Private A Real Jedi (Valery and Xarielle)

[Valery Noble]

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Location: Ilum | Jedi Temple​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Factory Link​

Tag: Rhys Halcyon Xarielle Pavanos ​

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Rhys called out towards the voice who pleaded for help, but no response came at first. Just a feeling of despair that continued to flow through the Force, calling him towards the source. But after a long moment of silence, the voice returned like a whisper along the currents of the wind.​

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"Please... help me."​

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This time, the voice sounded clear; feminine, and with that same desperation as before. But while he could feel the path towards this woman who appeared to be in need of help, the other, much calmer path was still present as well. Together, the two directions both tugged on Rhys, asking him to follow along.​

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Which path will he choose?​

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"I'm glad you like the hilt." ​

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Valery said with a warm smile after she had watched Xarielle take a closer look at it. "I let the Force guide me when I was crafting it but I can still make modifications to it. So let me know if there's anything more I can do for you," she smirked and carefully began to shift around some of the pieces to make they were all properly aligned.​

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"But first, let's assemble it and watch your very first lightsaber ignite, hm?" Valery asked as she stepped away from the table and looked at Xarielle.​

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"You can sit down if it's easier to focus that way, but start with clearing your mind. Be calm, focused, and reach out to the components on the table. Bring them up but keep them all aligned — let the Force guide their movements and allow yourself to be the medium that brings it all together."​

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"It might take an attempt or two, but I'm sure you can do it."​

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[Rhys Halcyon]

The voice was so much clearer now, and with clarity came urgency.

Rhys paced back and forth before the split path. He could hear the voice, and feel whatever aura it had too, down both the paths. Choosing the wrong one could mean someone gets hurt. That was the choice a Jedi had to make: to act when necessary, and to act right.

His breathing was uncontrolled now as the anxiety and fear welled up from within. He muttered under his breath a half-plan, half-delirious ramble. This was a big decision. He knew that this trial entailed such things, but to actually be facing them...

The feelings and the memories came rushing back. Where the cold bit deep and almost seemed to burn, he could feel the ethereal remnants of the Battle of Coruscant tugging at him from way back. He could feel the fire lapping at his robes and his skin. He recalled hiding in a meditation chamber with a group of other padawans, all terrified to think that their next breath could be the one that alerted the Sith, evidently their last. But the Sith never came, and when the smoke cleared the padawans had stepped out into the smoldering ruins of the only place they had ever called home. That was the real challenge he had faced. That was his trial.

This... just seemed like a show to him. If that was the case, he had to show what he'd learned from his dark days past. He closed his eyes and took another deep, measured breath in, ignoring the cold air that stung his nostrils and his lungs. Then he exhaled, releasing the air back into the caves having imbued it with the warmth of life. The life he still held on to, one that he needed to use for good, for the Jedi.

The words of the consular he'd been seeing after the battle came to him. She'd told him that a Jedi walked the calm path to victory. It was not fear that kept him alive when the Sith came for his home. No... it was perseverance, and patience.

Rhy's eyes fluttered open, staring down the path less trodden, the quiet cave, where the song of the Force was calm. If he didn't walk the calm path now, he might never get the chance again. And so he started down it...

Valery Noble Xarielle Pavanos

 

[Xarielle Pavanos]

Xarielle closed her eyes and stepped back to focus with the Force. Focus on the lightsaber before her seeing it through the Force was vastly different from using her own mortal vision. The calm of the moment was unlike anything she had experienced before, Xarielle centered herself as she stood and the elements of the lightsaber levitate for just a moment the pieces began to drop and instead of panicking. The Balmorran recalled Valery's words and so she took a deep breath and exhaled.​

The lightsaber components aligned themselves appropriately, the blue lightsaber joined the others. There they were separate but together and it seemed as if time slowed on its own. Each piece locked into place as the lightsaber came together, an audible click or snap where it could be had was heard. Once assembled the lightsaber rotated a few times over, Xarielle opened her eyes to see it there - she reached out and grasped the weapon. The brunette took a few steps back and ignited the lightsaber. "Whoa."​

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"It just sorta makes this whole thing that much more real," Xarielle remarked unsure of what else to say, the kid from Balmorra - was now a Jedi.​

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Valery Noble | Rhys Halcyon​

 

[Valery Noble]

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Location: Ilum | Jedi Temple​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Factory Link​

Tag: Rhys Halcyon Xarielle Pavanos ​

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Having made his decision to pursue the calmer path through the caves, Rhys would slowly feel the despair fading away in the Force, and the voice he had heard became a distant whisper until it too had disappeared completely. His journey through the crystal caves was now guided by a calm tugging at his mind alone; the Force calling to him and setting him upon a journey that would last a lifetime.​

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But as he followed his senses and passed through another set of cave tunnels, another voice called out to him. Unlike the first he heard calling for help, this man's voice was calm and carried the confidence and wisdom he had clearly.​

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"Padawan Halcyon, why are you here?"​

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Valery remained quiet while she watched Xarielle attempt the assembly of her first lightsaber. Even when it didn't quite work out the first try, she trusted the young woman to get it right, and with some additional focus and a calm mind, the pieces of the puzzle began to come together quickly.​

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The components aligned and with guidance from the Force, the weapon assembled with the crystal she collected as its heart. Then finally, with a tap of the ignition switch, a blue blade of plasma ignited and Valery smiled somewhat proudly.​

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"Well done, Xarielle," she said as her orange eyes studied the blade.​

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"While one doesn't need a lightsaber to start their path as a Jedi, I always believe that the creation of one is one of the biggest steps you'll take on that path. But also know that you carry a great responsibility with it — use it to protect and uphold the Jedi teachings, and be careful not to use it in anger or to cause destruction."​

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She paused for a moment but then smirked, "Not that I think you would, though."​

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[Rhys Halcyon]

And so he walked the calm path, controlling his breath as much as he could, focusing on the in and out, rise and fall of his chest. As he did, his mind cleared, emptied of the things that caused him anxiety. He could no longer hear the strained cries for help, instead feeling the intense aura of the Force around him, almost magnetic to something deeper in the cave. It had to be his crystal, but it was still not clear enough.

As he focused another voice spoke to him. This one startled him less than the cry for help. It was the voice of a wise man.

"Padawan Halcyon, why are you here?"

"I'm here... to prove myself. As a Jedi, like all those who have come before me. I am here to become what I've trained my whole life to be."

His answer was honest, but regret panged in his stomach after saying it. It was true, he was here to become a real Jedi, but was that the right answer? Was simply doing this ritual enough by itself to prove worthy of padawanship, or was there some mystery in the Force that Rhys had not solved yet, one crucial to the coming of age he was experiencing?

Valery Noble

 

[Xarielle Pavanos]

A half-opened smile as she looked toward Master Noble, "it's so surreal, like, I- I don't know how to describe it." Xarielle's breathing was steady as she held the lightsaber in her hand. "I've spent my whole life watching Sith train, watching my mother train others, but never..." did she ever think that the kid from Balmorra would be there holding her own lightsaber. Xarielle listened intently as Master Noble informed her that the creation of the lightsaber was one of the biggest steps she could have taken on her path. She nodded solemnly and hooked the lightsaber to her belt.​

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"I understand." More than Master Noble could have ever truly known just how much Xarielle understood the destructive nature of a lightsaber. Xarielle had witnessed it first hand, a moment when her mother wasn't around and the girls bore witness to the ways of the Sith. "Thank you," she added sincerely, "for leading me down to the temple the day my ship crashed, letting me into the crystal caves. I mean, I was a complete stranger... and now, here I am."​

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"So, yes, thank you - Master Noble."​

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"And... for the record, my mother has given me her blessing." A soft smile, for of all things - a Sith gave approval to their child choosing the Jedi path, but that was Kaalia. Above all else, Kaalia always wanted her children to be happy and to choose for themselves their own paths.​

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Valery Noble | Rhys Halcyon​

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[Valery Noble]

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Location: Ilum | Jedi Temple​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Factory Link​

Tag: Rhys Halcyon Xarielle Pavanos ​

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"Prove yourself as a Jedi?"​

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The voice asked as the young Padawan explained himself, his tone still calm and he certainly wasn't mocking the young Jedi either. Then, as Rhys stopped walking, a blue shimmer appeared in front of him, and the spirit of a Jedi long-gone manifested within the crystal caves. The man looked to be in his 60s, with long grey hair and a well-trimmed beard. He was wearing long robes, traditional to the Jedi of the past, and greeted Rhys with a kind smile.​

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"I've seen many Jedi enter these caves throughout History, all looking for the same thing — the next step in their journey as a Jedi. But few realize what this journey means when they set foot in these caves."​

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"Padawan Halcyon, what is the importance of this crystal to a Jedi?"​

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Valery chuckled and offered Xarielle a warm smile when she was thanked for the assistance she offered. Thinking about it, everything that happened leading up to this was quite strange — from a bomber crashing in a remote area of Ilum, to now welcoming a new Jedi into the order, symbolized by the creation of a lightsaber.​

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It was certainly no coincidence that things played out this way; it was meant to be and guided by the Force.​

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"Of course, I'm glad I was able to help and I'm very happy to see how far you've come already. I'm sure that with time and more training, you'll be quite a fantastic Jedi," she smirked a little and gently patted the younger woman on the shoulder. At the mention of the mother's approval that followed, Valery just chuckled.​

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"It doesn't surprise me, a mother always wants what is best for their child." As a new mother, Valery understood this quite well herself. Although... she likely wouldn't have her daughter become a Sith, but that didn't really matter right now. Xarielle had made an important decision in her life she felt happy about — that was most important.​

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"Let's return to the caves, yeah? I think Padawan Halcyon will be ready to meet us there soon."​

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[Rhys Halcyon]

The apparition took Rhys by surprise. He froze in his tracks at the sight of the shimmering ghost. He'd heard about spirits in the past, who remained in the mortal world to guide lost Jedi, but he hadn't expected to encounter one so soon in his life.

"I've seen many Jedi enter these caves throughout History, all looking for the same thing — the next step in their journey as a Jedi. But view realize what this journey means when they set foot in these caves.""Padawan Halcyon, what is the importance of this crystal to a Jedi?"

Rhys look at the icy rock beneath his feet as he pondered that question. He wanted to ask this figure who they were, why were they helping him? But he couldn't. He partly knew the answer.

"The kyber crystal... it's the weapon of the Jedi. It's what gives our lightsabers the power to defend those in need, and to fight the Dark Side."

He hoped that was the right answer, but still he was uncertain. He felt as though he was among the ranks of those Jedi who did not realize quite what this journey would be.

His mind raced trying to dig into the lectures and lessons over the years for some kind of answer to the question. A sharp pain in his forehead made him stop, and it was then he realized: this was not a test he could regurgitate knowledge upon. The Jedi could teach proverbs and even platitudes, but when it came down to it, knowing was not what made a Jedi, but rather doing.

"Finding the crystal, its... its about not knowing. Its about going blind into the darkness and maintaining your light. It... reflects a Jedi's duties, right?"

Xarielle Pavanos Valery Noble

 

[Xarielle Pavanos]

An exhale followed the deep breath she had taken moments before Xarielle gave Master Noble a nod in agreement. In time and with training, Xarielle mused what might happen - what she could become - as she followed after the Master Jedi. The feeling that kept repeating itself on a loop was one of joy, and purpose it was like she was supposed to do this. It just felt right and she loved every moment of it, and she hoped that Halcyon had been able to - for the lack of a better word - conquer the caves. "I hope I'll be everything I'm supposed to be," she confessed, for while Xarielle was confident - she wondered if her own heritage would come back to bite her in the rear.

"Hope Halcyon's alright," wondered Xarielle, her concerns stated as she tucked loose strands of hair behind her ears. The caves were a very emotional time for Xarielle. A reminder to her that what her mother had told her so long ago was true. There is no death, not with the Force - the people that they loved were still with them, and more importantly, their memories would always live on. Of course, even if death was something that was meant to happen - it didn't mean that Xarielle's mother always agreed with it. She wanted to ask a question, but felt perhaps now was not the most appropriate time. Her thoughts wandered onto the subject of her heritage, the dark side that was no doubt lingering somewhere within her.

Valery Noble | Rhys Halcyon​

 

[Valery Noble]

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Location: Ilum | Jedi Temple​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Factory Link​

Tag: Rhys Halcyon Xarielle Pavanos ​

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"That's quite right, young Padawan."​

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The spirit of the Jedi Master said before he held up his hands, the palms facing outwards. When he did, the combined auras of all Kyber Crystals in the Force called out, singing in harmony until their song connected with Rhys, and only one distinct crystal remained singing when silence in the Force returned.​

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The crystal is the heart of the blade. ​

The heart is the crystal of the Jedi.​

The Jedi is the crystal of the Force. ​

The Force is the blade of the heart. ​

All are intertwined. ​

The crystal, the blade, the Jedi. ​

You are one.​

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"This is the Crystal Code, one forgotten by many but one that captures the bond between a Jedi, their crystal, and the lightsaber. Now it is your time to become one with your crystal and soon, all three will be intertwined."​

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The Force spirit looked at the young Padawan with a kind smile and slowly faded away into the Force again. With his lesson for Ryhs completed, his time in the mortal world was over, and now it was up to Rhys to take the final step. The Kyber Crystal that called out to him was waiting, and shimmering in the darkness of the caves.​

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Once obtained, only then its color would develop as a result of its owner's nature.​

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What color awaited Rhys Halcyon?​

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What she's supposed to be? Valery looked at the younger woman as they began making their way back, and wondered what exactly she meant by that. But regardless, Valery offered a comforting smile, "You're in control of your own future, Xari. If you honor the path you've chosen and use what you've learned to help others, then that is all one could ever ask from a Jedi." She hoped it would reassure Xarielle a little, but it wasn't an easy thing to accept. The Jedi life was difficult, and many felt a great burden on them because of seemingly high expectations.​

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Valery believed Xarielle had it in her to be everything one would expect from a Jedi, even when considering her family history. But what her path would be like exactly remained to be seen.​

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"Oh, I'm sure he'll be fine. The caves are challenging but... manageable. The joy of finding your first crystal often outweighs the challenge you overcome inside, too." Valery chuckled as she stepped in front of the still-open door of ice, where she would wait for Rhys to appear again.​

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"He'll be with us here soon."​

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[Rhys Halcyon]

As he listened to the spirit, understanding came to him, an finally, most definitely, he heard the one song above the rest. The one that belonged to him, and his crystal.

Before the two could say anything more to one another, the spirit receded back from whence it came, leaving Rhys alone in the cold cavern. Around him, what seemed like thousands of crystals glimmered from their seats upon the black kyberite stone from which they grew. As he'd made his way through, the crystals that grew so freely about him had been daunting, intimidating. But now, he understood their song, and though they all twinkled like stars, he could feel the pull of the one that he needed.

Above him, on the cavern ceiling, one glimmered ever so brighter than the rest. Rhys looked up in awe at the sight, Then preparing himself to make the connection, he close his eyes. He felt the natural bond between Jedi and Weapon, then reached up and out through the Force. From above he heard what sounded like the splintering of glass as he pulled the kyber towards him. The warmth of the crystal grew nearer, then touched the palm of his outstretched hand.

Opening his eyes to look at his treasure, he saw the perfectly clear kyber resting snuggly in his palm, no larger than the boys thumb. Rhys closed his eyes again and wrapped both his hands neatly around the crystal, feeling the light side of the Force flowing from within it while it absorbed the Padawan's energies.

Rhys looked down at it again, taking it between two fingers and examining it. It now shone a bright yellow, like a burning sun. The boy folded it back into his palm and clenched around it tightly, not too keen to let it go so soon. Keeping it safe as he walked the return path was his utmost priority.

When he arrived, the grand ice doors between the caves and the temple opened expectantly. Beyond them stood Valery Noble and Xarielle Pavanos.

Rhys could not keep a smile from his face, and excitement burned strong within him.

"Master! I did it! Look!"

Rhys floated the crystal above his hand in display.

"I... I actually did it."

 

[Xarielle Pavanos]

"You were right, Master Noble," about Rhys that was.

"I knew you could do it," cheered Xarielle, excited for the Padawan who had walked out of the caves with his new lightsaber crystal. While she cheered for him, she harbored her own self-doubts - a powerful tool of the dark side. She thought for a moment about recent events and wondered if she truly belonged there with Rhys and Valery. The Balmorran hadn't trained her entire life to become a Jedi, she fell into it - rather haphazardly at that. The doubt she felt lurked there beneath the surface. "I'm happy for you! See, you were able to do it after all."

Even if Master Noble had outlined what it meant to be Jedi in the simplest of terms. Could the daughter of a Sith and an Imperial, truly become a Jedi? Or would her dark heritage overtake her and send her toward the Sith? Questions swam through the sea of doubt, concealed by the smile she wore on her face. Taking a deep breath she exhaled, shoving the doubt and questions as far as she could. Xarielle chose instead to focus on Rhys' victory. Clearing her throat she felt her throat go dry as negative thoughts arose in her mind. A quiet voice in the Force whispered; you are where you're supposed to be, just breathe.

Valery Noble | Rhys Halcyon​

 

[Valery Noble]

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Location: Ilum | Jedi Temple​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Factory Link​

Tag: Rhys Halcyon Xarielle Pavanos ​

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"You were right, Master Noble," about Rhys that was.​

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Valery just chuckled as Rhys made his way out of the caves, clearly excited that he had retrieved his crystal from the caves and that despite his earlier self-doubt, he had gotten through the challenges without any outside help. These moments were the ones Valery cherished most — to see her fellow Jedi genuinely happy was an amazing feeling, and knowing that she was able to help them even just a little bit always made her smile.​

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"There was no doubt in my mind that you'd be able to get through this," Valery said before she let the two Padawans share a moment of excitement. One had retrieved the crystal, the other had already made it the heart of their blade. But through this joy, Valery felt something else beneath the surface layers of Xarielle's mind as well. Not intentionally, but simply because she was empathic and caring, and because she had made a promise to look after the young woman.​

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So without saying anything, Valery briefly put a hand on Xarielle's shoulder and squeezed gently, hoping to comfort her and make sure that she knew this was the right path for her. ​

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"You both have achieved something extraordinary today, and should be proud about it. But your paths as Jedi are only just beginning, so stay focused and determined. Then I'm confident both of you will be true Jedi."​

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