My Eyes Deceive Me (Trial of Insight)

[Rasu Gan]

Rasu had always admired the Voss skyline. Auburn and golden throughout the day, it radiated warmth. However if one could last till night, the sky truly came to life. Millions of stars littered the horizon, each representing a world home to life. For many, the sight of the night sky led to desires of exploration and a longing for adventure. However for many others it presented new fears; fear of invaders and chaos. A fear that had become rampant in the galaxy as of late.

However Rasu did not share this fear. For the Shi'ido the night sky brought out a child-like quality, always in awe of the symbols of life that appeared with each rotation. Lying on her back against the stone surface of the temple courtyard, the Jedi awaited the arrival of her Padawan, Barinthus. Free time was something Rasu found she was lacking, therefore wanted to take what precious time she had to spend with her students. While not a lesson, it was a great chance to bond and strengthen their relationship. If anything it would be nice to share the night sky with the young man.

[member="Barinthus E`ron"]

 

[Barinthus E'ron]

[member="Rasu Gan"]

THis was becoming a treat while he prepared, staying at it with himself before he dressed up in the robes to go and meet his master. The black training garments under the black robes and his hair while he slicked it back with a look in the mirror. "Come on now you can do this." He had managed to heal nicely after testing out how sturdy his masters boot was with his face and working to show skill in the battle against the slavers. he wasn't going to deny there was some pride even when he heard she was teaching other students. it was hard to get better then him who had been trained with her since birth when he finished up going with a bow. "Alright lets go and begin." He was ready heading out there with a now seeing her out in the courtyard as he tapped the saber on his hip with a bow of his head. "Master."

 

[Rasu Gan]

"Ah hello Barinthus." Rasu would say, turning her head so to face the towering form of her Padawan. From her position, the man did strike an intimidating pose, although so would anyone else when one was lying on the ground. Waving her arm, she gestured for him to join her on the floor, turning back to gaze at the stars. "I hope you dressed warmly this evening? We'll be out here a while."

Admiring a certain constellation while she thought, Rasu's attention turned to a question most Jedi ask themselves. She wondered what answer would escape the lips of her Padawan. "Out of curiousity Barinthus, what do you think you would have done had you not become a Jedi?" she wondered if it would be difficult for the Jedi to answer, owing both his parents had been raised as Jedi. Had the man ever thought about an alternative future?

This was a time to learn more about each other rather than busy themselves with training. Barinthus had faced enough of that on Kessel in the past week. While she let the question sink in, she began slowly extending a tendril of her consciousness towards the man, so small that he wouldn't notice her intrusion unless he expected it.

[member="Barinthus E`ron"]

 

[Barinthus E'ron]

[member="Rasu Gan"]

He looed down at his master for a moment but he could work with this and sat down near her while looking up whens he started speaking crazy talk. Not be a jedi... that was a hard thing to imagine... he grew up in the temple after all and he was trained with the skills of a jedi guardian from three strong masters. His parents and his master had made sure he understood things while she thought about how to answer it. "I am not exactly certain master, being a jedi is all I have ever known. Me and my sister have always been in it and she might be more for adventure and going off with others but I prefer the jedi lifestyle."

 

[Rasu Gan]

She was satisfied with his answer. In truth, Rasu shared similar thoughts to her Padawan. She had been raised a Jedi for majority of her life, and if she had the option to explore a different career path, the woman would most likely stay owing to the fact she had no idea where to start. The galaxy was a gigantic place, full of opportunity, however it helped when one had a clue of where to start looking.

She had watched both twins grow up from their time on Tython and Voss. Rasu knew that while both siblings possessed the same adventurous nature, Abaigeal was by far more outgoing. Barinthus was happy to explore the general surroundings while his sister longed for a greater landscape. That suited the Shi'ido just fine. As the man neared Knighthood, she wanted him all to herself, enjoying the last few days she could call him her student. It would be like saying goodbye to a dear child.

Allana had abandoned her, however the man beside her had filled the empty void in a way. She would be incomplete without someone to busy herself over, taking pride in their actions, and dishing out punishment when it was due. Rasu was a mother at heart; so it was ironic that her one child would abandon her.

Looking back again at the young man now beside her, she affectionately ruffled his hair. Finding several ends sticking out of place. Licking her fingers, she began moulding the strands into place. "You always have messy hair. It wouldn't kill you to brush it once in a while." she said, smiling at her Padawan.

[member="Barinthus E`ron"]

 

[Barinthus E'ron]

[member="Rasu Gan"]

Gahhh he sat there and stiffened because he wasn't going to struggle out of her reach. His master was like a second mother someone who taught him a lot of things... though he still relied on his father for others as he looked at her hair to try and find strands out of place. having been laying on the ground she would have some so it would be to easy for him to be comfortable. "I'll do that then master." He said it with a smile and it was warm while he was thinking about it and sat there.

Not many he had seen when it came to masters and students had a relationship like they did... it helped that she likely was because of how she, Aika and Sochi were the oldest who had seen him and his sister with a nod and look. His family were the jedi to the bone before he spoke getting in a good seat and checking his hair while he flattened it giving a look at her. "So what do you have planned for out here master?" He asked it and was glad he had brought his cloak for the robe so she didn't fuss.

 

[Rasu Gan]

Finally rearranging the man's hairstyle to one that the Shi'ido could approve, the woman retreated, tilting her head against the stone floor to admire her handiwork. Barinthus had always been the spitting image of Syn in her mind, with the bright white hair reminiscent of her dear friend, Iella. While Syn was off doing who knows what, Rasu had felt obligated to raise the boy. The Shi'ido could not help but adopt her motherly role when it came to the E`ron offspring.

Turning to lie on her back again, Rasu wondered what the night might hold for the pair. Staring at the stars could only entertain the two for so long and while Rasu felt motivated to stargaze, she knew herself too well. Her excitement would soon evaporate.

"Well I thought this could just be a nice time to hang out and catch up. Share some secrets and stargaze. Just enjoy our privacy for now." Rasu replied, pleased she had the time to just relax with her Padawan. "Sound good?"

[member="Barinthus E`ron"]

 

[Barinthus E'ron]

[member="Rasu Gan"]

He looked at her with a questioning glace but laid now next to her looking up at the stars and had to admit compared to some of the trials and tests it wasn't horrible just different. He was so used to combat well it was everything most in the galaxy expected of the jedi. So he was glad to take his time and as for talking with his master well he doubted there were many secrets he had she didn't already know but more then happy to confide and be honest with her. Best policy and all of that stuff. "Alright so how do you want to do the talking and sharing master?"

 

[Rasu Gan]

Pleased he had agreed so willingly, Rasu let out a sigh before responding. "Oh I don't know. How about we play a little game of truth or dare? That could be fun, I haven't played something like that since I was your age!" Her mind flashed back to the time of her youth, where she had been surrounded by initiates of a like mind at the Coruscant temple. Life had seemed so much more simpler back then, with the ensuing chaos of a crumbling galaxy having been dulled by innocence and child-like natures. She was a grown woman now, and with that came the responsibility to discard ignorance and accept the truth that was laid before her.

However that didn't mean she had abandoned all her child-like qualities. The Shi'ido loved a good gossip session, and this was the perfect place to learn some more personal information from her student.

"You up for that?"

[member="Barinthus E`ron"]

 

[Barinthus E'ron]

[member="Rasu Gan"]

He looked at her and gave a nod, some truth or dare that could work out well or go horribly... It all depended on who you were in the game with and how good or ill their intentions were. Also on who was answering cause he knew some just chose dare to avoid tellign the truth. "So who should begin?" He was ready and up for anything but often preferred the direct methods instead of trying to hide or think of some different things. With a little more work he might have bigger dreams or ideals but direct with no grandstanding or ulterior motives was a bigger thing.

 

[Rasu Gan]

This was the woman's chance to get a lot of information from her Padawan, if he was willing to share it of course. With that said, the Shi'ido wondered if there were any questions that she would refuse to answer. Everyone was allowed their secrets of course and while Barinthus was very close, Rasu wouldn't reveal everything to the young man.

"I'll start you off then." she said. "Truth or Dare?"

[member="Barinthus E`ron"]

 

[Barinthus E'ron]

[member="Rasu Gan"]

Looking at his master while he thought about it and well he was never one to shy away from the truth and why not. "Truth." He thought about it and gave himself a couple of things to do with it Hell he was ready for just about anything staying there on the ground and looking up at the stars in the sky. Should be one of the more interesting notions and times they they go through in his opinion at least. Or he might learn something from his master that he might not have already known.

 

[Rasu Gan]

He had played right into her hands. Doing her best to hide her smile, Rasu lowered her head to face the ground, shying away from her Padawan's eyes. The young man had gone for the easier route however no one would see the Jedi complaining. Multiple questions began to bubble up inside the woman, each longing to be given an answer, however Rasu would start with an more simple and stereotypical question for the human.

"So have you developed any romantic feelings for someone?" Letting the question settle for a few seconds, Rasu leaned back, waiting eagerly for the answer while attempting to adopt a cool expression.

[member="Barinthus E`ron"]

 

[Barinthus E'ron]

[member="Rasu Gan"]

He looked at her and realized there was a trap within her questions but he was a jedi and a warrior and his mother or father would be very disappointed in him if he didn't go at this like a honorable jedi. He thought about it and yes there was someone he cared for... though thankfully her father was not around as often so he couldn't do that whole alpha male thing cause then his dad would have to do it and Marek and Syn could do a whole lot of damage from just a friendly tussle.... imagining if they fought for dominance would be something scary.... still that jade skin, that hair., "Yes there is sadly though she is not around anymore. I am not sure if she remembers me."

 

[Rasu Gan]

Suddenly intrigued, Rasu's ears pricked up at the boy's answer. Of all her years training the young man, she had never noticed any attraction between Barinthus and another. Perhaps the Shi'ido was getting blind in her old age, however she was sure she would have noticed if something had gone down.

Curious now, she forgot all about their game, hoping to drag the answer from him. While attachments were frowned upon, they were possible if one could control their emotions within. Marek had been gone for some time now, leaving Rasu with an empty space in her heart, however she did not allow her time to dwell on her grief. The same would hopefully be said about the man before her.

"Do tell. Would I know her? Is she at the temple? OH DON'T LEAVE ME IN SUSPENSE?!?!" she could feel herself getting rather carried away, however it was too late to back down now.

[member="Barinthus E`ron"]

 

[Barinthus E'ron]

[member="Rasu Gan"]

He was looking at her master as she seemed to get even more ravenous, wanting all of the secrets and answers with a look on her face before she was asking for more. Ah well he should answer it but they would have to be clever about it. She had taught him that as he spoke. "That is two questions master, I haven't asked one yet." He said it to both tease her and leave her salivating waiting to learn the rest later. He could draw this out forever if he played it right while sitting there. "Truth or dare."

 

[Rasu Gan]

Rasu's face seemed to freeze, stunned by the Padawan's response. Remaining still for a few moments, the woman relaxed as the man's cunning set in. A smile grew on her lips as she sat back and thought about her next move.

"Truth." It would only be fair if Rasu let out a secret then as well. They would have to maintain an even playing field.

[member="Barinthus E`ron"]

 

[Barinthus E'ron]

[member="Rasu Gan"]

She was looking at her as she seemed surprised and stunned for a moment, all fo the work she had taught him and now she was left anticipating what had been wanting before he spoke. "Alright then." He was looking at her while thinking about is, they had a whole lot between them bu she was going to have something. "Did you ever think about going back to the jedi order instead of staying here?" He was curious, given how many of the jedi seemed to belong with all of the orders and eld positions.

 

[Rasu Gan]

His question left the woman quite surprised. She had never truly thought about such a thing however the idea of going back had often troubled her during the early days of the Coalition. It was funny that Barinthus would find such a question that would leave the woman puzzled and quite somber. What once would have been such an easy answer to give, had become quite complicated.

She had initially grew to despise the Order. Much had changed within the political structure since her time as a Padawan or perhaps it had remained the same and she had only been exposed to it since she had reached the higher ranks of the Jedi. However the Order had become rather corrupt and vindictive towards those adopting the old ways. She had seen Joshua exiled before Iella and herself proposed the creation of the Voss Order. Much had happened and Rasu had been hurt however at that time leaving was still an extreme measure.

However, looking back on it all, Rasu found she couldn't say that she was completely unharmed by her departure. Many of her colleagues and friends had joined the Coalition so she had no real reason to return. Nostalgia appeared to be the only factor holding her back from a truthful answer.

"That's a goodie." she said, pausing as she attempted to form a coherent answer. "At first I think I did, but I would never have acted upon it. Everyone had come to Voss and all my students had journeyed with me as well."

"I mean it was difficult to leave the Academy and to begin with it felt as though I was betraying the Order and my duty as a Jedi but I remember all the chaos that had plagued the Order at the time and I no longer felt as guilty."

"So yes, I did possess some urge to return but I would never have acted on them. They were just urges and they eventually subsided." She remained frozen for a few moments, stuck staring on something out of her sight. However she once more snapped out of the state and faced Barinthus, a small smile on her lips.

"Your turn again hmmmm? What'll it be?"

[member="Barinthus E`ron"]

 

[Barinthus E'ron]

[member="Rasu Gan"]

He was looking at her and listening to her with a nod of her head when she was giving it. The padawan was watching his masters reaction and thinking about it while the thought about what he could do to drag it out with her. She wanted to know about who he was talking about early so dragging it out and making her be curious would be a big thing. "I'll go risky, lets try a dare master." She was sure to have something interesting but he was all for it and prepared for the big things.