Breaking Point

[Aika Kawakami]

No matter how loving.. No matter how much of a pacifist... No matter how much one has kept themselves together...​

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Everyone has their breaking point..​

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Jedi Temple, Coruscant - Hallway​

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Step by step, pace by pace, her feet moved down the halls with no break. It was not often, actually never, that she was seen like this. From the way her arms swung, to the almost ferocious look with in her eyes. One thing was certain, this was not Aika as she was known. Eyes seemed to be drawn towards her as she stormed through the Jedi Temple, having left the Council's Chamber just moments ago. Suffice to say, it was not the reaction that many around expected, regardless of the decision that was to be made regarding her. Yet, they were presented with a different person than they had become accustomed to over the past years. One who radiated with an emotion that none within the Order had ever sensed from her; anger.​

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"Well, isn't this a pleasant turn?", a simple chuckle followed the words.​

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"Hold your tongue, you ill-mannered manifestation of my own personal fears."​

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"Your own... That's precisely right. I'm you. And have you heard yourself speak? If I'm ill-mannered, what does that make you? Hm?"​

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"I said silence. Continue your pointless babble and I'll..." Aika's own words came from hr lips loud and clear, as if there was someone actually standing alongside her as she continued her relentless pace through the halls. Those seeing her would probably think the young girl crazed, or at the very least, yet another ill-tempered, young Jedi. But that was far from the case, unbeknown to those watching her.​

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"You'll what? Kill me? I don't exactly think such a thing would work, do you? Technically, I guess you could try. But, of course, that would mean ending your own life. Which, I'm sure, won;t be happening."​

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Her lips remained together this time, no longer responding to the voice within her own mind. After some time of fighting with herself, it seemed that the battle had reached a fever pitch. Now combined with current mindset she found herself in left Aika in quite the delicate state. A state that left her questioning herself, and her overall placement within the Jedi. It only added fire to her speculation that a line had been drawn, one between herself and the rest of the Jedi. It made it no better that mental musing of those who saw her storming through the Temple invade her mind as if they were her own thoughts.​

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"No wonder she wasn't given the rank.."​

"Is this how she really is?"..​

"Should she even be here?"..​

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With each step, more doubt seemed to surround her. And with each passing moment, the young Jedi's emotions seemed to continue to decrease in stability...​

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@[member="Rasu Gan"]​

 

[Rasu Gan]

"Aika please don't go." Rasu said, pleading with her friend as the woman continued deeper into the shroud of shadows. "Please listen to me, you don't have to do this!" Shouting now at the Jedi, Rasu stretched out her hand, struggling to move her feet, finding that they were glued in place. Aika turned, dark yellow eyes now glaring upon the Jedi Master as a malicious grin crept across her face. Struggling against the invisible force stopping her from reaching her friend, Rasu watched helplessly as Aika was consumed by shadows, lost to the darkness.

The scene in the Shi'ido's vision had haunted her since leaving Tython, Rasu being unable to erase the glare that had been burned into her mind as the Jedi shuttle took her to Coruscant. Panic had been the cause for the Shi'ido to arrange for this flight, plagued with worry that something might be troubling one of her best friends. The bumpy descent towards the Jedi Temple received no reaction from Rasu, oblivious to the world around as her thoughts were placed at the forefront of her mind. As she felt the shuttle land, Rasu quickly unfastened her safety harness and made her way off the shuttle before breaking into a run for the Temple entrance, slowing her pace to jog and finally a walk as she made her way under the massive entrance way.

She set herself to work, reaching out through the Force, searching desperately for that familiar presence that was Aika. As she continued the hunt through the Force, Rasu was met with a rather dark aura, one that held similar attributes to that of her friend, however was in a way completely different to the person she had grown to know. Curious yet anxious to discover the identity of this disturbing aura, Rasu closed in on the being, making her way into a nearby hallway before glimpsing the figure further down the hall, head hung low. Coming closer to the figure she noticed some sort of distressed look about her, watching with disturbed fascination as the woman murmured almost voiceless words, which were only meant for her.

"Aika?" she asked nervously, worried that she had come too late and that already the vision had become a reality. She reached out and placed her hand on the woman's shoulder.

@[member="Aika Kawakami"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

Step by step, she continued through the halls, ignoring the eyes and mumblings of those around. By this point, it made no difference who seemed to have an opinion on her. They were all the same to her, none different from any other. They all looked at her as if she didn't belong, and only served to further anger the young Jedi. The emotion that she hadn't felt since her arrival on Coruscant had returned with a vengeance. And for the first time in her life, it seemed she wouldn't deny it from obtaining a grasp on her. By this point, it was all but sure such would happen.​

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Her eyes were filled with fury, yet at the same time, she seemed to notice nothing, as if suffering from a case of tunnel vision. It was almost as if she saw no one, or that no one mattered, as her pace continued through the Temple grounds. It is a wonder where she would have gone, or what she would have done, in this state of mind. It was only a wonder, because there was one who stood between herself, and a potential mistake that could have epic consequences.​

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Aika would've walk right passed the Shi'do, without even realizing she was there, and without caring. She would have, had the hand not made contact wither her shoulder. Her radical pace came to an immediate halt, her gaze drifting towards the hand just before her head shot up, making eye contact with one of the few she felt close to. Though, by the look within her eyes, one would think they mortal enemies, but that couldn't have been further from the truth. The two were close, and in a way, almost like family to one another. Perhaps that, in its own, was what made the encounter so disturbing.​

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"Rasu...how interesting to see you. After all, Ossus has but been your home as of late. Yet, here you are, on Coruscant. What brings you here? Did the council send for you to watch me? Have you become their newest pet as of late? Or have simply come to beg for their permission on a matter? I wonder which it could be.." Her tone low, and not the slightest hint of the smile others had become so accustomed to seeing. Her eye retained the same ire, even while staring into the eyes of the Shi'do.​

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"Perhaps she's been sent to do what council won't. After all, why would want to dirty their own hands? It may be an idea to keep watch on this one. You know what they say about friends and enemies."​

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@[member="Rasu Gan"]​

 

[Rasu Gan]

Rasu's heart leaped as the woman who she had known for so long, turned to face her. Dark shadows hung under her red, bloodshot eyes, a sight that startled the Shi'ido Master. Her robes carried a few stains, with deep creases embedded within the garment. This was not the Aika she cared for, something had happened, something had changed. It was as if darkness had finally found its way into her heart. Alarm echoed within her head, with her vision pushing her forward, Rasu pulled the Jedi Knight into a tight hug, ignoring the harsh words that uttered from her friends mouth.

"It's been so long Aika, you know I wouldn't take up a task like the one you mention. I support you and you're my friend." she said softly, speaking into the woman's ear. Rasu held the Jedi in her arms, resisting the urge to let her go, fearing what she would become if she released the human. Finally, with much resistance, she let her arms fall away from Aika, taking a step back to gaze upon her dear friend. Something was definitely not right. Her mind drew back to the recent discussion concerning Aika's appointment to Master, however if she recalled correctly, the Master's decided against it. Perhaps this was what had caused her friend to enter such a state.

Stretching out in the Force, she reached out for Aika, closing in on her conscious as she tried to identify the problem. Immediately she felt it, the presence of another, although as she searched for the source she felt it not within the temple but within Aika herself. What was going on? The only way she would find out was if she asked, so without any second thought...

"Aika what is troubling you? You've changed from since we last saw each other, what has happened?"

[member="Aika Kawakami"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

Time moves forward, and with this change, those who were once close become as distant as the stars..​

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She didn't expect an emotional response from the woman. It simply wasn't who she was. Normally, having such a look bestowed upon her by one she considered a friend would bring Aika to tears. But this wasn't the same girl who nearly froze on the same day she met her master. Actually, neither of them were the same. They had grown, and in different ways. Their paths had deviated as much as possible, and only seemed further separate even as they stood before one another. Was this what was destined for two, who at one point, could share almost anything with each other? Maybe it was another force at work, hidden from their combined sight? Or perhaps, this was their fate, to stand opposite one another as time slowed to a crawl.​

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With no warning, the green-skinned master grabbed Aika, pulling them to one another, her intention to never release evident in her grasp. Yet, even then, she didn't falter. The look within her eyes the same, her arms simply dangling by her sides as Shi'ido uttered small words of encouragement into her ears. However, those words fell upon deaf ears, as if glass shattering upon a set of jagged rocks. They held little meaning, only empty thoughts leaving the lips of another.​

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Even as Rasu finally chose to release, her gaze and stance remained unchanged, simply staring at one of the few she knew as friend. Her eyes finally began to drift away, though only for a moment before stopping abruptly. Even without guarding, there were very few who could pierce her mind and see beyond what lie on the surface. Rasu was one of the few. She could it, the woman swimming through her mind, as if searching for something.​

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"She's digging for something. You know what needs to be done, that is, if you don't want her her running to the fools known as the council.."​

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"Do it."​

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"With pleasure..."​

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There were no second thoughts, not a moment of hesitation. For the first time since it had shown itself, Aika released control to the inner being with a way that would shock even herself. At that moment, almost as if a mental push, the being forced back against the Shi'ido went vengeance. one that couldn't be missed. A force strong enough to rival even the most powerful of telepath within the Order. There was no attempt to hide, only the movement of forcing one from her mind.​

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"Changed, you say? My dear friend, time doesn't remain the same forever, and neither do we. Even the things we held so dear, and sacrificed so much for, do not remain the same. Even the almighty Jedi Order falls victim to the hand of time. Yet, in the obvious of ways, they remain the same. The problem isn't with me, it's them, and them alone."​

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[member="Rasu Gan"]​

 

[Rasu Gan]

Them? Rasu thought, confused as to who the woman was accusing. Was she talking about the Council? Was she directing her claim at Rasu herself or was the entire Order at fault in Aika's mind? Whatever the case, Rasu knew that the woman in front of her was not the Aika she had grown to know and love. It frustrated Rasu that she had no idea what the problem was. The old Aika wouldn't have gotten worked up over anything really, so to suddenly jump into such a state had the Shi'ido worried. Rasu was uncertain whether such a state could be reversed or if the old Aika would ever return. However she realised that if anything was to be done to save her friend, she would have to know the source of the problem, what set off such a cold fire within the woman's soul.

"Who's them Aika? Is it the Council or one specific person? For goodness sake Aika, there is nothing I can do unless you tell me what happened. In fact you wouldn't be talking in such a way unless you were asking for help, so start speaking plainly." Rasu said, grabbing her friends hand. She was determined to change the future, her vision would be proven false, and Aika would be fine, she had to be.

[member="Aika Kawakami"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

As quickly as she felt the grasp on her hand, Aika ripped it away, never averting her eyes from the worried gaze of the Shi'ido. Her head shook lightly as she began to methodically pace about the woman, taking her time with each and every step as she replayed the words in her head over and over again. "You? Save me? From what? Who asked you to? Did you simply decide that I so desperately needed you that you raced back here? Do you believe yourself so amazing that I needed your guidance to stand on my own two feet? You are no better they are. I believed us the same, two who essentially were one and the same. It would seem, however, that I was far from the truth. You've become arrogant. What other reason would there be for you to come so far this way, and simply to find me?"​

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Her feet steps finally came to halt behind Rasu, her own head rolling back slightly to gaze towards the Temple's ceiling. "Can you not feel it? Can you not sense it? The ones we once believed in no longer exist. They've been replaced. Or perhaps, it's better to say that they never existed to being with. Quite the amazing facade, I must say. It is a shame that you've become blinded to what I see as so obvious. Or maybe I'm wrong, but that seems unlikely. What do you say? Or, to word it better, what do you see?"​

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[member="Rasu Gan"]​