Private A New Day

[Inara Basai]

Location: Coruscant Temple
Outfit: xxx
Tag: Ala Quin

A transport touched down on Coruscant.

It wasn't a troop transport or a gunship, just a regular civilian ship. But, the young woman that stepped out had on a ranger field jacket; an article of clothing that was once part of her standard issue uniform. Her wild mane of hair bounced about her shoulders as she stepped down the ramp.

It’d been some time since Inara Basai had been discharged from the Antarian Rangers. She’d spent the last two years completing what she called Jedi Basic.

Now, she was a Jedi Padawan.

---
​

After getting her room sorted out, Inara stowed her duffel bag there and decided to explore the temple. Was this going to be like the Silver Rest on Kashyyyk? Inara had felt at home on the ranger base, but the move to the temple had left her missing the camaraderie she’d found with her fellow soldiers. It wasn’t that the Jedi were unfriendly, but she just didn’t feel close to them -- they hadn't felt like a family. Not like in the Rangers, at least.

Maybe things would be different here.

Inara had a smile on her face, but it was a somewhat nervous one, closed lipped. Stepping to the side of the corridor, she allowed a small group of younglings to pass by. A small chuckle lit up her face, the little ones were probably closer to reaching Knighthood than she was. Briefly, she thought of Mathieu Brion -- surely he ought to be a Knight by now. And the image of him in her mind conjured a mixture of feelings: fondness, gratitude, and maybe an inkling of regret. It had been a couple of years since their amicable breakup, but Inara would not allow any negative thoughts when it came to Matty.

He was one of the reasons she'd chosen to become a Jedi in the first place.

Then, as she absentmindedly attempted to step back into the corridor -- she collided with someone. "Oh, my gosh... I'm so sorry!" Inara said quickly, looking up to see who she'd just bumped into.

​

​

 

[Ala Quin]

A Padawan was not something Ala Quin had taken on for many a year, over 800 in fact, but that was due to a very long nap in a very cold pod. Her first Padawan had come to after multiple head failed to tame the wildly manic personality. He went on to marry the ruler of Thyrsus and the Echani people there. Her first and only Padawan's journey to Knighthood and maturity had brought great comfort to Ala. Now it was time to take upon herself a new challenge.

There was some small part of the Jedi Master that felt bad for the Padawan assigned to her. She was not an orthodox teacher, nor was her assignment an orthodox assignment. The Padawan would have to be very quick to adapt, and comfortable being away from the trappings of Jedi Temples and the safety of a the Jedi Order.

She had already identified her Padawan to be from the datapad that now hung from her hand by her side. The picture had not done the younger woman's hair justice. It really did seem to have a life of it's own. Ala noted the Padawan's considerate nature, and fondness for the younglings, with a tilt of her head and a small hint of a smile. Her eyes narrowed though as the lack of thought for the present brought the Padawan on a collision course with the Jedi who was marshalling the younglings along.

Ala could hear the forgiveness for which the young Jedi begged. And the elder Jedi, with whom she had almost collided, seemed to resonate a knowing and calming presence. Ala imagined that the minder of the younglings was happily accepting the Padawan's apology.

The Jedi Master pushed herself off from the pillar she had been leaning against, and decided she would have a little fun with their first interaction.

"Inara?" Said Ala, calling across the corridor, "Inara Basai?"

Already in a casual jogging pace, Ala bounded across the distance between her and the younger woman.

"Inara....Basai! It is you...it is you!" She said before launching into a near leap, and a full-armed wrap-around hug.

| Inara Basai |​

 

[Inara Basai]

Tag: Ala Quin

Inara offered the elderly youngling-minder an apologetic smile as he said, 'no need to apologize, but please be more aware of your surroundings next time.'

"Yes," she said, nodding. "I will."

She held her breath until the group had passed by. Ah, that was an embarrassing way to start things off here on Coruscant. It was then that she heard someone call her name. Looking in that direction, Inara blinked and offered an unsure wave to the woman down the hall. She had just enough time to cant her head to the side and wonder... when the woman bounded in her direction and leapt into a full on hug.

Oof. Inara gave the woman's back a friendly pat as she was pulled into her arms.

When she pulled back, there was a amiable smile on the soldier Jedi's face. However, the expression was also very... puzzled. "It's me," she said, chuckling slightly. She stood back and took in the other woman's appearance. It wasn't every day that Inara met someone she had to look down at. During her time with the Rangers, she'd earned names like runt and short-stack because most of the other soldiers towered over her. But the diminutive form of her new... friend almost made her feel tall.

"Erm," she cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, but have we... met before?" Inara wasn't sure what else to say, so she reached up and scratched her head for a moment. She was fairly sure she'd never met -- let alone seen -- this woman ever before. "H-how do you know my name?" Inara looked around, as if searching for any sign of a 'welcome to Coruscant' party she might have missed on the way in.

​

 

[Ala Quin]

Ala's head tilted in a faux showing of surprise. "You don't remember me?" She said, the tone of her voice hinting at a little sadness. Breaking off from the hug, almost completely, Ala kept her hand on Inara's shoulders. She wished to know how Ala knew her name? Even before she wished to know Ala's name? She was more concerned with the how, than the who. Interesting.

Purposely, she stepped back and positioned the datapad so that should Inara look down, she might catch a side-angled glimpse of her own image that was in the dossier opened on the screen.

"The Force is indeed a mysterious thing. Is it not?" Ala said, leaving the statement as an open insinuation that she had known Inara's name via some Force granted knowledge. It wasn't a lie. Just a purposely misunderstandable statement.

"Ala. Ala Quin," she said, offering a hand and an answer to the unasked next question.

 

[Inara Basai]

Tag: Ala Quin

Inara blinked as the woman asked if she truly didn't remember her? She opened her mouth to try and form some kind of polite response, but nothing came out. And even if they truly hadn't met before, Inara couldn't help but feel bad. The other woman's hand lingered on her shoulder for a moment, and Inara stood rooted to the spot.

As the datapad was displayed for her, Inara arched a brow at her own image before her eyes returned to Ala. Indeed, the force was a mysterious thing. Inara was slowly learning this fact.

"Ala," Inara said. "It's nice to meet you. I'm sorry for before..." She gave the woman a sheepish smile and attempted to brush some of her unruly hair away from her face. "I was just surprised anyone would know me here."

Inwardly, she began to puzzle over why Ala would have her information. Then, it seemed to click.

"Does this mean... you're my new master?"

Goodness, she was going to feel really silly if the answer was 'no.'

 

[Ala Quin]

"Your arrival here is not a surprise," Ala said with a soft smile tugging at the corner's of her mouth. Her own arrival back on Coruscant was indeed a surprise though. And her request for a Padawan had been quickly granted, though only assigned to her as based on her official title of Knight. Titles were nothing but merely formalities though, Ala was a Master in practice even if not in title.

She tilted her head at the question. Again, it was a matter of formalities. Formally, yes, Ala was Inara's new master but that seemed a little to stodgy for the elven-eared Ala.

"Master. Guide. Mentor. But...you really don't know me beyond an introduction. This really ought to be remedied, as I would like you to know if the Force has guided us to work together or not...rather than some act of administration."

Without giving instructions, Ala was already off and walking away from the entry way in search for a quiet place that would grant freedom towards meditation.

| Inara Basai |​

 

[Inara Basai]

Tag: Ala Quin

Inara blinked again. She supposed Ala was right – her arrival here was not truly a surprise. After all, assignments had been made, transports arranged, all of that. And new Jedi – and Jedi hopefuls – were probably in and out these doors all day.

She listened as Ala spoke. Yes, she was to be Inara's master. However, her new master seemed to want more than the word of a simple assignment. Once more, Inara's mouth opened to speak – but Ala had already spun on a heel and started off down the hall.

"Oh!" Inara realized she was to follow and quickly moved to catch up.

In the Rangers, she was used to receiving orders – clear and simple. Do this. Go here. Now, without those orders... she couldn't help but feel a bit lost. Was she to know by intuition what to do? Inara supposed that she was about to find out.

"How do we... do that?" she asked, once she was at Ala's side again. This question was accompanied by a quiet doubt. What if they were not meant to be? What if... she wasn't good enough?

​

 

[Ala Quin]

Ala lead Inara on a round about path through the temple and all its substructure, and definitely crossed over places that they had already been at least once or even twice before. They were clearly going in circles. Ala said nothing except the occasional "Oh" or "Ah" which was soon followed by a dissatisfied grunt and a shake of her head.

Finally, their path brought them back to the exact same place that they had started, and Ala promptly sat on the floor in the middle of the gran entrance to the Jedi sanctum. Her hands rested on her knees and she looked up at the curly mop of hair that hid Inara's face.

"This'll do just nicely!"

Adjusting her shoulders with a waggle, Ala closed her eyes. "Sit. I will answer your question. When you are calm. At peace. Close your eyes with me, and reach out with your emotions. Touch the Force. It may only be a soft caress at first...but...over time...it will become a soft, marshmellowy cushion to fall into."

| Inara Basai |​

 

[Inara Basai]

Tag: Ala Quin

Inara followed Ala's lead, which happened to take them in circles.

She'd been thinking that the Jedi Master might take her to one of the secluded meditation rooms, but she found herself right back in the corridor where they'd met. Inara's dark eyes darted about. Was there something about this place that made it special?

She supposed she was about to find out.

"Erm," she cleared her throat. "Alright." Inara offered Ala a smile, even thought she was deeply confused. As she was bid to sit, she did just that, crossing her legs and sitting up straight. The former soldier drew a breath and closed her eyes and attempted to forget that she was in a hallway.

It was difficult at first.

However, after a minute of calm breathing, she found the force. Actually, in Ala's bright presence, it was rather easy to find. There was warmth and a feeling of... hope.

​

 

[Ala Quin]

The hustle and bustle of the temple faded into the distance, and what emerged in Ala's mind's eye was a peaceful realm of energy ribbons pinging between the living beings that existed within the temple, and even outside within the greater world of Coruscant. A tangible light washed over her, bringing a full calm and ease to even the most knotted of her shoulder's muscles. And there was Inara, an uncertain yet noticeably light filled presence.

Ala spoke through the Force.

[Feel the Force around you. Through you. As you calm yourself you will feel subtle tugs at the threads connecting you to the living Force all about you. These subtle tugs are to be minded. To be understood for what they are. To be heeded.]

The subtle tugs led Ala's mind down a path towards an unfurling vision of the future. Uncertain as it may be, iterations unfolded before her. With caution, Ala opened her vision's to the Padawan. Various moments in the future were represented, but all lead to a similar situation. There standing atop a cliff with flaming rocks falling from the sky, smoke filling the air, and creatures of darkness ascending to the peak stood four figures each with their lightsabers ignited. Some of the iterations saw only three. Each of these moments leading to failure, to loss. But with the four standing atop the mountain's cliff, victory seemed assured. There was never full confidence in the visions of the future, but guidance at least.

The vision swirled to a ragged, worn down and battle scarred group who had won the day, victory at a price but not at any of the Jedi's lives. A flicker of Ala's face, followed by the Master she knew would be coming with her on their mission, one Judah Lesan . Then the image of Inara, hair blowing wildly in the breeze, followed by a younger padawan that Ala did not recognize.

It took a moment for Ala to pull her mind out of the moment. to retrieve herself from the vision. But when she did, her eyes opened slowly, compassion resonating from her gaze. She smiled softly.

"It seems we are destined to be, my Padawan. But there is also...another."

| Inara Basai | Jun Chiyo |​

 

[Jun Chiyo]

Location: Coruscant
Tags: Ala Quin ; Inara Basai
Soundtrack: From Past to Present

The Kyber Arch looked as stunning as ever, a glittering display of hundreds - maybe even thousands - of reclaimed crystals. A testament to the fallen, a hymn of their sacrifice.

True honor.

Jun sat on the opposite end of the chamber, her azure eyes marveling at the monolith before her. Even without laying hands on the crystals, she could feel the pull of the Force, the whispers of countless fallen Jedi enshrining her with positive energies. The constant flow made the chamber her favorite spot to meditate.

As she had done a dozen times before, Jun closed her eyes and allowed her mind to drift along with the current of the Force. Stories began to unfurl on the edge of her consciousness, beckoning softly for her to choose one and follow its path. All of them were memories of the past, all but one…

One story among the rest was still unwritten.

Jun could sense it. Unlike the others, this story flowed in many directions, as if unsure of where it wanted to go… or how it wanted to end. The Padawan reached for a thread, and found herself engrossed in a powerful vision.

<She stood atop a cliff, her eyes beholden to fire raining down from the sky. The pressure surrounding her heart was unlike anything she’d ever faced before. Even the most rigid of the Atrisian Court would be found laughable next to the creatures of darkness that entered her mind, threatening to steal the day away.

At first, she saw glimpses of bitter defeat. Broken bodies and shattered minds, beaten by the Dark Side and left behind like the Kyber crystals that formed the Arch. But not every outcome seemed so bleak; In several hopeful instances, she saw the Jedi prevail.

The awful forms of the creatures swirled away as the darkened skies broke into victorious sunlight. Standing beside her were three Jedi warriors who she did not recognize… though from the muddled expressions on their faces, Jun felt that they knew her.>

And then with a jolt, Jun’s eyes opened. She blinked, unsettling by the premonition. It took several moments for her breathing to calm and her racing heart to settle. When she finally regained her composure, she uncrossed her legs and stepped out of the chamber.

She cast a final look over her shoulder at the gleaming Arch before wandering into the halls. There was much to unpack, but precious few Jedi to help her do so.

 

[Inara Basai]

Tag: Ala Quin | Jun Chiyo

After a few moments, the feeling of Ala's presence intensified.

And the Jedi Master spoke to her through the force. Inara drew a deep breath and let it out in a gentle exhale, letting herself fall deeper. Indeed, there were little tugs here and there, but she tried her best to remain in the stillness.

Otherwise, she'd come out of the meditation with a start. There was a part of her that would always be a soldier and wanted to snap to alertness. It was still so odd to be a Jedi.

After a time, she felt Ala's presence shift.

Inara opened her eyes, meeting the warm gaze of the Jedi Master – her Master. She couldn't help but smile when Ala said she was destined to be her padawan. This was good news. It was proof that leaving the Antarian Rangers for the Jedi had been the right choice for her. Inara let out another breath, but this time it was a sigh of relief.

"Another?" she asked, canting her head to the side slightly. Inara blinked. It seemed that she was not only destined to find a master, but a fellow padawan as well. Somehow, this made her feel better. There was strength in numbers – and it would be nice to have someone of the same rank around.

"Where do we find them?"

​

 

[Ala Quin]

Ala smiled warmly. "We will not find them. They will find us. Prepare yourself for departure, my dear Padawan," Ala said in reassuring tones.

Standing again, Ala brushed off the uncertainty of the vision. There was a path to victory. A path of light through the varying shades of grey and pitch black darkness. "They will find their way to us. The Force wills it."

Her hand reached out, resting on Inara's arm. "Prepare yourself for early morning departure. I will send details. I sense...that we shall become good friends in time. I look forward to it greatly." A warm smile was offered, with a reassuring pat of Inara's arm, before Ala turned to make her way to a lift that seemed to be primarily for Temple maintenance access.

| Inara Basai | Jun Chiyo |​