A Wandering Mind [Training]

[Rosa Gunn]

Rosa deflated a little to know that the training session was over but she let the training saber go from her hand as Darron moved to put them away. She wasn't sure what disappointed her more, the fact that her day with him was done, or that she couldn't practice against him anymore. "We are." she said, her voice leaking some of her disappointment at the day ending.

Her hand brushed a stray hair from her face and she caught that look from him again. Her lips twisted into sly smile and she clasped her hands behind her back a small laugh escaping her at his suggestion.

"Sure why not." she said following him out, casting one more glance at the training room over her shoulder. "It was a very...crazy day." how else would you describe a morning of discovering everything about your Masters past in a matter of seconds, followed by facing a fear of heights and remembering how to swing a lightsaber. "I enjoyed it, I can see where I need to work and what I'm ok at. Not a bad start, all things considered."

She fell silent for a moment "So what happens now, you give me homework and we reconvene in the morning? Or does a Jedi Master have time for social life...maybe a drink with a pretty girl?" She could see the elevator and realisation dawned on her what she had just suggested. What are you doing Rosa?!

 

[Jacen Cavill]

Darron got deathly quiet for a moment as he considered his options before him, what in the hell do I do here? His mind raced frantically for just a few seconds as he traveled down the different paths placed before him. To go upstairs would surely invite many things, and he wasn't wired that way. It was too soon, and he respected her and their positions within the Order too much to do that. To say no and go to bed though didn't seem possible, he wasn't tired and he didn't want her to think he had zero interest in her. Even if it was inappropriate of him to even be considering her in such a manner.

"Wait here..."

Using his heightened speed the Jedi Master made haste to his room and quickly put on a normal tunic and pants, while putting his belt on. He clipped on saber to his belt and ran right back to where Rosa was still standing.

"I can't go upstairs with you, but I can go for a drink with you somewhere else. Hows that sound?"

 

[Rosa Gunn]

Rosa watched confused as left her waiting mentally kicking herself for even suggesting such a thing. When he returned however her face erupted into a wide smile. "That's what I was aiming for Darron. What kind of girl do you take me for, taking you upstairs, honestly?" she said with a wink and a small laugh. "I'll be back in five minutes."

Slipping into the elevator she kept up her calm façade until the doors closed before she leant against the wall and half slid down it. Laughter erupted from her lips and she allowed the delight to seep from her into the force, when she reached her floor she ran to her room and changed quickly into jeans, flat boots and a simple fitted strap top. As she made to leave she caught a glimpse of the ponytail in the mirror and pulled it out, running her fingers through her hair before bolting out the door again and running for the elevator.

No stupid remarks, Rosa don't be a clown and for goodness sake don't let him know how much you like him. She gave herself a small pep talk as the elevator descended and took a deep breath exhaling her nerves and stepping from the elevator with a smile. "Lead the way, Master Wraith."

 

[Jacen Cavill]

Four Months Later....

That night out had been a good distraction for the pair, they had drank, talked, and even shared a dance. Though nothing else happened that night, Darron's resolve to do right and Rosa's high standards had kept them in the same playful loop of flirting. Yet the connection between the two had strengthened considerably and the Jedi Master considered her his brightest student, and the one person who's company he always wanted. Their training had progressed, and Rosa had become quite adept at telekinetics, and really all the Force skills he could have ever taught her. She was actually one of the top duelists with the Ataru form in the whole order now and her skills were a reflection of her teacher.

"She really has become something," he said to no one as he was alone in room 3113 on this very peaceful morning. Of course Darron, she's always been spectacular. He grinned to only himself as he set up a table in the middle of the room, and with care he began some preparations. This would be far from the typical morning from either of them and he hoped she would take the news well, even if it was a little sad. No, this day will be a great one for her and I refuse to let her see at anything other than that. His resolve hardened and he once more set himself to the task at hand.

On the table before him was his father's lightsaber hilt, a necklace with a pendant on the end, and a small glowing pyramid no larger than his hand. The Jedi Master played with his simple tunic for a moment before he allowed himself a moment to just breath and relax, then that familiar feeling in the Force grew close and then Rosa walked through the door. "Good morning Rosa, I trust you slept well? We have a few things to discuss this morning."

 

[Rosa Gunn]

Four months, she thought to herself with as smile, four months and she had progressed more than she could have ever imagined. Her empathy was better controlled now she could read the memories of objects without being affected by them. Evberything she had developed was because of Darron. She felt comfortable in his company and although nothing had happened, she knew there was so much more between them than a teacher and a student.

She slipped into their training room and smiled at Darron. "Good Morning Darron. I slept very well, despite my new neighbour whose snores threaten the very structure of the temple itself." she looked at the things on the table with interest, her forehead creased slightly and she moved to look at what he had placed on the table. "What's this?" she said reaching for the glowing pyramid.

 

[Jacen Cavill]

Blue eyes traveled to Rosa, then to the holocron she held in her hands. "That is the holocron of Jedi Master Je'gan Olraen. A dear friend of mine before I was frozen in carbonite, he helped me in my pursuit and mastery of Vaapad. He was actually a Sith Lord, who I helped turn back to the lightside before that. So you can say I knew the full spectrum of the man, and apparently he saw fit to put down my entire history on there as well as a repository of his knowledge and of his force powers and lightsaber technique. It's your's now Rosa, use it well in the future."

He gestured to his father's lightsaber, and continued in his little speech. "You also are receiving my father's lightsaber until you can get to Illum with me and we can both construct some new sabers to indicate the new positions we now occupy. You are the finest student I have ever had, and one of the best people I have had the pleasure of knowing, so please keep my father's blade safe. Also, he'd have loved to have met and known you, so you using his weapon is only fitting." A smile crossed his face, as he allowed himself to show some genuine happiness instead of the usual stony expression he wore.

Darron walked around the temple and placed himself very close to Rosa, his eyes staring into her's. He had never allowed the two of them to stand that close during their training and it would be a lie to say the tension wasn't at an all time high. His voice dropped as he allowed himself to finally speak as Darron the man, not Darron the Jedi Master. "The pendant is really a tracking device, should you activate it I will know where you are at no matter where you are at in the galaxy. Should you ever need me, or we are separated I will drop any and everything I am doing to come and find you and make you safe...though I doubt you will need me with how well I have trained you."

The Jedi Master walked away, painfully slow as if the very act of leaving her side pained him. He finally made his way to the window lining the room and he paused as he looked outside. "I never told you that this was the room where your father and I trained together, I thought it was fitting you learn where he had always been. It's why you found this room so comforting, and I want you to know I am proud of you." He allowed his words to soak in before continuing.

"I have been elevated to a member of the Jedi Council, and you have been promoted to Knight per my own recommendation. Although that comes with a caveat, you have to accompany me on a few missions to asses that you are ready for bigger things. Do you accept?"

 

[Rosa Gunn]

A strange mixture of feelings washed over Rosa as Darron began his speech, the giving of the holocron and his words 'use it well in the future' had too much finality in them. It gave her all the indication of what was coming and she felt torn in two. She managed however to keep her calm exterior and allow Darron to finish his speech smiling at the giving of his fathers blade. She knew it meant a great deal to him and to receive it even if only temporary was an honour she would never be able to return.

She opened her mouth to say thank you but he moved towards her and the calm she was resonating, flickered slightly as the tension between the two of them rose rapidly, her heart raced and she itched to reach out and hold him but their had been an unspoken agreement between the two of them. A barrier that neither of them could cross until the time was right and that time wasn't now. She took half a step after him as he walked away and stopped herself. "Thank you." she breathed, the only words she felt were safe to say.

When he spoke of her father however she moved to stand next to him, lose enough so their arms brushed and when he announced her promotion and his, she smiled and turned to look at him. "My father is with me wherever I go, I take his comfort and love everywhere. You made this room comfortable Darron, you have helped me grow in ways I could never have achieved with anyone else and I can only thank you for that."
She fell silent for a moment trying to make sense of the emotions inside her. Sadness for the training to be over, joy at her promotion and perhaps a touch of anxiety of what lay ahead. Above all though was her gratitude and caring for the man in front of her. "Whatever the Order wishes me to do to prove that I deserve this promotion, I will do."

So long as your at my side, Darron Wraith.

 

[Jacen Cavill]

The End....



.... to be continued.