Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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A Journey Of A Thousand Miles .. [Aster]

Base of the Dawnbringer Temple
Midvinter
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[member="Aster Rose Baelor"]


It had been a pleasant surprise when Lady Baelor had contacted her and asked for a visit to Midvinter. The first and last time Coci had met the young lady had been at the meeting between the Silver Jedi and the Iron Empire almost a year ago now. Maybe more. And much had changed in Coci's life since that day. Although happy to see Aster again, and welcome the company, she suspected there was more to this need to visit than to see the beauty of Midvinter.

Retired from the responsibilities of leadership for the Silver Jedi, she had not done so to her duty as Jedi, in fact if anything she had found her path once more in this regard. There was now more time to dedicate to teaching and providing guidance to those that sort it then there had been previously. Torn away from it too much by the need to fight wars and battles countless now to her, her mind and body fatigued by it all.

A new lease of life indeed .. a new energy focused into a different direction was renewing to her soul.

She pulled the folds of her cloak around her body more, to trap in the warmth provided by the fur lining, it is a beautiful day. The Sun above looking down into the valley as he sat prompt in the sky above the roofs of the Dawnbringer Temple, the air so crisp it prickled the skin on her face and flushed her cheeks rosy red. This is the only place, flat enough for a small ship to land, there are no other pathways to the Temple save for the climb up the side of the mountain, a climb she and Thurion had done when first coming here and finding this blessed place. But this pathway built purposely for visitors was narrow and would require a good deal of fitness to walk it.

Coci stood at the base of the thousand steps awaiting Lady Aster Rose Baelor.
 
Aster's heart raced when she saw the Dawnbringer Temple come into view as her vessel began to descend and the crew made the necessary preparations to land. It had been a long time since her last visit to a Jedi temple and even longer since she had last visited Midvinter in the aftermath of a Sith attack.

Nervous but determined, Aster had not come as a representative of the Iron Empire on an official visit, but rather, as Aster Rose - someone she could barely remember since taking up her position and assuming her duties. This uncertainty of her own personal identity caused anxiety to swell in her with each breath becoming more difficult than the last, making her head feel as if it was floating. Without the mask of Aster Rose Baelor, she was confused and disorientated - who was she beyond that persona? She was not quite sure.

Knowing it would be impolite to greet the former Master of the Silver Jedi in her current state, the teenager closed her eyes and cleared her mind and heart of all thoughts and feelings until she reached a state of tranquillity. For now she was not Aster Rose Baelor of the Iron Empire but rather, simply a padawan looking for information about her former master since the pair lost contact after the Sith attack on Voss.

Once she was no longer plagued by anxiety, the flaxen-haired padawan opened her eyes, and wrapped her cape - another of Joza's creation that was much warmer then it seemed - around herself, covering her usual white dress and made her way towards the ship's exit. Still a little nervous, she paused at the stairs to take a deep breath and release it before she descended them.

"Hello, Mas-," she started, unsure of how to greet the woman before her. "It is a good to see you again," she smiled politely and bowed as a show of respect to the Jedi.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​
 
The buffeted wind kicked up the snow around the Aster's ship as it landed, Coci could feel the warmth of the engines on her face which prickled her cheeks against the cold. As the boarding ramp lowered and the young lady stepped out, she looked the same as Coci had remembered, more regal perhaps, more worldly. Coci returned the lady's bow, befitting a Jedi, "It is good to see you well Aster, and please call me Coci. Welcome back to Midvinter".

The two would begin to ascend the steps, "You visit this time will not be as dangerous as the last". Still fresh in her memory, the destruction and death wrought by the Sith. Too many lives had been disrupted and destroyed by them that work to rebuild would take some time to come. The healing of those that lost loved ones .. an eternity.

The climb up to the Blessed Peak would take them a good part of an hour, it would also provide much time to catch up and find out why Aster was truly here. So Coci initiated the talks, "What can I do for you Aster. I believe you have some pressing questions that require answers", she smiled at the young lady as they pushed up.
[member="Aster Rose Baelor"]
 
In spite of her best attempts at portraying a more mature image for the sake of her position, she was still only a teenager so, it was only natural that she had the awkwardness of one when not donning her mask. "Thank you, Mas- uh, Coci," she replied as her polite smile transformed into a timid one.

"I am pleased to hear that," Aster's expression turned grim when she recalled her first visit to Midvinter in the wake of the Sith's attack. It was a dreadful sight to behold. "Hopefully the Sith will not head deep into Silver Jedi space to launch another attack on Midvinter again anytime in the future," she said, her tone solemn as the pair began to climb up the stairs.

Lacking in the way of athletics despite her slim figure, Aster shot a worried look at the steps before her and hoped that she wouldn't embarrass herself in front of Coci. "That's right," she admitted sheepishly. "I lost contact with Master Crieff after the Sith's attack on Voss hope to hear that she was not one of the unfortunate souls who perished there," Aster teared up as she spoke. Forced to leave by her security detail, she lamented her powerlessness and inability to do more at the time and felt a sense of shame when she remembered the sense of relief she felt when she was made to leave.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​
 
The progress up the steps toward the Dawnbringer Temple would be a slow one, after all it is about the journey and what one will learn from it that is the lesson. "We, my husband and I have began work on setting up defenses and rebuilding after that attack and it will take some time. Hopefully since we have bowed out of the public eye so to speak, their interest will wane. But we can't build hopes on that and so if the times comes again, we will be better prepared."

As the steps climbed higher up on the side of the mountain so too did the ice and footing on each step would become more troublesome. "Master Sorel is good and well I believe and did not die in that attack on Voss", she began to reassure Aster. "However, she has left the Silver Order and as far as I am aware has gone on her own path now. Although Thurion and I were highly disappointed in her sudden departure and stepping down from the station of Grand Master, we only wish her the best and hope that she is happy finding her own way".

The miscommunication between them all had confused and frustrated Coci and she strongly suspected the same was for Thurion. There had been no hint from the young lady as to her mind, even weeks before the announcement was made. Sorel's sudden shift in stance had them all baffled. But that was then .. now the Silver Order has moved on and stronger than even. At least for now.

"But this leaves you without a master to train you. Unless you wish to follow Sorel .. but I must be honest and tell you I am not sure exactly where she is now. But I would be happy to help and train you Aster .. if you wish of course".
[member="Aster Rose Baelor"]
 
Aster furrowed her brows and bit her lower lip as she thought about what Coci had told her. While she was pleased to hear that Sorel had survived the conflict, she was also disappointed to hear of the Jedi's departure from the Order.

"That is regrettable but it eases my mind to hear of her survival. I too wish her well," Aster replied, her voice trembling. "Since Master Crieff is no longer with the Silver Jedi, there is little point in continuing my search for her as I might as well be searching for a single star among the billions that illuminate this galaxy," tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke and a bittersweet feeling filled her chest. As disappointing and sad as it was for her to realize the futility of her search for her former Master, she was also relieved to have an excuse to end her search - this would be one less burden for her to bear.

"Thank you for your kind offer," Aster wiped away the tears that trailed down her face. "I have no intention of departing the Iron Empire nor the Silver Jedi - I am duty-bound to serve the people and that is what I am determined to do so I gratefully accept your offer," she said and attempted a smile that probably looked as fake as it felt, however, her position demanded that she remain strong no matter what. Crying was best done in late in the night, under the cover of darkness and muffled by her pillows.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​
 
Yes the entire event of Sorel leaving them had been unfortunate, but the Silver Jedi are nothing if not resilient and will move on from it, and anything else in the future. Time and again they had faced far more pressing issues especially under the leadership of both the Heavenshields. Loosing any member of the Order is a sad day, with Sorel's departure the Silver Jedi had lost a power Jedi and good friend but Sorel will be welcomed back if ever she returns. Once Silver, always Silver, that had been the motto of the Order from the days of Master E'ron.

Coci returned Aster sorrowful smile but that smile was given for Aster herself, she could sense the young ladies conflict of showing her emotion, her position with the Iron Empire demanding her to be this, to be strong and commanding even in outward appearances. "Always release your emotions Aster, the Jedi of old in my opinion, got that particular edict incredibly wrong. To deny them only pushes them back within your being to sit and fester which is more destructive to you and everyone around you. From the small to the large they will eat at you".

She paused Aster on the steps leading up to the Temple, not only to speak but to give her a break and catch her breath. "If I am to be your master, you must trust me with everything. Everything about you must be revealed to me, from actions to emotions, training not only involves skills in the force but guidance and I cannot do that if you hide things from me. And .. in turn, you will receive the same from me. It is a two way street in developing the relationship between master and apprentice. You are allowed to be sad, angry, frustrated and so on, it is a part of being 'human'".

And with her last words, it began to snow. "Come we best get a move on, else we will become icicles", once more they traversed the steps and the situation was becoming hard pressed as they were only half way up the steps. "What would you like to ask of me? You must have questions after all this is only our second meeting". Aster was about to embark of training in the force under a master she had yet to truly get to know.

And the journey of a thousand miles, starts with the first step.


[member="Aster Rose Baelor"]
 
Unused to strenuous activities, the stairs were beginning to take their toll on her and each step she took became more difficult than the last. However, determined to maintain her facade, Aster attempted to conceal her struggles as well as she was able to. It was easier to maintain her persona than to show her true self.

Listening in silence to Coci's words, Aster felt uneasy when the Jedi Master mentioned the importance of not concealing her emotions and allowing them to bottle up. Unsure of how to respond to those words, she continued to listen to Coci as she spoke.

"I...ah...um..." Aster began rather awkwardly - it was easier to follow a script and play a role than be her true self. "It's difficult..." she admitted. "The idea of discarding my mask for even just a moment scares me and if I am to be honest, I don't know who I am anymore," she trembled as she spoke and paused to think of how to phrase her next sentence.

"I don't like making promises I can't keep so I can't promise that I will be able to open up to you completely, however, I will promise to try my hardest to," Aster said, her heart racing. "I don't know if that is good enough, but that is the best I can do for now."

Clearly unsettled by the idea of being herself and opening up to another, Aster nibbled her lips. While she knew her inability - or rather, unwillingness to open up to others was something she would properly have to overcome one day, she wasn't sure she was ready to yet.

"Yes, let's," Aster nodded and followed Coci in silence unsure of what to ask. "You were once Master of the Order of the Silver Jedi, how did you separate yourself from the persona you had to portray? I've been wearing a mask since..." a tear rolled down her cheek and her voice cracked as she recalled a painful memory. "And I'm afraid I've forgotten how to take it off," she finished, disgusted at her own weakness.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​
 

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