Faction A Matter of Reluctance | Knighting of Jalen Kai'el (GA)

[Jalen Kai'el]

A Matter of Reluctance
Coruscant
Tags: Ara Sheridan , Open

Delta-7​

How long can you put something off before you have to do it?

For Jalen, that was always his primary thoughts in regards to the matter of Knighthood. For the blind young man, the honor of becoming a Knight was the last thing he wanted to accept. It was always the same excuses. 'I'm not ready, give it time, I should be more skilled...' The truth of the matter was that Jalen Kai'el had surpassed his peers a few years ago now. He marched around medical tents like he was a Master, was trusted with matters that most padawans weren't, and had gone toe-to-toe with several Sith and come out the other end unscathed. Everyone knew he should be a Knight. The people around him treated him like a Knight.

Yet Jalen kept saying no. He wasn't ready. He didn't trust that his own talents were anywhere up to snuff with that of a Jedi Knight, not enough to keep himself under control. His Force abilities had always been volatile. The truth, though, was that he had maintained control over himself for some time now. Everyone around him knew it.

Even if he didn't believe it.

Now his hand was forced. Jasper Kai'el... his big brother. Gone. Whisked away to some unknown place. Jalen couldn't keep bumming around as a padawan, not when his brother was out of the picture. Jasper would want him to step up and be what everyone knew he was cut out to be: A leader. Someone people could lean on amidst turmoil. The bottom line was that in remaining a padawan, Jalen was holding himself back. The Order, and the Galaxy in general, needed more. He could not resist this any longer.

So there he was, walking through the parted path between the gathered crowd of Jedi towards his fate. Ara was there, of course, her signature prominent and loud amidst the sea of noise. He did feel a little bad. She surely would have liked to Knight him sooner.

After all, it was his choice to be held back, not hers.

Jalen was here now, however. He stood tall, uncharacteristic given his typically slouched posture. He strode in with purpose, keeping his composure as he made his way up to his master.

"Alright... I'm here," he stated.

There could be no more reluctance.

 

[Katarine Ryiah]

Location: Knighting Ceremony
Objective: Watch
Tags: Open


Jedi Master Katarine Ryiah stood in the shadowed corner of the grand hall, her white robes blending with the dim candlelight that flickered along the stone walls. Her arms were folded within her sleeves, her expression calm yet thoughtful as she observed the gathered Jedi. The hum of quiet conversation filled the room, but her focus remained on the empty space before the Council seats, where the ceremony would soon begin. Another Jedi would be knighted tonight, another guardian of peace stepping forward, and though she remained silent, pride and reflection stirred within her

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Jalen Kai'el

Braze was taking many new first steps in his life, yet he made a conscious choice to be here today, fully present as the ceremony unfolded before him. Clad in flowing black robes that blended into the crowd, he kept his face concealed beneath a helmet and his hood pulled low, shrouding him in an air of darkness. Despite his attempts to blend in, the weight of the moment rested heavily upon him, reminding him of the significance of gathering with others during such a time.
​

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Jalen Kai'el Braze Katarine Ryiah

Jonyna had been around the block since her time coming out the ice. Seen a lot of faces, met a lot of new friends.

But one of the oldest was Jalen. Not someone she was close to, but one of the first people she had helped on a mission, as a jedi. To see him progress, the brother of her predecessor, she felt it important that she be there.

Dressed in her robes, Jonyna waited in the ceremonial chamber. She'd done this before, but now it was time to be there for someone who wasn't her padawan.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

From her place among the gathered Jedi, Valery stood in quiet stillness, her arms loosely folded as she watched Jalen make his way down the path. The murmurs of the crowd softened around her, fading into the background as her focus stayed fixed on the young man walking with a resolve she'd long known was buried inside him.

It wasn't often that a Padawan resisted their Knighthood. Most waited eagerly for the day. But not Jalen. His hesitance had never been born from arrogance or laziness — quite the opposite. Valery had seen it in him early on. The weight of expectation. The burden of power he didn't ask for, and the discipline it took to carry it with caution.

And yet, here he was.

No longer hesitating. No longer struggling with self-doubt.

Valery's lips curled into a quiet smile, her eyes warm but bright with something deeper — pride, yes, but also that ever-burning hope. This was the moment. The kind of moment that reminded her why the Jedi endured, why they trained, mentored, and protected the future.

Valery let out a slow breath, letting the warmth of the moment settle in her chest.

Another Knight rises today.

And the galaxy would be better for it.

Jalen Kai'el Ara Sheridan ​

 

[Ara Sheridan]

CORUSCANT | JEDI TEMPLE
TAGS: Jalen Kai'el | Jonyna Si | Katarine Ryiah | Braze
GEAR: In bio

It felt like this moment would never happen. Jalen was finally getting promoted, a hard pill for Ara to swallow. It felt like just the other day that she was a freshly knighted Jedi with an attitude, and Jalen was a lonely kid with only his big brother to look after him.

They came a long way since then… it made her feel old. She simply wished that it was under better circumstances, a sentiment everyone probably shared. Jasper was gone. One of the only friends she had since her days as a Padawan. The news had shaken her, but now wasn’t the time to mourn or worry.

Her kiddo was finally rising in the ranks, arguably more capable than other padawans doing the same. Thinking back on how much freedom she granted him, it was shocking. He went off on his own missions, moved around like he was already a Knight. It was all simply due to their trust and her faith in him to make the right decisions, even if he sometimes scared the hell out of her.

With her ceremonial robes adorned, Ara watched as the kid walked down the pathway with a whole host of Jedi gathered to watch this prestigious moment. The Zabrak smiled brightly at the whole spectacle, recalling how terrified she was when Valery Noble knighted her.

It was a different era.

"Alright... I'm here,"

”Thought you’d conveniently get lost.” She teased with a whisper. Taking a breath, Ara straightened her posture and composed her emotions. With a straight face, she took a step back from Jalen. ”Kneel, Padawan.” She spoke with a clear voice, though a bit of that joy did still manage to crawl through.

Unclipping her lightsaber, the unstable green blade thrummed to life as she raised the blade up in front of her. Once Jalen knelt before her, she extended and hovered her blade over his shoulder. ”By the right of the council.”

The blade shifted to the opposite shoulder. ”By the will of the Force.” Her blade shifted over his head, before she extinguished it.

”Rise, Jalen Kai’el. Knight of the New Jedi Order. She proclaimed. Her eyes glimmered with adoration, all she wanted to do was pull him into a hug. But she relented, waiting for the ceremony to end before jumping him. Once he rose, she gestured for him to turn, allowing Ara to finally cut his Padawan braid. It was odd to see him without it after all this time.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Knightly Pitstop
Coruscant
Jedi Temple

A pup slinked in happily to the event.

Who was that pup? Why Who else but "Buster"?

Of course where Buster was, Connel was too. He had made a pitstop for supplies and to turn in more claimed Kyber Crystals and artifacts at the behest of Efret Farr . She did not directly assign him to this, but it is something that has kept him busy. When the Shadow had heard about a Padawan being Knighted, he slipped in to watch, and then to pay his well wishes. Once the ceremony was over and others were allowed to approach, he made an attempt as it was not a long time that he had to wait.

Buster was busy saying "Hiiiiiii" to anyone and everyone with smiles and "waggytail"s. This was good for them both because Buster brought Connel out of his shell, and Connel was able to give Buster a great life filled with adventure. Yes, he was still in his gear, his mask hanging over his back like a hood, but Connel was there, and offered a handshake. Congratulations. This was tough for you, to be sure. Just remember. "The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper Nexu."

Once all was well, and he could slip away, Connel went to slip out (He had another assignment) and made his way to the back. The Shadow went to leave, but when he went to clap his leg for Buster to follow, he noticed the pup lapping up the attention he was getting and decided to check his chrono.

... what's a few more minutes...

Jalen Kai'el • OPEN • ... and of course anyone who wants to say "HIIII" to Buster! ​

 

[BB-610]

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| LOCATION: Jedi Temple, Coruscant |
| TAG: Jalen Kai'el | Valery Noble | Ara Sheridan |


Ceremonies! Triumph! Excitement! Oh, how BB-610 loved to attend these momentous occasions — a stepping stone in one's journey of self-fulfilment, a milestone upon many in Jedi history. Organics are ever growing, ever changing, and never once did it cease to amaze this starry-eyed little droid. He could only imagine what Jalen must feel, ending such a tremendous chapter of his life. Giddiness, no doubt! He has known this boy for many a year and he couldn't possibly imagine the Padawan-turned-Knight being plagued by nerves.

Mm, well, he may be a ways off, but his heart — however artificial — is most certainly in the right place. Bravery, courage, adoration . . . these are all things intrinsically associated with those he holds dear, and Jalen?

BB-610 has him to thank for helping him feel human. He had discovered music through Jalen, he had attended concerts with him, he had established a deeper understanding of real, tangible emotion as a result of his learnings. Those moments, however trivial they may seem at first glance, are sacred to this droid, whose core has grown far from the cold cocktail of unfeeling code it once was.

The astromech wobbles, chirping with discernible glee beside Valery Noble 's legs. There were no doubts in his droidbrain that his friend deserved this, and the tool-bay disks primed with confetti spoke to his anticipation. He watches with bated breath most proverbial, only daring to tear his gaze away to glance upwards at Valery, bweeping oh so happily.

 

[Jalen Kai'el]

Coruscant
Tags: Ara Sheridan , BB-610 , Valery Noble , Braze , Connel Vanagor , Jonyna Si , Katarine Ryiah

Delta-7​

”Thought you’d conveniently get lost.”

"I still might..." Jalen managed to joke.

He couldn't now. Jalen knew that as well as anyone. The moment for hesitation was over. The young man knelt, letting the moment sink in. The cutting of his braid, the declaration of his knighthood. It all happened so fast... Jalen was notably somber. Not that this was out of the ordinary, of course. He was always a quiet individual that prefered to be in contemplative thought.

But most people knew what it was he was missing today.

Still, Jalen rose as a Knight of the Jedi Order. Belated, of course. Most of his peers had been knights for several years now. Even if he had been the youngest of them, he was still able to keep up with their talents. Truthfully, Jalen still had the urge to remain cautious. A little more time, a little more training... It didn't really matter anymore. He was here now. The deed was done.

Congratulations. This was tough for you, to be sure. Just remember. "The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper Nexu."

Once all was well, and he could slip away, Connel went to slip out (He had another assignment) and made his way to the back.

"Thanks..."

Jalen observed the aura of the dog, fleeting as his master came and left. Strange. That wasn't exactly who he expected to be the first to come up and acknowledge his achievement...

His head turned back towards his Master, who was an open book emotionally speaking. Jalen could feel everything swirling around in her aura, the cacophony of noise he had grown accustomed to interpreting. A gentle sigh escaped from the young Knight's lips. He stepped forward and leaned down, giving her a stiff, but earnest hug.

"Sorry I've been dragging my feet," he muttered.

Maybe he should've apologized sooner... but better late than never.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Jalen Kai'el
Mentioned: Ara Sheridan Connel Vanagor

Cora had lingered in the crowd as Ara swept her saber over Jalen's shoulders, imparting unto him the title of Jedi Knight. A joy for many Padawans, but an accomplishment that came with mixed feelings for the youngest Kai'el.

After Connel imparted both his congratulations and a word of wisdom, she tilted her head to the Jedi Shadow. Then, she approached Jalen and rested a gentle hand atop his shoulder. From her voice to her countenance, she brimmed with quiet, sisterly pride.

"You are ready, Knight Kai'el. So often do you let others lean on you, but do not be afraid to lean on us. We are all stronger for it."

She withdrew her hand. Despite his somewhat acerbic nature, Jalen had always been capable and reliable. Cora's head tilted to the side in observation. Then, she chuckled warmly.

"You've grown your hair out. It looks nice."