Private Little Girl, Big World

[Astri Elyse]

Tag: Zaiya Ceti

"You... you want me to teach you how to fight?"

Astri was taken aback. Sure, she obviously knew more than Zaiya, who was a self-professed novice when it came to martial arts. But Astri herself was still remedial compared to other Echani her age. Did she have the right to teach the girl next to her how to fight? Could she do it safely, efficiently, and most importantly, correctly? The role of a teacher was one she'd never played before, ever.

But... surely there was no harm in showing her the first tier of styles, right? Enough for Zaiya to learn how to defend herself? Even Astri had shown mastery over those. And, well, couldn't it be a way to thank her new friend for helping her out?

"I think... I think I could teach you a little," she said quietly, "I-I don't know about your friends though. If they want to be Battlemasters, then it sounds like they're both already beyond what I can do."

She didn't need Zaiya to teach her about Lovalla colors in return, but Astri couldn't pretend she wasn't interested in learning about them. She hadn't been able to take her eyes off the girl's swirling patterns since they'd met.

"And... it would be really nice to learn about... um, your colors, thank you."

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

"Great!" Zaiya said, giving a little shoulder shimmy and ripple of joyful teal blue hues. "You'll have to let me know where your cresh will be and who your roommates are. Do you have a master yet?" she asked curiously.

"Depending on your schedule, I can come visit and see you during my weekend overnights, and we can train then," Zaiya told her, flashing her a grin. "I just have to look for a place to stay." little subtle hints that Zaiya's schedule likely wasn't similar to that of Astri Elyse .

"And don't worry about my friends. You'll like them. I'll introduce you to them. They are very awesome and friendly and always open to train or spar or just hang out."

They began their route through the great Jedi Hallway. It was here that Zaiya would slow and start to review what signs and things could point them towards the archives.

Spoiler: Gear

Robe and cool jewelry | BCA - Solid State Hologram Tool Band

 

[Astri Elyse]

Tag: Zaiya Ceti

"No." Astri shook her head, "no master. I've only been here a couple of days, and I've heard that most Padawans don't get one, actually..."

Something about too many students and not enough Jedi to train them. She didn't understand the specifics of it. As long as there were classes, though, Astri didn't think she'd have much of a problem. She'd always been better at learning from a book than from a teacher anyways. Plus, that way she didn't have to talk to anyone either...

But then Zaiya brought something up that disturbed Astri.

"D-do you not have a place to live?"

Surely, Zaiya wasn't homeless, right? She was in the temple! Someone here had to be willing to help her! Astri didn't know who to reach out to about that, but the Order would help her if she was in need, right? That was what Jedi did... right?

"Could your friends help with that, maybe?"

Suddenly, Astri no longer cared about finding the archives. What good would books be, if Zaiya didn't have some form of shelter? Books didn't make for good shelter, they were knocked over too easily. She needed, like, walls and a roof. Of duracrete or durasteel.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

"Oh okay. Do you want to get a master quickly or are you happy to try and see what options there are available first?" Zaiya asked Astri Elyse . From what she understood, there were other neat places younglings could go, like the Agricorps, Medical Corps, Educational Corps, or the Exploration Corps from what she read in the books Braze let her borrow. "There's the Agricultural Corps, Medical Corps, Educational Corps, or the Exploration Corps!"

Honestly, Medicorps and Exploration Corps sounded like a lot of fun.

However, that question was drowned out when Astri suddenly became concerned about Zaiya's sleeping accommodations. A warm smile shone down on the Echani girl, and Zaiya gave her a comforting nudge on her own shoulder since both her hands were busy carrying her box and the scanner.

"It's fine. I live on Commoner so I don't have a place to live here. " At Astra's still concerned expression, Zaiya admitted, "I'm not part of the Order, but I have several friends who are. Aris was the one who helped me find out I can use the Force, but said I should research where I want to learn more about it. Since he's part of the Order, I've been visiting a lot and learning what the New Jedi Order is about to see if I want to join."

"I can't stay with Aris because he doesn't live here. Braze stays with his Master. Loomi does as well. I just met Colette but she said she stays with her mate. I have some money so I can find a room in a hotel nearby; I'll just have to take a public shuttle to come to the temple since I don't have my own shuttle and I don't know how to drive one."

 

[Astri Elyse]

Tag: Zaiya Ceti

"Oh okay. Do you want to get a master quickly or are you happy to try and see what options there are available first?"

"I, umm... I don't really know how any of that works. I-I thought the Jedi Masters made those decisions, but that's really just an assumption..."

It struck Astri just how little she knew about the Order and how it operated. How little she knew about the Jedi, beyond the stories that got passed around by the people, and the histories as they were written. There may have been thousands of Jedi, but there were trillions of people in the galaxy. Even most people on Coruscant would never meet a Jedi in the flesh.

Make that double, for Eshan, which was naturally isolationist even though it was a member of the Galactic Alliance.

Zaiya went on to explain that, no, she wasn't homeless, and Astri found herself sighing in relief. She'd hate to find out that her new friend didn't have anywhere to live. But... staying in hotels wasn't sustainable long term either, especially by her lonesome. Wait... was she on her lonesome? Did she have a legal guardian? How did her people feel about someone her age being on her own?

"I'm glad you have a place to stay, for now, at least," Astri looked unsure for a moment, but then asked, "but, umm... where are your parents?"

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

That question dampened the vibrancy of Zaiya's patterns, but she didn't lose her smile. It was more bittersweet now than a wretched ache. Gesturing with a nod of her head for the pair to continue their search, Zaiya was honest to Astri Elyse regarding the matter, "They both passed; at the present time, I'm a ward under the University of Commoner under a student international visa." she explained, revealing why she was moving about and traveling on her own.

"My guardian, Dr. Isak, allows me to travel as long as I am with one of the companion droids, but I .. might have reprogrammed it to stay in its charging bay while I hang out with my friends." Okay, not a might; Zaiya did it.

Otherwise, it would have been difficult to go looking around or hanging out with her friends and have it follow her around! Not to mention, make her stand out more like a sore thumb.

"Hmm... I thought Aris mentioned the archives might be in the southern wing last time I talked to him..."

 

[Astri Elyse]

Tag: Zaiya Ceti

"They both passed; at the present time, I'm a ward under the University of Commoner under a student international visa."

Astri's eyes widened, and then she visibly cringed. Talk about a swing and a miss. She'd just been trying to make casual conversation, and ensure that her new friend was safe and taken care of and... well, now she'd reminded Zaiya that both her parents were dead. Wonderful. This was why Astri shied away from conversation: she always said the wrong thing at the wrong time.

"I-I'm sorry," Astri deflated, "my, um, my mom died a long time ago. I-I know it isn't the same as losing both your parents, but I understand. A little bit, anyways."

Zaiya went on to explain how she'd reprogrammed her droid guardian. Astri read a lot, but mechanics, electronics, and programming were some of the things she'd never found interest in, and therefore had no knowledge of. How Zaiya could have done that was genuinely beyond her ability to understand, but she did think it was really cool that the girl knew how to do that.

"In the southern wing?" Astri questioned, choosing to momentarily brush over the name Zaiya had just dropped, "how, um, how many Jedi friends do you have here?"

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

At that revelation from Astri Elyse , Zaiya's patterns were swept empathetically. If she had her hands free, she might have wanted to reach over and hug the Echani, but as it was, she first had to make sure if that was even okay.

"I'm sorry about your mother, Astri," she said, only to add, "You don't need to apologize for asking, though. I miss them a lot, but it is getting better now. Little by little." While her friends could never replace the familial bonds she had with her parents when she was young, it felt good to be connected again to others, to have those friendships, and to get a little taste of belonging once more.

At the other question, Zaiya bit her lip. "Mmmhm.... Although maybe I should have asked Aris for a map the last time I was here." would have worked out better that way.

Turning towards Astri, Zaiya brightened at the ability to talk about her friends, "Umm.. well.. there is Aris. He's my first real friend, so I guess you can call him my best friend. Then there is Braze, and Loomi. I know them the best after Aris. I just met Aris's sister, and I think she is also in the Order too. Her name is Vera. I've also met Shan, Colette... " Zaiya gave a thoughtful scrunch of her forehead, thinking of everyone she managed to meet so far.

"Then I just met you!" She grinned at Astri Elyse , adding, "So... eight?"