slight bow before using his own inborn abilities, the power of walking, to retrieve the tray of fruit and bring it closer.

"Ah'm just used t' seeing those with the talent treat it more...reverently. Diff'rent traditions ah guess."

[Lana Beniko]

"Jedi value restraint, a Sith does not need external chains, we have freed ourselves from such base inhibitions," she responded.

[Galen Sol]

"I am listening," she said calmly. "I want to know, for such a horrible man he seemed to have a large impact on who you are."

"I was probably six or seven when he purchased me." he continued. "I don't remember much before that, just living with other slaves, waiting to be sold. I couldn't tell you anything about my parents. Janus became the closest I had to a father."

"He didn't just send me out. He taught me the basics of survival. How to follow game. Where to look for predators. How to get their attention. How to outrun them long enough for him to take the shot. I was swift and agile and smart. I lasted longer than any slave he'd owned before."

He looked over at Lana for a moment.

"I think Janus realized it before I did. I could sense the animals coming. I knew where they were and could stay a step ahead of them. I could even confuse them for a moment, like I was reaching out to them with my emotions, influencing them. Janus had heard stories about the Force and had seen enough of the galaxy to believe them. He knew I was more valuable than he had thought."

[Garth Wayne Ulgo]

"Jedi value restraint, a Sith does not need external chains, we have freed ourselves from such base inhibitions," she responded.

"Oh, yeah ah can't wrap mah head round that code o' theirs. There's some good stuff in there, but it is very rigid, almost punishin' to th' individual." He's about to say more but recalls a chat he'd had before about Sith and unaligned Force sensitives.

[Galen Sol]

"I was with Janus for seven years. He selected the hunts carefully. He knew I could handle more dangerous hunts, but he didn't risk me against anything likely to kill me. He kept me away from people, didn't let anyone know I existed, took no chances that he'd lose me. He was the only person I knew and there were times when I was content with that. I was being fed and cared for. I was useful and valued. He'd teach me things, hiw to play games and solve puzzles, even how to read. That was the best a slave could hope for. But, as I grew older, I began to understand my situation and my abilities better. I began to understand him. I sensed how he truly felt about me."

Galen took a long drink of water.

"He felt no kindness towards me. I was simply an asset, no different than any other equipment he owned. Except, he was afraid of me. Eventually, he was certain I would become a threat. I would try to hurt him. I hadn't even considered it, until that moment." he shook his head. "We started hunting more dangerous creatures, jobs he had refused in the past he readily accepted. My value no longer outweighed the rewards. I was terrified. Eventually, I'd die on a hunt or he'd kill me. I needed to get away from Janus, but I didn't know how. I was certain he'd find me if I escaped, no matter where I went."

"Then, I came across a pack of wolves during a hunt. They were lean and hungry and began stalking me. I wasn't afraid of them. I was confident I could avoid them long enough to reach the creature I was looking for. They'd likely back off then, or fight it." Galen was quiet for a long moment. "But, I saw an opportunity. If they were going to chase me, I could lead them somewhere else. I could lead them away from the game trail and back to camp, back to where Janus was waiting for a single, powerful monster, not a pack of quick, agile predators. We took him by surprise and I channeled every bit of fear, anger and hatred I felt towards Janus into the wolves. I watched them tear him apart. I wanted to see it.. I refused to look away. I wanted to be sure. But, his screams that broke me."

He unbuttoned and pulled back his sleeves, revealing his scars.

"I lost my focus. The wolves were no longer under my influence. Finished with Janus, they turned on me. They could have killed me. I'm not sure why they didn't."

[Jameela Panteer]

Jameela is shocked at the tale and has no words other than sympathy on her face.

[Lana Beniko]

Her yellow eyes bore into Garth and then she turned to Galen and said, “You found your strength and you exploited your so-called master’s weakness. Well done.”

[Galen Sol]

"I'm not proud of it." he replied to Lana, but remained focused on Jameela. "I don't regret it either. It's part of who I am. A reminder of what I can become. Who I don't want to be. I've learned from several people over the years, Sith, Jedi and others. It took a long time to find a path I liked. I'm still trying to figure out who I am, but I know I'm not who I was in that moment."

[Lana Beniko]

“Pride is for fools, Galen. You did what needed to be done when it needed to be done. That’s all it needs to be,” Lana responded.

[Galen Sol]

He nodded. "That is true."

[Garth Wayne Ulgo]

"Be true t' yerself m' friend. No matter which route y' walk you'll find enemies, so walk the line th' feels right t' you an' pave a path through this 'verse that still lets ye sleep at night."

Seemed everyone else was dropping their two creds in, so Garth did the same, ignoring Lana's penetrating look, for now.

[Lana Beniko]

"Is this why you associate with Lord Ulgo, both being Force sensitives?" she asked.

[Garth Wayne Ulgo]

"Is this why you associate with Lord Ulgo, both being Force sensitives?" she asked.

Garth wasn't expecting to be so easily outed but there were many people who knew already.

"We both helped on Bankor durin' the liberation." He replied to Lana, not implicitly confirming or denying the implication. "We've had a few run-ins since then back there."

[Galen Sol]

"We're friends." Galen said simply. "Without family, friends are all you have."

[Jameela Panteer]

"We're friends." Galen said simply. "Without family, friends are all you have."

"That is true, I guess you simply choose the family you want. I am not sure what I would be without my family, Panteer, means a great deal on Alderaan and to me. Our family is large and sprawling and everyone knows exactly where they stand on the tree and in the family," she said thoughtfully.

"I can't imagine having to do what you did though, that's inspiring but also sad."

[Galen Sol]

He smiled warmly, happy to hear her speak again.

"I know that was a lot to take in. Thank you, for listening. I used to keep it a secret, but I didn't want to hide it from you. I know I can't be a part of your family. But, at the least, I'd like to be your friend."