Desperado

[Connor Harrison]

The clone nodded and looked down at her hands, flexing the fingers slowly. Her eyes wandered along her legs and down to the floor, looking for nothing - just flitting around trying to think what to do. She had no option. She really had no choice. If power was about having connections, all Joon had was Taeli.

She stood and knelt beside the desk, next to Taeli.

"I won't let you down, Master Raaf. Please do not try to restrain me - I am a weapon, and I will be your weapon. I will help you and protect you and learn from you. And maybe even help you."

Joon held her head down. Submission was all she had known, and now it was her turn to submit to the Jedi Master. Part of her body ached in sadnesss at bowing before a Jedi, but part of her told her Taeli was no ordinary Jedi.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Joon"]

"I hope that by the end of your training that you will realize that you are far more than a weapon, my apprentice," Taeli said to the kneeling girl. It had been a long time since she had taken a student... her last one had been her own youngest sister. She pressed a button on her desk, summoning her personal secretary and aide to come to the office. An Umbaran female glided inside, light on her feet. Her unnatural white eyes looking at the two of them.

"You called for me, Master Raaf?" she asked.

"Yes, Uleema," Taeli said, gesturing for Joon to stand. "This is Joon and she will require quarters here. Have some rooms prepared and then take her to them personally."

"Of course, Master Raaf," the Umbaran said, bowing out of the office to send out Taeli's orders. Taeli turned back to the girl, looking her over for a moment.

"We shall start your training tomorrow," Taeli said, getting up out of her chair and making her way to the window, talking over her shoulder. "Uleema will see that you are comfortable and that you may ask for anything you desire to be delivered to your quarters. A new wardrobe will be available for you to choose whatever you may like... and cost is not an issue. You may have learned that you don't require the trappings of wealth, but in this game, appearances are everything."

There would be a small chime, indicating that Uleema was ready to escort Joon.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Joon kept her head down and mouth shut, but her eyes moved to the side to see what she could in her peripheral vision; the words of the two people above her registered, and it sounded like she was now the property of Taeli Raaf.

She swallowed slightly, and rose after her request for being a new Apprentice had been accepted. As the chime sounded from the aide - Uleema - Joon looked back to the Jedi and gently touched her face and the tattoo under her eye.

"Thank you," the clone mumbled, feeling very anxious and having that nausea feeling. "How do you want me to dress, and about this on my face, what appearance do you want from me? I didn't always look like this." She forced a little chuckle.

The relationship between these two was very different already from Ayra. At least Ayra had found Joon; not the other way with a strong air of desperation and embarrassment to it all.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Joon"]

"You may dress however you wish, but do keep in mind you will most likely be meeting people of a higher social class," Taeli said. She didn't expect the girl to go in for the elegant dresses that Taeli usually wore when she didn't wear her robes. That was a bit much to ask, but there would need to be... an evolution. "The tattoo is fine unless you don't want that to be present. That choice is up to you, but if you no longer wish to have it, I can place an illusion around it until you have time to have it permanently removed."

She could sense the girl was feeling anxious. That was understandable. After all, she was starting a new chapter in her life and was unsure of just how it would go.

"Now best not keep Uleema waiting any longer, I shall see you in the morning," Taeli said. "Someone will escort you to where our first lesson will be so you don't get lost while on campus. It is rather large and will take some time to get used to the place. And Joon..."

She paused, looking out to where the moon of Erilnar was starting to shine brightly in the night sky.

"There will be no need to call me Master Raaf," she said. "You may refer to me as Lady Arcanix if that will make your transition more comfortable."

 

[Connor Harrison]

As the broken clone backed out from the room, noting the clothing and tattoo comment, her finger once more touching the skin where it was under her eye. While she relished hard work and training, it was still an anxious feeling to be siding with a new Master and one who had been a target of her outburst.

"Yes, Lady Arcanix. Thank you."

She looked at the Jedi, and wanted to ask about the name; what was it? Why a Lady? But she had outstayed her welcome already and knew it was time to go. With a nod, looking to the floor, she span and walked out of the room as the doors parted, and the one known as Uleema was waiting.

It was time to learn another new home, and another new face.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]