Faction [Jedi] Assessment of Strength and Spirit

[Braze Kai'el]

TAGS: Kaelos Vryn

The moment Kaelos pressed his hands against the surface of the box, the Force responded, surging through him like ink swirling in water. Fleeting impressions bled into his mind—blurry, fragmented, frustratingly incomplete.

Fingers. Hands—too many of them. The box had passed through several, none lingering long enough to offer clarity. The touch of Jedi, yes, but also others—mechanics, merchants, people who had no business handling something tied to Braze. Had it been passed through decoys?

The vision shifted. A darkened space. Shelves stacked high with indistinct objects. A low murmur of voices, muffled and distorted, their words just out of reach. Someone—no, multiple someones—placed something inside. But the moment the lid closed, the vision warped. A void. A complete and utter dead zone. No impression of what was inside, as if it had been erased from time itself.

Pushing harder, trying to break through the static, to latch onto something—but the box resisted. Not just the object within, but the container itself. Crafted with intention. Not a simple wooden shell, but something layered, something protected.

A fleeting glimpse surfaced—Braze, seated alone in a dimly lit room. The box rested before him, open. His hands moved with deliberate precision, placing something inside.

But the moment it should have come into focus, the vision fractured.

Where the object should be, there was nothing—just a blackened void, as if the Force itself refused to reveal it. The edges flickered and burned like charred parchment, details consumed before they could be understood. The memory twisted around the absence, recoiling from it. The void wasn't just obscured—it felt wrong.

Braze's expression lingered—calm, unreadable, yet touched with the faintest glint of knowing amusement, as if he had expected someone to look. And then, just as abruptly, the vision collapsed into emptiness.

Then, a sharp jolt. A flash of white-hot heat—pain? No, warning.

Braze.

His presence flickered at the edge of the vision, not in memory, but in something else. Expectation. Amusement. Anticipation.

And just like that, the connection severed.

The box sat in his lap, unchanged, as though it had never stirred at all.

It should have worked. But it hadn't. And now, the mystery gnawed at him worse than before. What could possible be with in the box?

​

 

[Kaelos Vryn]

Location: Courscant
Tags: Braze Kai'el
Equipment: N/A​

​

It should have worked.

The box had clearly been handled by numerous people, touched by so many. Something had been placed inside the box but he couldn't tell what, it was like the force just didn't wish to show him exactly what it was that had been placed inside.

Something had startled him as well. Whilst he was pushing, something had tainted the vision. It was a feeling of excitement, anticipation almost. The force signature perfectly matched that of the Jedi Knight who had tasked him with this quest.

Kaelos recoiled slightly when he left the vision and returned to the real world. Whatever was in that box was nothing to do with him, and he'd decided he wanted nothing more to do with it. He was done, he'd return the box to it's owner and Braze could find someone else to deliver it.

And so he set off back towards the temple, box in hand and a sense of determination. He arrived back to the temple in roughly the same time it had taken him to reach his original location and he set off back towards the conference room in which he'd left the Jedi Knight.

 

[Braze Kai'el]

TAGS: Kaelos Vryn

Unfortunately, Braze was no longer in the conference room.

This was shaping up to be an overwhelmingly annoying task—perhaps even a trial of patience. After all, how difficult could it really be to deliver a simple box? And yet, obstacles kept presenting themselves at every turn.

Maybe Braze was staying in one of the dorm rooms here? That was a possibility… but whether he was or not, it didn't change the fact that the responsibility had been placed squarely on Kaelos's shoulders. The task was his to complete, no matter how frustrating it had become.

​

 

[Kaelos Vryn]

Location: Courscant
Tags: Braze Kai'el
Equipment: N/A​

​

He hated everything.

Such a simple task had become nothing more than half of a day of annoyance. A day that had started so postively with his assessment going so well and his conversation with Braze had become nothing but annoying and a complete and utter waste of time.

Options were limited. He could either open the box and just figure out exactly what was going on and fail his quest or he could find Braze and give him back the box. There was something about everything that was going on which made it feel like more than just a simple delivery.

Almost as if it had been designed to be purposefully annoying by the Jedi Knight himself.

Kaelos took a seat at the table and placed the annoying box in front of him. It would make sense if this was all a test, of course. Braze had basically quizzed him all morning and was now testing if he would follow the rules or if he would let curiosity get the better of him.

The Jedi Knight's words from earlier in the day rang in his head. "Failure is inevitable. It isn't a question of if—it's a matter of when. The real test isn't avoiding it, but knowing how to recover when it happens." It all made sense in his head.

Shaking his head, the young Jedi Initiate began to understood. There was no way he could succeed. His entire delivery boy quest had been designed so that the only outcome was failure. He would either fail in his delivery or fail and give in to his curiosity at what was in the box.

"Braze" he called out. "I don't know if you've been following me, or keeping tabs on me. I can only assume you have" he continued, standing to his feet and looking at the box. "I failed. I failed to deliver the box. I failed to supress the curiosity of what was in the box."

He'd failed. Now he needed to overcome his failure.

 

[Braze Kai'el]

TAGS: Kaelos Vryn

Well... no reply came. Not from the shadows, not from thin air, and certainly not from Braze.

Even if the young Knight was some eerie Jedi Shadow with a habit of appearing out of nowhere, Kaelos was alone. Alone with the box.

Truth be told, there hadn't been a strict deadline. As far as he knew, he wasn't technically failing—at least, not yet. The instructions had been simple and straightforward, but the execution of the task was proving to be anything but.

Reasonably, he could still deliver the box tomorrow when the building reopened… if it reopened. That lingering uncertainty gnawed at the back of his mind.

Maybe he checked the sign— to make sure the place was actually open on Wednesdays.

​

 

[Kaelos Vryn]

Location: Courscant
Tags: Braze Kai'el
Equipment: N/A​

​

Kaelos accepted that he was alone.

There was a chance Braze was watching him, he'd read stories about Jedi who could disguise themselves in the shadows using the force. If Braze was watching him though, he was making no sign or offering no suggestion of what the next steps were.

If he was a Jedi Knight, he wouldn't get any suggestion. If he was a Jedi Knight, he would have to deal with his failure alone. If he was a Jedi Knight, he'd have to come up with a plan on his own. Maybe that was what the purpose of this teaching moment was? Showing him how to overcome his own failures.

The young Kiffar took a moment to assess his options. He either reattempted to deliver the box, attempted to find the Jedi Knight or opened the box. He strongly considered option three, because at that was at least likely to end this unpleasent experience.

He was a Jedi though, the expectation had been set and he had to follow it.

Option one was the most obvious. The Jedi Knight hadn't set any sort of expectation for when he expected the box to be delivered, he'd just suggested it needed to be delivered. The obvious answer was to reattempt the delivery next time he was in the neighbourhood, or when he was sure the head office of the speeder firm was open.

Maybe it was a test of patience after all.

Kaelos set off towards the Jedi archives, hoping something on the holonet would give him some ideas of when he would be able to access the building to drop off the box.

 

[Braze Kai'el]

TAGS: Kaelos Vryn

It turned out the office would be closed the following day for a company-wide event commemorating the anniversary of the founder's death. However, the day after that, the office would reopen. By Friday morning, bright and early, Solarix - Luxury Space Vessels was ready for business.

When Friday morning arrived, the doors were already open, and the lobby buzzed with activity. At the front desk, a receptionist engaged in light conversation with a tall man dressed impeccably in a sharp suit. His long black hair was neatly tied back, and his glasses caught a brief glint of light as he adjusted them.

The man noticed the Jedi's approach and greeted him with a warm smile. "Good morning. We've been expecting you—this way, please; The young Master is waiting for you with in the main suite." he said, his voice carrying a tone of polite efficiency. He adjusted the white tie adorned with a bold tiger print, the striking pattern subtly breaking the otherwise formal ensemble.

With a smooth motion, he turned and led the Jedi toward the elevator. Once there, he swiped a sleek access card, the doors sliding open with a soft chime. Gesturing for the Jedi to step inside, he maintained his composed demeanor. "After you," he said, holding the door briefly before stepping in alongside him.

​

 

[Kaelos Vryn]

Location: Courscant
Tags: Braze Kai'el
Equipment: N/A​

​

The young Initiate spent the following day in classes, not even thinking about the box.

It was only on the second day, when he arose, he remembered the box. It had been sat in his room, locked away in his cupboard for safeskeeping. He didn't trust Braze to not try and steal it back just to mess with him one last time and so he had protected that box as best as he could.

Annoyingly, nothing could make the walk any better. It was another long treck across the city to the office building where he'd originally attempted to deliver the box. He didn't care what was in the box anymore and so he didn't even have that to distract him. He honestly just wanted to be done with the box.

Arriving at the office block, he wandered in and was clearly expected. He was guided through into a turbolift where he was advised the young master was waiting. "Do you happen to have a name for said master?" he asked in response to that.

He couldn't wait for the box to be out of his hands and either delivered or returned to Braze.

 

[Braze Kai'el]

TAGS: Kaelos Vryn

Everette gave the youth a surprised, quizzical look at the question. "Have you not met the young Master?" he asked, genuine shock flickering across his features as the lift hummed softly on its ascent. He paused for a moment, his dark eyes narrowing in thought. Blinking a few times, he slid a hand through his long, dark locks, drawing a slow, measured breath. A sigh followed, heavy with unspoken sentiment, as his brows briefly knitted together in what appeared to be a mix of concern and mild frustration.

Finally, with effort, he forced a pleasant smile to return to his lips. "I would have thought the young Master had invited a friend for brunch today," he said, his tone carefully neutral. "The idea of him toying with an unsuspecting peer is... distasteful to me. However, it isn't my place to question Braze's antics. You have my sympathy."

The elevator let out a soft chime as the doors slid open with a smooth, quiet precision, revealing a spacious room bathed in warm, golden light. The walls were adorned with elegant wood paneling and intricate carvings, exuding a sense of wealth and refinement. At the far end of the room, a pair of ornate double doors stood open, their gilded edges catching the light.

Beyond them lay the office—a grand space with high ceilings and a panoramic view of the cityscape beyond the tall windows. The centerpiece of the room was a massive executive desk, its polished surface gleaming under the sunlight streaming in. Behind it sat Braze, comfortably reclined with his feet propped up on the desk in a posture of casual defiance.

The moment he noticed Kaelos, Braze swung his legs off the desk and rose to his feet with a fluid, almost feline grace. His expression shifted to one of measured curiosity, a small, self-assured smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Kaelos," Braze greeted, his tone welcoming as he strode around the desk. Extending a hand in a gesture that seemed equal parts hospitality and playful dominance, he added, "Welcome to my little corner of the galaxy... I trust you've brought me the box?"

 

[Kaelos Vryn]

Location: Courscant
Tags: Braze Kai'el
Equipment: N/A​

​

Of course it was Braze.

He'd figured that out but to have it confirmed was something else. "I have indeed met Braze, I just wasn't expecting him to have any links here" he replied softly. He shook his head, continuing the rest of the turbolift ride in silence.

Upon their arrival to their designated floor, Kaelos stepped out and followed the man down the hall towards the ornate doors. What Kaelos wasn't expecting was the two ornate doors to open to a large office with a grand desk within it. He most definitely wasn't expecting to see the Jedi Knight sat behind it with his feet up on said desk.

Braze asked if he had brought the box and Kaelos placed it on the desk in front of him. "Bane" he said, annoyance clear in his voice. "Of my life" he finished, shaking his head. "Two questions, if I may. First off, how much of my adventures with this thing were you watching?" he asked gesturing towards the box that now lay on the desk.

"And secondly, what is this place?" he asked, gesturing around the office. "I did some digging into this company but I couldn't see links to yourself, unless I missed something which honestly I may well have. I wasn't in the best of moods when I was researching" he admitted.

 

[Braze Kai'el]

TAGS: Kaelos Vryn

Braze flashed a cheeky smirk, his confidence brimming. "None of it," he replied smoothly. "I trusted in the Force that you'd complete the task. And here you are—alive, well, and obedient. Glad to see my faith wasn't misplaced."

But a flicker of amusement played across his features, a subtle clue that he likely knew more than he let on. After all, how could Braze truly know if his instructions had been followed if he hadn't kept tabs on the situation?

"This was my father's company," he offered, his tone lighter, though there was an undertone of something deeper—perhaps conflicted pride or resignation. "It was left to me, though I've been considering cutting my ties with it or withdrawing my interests altogether. My Jedi path demands focus, and this... well, this may not have a place in it."

Braze's gaze shifted, his demeanor softening as he gestured toward the larger table set up in the room. A sumptuous meal was arranged there, the dishes artfully presented and exuding an inviting aroma.

"But enough about me," he continued, his smirk evolving into a more genuine, welcoming smile. "You must be hungry. Please, join me. I've prepared some of my favorite dishes for us. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the task I gave you—what you learned from it, or perhaps what you think the lesson was meant to be."

Without waiting for a response, Braze strolled toward the table, his movements unhurried yet purposeful. He gestured for his guest to sit, his presence commanding yet approachable.

The table was adorned with a sumptuous spread, each dish crafted to delight the senses. At the center, a large platter featured thinly sliced, delicate fish, arranged artfully over a bed of shaved ice, with vibrant green leaves and bright yellow flowers as garnish. Nearby, a bamboo steamer revealed soft, fluffy buns filled with tender, marinated pork, glistening with a hint of glaze.

A platter of crispy, golden-brown dumplings sat beside a small dish of tangy dipping sauce, their savory filling hinting at a blend of crab and cream cheese. Another section of the table showcased steaming bowls of rich, flavorful broth with springy noodles, topped with slices of succulent pork, marinated egg, and a scattering of green onions and nori.

Perfectly fried cutlets of juicy chicken rested on a bed of finely shredded cabbage, accompanied by a small dish of thick, savory sauce for dipping. Nearby, a plate held perfectly seared, juicy slices of beef, garnished with finely chopped green onions and a sprinkling of sesame seeds.

A variety of crispy, tempura-fried vegetables and shrimp stood tall, accompanied by a small bowl of dipping sauce with a tangy, slightly sweet flavor. Small, intricately arranged rolls of vinegar rice, wrapped in thin layers of seafood and vegetables, were placed on a wooden board, each piece a burst of color and flavor.

For a touch of sweetness, round, golden balls coated in sesame seeds and filled with smooth red bean paste were nestled on a tray. Another dish offered savory, bite-sized puffs filled with tender octopus, topped with a drizzle of savory sauce and a sprinkle of bonito flakes.

Hand-rolled cones of seaweed filled with vinegar rice, fresh seafood, and crisp vegetables provided a delightful combination of textures and flavors. In a lacquered box, neatly arranged layers of vinegar rice, thinly sliced omelet, and marinated vegetables created a visually stunning and flavorful experience.

Nearby, grilled skewers featured a variety of meats and vegetables, each bite tender and perfectly seasoned. For a refreshing finish, a platter of fresh fruits, including juicy slices of melon, plump strawberries, and perfectly ripe citrus segments, offered a sweet and tangy conclusion to the feast.

Braze helped himself to what he fancied, carefully selecting items from the lavish spread.

 

[Kaelos Vryn]

Location: Courscant
Tags: Braze Kai'el
Equipment: N/A​

​

He wasn't even being watched.

He could have opened the box and Braze just would never have known? It was unlikely, of course, that Braze didn't at least have some way of watching him however. Even the young Jedi Knight's demeanour suggested that he knew more than he was letting on.

The young Jedi Initiate cast his eyes over all of the food which had been laid out as Braze spoke about the company. It appeared that he had inherited it from his father but that he was tempted to resign to focus on his duties as a Jedi. Kaelos gave this thought for a moment, wondering if the two could co-exist side by side.

Braze led the young initiate over to the food and suggested that they eat whilst they discuss the task that was set. Kaelos took a few moments to study the options that the Jedi Knight selected before he selected some options for himself.

"I realised the purpose early on" he confirmed after he'd taken his first bite of food. "The purpose was to embrace failure and overcome it. Your words stuck with me, y'know that failure is inevitable?" he continued to explain. "I'd either fail to make the delivery because this office was closed upon my arrival, or I'd fail and open the box" he finished.

"The intrigue around what was in the box kept the first walk fresh if anything else. Being able to theorise what was in the box gave me something to think about and focus on. It was more the annoyance at the office being closed when I got here. I wondered what the entire point of this was. Maybe it was a test in patience? If it was, I definitely failed" he confirmed.

"What I will say, is never once did I ever truly wish to open the box. You'd laid the rules out early doors. The box was not to be opened. That was the expectation and it was the rule that was followed" he confirmed towards the Jedi Knight.

 

[Braze Kai'el]

TAGS: Kaelos Vryn

"While those are valuable lessons, and I'm glad you took something from them, this was ultimately a test of obedience and trust. I entrusted you with a task, and you followed through. That means something. I'm proud of you.

Trust is a rare luxury—one that few can afford. But on the battlefield, having a brother-in-arms you can rely on without hesitation, someone you can entrust with your life and the lives of others, is beyond price. That kind of trust is not given lightly, nor should it ever be taken for granted.

Trust is a delicate thing. It takes time and effort to build, but once broken—like a shattered mirror—it's difficult to repair. You can try to piece it back together, but no matter how much time and care you put into it, the cracks will always remain, a reminder of what was lost."

Here's a more refined and expanded version of your passage with enhanced flow, depth, and natural dialogue rhythm:

He paused, lifting the cup to his lips and taking a slow sip of tea, letting the warmth settle before he spoke again.

"I may not always have the luxury—or the time—to explain everything to you. There will be moments when I ask you to act, and you may not fully understand why. Some of those requests might seem trivial, even foolish, on the surface. But I need to know that you'll follow through regardless.

I'm sure you realize that we're not far apart in age. That complicates things. You're expected to look to me as a role model, a guide—but how can I fulfill that role if I can't command your respect? If you can't trust my authority when it matters? I don't want you to think I did all this for my ego. It's about the foundation of our working relationship. If we're going to stand together, you have to believe that when I give an order, it's for a reason. Not for my sake, but for yours—and for everyone else depending on us."

 

[Kaelos Vryn]

Location: Courscant
Tags: Braze Kai'el
Equipment: N/A​

​

The battlefield.

For as much as Jedi were the keepers of peace, they'd been drawn into different wars across the galaxy since long before Kaelos was born. It was almost a given that a Jedi would be drawn into battle during the modern era, especially with the threat of the Sith looming so obviously in the open. For one thousand years that threat had been hidden but for the last thousand or so it had been right there in the open.

Braze spoke about trust, the difficulties in building the foundations which could then either flurish or wilt. He spoke about how once broken, it could never be fully repaired.§ He spoke about their obvious age similarity and how every order had a reason.

There was more to the test than Kaelos had realised. Whilst he'd assumed it was a test of patience or a test of overcoming failure. He hadn't even once anticipated that it could be a test of obedience and a test of trust, a test administered by the Jedi Knight to test if his orders would be followed even if they weren't explained in detail.

"It sounds like you're expecting we'll be seeing more of each other" the young Jedi mused outloud. "Although I am glad that I proved that I could be trusted" he mentioned. "It's not my business to know what's in the box, so why would I seek to open it? It's not my place to interfere in business that doesn't concern me"

 

[Braze Kai'el]

TAGS: Kaelos Vryn

"Blind obedience can be dangerous too. It's okay to ask questions. If something doesn't feel right—if you have doubts—and there's an opportunity to ask, you should. I don't want you to feel like you have to hide things from me. I value honesty, integrity, and loyalty.

In this galaxy, extremes can lead to ruin. Balance has to be learned, and sometimes, hearing something once isn't enough for it to truly sink in. Growth takes time. I don't want to foster a relationship where we keep secrets from each other, which is why I'm inviting you into my world.

I am the inheritor of this company. I make a lot of credits from it and other businesses I own. I do my best to allocate funds toward projects that give back to the community. But at its core, it's not something a Jedi should be deeply involved in. It's an attachment, a vulnerability that could be exploited against me or those I care about. That's the risk of attachment—it makes you emotional, reckless, unpredictable.

That's why I believe in moderation. Knowing when to hold on and when to let go is something that must be learned. I won't pretend to have all the answers, but I'll do my best to help you find what you need. We all have flaws, we all make mistakes—but the important thing is to own them, learn from them, and keep moving forward. Do your best. If you've truly given it your all, you won't be haunted by what-ifs and should-haves. Hindsight is always clearer, but the future is uncertain—always in motion."

Braze finally came up for air, inhaling deeply as he studied Kaelos with quiet intensity.

"I don't accept quitters. So think about it carefully—because if you choose to work with me, I won't let you quit. So...

Is this the path you want to take? Don't awnser me now... I want you to meditate and consider it; think about it for a week. Talk to you rpeers youur friends... ask me questions all you want between now and when you give me your awnser. "

​

 

[Kaelos Vryn]

Location: Courscant
Tags: Braze Kai'el
Equipment: N/A​

​

Braze barely came up for air.

Kaelos listened as the Jedi Knight spoke about the companies he was associated with and how it left a vulnerability that could be exploited. He listened as the Jedi Knight discussed how Kaelos shouldn't blindly follow orders and should challenge if something doesn't feel right.

He listened as Braze mentioned how he doesn't accept quitters and he listened when Braze made comment about how he wouldn't be able to quit if he worked with him. He went to answer, but then he listened to Braze as he offered advice around taking time to meditate on the offer.

The young Jedi Initiate bowed his head towards Braze. Instinctively, he almost just said yes and threw himself straight into working with the Jedi Knight. It would have achieved his goal. He did however choose to heed the advice from the very slightly older Jedi and remain silent.

Definitely something to think about. Maybe worth discussing with friends.

"I appreciate the lesson" he settled on after a few moments, bowing his head. "And the food. It was good food, I must admit" he added a few moments later with a smile. "It would certainly appear I have a lot to think about, and I do believe I am expected back at the Temple soon so I suppose I should take my leave. I appreciate your time over the last few days"

Bowing his head a final time, he raised from his seat and made his exit.

 

[Braze Kai'el]

TAGS: Kaelos Vryn

"Enjoy your meal... take some with you... I made it for us to share I couldn't possibly finish this much food. I had fun learning a whole lot about you as well. I hope to see you again. " Braze chirped with a smile.
Yes that's right... Braze didn't have the food catered he cooked all of it himself. But perhaps that was just his was of thanking Kaelos for being so patient.