Books and Boundaries

[Amilthi Camlenn]

"Thank you, Grandmaster. You are very generous, and I will be sure to give thought to your offer", said Amilthi. She did not smile so that her words would not be taken to be insincere. She couldn't say that Valae's offer was unwelcome, as she was on some level considering the possibility of getting more involved with a community of Jedi again. But this was indeed a matter that would require much observation and contemplation on her part. Considerations announced themselves - whether she would be distracted from her path, whether she was ready to carry the responsibility, whether she would find herself pushed in an unwholesome direction or on the contrary uplifted. Amilthi noticed and noted these concepts as they drifted into her mind and watched them pass away again without engaging. Things needed to be thought through, but at the proper time. Now was not this time.

A thoughtful look fell over Amilthi's face when Stephanie voiced her interest in what she was studying. She had unearthed some knowledge of the form already and could probably have taught the other woman something new immediately; but she was quite wary of the idea. She had got the impression that Stephanie was already struggling with her stressful position in life, and it seemed doubtful that she could muster the control and stability that was apparently necessary not to be put off balance by the study of Form VII.

Amilthi looked at Valae, seeking to meet her eyes. She wished to see the Grandmaster's own reaction to the request, and also hoped to convey her own reluctance and have it understood. If possible, she would have liked to avoid being he first to alert Stephanie to the ways in which what she sought was potentially unwise.

[member="Stephanie Swail"] | [member="Valae Kitra"]​

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Valae was pleased to hear that Amilthi would give thought to spending more time with the Silver Jedi, truly that’s all she could ask. She knew steps like this were not to be taken lightly, and she’d rather potential new additions take the time, rather than make a snap decision. Her chestnut eyes turned to linger on the shelves for a moment more, giving Stephanie a chance to converse with Amilthi.

Though the eager request of her apprentice was hushed, it had not gone unnoticed.

The Grandmaster glanced up, happening to catch the subtle look given by Amilthi. The slight pause seemed to give her answer; the hesitation was seen by Valae. As she shifted her eyes to Stephanie, she could see the true yearning for experience. Of course, she wouldn’t discourage her padawan from learning, but perhaps this was not the time to leap forward to Form VII. For the moment, the young woman did have quite a lot to do. After all, her service as the aide to the Grandmaster wasn’t an easy job.

Attempting to keep the mood light, she gave Stephanie a playful nudge with her elbow.

“Perhaps, in time, my apprentice.” She said with a smile, “But we’ve much to focus on right now.”

Taking a step away from the shelves, she gave a short bow to Amilthi.

"I don't want to keep you, if you are eager to get to work." She spared a last glance towards the artifacts. "Unless... you would rather get settled here at the temple?"

[member="Amilthi Camlenn"], [member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Stephanie caught the look Amilthi gave Valae, and waited for the response. She got the nudge, and smiled at it with the softly spoken reply.

"Can't blame me for trying," she mused.

The mood was light, for while she was no expert with a blade, her willingness to learn was not going to go away today or the next. But there would be a time and place of course to apply such willing and learning. As Valae moved away, Stephanie took a step to the side.

"Don't let me keep you from going where you need Amilthi, I will stay around for a while. If you want help, just ask."

Stephanie looked to the rows of some texts on shelves and turned her head slightly. Planets and geography.

"You know I don't even think I've used this place as well as I could have. I must come here more and immerse myself more often."

[member="Amilthi Camlenn"] | [member="Valae Kitra"]

 

[Amilthi Camlenn]

"Far be it from me to wish to make further unnecessary demands on your time, Grandmaster. I'm sure I will be able to sort out the practicalities with Miss Swail here", said Amilthi politely, throwing a friendly look at Stephanie.

She smiled faintly, almost as if preoccupied, when the student expressed a somewhat sudden interest in books. Amilthi wondered to what extent that was genuine interest speaking and to what extent she was only doing what the situation had made her think she should be doing to fulfill others' expectations. "If you have a specific thing in mind that you believe would advance you on your path, by all means seek out the help of books. But do not scold yourself for mere lack of erudition and go up to the shelf to pick whatever book may look interesting. You're likely to waste your time." She considered for a brief second, and then added. "Unless you have that feeling telling you that doing so would be precisely the thing to help you move forward."

She assumed that Stephanie would know, and would ask if she didn't know, what she meant by that. The Force had its curious ways of nudging people to do things without telling them why it was a good idea, and while it took much practice, Amilthi had found that it was possible to learn to tell apart this kind of inspiration from other sorts of thoughts that might come into the mind with seeming randomness, and which were usually much less valuable.

Eventually, her thoughts returned to the unsettled matter of logistics, which Amilthi would have preferred to be out of the way before she would turn to reading. "Well, perhaps it will indeed be easier if you would be so kind as to show me where I might spend my nights, before I return here."

[member="Stephanie Swail"] | [member="Valae Kitra"]​