Private As the Force Wills

[Rakaan Horne]

CORUSCANT - Goto

​

In the months that the Jedi entered the ranks of the Imperials on a mission from the council, it was a period bereft of contact with others. Fellow Jedi and others alike, be them friends or more. Master Tolderyn made it clear to Rakaan that the risks of that mission had almost undone him, in the end, as the lack of counsel from the Jedi Masters had seen the start of a wayward Rakaan; to fall into his emotions, an almost more natural sense of self, the boiler that threatened to blow beneath the surface of Rakaan had nearly erupted once surrounded by others that forfeited themselves to their worst qualities. Even now, Rakaan could remember one in particular all too well.

He leaned lazily onto the side of a speeder landed off to the side of a busier street, one that brimmed with life and bustled with as much foot-traffic as it had with the crafts that soared overhead. The heat of exhaust felt once in a while from those that flew too low. His blue eyes glided across the marketplace, consciously aware of the difference in afforded stares that came across the lightsaber neatly attached to his belt. The Jedi Knight levitated a piece of vibrant fruit above his hand, softly tossing it higher only to catch it with the Force once more as it came back down.

An act Korvan may have scolded him for, not to make light of the Force. He wondered if Goto would do the same, should the little green Jedi ever arrive. It had been some time since the two had met, even before his departure into Imperial space for a time. Rakaan had a master, though the lessons imparted upon him by Goto were as memorable as ever.

"C'mon, Goto..." He muttered impatiently.

​

 

[Goto]

Coruscant was saturated with life, more than could possibly be recognized or felt, more than any sentient could fathom. Beyond the individuals that walked, breathed and lived, there were the smallest glimmers of being; some so insignificant that they might not have existed at all, lost to perception or care, nothing more than an unseen detail amid the cacophony of continuance...

And yet.

Nearer a building, at the opening of an alleyway, a small form crouched. Robes, worn with time, frayed in places, covered the individual of all but two feet in height. Tiny three-fingered hands nursed a bottle of water, as the liquid was carefully poured, wetting the small sprout of a flower that had pushed through the metal and duracrete; natural, growing, seeking the light for sustenance amid artificial foundation and technological development surrounding it.

Master Goto smiled.

"Grow," The diminutive Jedi said to himself. "Beautiful, you will become, for those that see."

Satisfied, Master Goto stood to his full height, though admittedly not tall, and glanced with clear blue eyes toward a huddled form at the edge of the building. The Jedi walked toward the sentient, covered in a blanket, and offered the remaining water with kindness in his eyes. The alien, a Rodian, reached out slowly with large blinking eyes, and took the item with a quiet thank you.

"Food, have you?" Master Goto asked, his voice equally quiet. "A home, for you to call yours?"

The Rodian shook her head, no.

"Travel to the Jedi Temple, you will," The Jedi Master reached into his robes, before he pulled a credit stick from a pouch, and placed it into the Rodian's hands. The small master patted the alien's fingers, a smile on his face, as he caught the questioning gaze. "Sent you, Master Goto has... food, shelter, you will find. Help, to get back to your feet, you will receive."

There was hesitation, the Rodian unsure, but the Jedi Master simply stepped back and added.

"If you choose."

Without further to say, Master Goto began to walk through the throng of taller sentients that filled the walkways of the sector around. Potentially dangerous for one so small to wander, but the Jedi was able to move between legs and forms and limbs with small effort, even as his presence went by unnoticed by some.

The people, so quick to rush, so eager to get to a place, they didn't see along the way.

Master Goto glanced back.

He smiled, as he saw - further away, between the crowd - the Rodian in the blanket get into a speeder, the vehicle bound toward the temple.

"Good. Good."

It wouldn't be for another handful of minutes, before the small Jedi Master broke through the crowd and saw a familiar individual ahead, one that levitated fruit with the Force. The sentient, a Jedi Knight now, was a youth known to Master Goto as Rakaan Horne. And while the small Jedi had not been the humanoid's teacher, he had been a mentor for Rakaan's younger years, and had assisted him from time to time.

It seemed that time had come again, perhaps.

"Force be with you, young Rakaan," Master Goto said as he neared the Jedi Knight. The smaller alien looked up, blue eyes regarding, smile on his face. "Good to see you, it is. Well have you been?"

There had been much said about the young Jedi, some concerning.

But Master Goto judged not.

Rakaan Horne​

 

[Rakaan Horne]

CORUSCANT - Goto

​

Such was the way of Master Goto. Late, only due to the need to aid another. The young Jedi could recall several of their missions with unforseen obstacles, in a sense, that all rounded out to the desire to do better by others. He was selfless, to say the least, a most admirable quality. One that all Jedi should aspire to hold onto, even if unable to rival that of their little alien peer.

"Force be with you, Master." Rakaan said warmly in return, his own smile crept across his mouth. "I've been well, and you?"

There had been some trouble with Rakaan. Sent on that mission into the heart of Imperial space left him with more than scars and stories, rather lingering ideals. Newfound beliefs, albeit those he contained. But most bothersome, that touch of anger. Of rage, able to witness the effectiveness of it even in the midst of savage acts. It was a thought that soured his mood as much as those nightmares, no, visions. Prophetic, in some sense of the word.

Thankfully, this had been a day without either of them.

"I will admit though, Master Goto, as nice of a day it is..." Rakaan looked about, "I'm not sure what brings us here?"

​

 

[Goto]

Master Goto offered a small chuckle, as he slowed to a stop beside Rakaan. It had been some time since the small Jedi had seen the other, much had changed for the latter, not least of all the humanoid's height. The young Jedi Knight seemed a giant now, a boy turned man!

"Yes, yes," Master Goto nodded as his ears bobbed with the movement. "Well, have I been."

As a sentient that followed the beliefs of the Living Force, it was not uncommon for Master Goto to have no real intent or plan, as he was open to the will of that around him. So when Rakaan asked more directly, as to what the intent was for their presence on the bustling surface of Coruscant, there was no immediate or specific answer the diminutive Jedi Master could provide.

"A purpose to see me, must there be?" Master Goto smiled as he continued to look up at the younger. "An old mentor to see his young mentee, can I not?"

Master Goto gave Rakaan a tap to the leg with his elbow, before the short Jedi began to walk, a chuckle on his lips. He seemed content to walk into the crowd, with little heed for how busy it was, even as other sentients threatened to walk into or kick his smaller self. With both small hands behind his back, Master Goto glanced over his shoulder to the Jedi Knight, an eye-ridge raised and blue gaze expectant.

"Come, young Rakaan, walk we shall. See what happens, we will. Something, nothing, everything or very little, perhaps?"

Rakaan Horne​

 

[Rakaan Horne]

CORUSCANT - Goto

​

In recent times, Rakaan opted to consume his attention with duties and missions expected of a Jedi thrust into a difficult time. It all varied on relevance, on importance, other needless to mention factors too. From the vanished population of Janara III to the diplomatic disputes felt between the Kiffar clans on Kiffu and Kiffex, attempts at a needless rehabilitation in some sense -- least the young Jedi mused with a hint of bitterness to the thought -- to the desutrction of Imperial factors catered to the advancement of that superweapon revealed above Illum. He did not live for war, but truly found himself content once busied by it. In the absence of it, Rakaan would not know what to do. From one star system to the next, he raced across the hyperlanes like a dwindling flame that wishes to see and do all that it can before it is snuffed out forever.

So the idea of a simple invitation for a chat had, indeed, left Rakaan somewhat surprised. Such was the case with the often mysterious Master Goto, however.

"Of course not, Master." He beamed with a respectful albeit faint and subtle nod, the brief flush to his cheeks had seen his eyes find the street suspended over the vast cityscape beneath him. "It's an unexpected change of pace, is all. I've been... busy, as of late."

He refrained from details, above all else the uglier kind. The two Jedi walked between crowds of civilians, the mention of a ramping war with the Sith and the beginning of one with the Empire was unlikely to do well on a bystanding ear. Sow the seed of panic and chaos, an entity that both opposing powers would undoubtedly seek to create themselves. Why do their job for them?

It was a breath of refreshing air, if nothing else. To be alongside Goto and his own brand of infinite wisdom.

"With you, Master Goto, I'm sure we'll see a great many things."

The Jedi looked across the crowds, even their eyes came in countless shapes, sizes and colours. From the hammerhead look of the Ithorian to the bulbous stary eyes of a Rodian, the fur covered appearance of the Caamasi and the scales of the Saurin, the great heights of Pau'an to the lowest lows of the Chadra-Fan... and Goto, and whatever it was his species was called. Wherever it was he hailed from, just as all these others flocked to Coruscant from all across the Galaxy.

Who was to say they would see today?

"I cannot remember the last time we've had the chance to walk," he said between glances, "Have you been busy, Master?"

​

 

[Goto]

There was a lot on the young Jedi Knight's mind, Master Goto could feel it, much simmered beneath the surface unsaid. Whether that was by choice, or requirement, it was difficult to say. While Master Goto wasn't one for gossip, he had heard a word or two, regarding young Rakaan, and the had been a feeling - deep within - for the Jedi Master to speak the Jedi Knight... but about what, Master Goto could not say.

"Good for the mind and body, busy can be," Master Goto said as he kept close to the taller sentient. "So long as troublesome, it is not."

It wasn't an outright request for Rakaan to share, the small Jedi Master wouldn't do that, it was wholly up to his once-mentee to make that decision. And if Rakaan didn't, that was perfectly fine as well, as there was more to speak of and focus on other than troubling events. It remained possible that the Living Force might offer its own path to help ease the young human's mind and soul, yet seeing the specific strands for that to happen in the tapestry were beyond Master Goto's capabilities... no, the small Jedi Master's methods were more intuitive, more on feeling and sensing, than finding patterns or direct solutions.

Young Rakaan would speak if he wished to.

"Long time it has been, yes," Master Goto nodded with a chuckle, as he stepped around a Wookiee's legs, though he supposed the passage of time would seem more recognizable to the Rakaan. "Forget the simple things, we sometimes do. A walk, a conversation, the opportunity to open ourselves to the Living Force, as once you were taught... and busy I have been, yes, always training younglings I am. Rewarding it is, in many ways."

Since the beginning, Master Goto's lessons for Jedi throughout the centuries had involved inclusion of the Living Force concept. To be present, live in the moment, to feel and sense everything around, and not be consumed by inaction or hesitation through thought. To simply trust the Force, to believe in its will, and to allow oneself to step into the flow that it wove throughout the galaxy and everything in it.

Master Goto liked to exist there, whenever he could.

But, that was also considered frightening for some, dangerous by others, as many Jedi felt hesitant to give themselves over to something beyond their control. The uncertainty of releasing the grasp on their decisions, which Master Goto could understand, but in doing so opening themselves to the very will of the Force - if not the galaxy...

"A question I have, young Rakaan," Master Goto said, as he glanced up to the other. "What sense around us, do you have? Emotions of anger, irritation, discomfort, sadness, happiness or others, do you?"

Master Goto paused.

"Seek out one, we will. Help them, we shall."

Rakaan Horne​

 

[Rakaan Horne]

CORUSCANT - Goto

​

He brushed between the crowds, one face in the thicket of thousands. Millions. His shoulders connected with those earlier few, to be lost in needless memories and never seen by Rakaan or Goto in the years to follow. The Jedi flickered eyes between those ahead, the sudden sharp and small movements made observed those left around them. Mindless as to where Master Goto was, Rakaan learned to trust the dimunitive Jedi Master many years ago. But in it all, his mind wandered. Pondered, and then decided.

"It was a mission into the Empire," the young Jedi confessed, his words to appear as no more than excess chatter to those that came and went as the two marched forwards between the aisle of vendors. He turned, briefly, with blue eyes of his own set onto Goto. "I was to pose as an Imperial Knight and learn all that I could of them. I was there for months with no contact with the Jedi Order. On Ilum, Master Tolderyn said it was too dangerous. Him and Master Noble came and demanded I return to the Jedi with them."

The end outcome was obvious. Rakaan was here now, no? He said it all with the hint of bite to his tone, clearer towards the end as a stare narrowed on the road beneath him for all of a moment. He turned his attention forwards next, however. Back onto the road, onto the crowds, onto all the Jedi served. He never told the whole truth, maybe because Rakaan failed to see the whole truth. Too absorbed in his mission to see the cracks that started to weave in himself, to see the result the lack of guidance from the Jedi meant for Rakaan.

"It feels like neither of them trust me." Rakaan said almost bitterly as he turned back to the little green Jedi, "I can see that they're both cautious around me. Like I'm fragile. Korvan tries to ensure I'm to believe the Jedi are only to be peacekeepers, and Master Noble warns me of the darkside... I should have been allowed to finish the mission, it isn't fair."

Rakaan huffed with frustration. Perhaps that Padawan, Iris, was right. He needed to talk to someone, after all.

"I'm sorry, Master." He started after a breath and collection of self, "I only mean to say I disagree with their decisions."

​

 

[Goto]

Master Goto had opened himself to the Living Force, his awareness slowly coursing through the crowd, as the will of the mysterious energy of the galaxy flowed through him. Feeling, instinct, empathy were all that the small Jedi Master focused on, his mind still of thought beyond simply being. He could sense uncertainty within his companion, reluctance, but pressed not.

Peace, serenity, harmony.

Master Goto felt these, his emotions open but also mindful of them.

There was also a plethora of other sensations throughout the mass around the Jedi pair, when Master Goto unexpectedly felt the need to purchase some local vendor food. He paused, taking a boxed morsel of meat and vegetables, before he paid the vendor and smiled.

"Multiple credsticks in return, can you?" Master Goto asked, even as he felt Rakaan's presence calm somewhat. "Thank you, I do."

The diminutive Jedi resumed his walk alongside the younger sentient. When Rakaan began to share, Master Goto remained silent, simply to listen, and made no judgement or interruption. That was not his way, nor did he question the other's deflection of what had been asked, to seek out someone that needed help, for it seemed that - inadvertently - Rakaan may have done exactly that.

"A difficult task, for any Jedi," Master Goto said eventually, with a nod and understanding expression. "Alone, being that which you are not, most difficult... a strength in you, to do such a thing for that time, I feel. Regardless of outcome. For that itself, proud I am of you."

The diminutive Jedi Master fell silent once more, simply keeping pace with the taller sentient, as Rakaan clearly worked through his thoughts and feelings on the topic. It was comforting to know that the Jedi Knight trusted his old mentor enough to speak truthfully on the subject, to share what others might be quick to judge or condemn. Master Goto tried to avoid that, he liked to remain open minded, to approach a situation from multiple perspectives, insofar as was possible.

Rakaan's opinions on both Jedi Masters Toldreyn and Noble were understandable. There had been a mission assigned, but the perception of Rakaan's inability to complete it had been implied, which had fostered the seeds of resentment. Perhaps not to any dangerous degree but certainly enough to trouble the young Jedi, which were it to continue growing would become a problem - for all concerned.

But first.

"Disagreement a problem, it is not," Master Goto said, as he stopped on a less busy byway, and touched Rakaan's leg to get his attention to likewise step out of the crowd. "Opportunity it presents, to use as a chance to learn, to perceive new ways to do things. More efficient, better, sometimes, these can be. Help you think creatively, disagreement does, as long as respect is maintained... do not feel unease with it, young Rakaan. But, mindful of how easily it may become deconstructive, yes?"

Master Goto smiled, as he looked up at the taller Jedi. He pressed on.

"Masters Toldreyn and Noble, their own reasons they have, for the decision made," The diminutive Jedi Master remained kind in expression, his eyes showed understanding. "Some reasons, beyond our knowledge, perhaps? Believe you do, their choice was made as an indication of your ability to perform the task? In their eyes, unable to do it, perhaps?"

The diminutive Jedi Master inclined his head, eye-ridges raised.

"What if other factors there are? What if, with hostilities with Empire more common and often, your mission deemed too dangerous upon further consideration? What if intelligence the Jedi Council have, which we do not know, caused such decision changing?" Master Goto nodded slowly, as he smiled again. "Understand the perception you may have, yes. But also know of your capabilities, I do... and a more suited Jedi Knight for such a dangerous assignment, I cannot name. Consideration of other factors not your own, I suggest you seek."

Master Goto put his hands behind his back, as he added.

"Many a master, to willingly allow their student on such a mission to begin with, would not, young Rakaan... ponder this, when deciding if Master Toldreyn feels you fragile, perhaps."

Rakaan Horne​

 

[Rakaan Horne]

CORUSCANT - Goto

​

In response, the Jedi only seemed to sour. It could be seen in the lines that creased across his brow and the narrowed focus of blue eyes turned harsh, downturned towards the road still left beneath them. In a moment of silent consideration, young Rakaan turned to the vast and endless cityscape; the touch of the midday sun washed over the cloud touching structures that extended to the most base street level left so far under them all. He failed to not offer passing glances to the speeders that flew by, their familiar sounds able to spark some fleeting interest. A distraction from what burdened him now.

Sometimes, Rakaan would prefer to be lost in the sights. Drown in them, become consumed by them. Let it become his world, all of it and nothing more. The life of a Jedi was filled with trials and tribulations, mostly of a nature that Rakaan loathed more than most, ever content to be thrust into battlefields in the furthest regions of space. The rest, well... it hardly, if ever compared.

"There may well be, Master, but I should have been told." He said with the turn of his head, only to turn in full a moment later. "I am not his student anymore, what I do is not his call. You said so yourself, Master Goto, I am a Jedi Knight." He exhaled deeply with frustration, and averted eyes found the scene left to play out ahead.

"I see how he treats me now," he continued with a calmer sense of self, "I failed him. His expectations of me, he wants more of me. I want more. So I have to do all that I can to prove myself to them."

​

 

[Goto]

Master Goto nodded, he could understand the perspective Rakaan spoke from, of being a Jedi Knight - in essence a sole operator for the Order, if he so chose - but still under the expectations of his masters. It was that same purpose of hierarchy that had been put into place to try to balance eagerness with temperance... though in the small Jedi Master's opinion, it could have the opposite effect.

Simply, becoming a Jedi Knight could be even more troubling than being a Padawan or Master.

"Empathize and understand, I do," Master Goto said with a sincere expression. "The most precarious of all ranks, being a Jedi Knight, is... given discretion, given choice, given all but experience of your own, you have."

The diminutive Jedi Master was mindful of the crowd, as his eyes shifted and he watched several individuals momentarily.

"Promoted for failure, do the Jedi do now, young Rakaan?" Master Goto chuckled, as he reached out and patted the young sentient's leg. "Proven yourself, you have, for a Jedi Knight you are. If a Jedi Master, to affirm your worth, you seek to be... mindful of placing such heavy emphasis on a title, I ask."

Master Goto inclined his head.

"Patience, wisdom, compassion, a good Jedi this makes... but also discipline and self-control of oneself, a good Jedi Master this makes."

The Jedi Master was curious about one thing, though:

"Masters Toldreyn and Noble, statements of disapproval or failure with you, have they expressed?"

Rakaan Horne​

 

[Rakaan Horne]

CORUSCANT - Goto

​

The young Jedi absorbed the eternal wisdom of Master Goto. He listened intently, able to do little more than nod in continued acceptance of all that flowed freely from the small statured Jedi Master - no matter how oddly the alien spoke, with all his backwards structured sentences. In all their shared years, Rakaan had come to learn much and many lessons stuck with him in the adventures that carried him forwards. Master Goto remained the author of many of them, second only to Master Korvan in the afforded wisdom. He wondered, from time to time, if his life may have been much different should Goto have been the one to induct Rakaan into the Jedi Order.

He leaned backwards on the rail the separated himself from a lethal fall, with hands held onto the brass rail above the pane of glass. It was with a groan that he leaned back even further, almost all of his torso fell over the edge with eyes left to face skybound alongside his disgruntled mess of a reaction.

"No, Master." He said plainly with a smile, amused with disbelief. Disbelief in himself, embarassed by his own actions. In the presence of Master Goto, that is. If these doubts should later return once left to his own devices, who was to say. Rakaan brought himself from lazily resting over the ledge, yet still left to lean on the rail. "Am I a fool for ever thinking like this?"

​

 

[Goto]

Master Goto observed the young sentient, as Rakaan rested against the railing, and then leaned out backward.

No words were needed.

The small Jedi Master remained still, he understood there were thoughts churning and connections being made, points of view revealed or newly considered, it was part of the process. When it came to offering his help to others, Master Goto preferred to allow those who sought him the chance to find their own answers as that was usually the most effective way to resolve issues.

Master Goto couldn't help but see the manifestation of - literal and proverbial - balance in Rakaan.

The young Jedi Knight teetered on a fine point, an edge, and his decision on how to view that would determine his future. It was the diminutive Jedi Master's hope that he might provide the clarity and wisdom to help Rakaan, but ultimately it would come down to the younger humanoid's decision and state of mind; for as useful as Master Goto's words might be, a mind made up was exactly that.

"A fool, no, young Rakaan" Master Goto said quietly, as he watched the Jedi Knight ease back to rest comfortably. "A young sentient, burdened with responsibility and difficult tasks, you have been. Doubt, uncertainty, all sentients feel these... but guard against that influence a Jedi must, trust in fellow Jedi to remain strong, resist negative emotions."

There wasn't much else to say.

Rakaan was a Jedi Knight, he knew the context and underlying meaning.

"Onward shall we go?"

Rakaan Horne​

 

[Rakaan Horne]

CORUSCANT - Goto

​

In turn, the young Jedi smiled. It was willed with a soft and silent warmth, no matter the subject behind all that Master Goto made mention of in his final few words uttered to Rakaan. He nodded, too. It was swift, brief, and that was all to be said on the matter. Of what else was there, other than the rush of contentment to know and feel that the Jedi Master understood the burdens of his latest few missions and what remained after them. Even as Rakaan demanded himself not to feel as such, to never become so burdened, to instead move on and beyond into the mission that followed next. Onto the next, and so on.

The Jedi must prevail.

But still, it was no time to dwell on that Rakaan noted as hands pushed himself forwards and into line with the smaller Jedi. "Yes, Master." Rakaan affirmed with remnants of the well-natured smile as another nod proceeded, "Thank you, too. You're wiser than any Jedi I know."

His eyes scanned the endless crowds that spewed out ahead of them; an entire new batch of faces and shapes fell into view while Rakaan motioned forwards, one of few patches of true life in the form of some park branched off of the elevated road in the direction the Jedi duo walked in. The younger of the Jedi paid it no mind, in truth, far too concentrated on the role of a watchful and sometimes distracted observer. The Force swirled around them, absorbed into them, one of many lessons Master Goto involved a Padawan Rakaan in.

Feel the Force, as if it lives and breathes.

​