PLOTTING CALL: THE RETURN
Before.
There was once a time when her talents would have made her an excellent spy. But she would never keep to obscurity. Stubborn as she was, is, always with her chin lifted, the bright light of Coruscant standing starkly on the sharp angles of her face. Order 66 sent her into nearly two decades of wordless silence; it’s been so long since she’s been called to lead, but Jedha has shown her that there is a need for her voice. Rishla Ilesar is returning to Coruscant, there is no question.
And she will lead. She will claim that which the Jedi have wrought, and she will be the one to help rebuild. When she strides into the High Command room, it is with her shoulders set straight, it is with a spark in her keen eyes. She is cunning; and she will see this mission through.
During.
We cannot let a stray blaster shot give us away. You repeat this like a mantra in your mind. Your hands may tremble when you enter the Temple—but Rishla is like an anchor. She reminds you to take courage, take heart, to keep a level mind. You watch the way Rishla takes in the sight of the Temple. Destroyed. Corrupted. A mockery from Emperor Palpatine, an open wound on display. This was her home, and yours, and when she looks at all that has become of it, her jaw ticks.
And the plan must shift—it isn’t their fault. She adjusts on the fly, like a flip of the switch, but watch closely, see, the hair on the back of her neck is standing on end, darkness merely a breath away. You hear her voice, cutting and precise in your mind: gather information, but tread carefully. The stakes are too high to afford even the most minor of errors. She reminds you that this place is a Graveyard, yes, but you are not done. Rishla paces like a caged animal. Welcome home, General.
Aftermath.
She pulls the hood of her cloak over her head, hidden by shadows. As soon as the window to exit opens, you take it. Rishla has the flank. The mission was successful—but there are so many ghosts. (She sees the faces of her Padawans, of her Master. There is no one like them. There will never be another like them, ever again.) A woman still growing accustomed to letting her voice be heard, she’s silent on the way back to Yavin IV. Still, there are quiet words exchanged, her hand on the back of your neck, she means it when she tells you: you did well.
You may ask her: did you expect that we would make it out alive, General? How many phantoms have you carried with you? For how long? (Rishla will lift her chin. She will level you. She will say: rise, rise.)
This is (loosely) what Rishla is up to during Event 002: The Return! If you’d like to plot out a thread with Rishla for this event, drop a like and I’ll contact you via Discord!
NOTE: If we have any threads from the previous event that you’d like to drop, please let me know! I don’t want anyone to feel overwhelmed!
