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Post by surfersquid on Nov 19, 2009 15:05:38 GMT -5
"Wow, the Obi-Wan Kenobi? From the Clone Wars?" Kyla was astounded. She felt like she was living history. The colorful figures in her lessons at school--she had been taught they were real people, of course, but the actual reality of their existence was starting to sink in. They weren't just nebulous entities, achievements attached to names. They were living beings just like her.
She was so caught up in thinking about this that she nearly missed when Ka suddenly began to move upward as well as forward, and Kyla checked herself just as her shoe thudded into a stair step. She had to be careful with staircases. She couldn't see how wide or steep they were. She sighed and began slowly making her way up the steps, although her pace quickened slightly after she began to get a feel for how this staircase was configured.
Hard work and classes? That came as a bit of a disappointment. Somehow she had gotten the idea that since she wasn't going to a normal school any more, she wouldn't really have any more responsibilities. But that was silly, she realized. Nobody became a Jedi just by sitting around and wishing they were one. It would be okay, she would tackle anything that came her way. It would be fun. She wondered why Ka seemed to be displeased at the mention of running. Kyla quite liked it. Of course, it was the running-into-things or tripping-and-falling part that she didn't really enjoy.
"So where are we now?" she inquired, straining to see as much as she could, to take it all in. Especially because that would help her to remember where everything was so she wouldn't have to expend so much effort in seeing rooms during later visits to them. She just hoped they didn't move things around too often.
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Post by Cy Skywalker on Nov 19, 2009 17:35:58 GMT -5
"The real one," Ka said as they moved through the hanger. "I haven't learned much about the Jedi in the Clone Wars, but Master Skywalker taught us about Master Kenobi. Not Tionne, who usually teaches history, but Master Skywalker himself. He really seemed close to him.
"Some say that Princess Leia and General Solo and their kids visit here too, and that the kids will join the Academy when they're old enough. But I've never seen them yet--I mean, besides on Lives of the Stars on the HoloNet."
Ka looked down with a start as Kyla's foot hit the stair, but the human recovered well enough, and tentatively the Tiss'shar continued.
"We're on the second level. There are a couple bedrooms down here--Master Horn's, he makes us run--but mostly old droid shops and things left over from the war. From here we can take the lift up into the dorms." She stopped and pressed the button to call the lift to go up, and shot a glance at Kyla. Better now than after it's really akward. "Erm, do you need...any help? With the..." She waved in the direction of Kyla's eyes, feeling like she'd just failed a Diplomacy class five times over.
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Post by surfersquid on Nov 20, 2009 1:24:17 GMT -5
Kyla's head swam with excitement hearing all of these names tossed around like they were a list of people invited to a birthday party or something. "I've never seen them either," she said without thinking, eager to agree with her new friend. Of course, it was only after the words left her mouth that she realized how literally true they were.
As they walked through the second level, Kyla reached out with the Force, searching every nook and crevice for anything interesting. For the moment, the notion of privacy had escaped her. There really wasn't much to see, but there was much to not-see, and they were just as ill-defined as things had been downstairs. Ah well. Perhaps when she had the time she would take every room, one at a time, and look at it until she could see it more clearly.
As Ka stopped, Kyla stopped just behind her. There was some sort of energy running vertically in front of them. Probably the aforementioned lift. The alien's question puzzled her, though. But it only took her a moment to figure things out. "Oh! No, I'm okay. Don't worry about it. I am glad you're here to show me around, though," she said with a grin. People asked her that sort of thing all the time. It was always sort of awkward to have to explain that she could see without seeing. But she figured everyone here would understand.
"So, what are you?" she asked Ka as they waited for the lift. She only knew a few species, by name more than physical characteristics. Most of the time, similar species were indistinguishable to her--for example, she could easily mistake most near-Humans for Humans. But she had never met anything like Ka before, and she was curious.
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Post by Jedi Master Sar Sha on Nov 20, 2009 17:18:33 GMT -5
Cyrus Reed sat in thoughtful silence beside Astrin, wondering how she would adjust to the Jedi lifestyle. He looked to his left to find the peculiar teenager gazing out her window fascinated by the stars. The lighting in the cabin had registered within safe range, so she had removed her mask and pushed back her hood. Without the peal gray fabric weighing it down, her short white hair peaked at random points in near comical fashion.
“You like the stars don’t you Astrin?” he asked as he followed her gaze out the window. She turned her intense crimson gaze back to him and offered a shy smile that was one of pure joy. “They’re beautiful. I’ve never seen stars before. Not like this at least.” Reed felt pity fill his chest. The kid really did deserve better than what she’d had for most of her life and he desperately hoped she’d find that life with Master Skywalker.
Many sentient beings seemed frightened by her, with or without her protective garments. He’d heard the whispered comments when the pair had walked through the spaceport. Some where made out of curiosity for not being able to see her true form and others muttered spitefully that the young woman must’ve be an arrogant member of far off nobility.
Reed had kept his mouth shut, hoping the comments didn’t affect Astrin’s beaming mood. The medical staff and himself had come to see her as a friendly yet quiet soul. Her intelligence and empathy for others was impressive considering she had been little more than a test subject most of her life. She’d picked up most of the medical slang within her first month in the units care and even began to assist the nurses in their more routine duties as a supply runner. That had been her new life, up until she was nursed back to health. Reed wanted the kid to have a wider world than just the realm behind medical doors.
“Are you excited about your new home?” he asked. She paused for half a second as if pondering the question. “I don’t know. I’ve never had a home. What do you do in one?” “Lots of stuff. Skywalker told me you’ll have your own room, attend classes, and have training from the other Jedi living there.” She studied his face before smiling again. “Those things sound nice. Will there be room to run?” Ah, the girl had developed a passion for running during her time as a supply runner. Reed suspected it was the feeling of freedom that appealed to her. “Yes. Yes, they have plenty of room to run. I even think they have trails you can explore once you get settled.” Even though she didn’t comment on the detail, her whole face beamed with quiet anticipation before she turned back to her window to study the stars.
“We’ll be coming out of hyperspace in about half an hour. Please fasten your safety belts until we touch down. We’ll arrive at the actual temple within the hour.” Their pilot informed over the intercom.
Reed continued to watch Astrin for a moment longer before leaning back in his chair. It was going to be interesting to see who would be waiting for them when they arrived.
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Post by Cy Skywalker on Nov 21, 2009 11:31:22 GMT -5
[OOC: If you think we need to include Luke as a character we can. Also, lol running-as-theme
The lift arrived with a hydraulic hiss. Ka was relieved that Kyla had been so casual about her blindness. She seemed able to take care of herself. Master Tionne had talked about people being able to see with the Force, but Ka had passively believed it to be something that just didn't happen any more.
It took her a moment to understand what Kyla's question meant, but then it clicked--species, of course. There were as many people who knew what a Tissh'shar was as those who didn't, and equally as many who looked at any reptilian species and thought 'Trandoshan!' That was complete bunk, as Trandoshans were so blocky and had no tails and no variety of scale color...
but Ka wasn't going to be like her mother and go off in a rant about that. "I'm a Tiss'shar, from Tiss'sharl. We're reptilian. Prettier than Trandoshans." She couldn't resist.
The lift doors slid open.
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Post by surfersquid on Nov 21, 2009 16:34:43 GMT -5
"Oooh, I see," Kyla responded enthusiastically. She had never met any Trandoshans (she didn't think) and she couldn't really discern things like "pretty", but she was willing to take Ka's word for it. A reptilian species--that was interesting. She had touched reptiles before, felt their cool, smooth skin studded with scales. She sort of wanted to touch Ka to see if she felt like that, too, but she wasn't sure how the Tiss'shar would react. Touch was a valuable way to learn more about the world around her, things she couldn't see with the Force, but she had long since learned that it wasn't failsafe, especially in a social context.
"So what sort of things will I be learning here?" she asked Ka. "Will I get to have my very own lightsaber?" She had never seen a lightsaber in person--there were plenty of them in the history holovids at school, but of course she'd never been able to properly see those either. All she understood was that they made really interesting sounds when they moved around and hit other lightsabers, and that they were the emblematic weapon of the Jedi. Which meant if she had one, she could consider herself a legitimate Jedi. How exciting.
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Post by Morndakiél on Nov 21, 2009 17:42:49 GMT -5
"You're welcome," Tranner muttered, but then glanced up with a start that he couldn't disguise as he felt the tiny spark of the Force slip from between the Twi'lek's hands. Neutral Force, useless as a baby's fist...for now.
No time to think, act--
Tranner shot his hand out and caught the droid before it hit the ground, holding it a foot in the air. The rule with hunting was to keep the Force quiet around non-Force users and dramatic around the ones that could use it. Either way, intimidation...which didn't work well when the subject knew intimidation was the goal, so...
"You have a little power too, don't you."
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Post by Cy Skywalker on Nov 22, 2009 8:53:00 GMT -5
Ka replied, "We'll get lightsabers...one day. I haven't got one yet. When we're assigned to Masters, when they think we're ready, we'll go out in a crystal storm and catch the heart of our lightsabers. They say it's dangerous." But she couldn't help feeling poetry in it. She'd seem other apprentices come back with crystals, soaked through with rain and beaming in the Force as they slouched exhausted off to bed, sometimes leaning on their Master's arms. It hadn't always been that way; Tionne said that lightsaber crystals had often been found on the cold planet Illum as well, where the tests to get one were more mental than physical. But Yavin IV had its own brand of test, and Ka thought she preferred it.
"Otherwise...well, I'm still new here. I learn history and maths and politics--it's frightfully dull, except we might get to meet some of the Republic's leaders!--and do running and exercises. I haven't started hand-to-hand combat yet; they like to set one up with a Master first. And there are more apprentices than Masters. You never quite know when you'll be picked..." Ka didn't have one Master she wanted in particular. Would it be difficult to get past someone like Master Skywalker or Master Katarn's fame and really learn from them? But she did want to be chosen, sorely so. Once, apprentices had been given to Masters as soon as they arrived, most of them training with Luke. But as more Jedi were found or arrived, the system had become more like in the Old Order, where Masters kept their eyes out for Padawans they wanted.
The door hissed open again and Ka walked out. She was pretty sure she remembered which room number was Kyla's.
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Post by Demarion on Nov 22, 2009 12:47:27 GMT -5
Kono'vus laughed, realizing he wasn't thinking. Of course someone with a lightsaber was attuned to the Force.
"Oh, I guess you noticed that. Yeah, I have just a bit." He jumped off the busted X-Wing and brushed himself off. "I can't do that," he motioned at the tweeting R2 unit in the air, "for very long, anyway. But it's been a convenience for me in my life."
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Post by Morndakiél on Nov 22, 2009 14:28:29 GMT -5
The R2 dropped gently to the ground. Convenient--yes, that could be a word for it. Tranner smiled. Perhaps here was an ally against both the Jedi and his master...
A neutral Force user may not have chosen sides, may not even know the names of Sith and Jedi. What to say...Tranner stuttered a bit. "D-do you know you've fallen into a planet of Jedi?"
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Post by Demarion on Nov 22, 2009 19:37:56 GMT -5
"'Jedi'?" Kon repeated, slightly taken aback. "Out here? No, I had no idea. Uh..." The Twi'lek frowned and folded his arms, mumbling to himself. "That might make things a bit difficult."
A Jedi would figure he was a smuggler. He had no idea how, they just always did. They'd find his glitterstim, and his fake IDs, and all sorts of his other illegal paraphernalia, and it would be game over. Kon scratched at his lekku anxiously.
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Post by Morndakiél on Nov 23, 2009 13:30:13 GMT -5
Guilt and fear, that's what Tranner sensed, not the anger that served the dark side best. But they too were useful. Whatever the Twi'lek was hiding was prosaic, maybe stolen goods. "You have no need to fear the Jedi here...not if you remain under the protection of the Sith. I sense much strength in you," (A blatant lie, but then there had always been some Inquisitors who had shied away from referring to what they used as the dark side.) "What's your name? Maybe you didn't come here by accident."
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Post by Demarion on Nov 23, 2009 20:05:23 GMT -5
"It's, ah, Kon." The Twi'lek responded, still absently stroking his scarred lekku. He was about as sure as Sith as he was Jedi. Whereas the Jedi wouldn't outright kill him, the Sith could. He had watched his share of holodramas, not to mention heard the stories of much more experienced smugglers then him.
If things got rough, he doubted his ability to outrun any Force-sensitive being, but he did have faith in his cunning and experience. "The Sith, eh?" Ah, kriff it. he thought. He'd have a better chance getting off this rock with a Sith then a Jedi. They seemed more fun, anyway.
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Post by surfersquid on Nov 24, 2009 0:53:15 GMT -5
Kyla listened attentively as Ka spoke of such exotic things as lightsabers and crystal storms and Jedi Masters, and stuck out her tongue in disgust at the mention of normal school subjects she thought she wouldn't have to deal with any more. Running and exercises didn't bother her so much. She enjoyed being able to get out all of her excess enthusiasm.
"Have you been picked by a Master yet?" Kyla asked, tilting her head curiously. That was one of the things she was most excited about. To have a Master would be to have a friend--a best friend, even. Someone who was like a mix between a friend and a parent and a teacher. And who had a lightsaber. Who could ask for anything more?
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Post by Cy Skywalker on Nov 24, 2009 18:03:52 GMT -5
Ka laughed in agreement when Kyla stuck her tongue out.
"I haven't yet," Ka replied. to the question about a Master "I mean, it's normal for apprentices not to be picked immediately. I'd like one though."
"Er, I think this is your room..." Ka fished from her equipment belt the datacard Master Skywalker had given her and slotted it into a metal door near the lift tubes. The door beeped, and with a sense of relief Ka pulled it open. Doors here had been installed after the battle of Yavin, but some of their frames hadn't been made for sliding doors, and every once in a while Ka had to take a moment to remember to push or pull.
The room contained a bed tightly made with scarlet sheets, a desk, a metal footlocker, and a smaller door, as well as a window that looked out over the landing pad. "Here you go. I'm on the other side of this floor."
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Post by Morndakiél on Nov 24, 2009 18:10:25 GMT -5
"You could do well with us," Tranner replied. "The Sith strengthen the Force, while the Jedi weaken it. I'm Tranner. I've got a speeder nearby; we can head back to the base to work on fixing your ship. But I need to do some scouting first; just watching to see what the Jedi are up to." He looked up into the leafy trees, knowing the exact direction in which the Jedi Temple lay beyond them.
Was it safe to take his tentative new ally with him? Maybe. There were always the lightsabers. He took a few inviting steps away, gesturing for the droid to follow him.
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Post by Demarion on Nov 24, 2009 19:11:26 GMT -5
"I've never liked Jedi," Kon said airily, following the Sith and his ex-droid. A particular encounter with the lawful Force-users came to the Twi'lek's mind, and he waved it away mentally. No use getting grumpy over that failed mission now. That was plenty in the past.
He glanced back at the busted X-Wing. "I just hope my ship isn't beyond repair. Or that no one finds it."
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Post by Morndakiél on Nov 26, 2009 12:58:42 GMT -5
Tranner replied, "I doubt they'll find it. No one comes out this far." He picked his way through the partially open jungle, stepping over vines and brushing aside leaves, careful not to dislodge any unfriendly life form.
"What did the Jedi do to you?" he asked.
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Post by surfersquid on Nov 26, 2009 14:28:28 GMT -5
"I want one too!" Kyla chirped in agreement. Surely they would get Masters someday. She wondered what her own would be like--whether they would be someone famous. Maybe it'd even be Luke himself.
"Hmmm..." Kyla inspected the room as best she could, although her concentrating was wavering with her excitement. If this was to be the room she would stay in for the next however-long-she-lived-here, it would be a good idea to sense her way around the furniture and memorize its placement as soon as possible. It was a relief to finally be able to put her heavy bags down. She could unpack them later.
"Thank you for helping me, Ka," she said, still standing in the middle of the room with her back turned to the Tiss'shar, looking at her with the Force. She sometimes forgot that most seeing sentients liked to be talked to face-to-face. "Is there anything else I need to do?"
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Post by Demarion on Nov 26, 2009 17:28:23 GMT -5
"Er, I'm not exactly a law-abiding citizen," Kon replied, following the Togruta through the underbrush. "My uh, gang and I got ambushed by two Jedi. A few of us managed to escape, but not unscathed." His hand went to his scarred lekku, wincing at the memory. "They were only doing their job but... so was I."
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