The man staggered upright, hurling himself as fast as he could down the alley, credits spilling from the purse clutched tightly in his left hand. Stumbling round another corner, he kicked over the trash cans as he passed. He glanced backwards as he ran, and saw the shadow pursuing him efortlessly bound over the obstacle.

Turning forwards again, he focussed his attention on the opening to the city street, giving a flat out run to the sliver of red light in the shadowy space between Naboo's ancient architecture. Very suddenly, that light was blotted out as something huge appeared. "Got you!" it exclaimed, as a huge furry hand lunged out and lifted the purse snatcher bodily from the ground.

Fwar turned around, facing the street beyond, where surprised onlookers kept back at a safe distance. The purse snatcher struggled in midair for a few seconds, until a racing police speeder screeched to a halt nearby. The two officers that got out gave Fwar wary looks as they approached.

Fwar smiled happily, passing the purse snatcher over to the two officers. "Here you are, gentlemen. We espied him robbing a woman of her purse during our entry of the city. I take it you can take it from here?"

"Uh... sure," said one of the officers, as he pushed the thief into the backseat of the speeder. "But what are you doing here?"

"Why, our civic duty of course," said Fwar, as Shillia seemingly materialized at his side. "The Jedi Order exists to safeguard the public, does it not? And does the saying not go 'safety begins at home'?"

Without another word, but with a few confused glances, the two officers got in their vehicle and drove away. Fwar waved warmly to them as they left. "What a pleasant evening this has turned out to be."

"Yeah," said Shillia, as she leant on Fwar. "If your idea of a grand evening is going out and trying to explain to people why a few hundred people no one cares about are coming their way to bother them with good intentions. Let's get a bite to eat already, okay? I'm starving."

"Not yet, Shillia," said Fwar, who was already moving deeper into Theed's streets. "The night has only just begun! Prime time for the activities of criminals and ne'er do wells. If people are to know the return of the Jedi, then we mustn't squander our time nourishing!"

Pausing momentarily to catch her breath as Fwar leapt up towards the rooftops, Shillia watched her partner go. "One of these days, I'm going to push him off a mountain." With her energy restored, she leapt up after him.



"All right everyone, keep together now," said Katria, who looked around the group. As the last stragglers around the outside of the temple, Katria had gathered most of those from the temple too young to really be left on their own. Including a couple older Jedi who had elected to help, the old man, and the two little Trandoshans, there were nearly thirty in all. A quick headcount confirmed this for Katria, as the rest she'd seen leave with Kenshin.

She turned to the old man, examining him and the two little ones. If you think you can look after those two, I'd invite you to come along. We'll go to the city and find a shelter there to put everyone up in for the time being. We've still got a lot of influence in Theed - there's bound to be a place there somewhere for us."

Turning to make sure everyone was still together, she smiled and called out "All right, be careful everyone! The city's just a short walk, then we'll try to find somewhere to stay the night, okay?"

Why was he so impulsive? Katria bitterly thought, as she guided the group towards the city. Why is he subjecting all these kids to this without any plan for looking after them? Why did he expect us to do it instead?

An unbidden voice answered her, saying Perhaps the important thing is not what the children learn, but what you learn? Surprised, Katria checked her pocket and realized that Barris's spirit crystal was still there. The dead Jedi's voice continued to hum in Katria's mind. In my lifetime, I learnt that sometimes the worst situations are the best teachers.

Scowling, Katria tuned out the spirit's voice, and continued walking.



"You want five thousand credits for it? Because there's a man I know, he's on Brond and Fifth, he'd sell it to me for five thousand." The speaker was a slimey individual, with shifty eyes and sharp features. Not quite so finely sharp as the sword he examined, which was inlaid with all manner of precious metals.

"Hey, five thousand is for a good fightin' sword - this? This is an antique. You want artefacts, you pay artefact prices." This speaker was, by comparison, heavyset and thuggish. He sneered at the scrawny fence opposite as the man examined the merchandise. "So we going to do business or what?"

The fence examined the blade a few moments longer, before turning nodding to his supplier. "Yeah, we'll do business."

At that moment, the skylight to their warehouse shattered, and Jubaz rappelled to the ground. Hired guns pulled concealed pistols, peppering the Rodian with shots and shattering priceless antiques in the process before Jubaz had his lightsaber ignited. In moments, the shots had been reflected and the two mercenaries were on the ground, groaning and rolling.

Levelling his lightsaber at the two men who panicked amongst their stolen goods, Jubaz declared "The sale of Jedi artefacts and property is strictly forbidden, and you are both under arrest."

The fence turned to run, running straight into Proq's closeline. The scrawny man was bowled over and pinned to the ground, where Proq held him.

Terrified, the portly thief backed up against a box of stolen Jedi holorecords, holding his hands up high. "Hey... business is business, right? Everyone buys and sells Jedi stuff these days."

"Those days are over, fat one," declared Jubaz, who grabbed the man and threw him to the ground.

A quick call later, and police were swarming the building. From the safe distance of a nearby rooftop, Jubaz and Proq watched as the four men were dragged bound from the building, along with crate after crate of old Jedi property looted over the years.

"I must admit," said Jubaz, "I am impressed. I doubted your information."

"Hey, you can always trust me," said Proq with a smile. "You wanted evil? I gave you villainous smuggler rings trafficking in Jedi artefacts. That's some Indiana Jones action right there."

"Yes..." Jubaz said, before turning to Proq. "How did you find out about them again?"

"What? Oh, uh, I - I must of... heard about them on one of my... uh, antiquing trips. You know, going around, looking at old stuff, someone brings it up in passing." Proq mopped his brow with a personally monogrammed handkerchief reading Anakin Skywalker. "Hey, I've got an idea, let's go look at something else for a while."



Ian settled in to sleep during the flight, realizing how much he'd missed it during the long days of research and work in the temple. In a minute the flight would be taking off, and he'd arrive on the far side of the planet - genuinely seen as neglected and ignored by both the Jedi and Naboo's political leaders.

He must have been more tired than he'd thought, for when he next opened his eyes the flight was well under way, the cabin filled with bored local businessmen and other travellers. Ian had wisely stowed his robes for the trip, since the sight of a Jedi taking a commerical flight might not have been the 'return to the public eye' that Dolash had been looking for. Bored, Ian examined a holographic map on the wall that charted the flight's progress.

"Hey, wait," Ian murmured, as he examined the picture. "Isn't there a Gungan city under us right now? I thought there was one right here..." Ian turned to look out his window, but saw only water below them. "Wasn't there a Gungan city there?"

The man sitting next to him, a slightly chubby businessman, gave Ian a surprised look. "Have you been living under a rock?" he asked.

Close. "Why? What did I miss?"

"A few years back, when the Sith came to Naboo, they practically wiped out the Gungan cities. Ruined them. The Gungans never came back."

Ian's eyebrows leapt up at this news. "Really? I mean, I heard about the massacare, but I didn't... it was that bad?"

"Oh yeah, it was a real tragedy," said the businessman airily. "I heard most of them still slum around, though, but no return to greatness. A real pity."

Ian thought about it for a moment, before pulling out his datapad. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. "Generosity isn't normally my field... but let's see what I can do."



Dolash arrived outside the Palace with no fanfare or notice - indeed, he was showing up entirely unannounced. After looking at the beautiful but aging building from his speeder for a few minutes, the Jedi Master took out his parcel from the glove compartment and squeezed out of his vehicle.

Even with the diminished status and visibility of the Order, Dolash was a fairly recognizeable character. Whilst climbing the steps, people stopped to stare, wondering what a Jedi was doing in the Palace. The Palace guards seemed to wonder that too, and quickly approached him.

"What is your business in the Palace today, Master Jedi?" said the first guard rather curtly.

"Perfectly legitimate, I assure you," said Dolash, with a meaningful wave of his hand.

After a second of blinking and blurred vision, the guard nodded. "Perfectly legitimate. Go right ahead, sir."

Dolash smiled, and entered the gates of the Palace. Now the real challenge begins.

Kenshin caught sight of the kids as he reentered the hangar, a cart trailing behind him with a bunch of mattresses he had managed to gather stacked on top. He figured that the frames would be a hassle. Besides, it was probably considered a novelty to sleep so close to the floor for a kid anyway. It meant unlimited trampolining as there was no frame to collapse under them.

Behind him trailed Dex and Cary with their carts of random supplies they had managed to scavenge from various storage rooms. At the sight of unfamiliar faces, a pause appeared in their conversation and they stood, breaking the circle they had formed and straightened into a line like they had been taught. They anticipated that introductions were at hand.

"These be the kiddies?" Dex regarded the children with some measure of curiosity. They were well behaved, expected of Jedi trainees he supposed, but he couldn't help but wonder how long it would last. Kids were kids after all and all kids had more than their share of energy. This energy would have to be vented in some way or form if it wasn't used up by the end of the day.

"Yup." Kenshin said as he motioned to the first one in line, a zabrak boy. "This is Deyn Aan." Deyn managed to give the two engineers a polite nod in response. "He's twelve and the eldest along with Jekk here..." He added, motioning to the jawa that stood beside the first youngling.

"I am called Aved." The short creature said in the hurried manner of his species. He was surprisingly eloquent for a child however. "But they all refer to me by my clan name, Jekk. It may suffice for you as well. Beside me here is Tav Kre'fey..." Jekk continued as he motioned to the bothan beside him. "He's eleven years old and doesn't talk much." Tav nodded in acknowledgement of being named. The boy behind the hood then bobbed his head once before saying no more.

"Nawara Ven." The twi'lek girl beside Jekk answered as Kenshin motioned that it was her turn to speak. "I'm ten."

"It's an honor to meet you two." The human boy said with a slight bow, emulating all the Jedi he had seen before in greeting. "I am Korian Thracen. Korin is good though. I'm ten years old too."

From behind Korin peered a human girl. "Layla Farth." She said quietly. "I'm eight."

Seeing that it was their turn to give their names, Cary stepped forward. "I'm Carson Forge but you guys can call me Cary." He said with a quick smile. "This here is my big brother Dex. He may bellow like a bantha sometimes but he won't bite." The kids giggled at the remark while Dex snorted and turned to the carts and began the job of unloading the stuff.

Turning from the supplies, Kenshin caught sight of Ben and Darami waiting to the side. At the boy's feet were two duffle bags full of what he understood to be food. At the gift, the Jedi Knight nodded his thanks. "So, have you two decided what you're going to do now?" He asked as he sauntered over to the pair. He himself wasn't too sure what he and Tatane would do with the kids but he was sure they'd find something they could assist with in Theed.

Ben stood there before Tatane and before she could answer him saw Darami walk into the hanger bay with his things. He wondered whether this friend of his would join him on this new journey. To Ben it would be easier to go through the long travels with a trusted friend then without. Inside he hoped at the Darami would join him and from each other they could learn much. Working together was usually more helpfull when learning than doing things on your own.

He smiled at Darami, but before he could greet the young man, Kenshin strode into the hanger. With him were a coupe of men that Ben had never seen before. He guessed they were friends of the Master Jedi since they seemed to be helping him with the gathering of needed supplies.

Ben watched as the group paused and his teacher went over to the group of kids. One by one each child was introduced and Ben tried to catch each ones name. He knew deep inside, though, that with so many kids he wouldn't be able to remember them all. Ben laughed a little at himself as he thought about his bad memory when it came to learning and remembering names.

While he stood there, Ben also seemed to get a little sadder with each child that got announced. He knew that Kenshin and Tatane would need all the help they could get with this group of kids and inside it made him feel as if he was letting them both down by giving them all this work to do. At the same time, however, he knew that Master Katarn himself had suggested they go out into the galaxy and learn for themselves. It was these words that had triggered Ben's thinking about conquering his fears of being on his own. As much as he wanted to stay and help out, Ben knew he needed this new journey for his own developement.

Kenshin's voice snapped Ben out of his thought process and caused him to slightly shake his head clear before responding to his teacher. Ben gently bowed and looked upon the master a little nervously again.

"Master Katarn, I would like to stay and help with the children..., but I feel deep inside that it would be better for my growth as a jedi that I go out and venture through the galaxy for a while. Darami has not yet given me his answer, but I would love for him to join me."

Ben turned towards his friend and smiled a little, "What say you Darami, will you come with me so that we may explore the galaxy and train together?"

"I have tended to young Trandoshan's before." Rane said with a slow nod. "Though I admit the one I mentored before was a bit older then these two combined."

Probing around with the Force he could still sense the nervousness and fear of the younger members of the group. Frustration and bitterness, especially from Katria, was present as well and to this he frowned. Such emotion he knew could lead to resentment, then anger, then...you get the idea. "Take care not to let your negative emotions build up within, Miss Katria. You know where such feelings can lead. While I to am aghast at what has occurred this day, it is best to keep the wellbeing of those less able then us in mind rather then linger on the bitterness one feels toward the source."

He looked down at his two charges, Mortor's disposition had improved little since he met him, while Silonik seemed lost in thought. "What is on your mind Silonik?" He asked him.

The elder of the two Trandoshan children looked up at him, worry and concern in his eyes. "Just wondering...how daddy would react when he found out about this." He said.

"I imagine he wouldn't be very happy, he does have something of a temper and from what I heard that hasn't been tempered with time." Rane said. "Do you know where he roams these days?"

"Don't know." The child said. "I just know he left with another Padawan named Lavality and a T'Doshok named Asri he likes a lot. That was a couple of months ago I think, not sure."

Lavality he had heard snippets about, mostly from a recent news bulletin. She was the Admiral of the fleet that was partly, at least, responsible for the current state of peace between the Trandoshans and the Wookiees. This Asri though he's heard nothing about.

"Don't know why he likes her." Mortor muttered suddenly. "She's a white scale...a demon..."

"Don't talk about Lady Asri like that." Silonik scolded him. "You shouldn't judge people by looks. You've seen how nice she is and I saw you watching her dance once."

“Only because everyone else insisted on it.” Mortor muttered.

Now that sounded familiar. He heard of a white scaled Trandoshan making her home in Trazu’s Clan. A smile came to his lips as he recalled Silonik saying how much Trazu liked this Trandoshan, the thought of Trazu finally moving on from TZosha’s death a pleasant one. Back to the matters at hand, he did have the thought of contacting Trazu and informing him about what occurred today, but thought better off it. If he was running around with Lavality he’s likely on some kind of mission where it would do well that he wasn’t distracted. He knew that eventually Trazu will learn of this though, so he made a mental note to keep an ear out for him.

Stumbling out of the bar, the light of day stung his eyes, as they adjusted to the intensity of its brightness. Clinching both eyelids closed, his right hand cradling his face as his normal nearly perfect posture now resembled that of an Ithorian, hunched. The pounding in his head resembled a series of outer-space explosions as if an interstellar battle was being fought within his skull. Too bad that wasn't the case in this particular situation; rather, he was suffering from the aftermath of an acute attack of Idiocy. Moving quite slowly, his vision greatly impaired, he made his way along the streets of Naboo, ever entertaining the desire to ram his head through a durocrete wall, to release the pain and pressure it was contending with. Had he also not had a desire to remain conscious more than a few minutes, he might actually have done it.

Though he remembered little of what was exactly said in the cantina, the bartender’s words stuck with him.

"Well, Where you going?"

"...what?"

"I said, where you going? You said the galaxy wasn't gonna make it without the Jedi, where are you going? Aren't you a Jedi?"

He was absolutely right, well sort of. Where was he going? Marek took an oath that he would forever serve the galaxy, that his life would be spent trying to restore order and peace in a place that was fresh out of both. A sheering pain shot through his head, which caused him to momentarily cringe. As it subsided into a nagging ache, his self evaluation commenced once more. Zolar couldn't allow himself to just walk away from another commitment, the last few ended in disaster and he was determined to never let it happen again. Switching his left hand with his right, his palm fell onto the smooth stone of a buildings wall, using it to steady himself along the sidewalk, his left hand now the sling that kept hold of his head from falling about.

Sobriety was definitely the first step to actualization, but it left him questioning what his next move would be. The temple was now closed, the remaining Jedi were most likely scattered to the winds as far as he knew, so finding some clue as to where to go from here was beyond him at this point. Clarity never was his strong point, in any sort of fashion.

As he continued on, he eventually found himself right before the palace steps, pausing momentarily to gaze at the structure, his eyes still burning from the daylight, which gave him some difficulty in focusing. There was a rich history in Theed and this place was at its very center, Marek hoped that one day he'd even grace its halls, but now wasn't the time, nor was his general state. After a moment or two he pressed on, still using whatever he could to keep himself upright.

The Temple, despite it's closing might prove to be a good starting point, perhaps he could somehow gain access to it's libraries, possibly even a ship, there was no telling what was in store for him, but it definitely wouldn't hurt drying out a bit. A shower would be nice too.

Ooc: Since it seems that Darami might not post at this point, I'll just go on ahead. Sorry if you were waiting on me!

IC:
Tatane was indeed willing to answer Ben's question, yet as she opened her mouth she had been interrupted by the approach of several figures. The children seemed to shift about her, as if they were one entity, and she amidst them in all her awkwardness, standing several feet above each. She smiled somewhat at both this and those that came toward her and Ben, and as things began to settle in to her mind and her blood both, she realized that Ben and Darami probably weren't coming along. She felt very saddened by this fact, feeling as if the three padawans had not spent enough time together, and as if some deep friendship were being cut off by this sudden diverging of paths. She gave a sigh, though a light and hardly noticeable one, and tried to focus on the task at hand.

Then, as the children were introduced and Tatane took the moment to store each name within her ever busy mind, it became obvious to her that this was truly reality. Things were happening as they were, and she may not see her home the way it had once been in a long time, if ever, as her training might be concluded before the Order reformed back into a single one again during her lifetime. It was hard to believe that this situation would last so long as to outlive even her own youth, but she never outruled such possibilities and learned to accept it as one. As Ben began to speak to Kenshin about his plans, and then inqurie as to whether Darami would travel with him, Tatane felt a weight in her stomach make itself noticeable and even more burdensome. Time would only tell what direction their lives would go in.

"You will learn very much, and become all the more stronger for your struggles," she said sincerely to her two fellow padawans, a heaviness in her eyes. "And you will come back safe and sound, and we'll all meet in the future with stories to tell, and we'll all have a cup of coffee or something and enjoy it together, when we are able to look upon each other's faces once again. I feel it in my heart." She smiled brightly, despite the sweet sorrow of parting that marred her expression, yet she knew with all of her very being that the two would indeed find great things in their time away from her and Kenshin. Perhaps, on their return, they would have progressed so far as to know a great deal more than herself, and then she could ask them of all the mysteries of the universe and they would find warmth in the understanding that came forth through their learned minds.

Then, as if on another thought she had, she turned to Kenshin with an inquisitive look in her eyes. It would seem that he had prepared everything and all was done according to his own plans, whatever they may have led him to conclude. "If you don't mind my asking, Master Katarn," she said, "where will we first go, once we leave the temple?" She pursed her lips in hesitant thought, wondering that if, during their time of enlightenment, they would try to blend in as someone other than a Jedi, a person that might better relate with the hardships that other people endure from day to day. Whatever Kenshin's general plans were, she was sure that he would make them plain enough for her to even barely understand, if not every detail of it. Whatever they would need to do or accomplish, she would know in good time. For now, she simply wanted to satisfy her most urgent curiosity.

"Indeed." Kenshin echoed Tatane's blessing with a slight grin. With the most urgent problems of the day already solved, his usual good-natured self was returning inch by inch as the day waned. "What doesn't kill us tends to make us stronger. Just don't try to get killed on purpose. I gave you two training blades after all. Those things will block blaster bolts but don't expect them to cut through duracrete like butter. Test the limits of the lightsabers, as well as your own physical limits, before going into a fight..."

"If you find yourself too busy to practice, at least make time to meditate everyday." He said, a bit more serious this time. "A Jedi's strength comes through his understanding of the Force's patterns. The better you can read these patterns, the better you will know how to bend them, and the more effective you will be. On the surface it may seem that lightsaber skill solves everything but in the end it is really the one more knowledgable in the Force that prevails."

"We're going to head out into the hills for a few weeks..." Kenshin answered, looking past Tatane's curious gaze and at the younglings that were now scurrying about helping with the loading of the equipment. "There is some intensive training the kids are going to have to do before they'll be of any decent help to those we will eventually encounter. We'll see where are first destination will be after that gets done."

The kiddies were in for boot camp. He was going to have to subject them to a number of training techniques he usually reserved for older and more experienced students such as Tatane herself. He was pretty sure that game of 'capture the bell' was one she would never forget. Well the younglings would have to play a similar game too soon.

From as early as Ben could remember, he had been always intune with others feelings. Empathy and seeing through peoples external expressions came easy to him. He didn't know it was his personality or something to do with him being force sensitive, but when Tatane wished them all the best, Ben could tell she was saddened even though she was trying to hide the fact.

Ben himself was quite torn being staying and helping out with the younglings and going out into the world. The feeling of being a little selfish was always rolling around in his mind. He wished that he could do both, travel and face his challenges, but also do it while helping out Kenshin and the rest.

Like Tatane, he felt that all of them had not spent much time together, both in training and out of it. Saying goodbyes was never easy, but this one was especially difficult. There were so many feelings inside him that he couldn't hold back. Without so much as a thought, the feelings of true friendship and loss took over him. He was going to loss some of the only people in the whole galaxy that he could call friends. People that took him in and accepted him. They were more like family to him than anything else.

As the feeling took hold, Ben stepped forward and before realizing what was happening, hugged Tatane tightly. "I wish you all the best. I know the younglings will be glad to have you as one of the teachers. Soon we will be back together as you say and sharing our experiances. I can't wait for that day."

Ben smiled a little as he looked at her. He felt a little shy and emberassed for his actions as he moved slowly back, putting his arms down. Inside he wished to hug Kenshin as well to show all his apperciations for the man's teachings and kindness, but wasnt sure if that was proper. Instead Ben bowed towards him gently.

"Thank you for everything Master. I promise we wont get into fights unless they find us or it is absolutely necessary. A Jedi doesn't go around looking for a battle right?"

Ben smiled a little and looked towards both Kenshin and Tatane. "May the force be with you both. Darami and I will turn as soon as we can."

He looked over and noticed the young ones. Ben laughed a little and smiled, "However, I think you'll be too busy to even think about us with those rascals around. They are lucky to have teachers like yourselves though."

With that Ben lifted up his bag and placed it on his shoulders before adjusting his robes. He turned towards Darami to see if his friend was ready to go before turning around towards the hangers exit. Ben took a step forward and paused. He turned his head back towards Tatane and Kenshin before smiling one last time.

"Darami and I promise to study and train hard even though we'll be gone Master Katarn."

Tatane, out of her friendly and amiable nature, thought nothing of the hug, though it did catch her by surprise. She returned it strongly, knowing that it would be the last time in a while that she would see Ben or Darami, and it also helped her to solidify the very things going on around her. She smiled at the two padawans once again, for it was quite clear that they would be leaving very soon, and in her eyes was an unspoken goodbye... that wasn't quite goodbye. She looked forward to when their paths would once again unite.

She nodded at Kenshin's reply to her question, her eyes traveling with the moving children as well. She realized that she would probably be a much better help if she worked to assist the younglings, though she felt as if it was a responsibility to see her fellow padawans off until her eyes could touch them no more. She decided to remain there until they turned the last bend, until they had actually left her and Kenshin's presence, and then she would proceed to help with the packing.

When she had the opportunity to make a brief comment to her master, she breathed a sigh and turned to face the ship. "I must say that this has affected me more than I would have first thought," she said. "Knowing that the situation has taken its toll on everyone, I suppose I'd like to ask - are you well, Master Katarn?"

As she had said, she knew that she was feeling somewhat affected by this change, and she simply wanted to make sure that her master was fine before she moved on with her day. She was concerned for everyone, and it would seem that she had not quite inquired as to her own master's wellfare yet. She almost felt guilty, but she knew and could tell that he was probably coping better than any of them. She did, however, feel that she needed some type of verbal comfirmation.

Ooc: I keep telling myself I need to post in that "bell" thread. Then again... I also keep telling myself that I'll stop posting these ooc notes...

((OOC: I think my timeline may be way off and if that’s the case, I'll re-adjust as necessary))

The first hints of night were beginning to envelope the sky when Marek who with much difficulty had finally found his way back to the temples main gates. However, that was merely the easy part, making his way back, for there was no way he was going scale the walls, not in the predicament his head was in, neither was he going to simply trace right through the main entrance which had been sealed earlier in the day, so his next option was to just search the perimeter of the structure and hope he could find a way in. To his surprise, he did just that and in much quicker time than he had expected. Some ways down the eastern wall, he found a set of doors that for some reason or another seemed to have been pried open. Rather than fearing a possible intrusion, he just merely considered it a stroke of good luck, proceeding slowly through the courtyards towards the belly of the main complex. While still held captive under the negative effects of alcohol-related crash mobility was proving to be much more tedious than if had he been completely sober. His movements or rather his staggering about, forced him to seek assistance from a nearby wall, which he promptly used to regain his bearings and steady his movements. With patience and great determination to refresh himself, he continued moving from hallway to hallway, through various courtyards then on to more hallways, as he pressed on towards resolvement. He was almost upon the main hangar when the sound of clanging tools stopped him in his tracks. Attempting to look past the pounding in his head, he listened in as he began to distinguish not only parts and cargo being shuffled around, but voices as well. They were faint, but definitely carrying on some sort of conversation, it almost sounded like there were children speaking as well.

Marek found it curious that there would be stragglers, especially children, carrying on about the temple, but he himself being guilty of the same act would have little ground to stand on if he chose to chastise them. Deciding to further investigate the commotion, he turned the corner and entered the hangar bay. His shower would have to wait.

As his gaze fell upon the occupants of the buildings interior he was astonished that in fact there were quite a few people inhabiting it, out of the faces he searched, he recognized only one, of course, the wincing expression that lay splashed across his face could have given just cause if he was mistaken. His visual acuity wasn't up to par at the exact moment and half clinched eyes did little more than obscure their line of sight further.

Standing directly inside the doorway, his head slightly tilted he spoke up, "Kenshin? Didn't you hear? Visiting hours are over." A weak grin slipped from the corner of his mouth as he spoke.