Ascension [Promotion Ceremonies]

[Eugen Aker]

After Jyoti had taken over as Grandmaster of the Order, she had been keen to rekindle some old traditions to continue to improve solidarity, one of them being formal promotion ceremonies. This cycle, there was a whole slew of promotions planned at all levels, including the appointment of new members to the Silver Assembly.

However, all things would begin with the all-important Knighting Ceremony, formally inducting senior padawan and neutral apprentices into the Order of the Silver Jedi.

Within the darkened Assembly hall, Jyoti stood in a semi-circle with her fellow masters, lightsabers drawn.

"Padawan Locke, step forward."

OOC:

Spoiler

Hello there!

Some of us thought it would be a good idea to revive promotions as an optional IC event. We have promotions planned for all levels. Everyone is invited to attend ICily, as long as keep to the background unless summoned or helping carry out the promotions.

Knights​

[member="Allyson Locke"]
[member="Asaraa Vaashe"]
[member="Dusaro Dresari"]

Masters

[member="Drystan Marakos"]

Assembly

[member="Celeste Rigel"]
[member="John Locke"]

 

[WelshPsych]

Yuroic remained silent in the shadows. The ascension ceremony was a long held tradition within the Jedi Order, while he was being promoted himself, he was eager to see others rise up in rank and congratulate them on their hardwork. He was also interested in seeing the old tradition upheld, his ascension to Knight was not formal like this, it was done more informally as was his old Master's way, the man was not for typical Jedi tradition.

The atmosphere was tense but in an excitable way. Watching the circle of Masters, he was curious to see how the ceremony would go.

 

[Drystan Marakos]

Drystan waited in the shadows, clothed in the robes of the Jedi Order; hood concealing her face, and hands clasped at her navel. She waited, silently bearing witness to the events. Around her, @Yuroic Xeriac & others waited. The woman was excited, inwardly giddy, as her entire life had drawn her to this very moment...

Years of service to the Alliance, with years spent in Cover Identities never to be shared with another living soul. Countless lonely nights, with fear & anxiety gnawing silently at her soul to be fought back by faith in The Force. Relationships, lovers, friends, lost to time or death. She had spent years as a Jedi Knight, with little contact with familiar faces or friends... whereas, since coming to the Order of the Silver Jedi, she'd found herself to be a part of a Family.

She would be named "Master"... an idea she'd often dreamed of, but never really embraced.

That was, of course, until this very moment.

 

[Allyson Locke]

For the first time, Allyson Locke wore Jedi robes. She had sworn to never cave into wearing them, but it was part of the process. Her hair pulled up revealing the traditional padawan braid, she had adopted the tradition the moment she had agreed to Jyoti’s request to study as a Jedi. The braid was rarely noticed, mostly because she usually kept it up hidden in her hair, but today it was on display.

Knots and butterflies flew around her stomach, when she had decided to try her hand at the Jedi path she assumed she would have abandoned it the moment she had decided to do it. To her surprise she had stuck with it and here she was. Looking around, she noticed Drystan and Yuroic, other faces would come into view. Before she could notice anyone else, she heard Jyoti’s voice call her name.

Turning to face the Grandmaster, she wandered into the circle seeing the hooded heads of the assembly. She bowed slightly to the woman that summoned her and the reason she was even standing here in the Jedi robes. Standing straight after the bow, the Corellian smiled.

[member="Jyoti Nooran"] [member="Drystan Marakos"] [member="Yuroic Xeraic"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

How long had it been since his own promotion? Both his Knight and Master promotions had been very uneventful, very casual, seemingly unimportant affairs that were treated as nothing but a necessity during wartime and not once recognizing what he had done to earn the distinctions and be called a Jedi Knight - and later a Jedi Master. So to say he was happy to see these ceremonies being conducted was an understatement. These were important events indeed, and Josh wanted to be part of ensuring that this was something they would remember for the rest of their lives.

Both his Padawans, [member="Asaraa Vaashe"] and [member="Dusaro Dresari"] would be amongst the graduates tonight with both being promoted to Knight. Since he had officially established the Dragon School, he had hoped to finally see the day that his Padawans would grow up into fine Jedi Knights... And the day had finally come. He had revealed the intention to promote him to Dusaro during the aftermath of their final mission together, after getting to see for himself just how far Dusaro had come. For Asaraa... Well, this had always been just a matter of time. Josh had taken it upon himself to finish her training and prepare her properly for the journey to come. He hoped he had succeeded in that venture, he truly did.

Standing in the semi-circle with his blue lightsaber drawn... Josh couldn't help but smile wide from under his hood.

 

[Tanaski Yumi]

Tana actually felt a little nervous about this whole event, even with a calm persona put on, wearing a ceremonial robes of the order his heart thumped faster then usual. That or he was excited the time of becoming a Jedi knight was a unquie occasion and big step for any Padawan. He stood to the side not far behind [member="John Locke"] as his name was called out by the grandmaster. His hand running along the braid that symbolised his Padawan status, the small article hanging along with his expertly tied and somewhat iconic poneytail.

As the ceremony began Tana's eyes glanced atriums the hall, observing the assembled knights and masters including his master [member="Junko Ike"]. The group was rather small but with this whole ceremony being only newly reinstated such was to be expected, making the whole event that much more special. To bad mother was unable to attend but Tana knew the woman would be pround to see her son progressing as a Jedi so quickly despite past works and the family secret.

[member="Jyoti Nooran"] [member="Yuroic Xeraic"]

 

[Junko Ike]

[member="Tanaski Yumi"]

The return of the ceremonies had brought much attention and Junko stood there, hands clasped in front of herself as she observed her padawan and the others. SMall frame in a jade colored kimono, the vine silk with aurodium threading and dream silk cuffs. Making a sea of greens, blues and the barest flecks of gold before her massive amount of hair stuck out to be seen. Where she was looking at the other padawans, her beads gleamed. The kyber and smokestone bells in her hair making her presence in the force something stronger and her white current abilities were more powerful along with a calming aura. Her eyes were like black pools with the solari make up on her face. thick and full to her neck while encircling it. Micro crystals of the lightside that made her skin look more like marble with black pools for her eyes. Painted on eyebrows and crimson lips before she spoke moving forward just a little. Scented oils in her hair giving it a blacker sheen and smelling like jasmine and rain. "Hmm."

 

[Epistor of Phasekion]

Agathonice had woken her up this morning with a gentle but stern commandment: "Go forth today and celebrate with your unblooded brethren."

And so, even though she was still very much uncomfortable in her own skin, she forced herself to step out of her dormitory. She went out to the garden where she had picnicked with Pash Tafo some time ago to pick some native flowers and vines for her hair. While the day's ceremony was not in recognition of her victory, it felt was for others. In such, it felt appropriate to, maybe not follow the Jedi traditions exactly, but follow those of the Sargus Novians. And, as she understood it, graduating from learning was a similar accomplishment amongst the Silvers and was an athlete being crowned the winner of a competition was to her people.

So, she arrived in her competitive dress and had slipped quietly into the shadows near the door, pulling the thin-materialed hood over her head for extra measure. She did not really want to attract the attention of her Master, [member="Jyoti Nooran"], and have to explain her absence even more than she had already--in general terms, of course.

 

[Dusaro Dresari]

Dusaro was there, with the rest of the Padawans who were getting promoted to Knights. He had not, in spit of many exploits, done many ceremonies in his life. Before Dus had been content with the pay and some thanks before making his way off what ever planet he had been on. That was when he was a Mercenary of course. No dress uniforms, no pomp nor grandeur. Go in, do the job properly, get payed for it and leave. He never felt the need for medals or awards for doing the job he got hired to do. Honestly, somewhere deep down, Dusaro felt the same way right now as he stood with the other Padawans waiting to be called up, wearing a set of almond colored white robes with the usual brown robes that rested over them. This was more then just an awards ceremony though. To Dusaro, it was a time to look back at where he started, realize how far he had come, but even more how much further he had to go. How much further he could go but more importantly, how much further he would choose to go. Life was all about effort after all. That is what he thought at least. Those were the kinds of thoughts floating through his head as Padawan Loche was called forward, Dusaro pulling his out of his reflections and focusing back on to the moment.

Dusaro glanced at the Padawan braid that was just visible under his hood. It had taken months for him to grow that out, being the kind of guy who liked to keep his hair short. Like the rest of his hair it was naturally two toned, blonde and silver. He wouldn't say he was going to miss it, but it wasn't going to be the same with out it for a while. Or with out his Master and other Padawans to look out for him, for that matter. Dusaro would be lying though if he said he was not happy and excited to be standing here, now, at long last.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

It was a big day.

Celeste liked the idea of having this sort of gathering to see their students and colleagues advance to their next rank. This ceremony would be especially touching when her younglings – especially her son – would become Knights. The thought alone was enough to make Celeste feel emotional, but she summoned the strength to remain stoic. Though she did not know many of Jedi being named, she felt happy for them nonetheless.

Sitting in the chamber with other members of the Silver Circle, she clasped her hands quietly in her lap. Master Quin Su gave Celeste a nudge and a smile, one that Celeste returned. This was an important day for her as well, as she would become part of the Silver Assembly – the council of that assisted the Grandmaster. It was an honor, and she couldn't help but wonder if Master Kitra had something to do with this. Perhaps her friend and colleague had left recommendations behind.

A flutter of butterflies was felt within. But, Celeste tried her best to ignore them – focusing instead on the ceremony.

 

[Reggie Faayare]

When Reggie heard that there would be a ceremony for the Jedi ascending in rank, he made sure to get to the chamber on time. There was now way that the young Padawan would miss out on witnessing the special occasion.

He was in the background dawning his robes, excited to be witnessing his fellow Jedi rising up in rank. He would make sure to congratulate them personally when the chance arose. Obtaining the chance to become a Jedi Knight was something Reggie looked forward to, but this was no time to thing about that. His focus was undivided and on the steadfast Jedi here today.

 

[Eugen Aker]

Allyson almost looked like a different person in robes instead of her usual Corellian duds. Jyoti relished this moment, as this may be the first and last time she would ever see her like that. She didn't really care about what Allyson wore after that, but it was a sign that she had finally accepted the way of the Jedi.

Never say never, Ally.

It was tough to hold back her smile, but she managed somehow with a stoic expression. However, anyone could feel that she was overjoyed having her best friend and quasi-apprentice before her.

She bowed back to Allyson, lowering her silver bladed lightsaber slightly.

"Allyson, I know you didn't always believe that you could become a Jedi, or even want to be, but I always felt that you represented all the values that we cherish: temperance, charity, mercy, tolerance, selflessness, and tenacity. Upon your arrival to the Silver Jedi Order, you have continued to exhibit these qualities and more as you have grown spiritually and truly connected with the Force."

"It's been a long road, but I'm happy to see us finally close this first chapter on what is sure to be a promising career."

She lowered the tip of her of the blade right above the Corellian's shoulder. All other masters would follow in kind as the turned their blades down toward the ground.

"Allyson Locke, by the right of the Assembly, for the sake of the balance of the Force, I dub you Jedi, Knight of the Silver Order."

With each cadence, she shifted the tip to each shoulder, until she ended on the side with the braid. With a flick of the wrist, she sliced it away.

Jyoti raised and the other masters raised their lightsabers straight once more, the ceremony complete.

It was then that the Echani offered a hint of a smile to the brunette, so proud of how far she had come. Now she would let the other Masters take turns knighting their students, looking first to Josh, her right hand as the Master of the Order.

((For my other Knights and Masters, if you have more than one apprentice to promote at this time, then you can do them all as a group.))

[member="Reggie Faayare"] [member="Celeste Rigel"] [member="Dusaro Dresari"] [member="Eustachya"] [member="Junko Ike"] [member="Tanaski Yumi"] [member="Josh DragonsFlame"] [member="Allyson Locke"] [member="Drystan Marakos"] [member="Drystan Marakos"] [member="Yuroic Xeraic"]

 

[Jsc]

Corsica arrived in her long silver coat. Her continuing study of the Jedi religion lead her here today. An Apprentice in her own right, Cinto still never-the-less felt like an observing eye among the Silvers. Still naive and young in her learnings. So accomplished in the Gray, yet still so unpolished in the Light. Yet again, as she stood near the back of the congregation and drank in the all that this ceremony had to offer. She couldn't help but smile.

Yes. Congrats to all those new Knights and proud Masters. Today it was truly you, who had made the calendar so special.

 

[Allyson Locke]

A surreal moment, the Corellian felt as if she was in a dream of sorts. She could feel the emotions around her, but she focused on the woman in front of her. Unlike the stoic expression of the Grandmaster, the brunette had a wide grin on her face. She had stated she would never wear these ‘Jedi pajamas’, yet here she was wearing the pajamas like a professional.

Hearing the words that she represented made everything feel like it was worth it. Everything that she had done that led up to this moment felt like it had a purpose. The space station, the dog fights, every single mission she ran with the SIS, with Jyoti all of it had meaning. Never did she second think her actions while doing them. Of course, everyone had a moment of weakness and Allyson had her fair share, but those dark moments feel like small stepping stones to where she was now. The journey was only beginning, but she had learned so much.

The lightsaber hummed near her and sliced through the thin braid. Allyson felt as if she was holding her breath the entire time, exhaled softly and fought the urge to hug the woman in front of her. She was the reason for it all, for everything. Allyson returned Jyoti’s hint of a smile with an even bigger grin.

“Thank you, I wouldn’t be here without you.” There was more she wanted to say, but she knew the Echani would be able to read her face for the rest of it. Body language was everything and Allyson had gotten better at subtly expressing it, especially to her most cherished companion.

[member="Jyoti Nooran"] [member="Reggie Faayare"] [member="Celeste Rigel"] [member="Dusaro Dresari"] [member="Eustachya"] [member="Junko Ike"] [member="Tanaski Yumi"] [member="Josh DragonsFlame"] [member="Drystan Marakos"] [member="Yuroic Xeraic"]

 

[Jasper Candos]

Curiously

The main why Jerrol deiced to see this event since he heard about this tradition from other Jedis at the temple. He knew it was important for them and that he didn't wanted to risk doing anything that would disrespect the event when he was given the blessing to watch from afar in the room that he host to this event. He wondered how this was going to happen and who was going to get knighted first. He wanted to know how they did it. How the Jedis that are soon to be knights was able to become knights of the order. He knew most of it had to do with service for the SJO, but he wanted to know exactly how they did it.

Until then, he just waited like the rest of the Jedis there to see the ceremonies start.

 

[Tanaski Yumi]

Tana was unsure if clapping was appropriate after he observed [member="Allyson Locke"]’s rise to the rank of knight but he held off for now. One could almost touch the the emotions flowing through the air as the young tythonian thanked her Echani master. It was easy to see how important this day was for her and the journey she’d tsken after being picked up from the ancient Jedi home planet.

From just the look it was such a simple act, but just watching it happen to somelse was enough to make him rilled up with anticipation. That feeling being added too by the decent size crowd which had gathered. Yet another individual a padawan entering the room to watch the proceedings take place for their comrades.

[member="Jasper Candos"][member="Corsica Cinto"][member="Jyoti Nooran"][member="Reggie Faayare"][member="Celeste Rigel"][member="Dusaro Dresari"]@Eustachya@Junko Ike

 

[Asaraa Vaashe]

If there was one day you shouldn't be late, that it would be beyond the pale of all sanity to even consider it, it was for your own promotion. Asaraa had forced herself out of bed at an unholy hour, getting ready for the day while the temple was still stirring...it wasn't because she was excited, that could never be it. She would staunchly deny it if anyone had approached her but she'd spent the entire time since she found out that Master Dragonsflame had put her up for promotion floating along on a sort of cloud, floating along in a daze. Well, that at least had ended today.

The girl fidgetted uncomfortably, one hand tugging at the hem of her tunic. Given the...solemnity of the occasion, the once in a lifetime even she'd opted to wear the standard Jedi Robes, and that was something that she was regretting at the moment. Try as she might the girl just couldn't get comfortable, it was like an itch that you just couldn't scratch. But her dislike of the Jedi robes couldn't mask her elation at this moment. She was going to be a Jedi Knight!

 

[WelshPsych]

The ceremony seemed to be going well. Each candidate chosen seemed to be a person worthy of their promotion. Only surprise was seeing Allyson in Jedi Robes, something he was not going to forget or let her forget any time soon. His mouth turned into a smirk as he watched the fellow Knight. His eyes moved to Asaraa, someone else in robes that they didn't normally wear. It was good to see that they chose to wear them during this, showed they appreciated the Jedi traditions.

For some reason, watching Asaraa preparing herself, a sense of pride washed over him. It was strange but he couldn't shake the feeling. Yuroic figured he must just be proud of them all, the Order was his family so to see them doing well like this was a proud moment. That had to be it. He continued to smile watching from afar.

[member="Asaraa Vaashe"] [member="Tanaski Yumi"] [member="Allyson Locke"] [member="Corsica Cinto"] [member="Jyoti Nooran"] [member="Reggie Faayare"] [member="Celeste Rigel"] [member="Dusaro Dresari"] [member="Eustachya"] [member="Junko Ike"] [member="Josh DragonsFlame"] [member="Drystan Marakos"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z84aleGD00​

How long had it been since he'd done this ceremony? Proud of Allyson as he was, he was watching Jyoti carefully. He wanted to know that he hadn't forgotten, and wasn't going to mess this up for his Padawans on their most important night. And then the moment came. [member="Allyson Locke"] was now a Knight of the Silver Jedi Order. And now it was his turn. His turn to give the rites to those who had earned them. Josh took a deep breath then as he stepped forward, removing his hood. Swapping places with Jyoti in the semi circle, he would look over the people that would be promoted on this day. Deserving folks... All of them.

"Asaraa Vaashe. Dusari Dresari.

Step forward."

Josh would allow himself to relax a moment as the two Padawans, his students, and the first official graduates of the Dragon School since it had been established in an official capacity. Looking the two over a moment, he would nod his head, before pacing side to side a bit as he thought on the words to say.

"Dusaro Dresari. One of the first students I have taken in since establishing the school... My longest-spanning current student, and now ready to take his place as Jedi. You've done well. This has been a long time coming for you... But you knew that. I found you on a job, looking for purpose. Looking for your place in this life... I'd hope that here and now, you can say that you've found it.

Asaraa Vaashe... You never needed me. You were going to be here sooner or later. But you've shown me in the short time we'v spent together that you belong here. You've shown me that this was always your path. And I'd like to hope that I've been able to help guide your way to ensuring that you have everything you need for your future here with us."

Josh would motion for them to heighten their heads, as he would raise his tone a bit, speaking more like a teacher or a commander.

"You two. Your stance has strictness out of respect, and your heads bowed, I ask you not as your teacher but as your peer to raise your heads, right your stance and look at me as your equal. You two have earned all that is here in front of you today and you have earned the right to raise your heads high with pride! Your paths have been long and arduous. Training has been difficult, but you both have come out stronger, wiser and better for it..."

His voice settled, returning to the calmer, softer tone that the group were more used to.

"And I want you two to never stop learning. Your pursuit of knowledge, your pursuit of self improvement to further your abilities for our cause does not end here... This is where it begins. The path of a Jedi is a difficult one... True mastery is to know that your ceiling is high, your limits are infinite, and satisfaction can never come. Learn to continue to better yourselves so you may continue to save and protect the lives of the people who depend on us... Who will now depend on you.

Dusaro Dresari, you have my blessing.

Asaraa Vaashe, you have my blessing."

Josh would look them both in the eye, and place a hand over his heart.

"By the right of the Assembly, for the sake of the balance of the Force... I dub you Jedi, Knights of the Silver Order."

Josh would motion for the both of them to lift their Padawan braids, as he would spin his blue lightsaber between his fingers. His usual warm up. With that, he would tap the blade just above their shoulders, one shoulder then the other, to one Padawan and then to the other. With that, he would then instruct them both to turn.

"Release."

The moment the two of them had released their grip on their Padawan braids and had gotten their hands out of slicing distance, Josh wasted no time and no movement. In one fluid, swift motion - Josh would slice both braids off cleanly.

It was done then. Dusaro Dresari and Asaraa Vaashe had risen as Jedi Knights.

"Know that I will remain by your side as your peer if you ever have need of me. Walk tall... And know that I am proud of the both of you."

[member="Asaraa Vaashe"] - [member="Dusaro Dresari"]

 

[Dusaro Dresari]

There was a kind of solem, quietness to Dusaro's body language that was not normally there. A change in his demenaour on such an occasion, it was naturally to be expected yet even so it managed to feel profound. Steps in life were taken every day but this one felt like a leap. Though when Dusaro thought on that feeling as Josh spoke, it was not really such a change. What felt like a leap was just the culmination of many days of single, small little steps leading up to a single moment. Looking back on it, of course it would feel like a sudden, thrusting leap. But in truth he had been there for some time, in a manner of speaking. Every day he had taken so many small steps and this day too, was just another small step. An important one, a profound one, but only a single one. No more and no less than all the others, the path was still just as long and twisted as when he started and like his Master... No, peer and fellow Jedi Josh pointed out, it was not a path that had any ending. Like an unending mountain, the only choice was to keep on climbing. That was the way Dusaro liked life and no small part, in what had let him to this moment. To becoming a Jedi. It had taken him time, longer than most Dusaro knew. Though most were not carrying around as much baggage from a less than scrupulous life, plenty of bad habits and even more that he still needed to work on. But he took pride in that. To him it made that time of changing, growing and adapting all the more precious. Because in spite of where he started, here he now stood. Dusaro felt no shame in the pride he felt from that fact.

As Josh asked them to step forward, Dusaro would do so. He wasn't overly tensed, not as much as when he first entered the room at least. Waiting in line, seeing the assembled Knights and Masters, that had build up tension but as the ceremony proceeded, that faded away in seconds. He wouldn't say he was calm, but Dusaro was focused, his mind clear as Joshua told them to raise their heads and so Duaro did. He wasn't quite able to hide that small little grin as Josh continued on, Dus listening intently and taking the moment in, making sure to not miss anything. He would only be here once, only live this moment, once. It was not one he wished to forget. After what felt like all to short a moment, the next step came. He had no lack of faith in Josh's skill with a lightsaber, he rose the braid and released it without fear and less than a second later, it was done. The braid cut, his Padawanship ended and Knighthood begun.

Before stepping away, Dusaro did have something to say. Not much of something, but a few, parting words to his former Master. "From slavers to here huh. It was a wild ride, but i wouldn't have had it any other way." He said, though not with his usual relaxed tone or grin. A somber, more serious tone. His body language mirrored that, before he would step off 'the stage' and quietly watch the rest of the proceedings.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"] [member="Asaraa Vaashe"]