Learn from the Past (D1LM)

[Axel Ward]

Axel was always scowling; that wasn't anything new. And his clothing wasn't any different than it had been for the trip there. No, everything seemed entirely normal for Axel.

Except what he held in his hand.

A datapad!

...

Frowning, Axel stepped into the lounge, narrowing his eyes as he looked around for the historian.

[Inali]

Inali was curled up on one of the couches her own datapad in her hand. The clothes she wore seemed more durable then comfortable but given that she planned to go to the surface later it made sense.

Absorbed in whatever she was studying, she didn't notice the looming form of Axel arriving. Or the fact that he was carrying something as odd as a datapad, and not weights or an axe or something.

[Axel Ward]

Axel stood over her a few moments, frowning. Usually his looming was enough to get people's attention. This was unusual, too.

Finally, Axel cleared his throat. "Hey. Inali, right? The historian?" He held out his hand; the one without the datapad, of course. "Axel Ward. Don't think we've done this before." He'd at least caught glimpses of everyone on the ship, of course, but hadn't gone through more formal introductions with everyone.

[Inali]

The sudden conversation caused the young woman to start slightly, she calmed after a moment though and looked up towards Axel.

"Ah, sorry for not noticing you Axel." She offered the taller man her hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Clow’inali’ounu or just Inali for short "

[Axel Ward]

"Yeah, uh..." He scratched at his beard. "Hope you don't mind if I stick with Inali." He chuckled softly at her startlement, not unkindly.

"So..." Axel scratched his head this time, shifting a little awkwardly. "I was actually hoping I'd run into you. Figured you could help me find some things I'm looking for. Texts, things like that."

[Inali]

"Not at all." Her lips curled into a playful smile. "I know all to well how much of a tongue twister my full name can be."

Setting aside her datapad, she straightened in her seat. "Well, normally I'd suggest checking a library if you wish to find a text. I'm guessing it's not as easy as all that though?"

[Axel Ward]

"Yeah, well, you should hear my full name." Axel said blandly.

Grimacing, Axel shifted. "Well, uh, actually... I don't know. Maybe. Haven't spent much time in libraries." He cleared his throat. "I was looking for stuff about Mandalorians."

[Inali]

"Oh!" She perked up, rising a little in her seat and extending a hand for his. datapad. "That topic is a favorite of mine lately." Inali offered him a playful wink. "If you couldn't tell."

"Anything in particular you're looking for? Something recent, or something older?"

[Axel Ward]

Axel chuckled. "I had a feeling." He handed over his datapad.

"Uh..." He scratched his head, frowning. "Older, I think. But I'm not sure. I'm trying to figure out what Mandalorians are all about. Or, maybe newer would be better for finding out what they think they should be now." He shrugged ruefully, smiling. "I'm pretty new to the topic. If you couldn't tell."

[Evencious]

"Mmm...." She nodded and began browsing through the datapad. Pulling up a couple of books she was familiar with so he could see them. Though she didnt go as far as purchasing any.

"That is a bit muddled honestly, both in the past and the present. As different clans had different opinions on the matter. They are a warrior people though, and that's been something they have never really got away from."

"Did you know they have been responsible for the extinction of several Sentient species?"

[Axel Ward]

"Warrior people, huh?" Axel frowned. "Yeah, L... Kairi mentioned something about that. I'm still not exactly sure what that means."

"Uh..." Axel's frown deepened. "No, I didn't know that. What was it, a big war or something?"

[Evencious]

"I think it means different things to different people, which may be why there has been so much friction between the clans over the years." She explained, though it was only her hypothesis.


Handing the datapad back she nodded. "The details are a little bit fuzzy, some of this is history from several thousand years ago. The Mandolorian's were warriors though, Conquerors, and the most valued enemy was a tough enemy. So they went to war with them and some species like the Nevoota fought to the death."

[Axel Ward]

"Sound about right." Axel grunted. "I haven't read much, but I know people will fight about just about any damn thing. Not surprised they'd argue about who they were."

"Huh." Axel scratched at his beard. "Sounds like maybe they don't know when to quit." He considered that a moment. "Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes not so much."

[Inali]

"Yes." A wry smile made it's way onto Inali's lips. "People will fight about just about anything." They didn't have to hate each other to do so either.

"You likely have a point there. One you and the rest of your clan may want to keep in mind." She grinned. "History can be helpful that way."

[Axel Ward]

"Huh. Thanks." Axel returned her smile, just a little. It wasn't much, but hey, it wasn't a scowl.

"So, you got any recommendations? Things I should read up on? I've been talking to my roommate, Kusat, but I wouldn't mind a bit more info."

[Inali]

"I opened brought up some books here on your datapad you might like." Inali replied passing ir back towards the hulking man. "I find the biography of Vera Ordo a pretty interesting read, and one that shows a more charitable side of the Mandolorians."

"From our talk you might like something like that as well."

[Axel Ward]

Grunting, Axel accepted the datapad, frowning down at it. "Thanks." He muttered, scanning a few of the titles.

"More charitable side, huh?" Axel looked up from the datapad. "Yeah... something like that, I guess. I don't really know." He admitted, shrugging. "Just... I don't know. See what they mean. Something good, I hope."

[Inali]

Inali nodded. "Well, I'd be happy to tell you more of what I know too. Not that its anywhere near everything. If what I heard is correct the Mandolorian's culture might be even older then the Republic. It's a bit hard to say though. Even with modern technology the past gets garbled after enough time goes bu."

"If it is any help though, I think the clans are in a state of change. So even if some of the past is unfortunate, that doesn't have to mean the same for the future."

[Axel Ward]

Axel grunted again, but the answer seemed to satisfy him. "Huh. I like that. So, maybe even if Mandalorians were all about one thing in the past, they're about something different now."

After another few moments of considering, he nodded. "Yeah. I like that. Maybe it means I get to decide for myself."

[Inali]

She smiled at that. There was still the part about showing everyone else how his way was better. Well, if he wanted to go that far. Still it was a start.

"Honestly, I think it does. Which is a bit of a start at least, right?"