New Connections

[Aiwaz Khath]

The Autumn morning sun of Voss was pleasant and calm this day. Pale blonde streams of light shone into the courtyard of the Jedi temple, refracting through the silver waters of a most impressive fountain display where it transformed, on precious occasion, into streams of technicolour aqua. Although the morning was already halfway done, the place was still and quiet, and even those with the most unruly of minds would find a sense of peace amidst the Jedi environment. Overhead, a family of birds sang to each other across the sea blue skyline. Only a handful of Jedi were to be seen wandering the courtyards this morning, most of which being newer students still coming to terms with their new home, discovering what they could about the noble temple within which they stood, while the occasional Knight was to be witnessed on their way to a most important task of something or another.

It was during these moments of quietude, Auron Song sat in calm, his gaze peering up to nearby trees that had been carefully placed around the courtyard, and which facilitated homes for many curious creatures. The young Jedi apprentice could see the small black eyes of a squirrel looking back at him with intrigue. Through the Force, he presented his aura and connection to the light side through unspoken ideas and feelings towards the small animal, who returned the messages with a closer look, crawling down its tree home and settling into a seat on the stone bench upon which Auron himself sat. The young man smiled, producing a small piece of bread for the critter to feast on, who, after several long moments of caution, committed to accepting, devouring the snack without mercy. Extending a finger to the squirrel's face, he proceeded to stroke the coarse fur along his head and neck slowly and respectfully as he sensed the warm swelling of the Force within the creature's being.

"It's nice to meet you, little one," he told it in a hushed and delicate voice. Overhead, the birds' tranquil songs reflected the morning peace that was to be found, and the calm, loving respect for life that came from it.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Of recent times, Coci's mind was anything but calm. The constant vigilance to duty and overseeing the workings of the Silver Order paramount to her especially since the events on Korriban. The death of one is enormous but the loss of life of thousands would forever remain with her until her dying day. The Silver Order was doing it's best to help those people, the ones that remain behind with a greater loss in their hearts then even her grief would ever know. There had been little time for anything else it seemed and in a way rightly so, she did not care for the views of those that had little to do with the Order, sitting in the comforts of their homes blanketing the Order with their opinions, over the action of one. What mattered to her was that they did something about it, about the pain of grief the people of Korriban suffer most cruelly.

But she had to take time for herself, or else would be exhausted by it and little use to anyone if she was to fall under the pressure of fatigue. So for herself, and the Order, she went into the courtyard of the Temple to find some solace even if only for an hour or so. The mid morning light did a lot to give her warmth on her face, it is a lovely place, the courtyard and it seemed that others thought so as well including the creatures that call Voss home. Her favourite are the large black avian that cry in the morning and the just before dust calling out to their loved ones to come home.

She pulled her face from the sky to hide a young man sitting alone, well save for his small companion eating a small morsel of bread. "You have good company Padawan Song". Coci offered a smile and stood only for a moment not wanting to intrude on his repose.

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[member="Auron Song"]​

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

"Master Heavenshield," he greeted with a smile as she seated herself. "To what do I owe the pleasure? I would stand and bow, but I fear I might scare off my friend here." He let his index finger tickle behind the squirrel's neck a little more, and it appeared to make a grin in return, or at least as close to one as the creature had the capacity to achieve. In his finger, he could feel the pulse of the animal's heartbeat as it coursed through its body. Through the Force, he could feel its profound energy and power beyond that of life and death, and greater than both. It was comforting for Auron to feel, and to know that his connection with the Force and the creatures connected to it had not been damaged by the terrible scars that Korriban left upon him, threatening to destroy him entirely. A discussion with the mysterious and most interesting Force Master Solan Charr had elucidated a great deal within his tormented soul. The scars of Korriban were still there, and still felt raw and deep, but in himself Auron was finding a greater solace and peace of mind amidst the nightmares that had been plaguing him on a personal level. He was beginning to feel more whole, one step at a time.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"No", she said softly, "Please don't stand, it would be a shame to disturb the little creature", she smiled as she watch Aurion interact with it. "You have an affinity with animals Auron?". Some Jedi do, have a natural ability to calm creatures from small and calm to the more aggressive. It is a skill that can be learned but not all have the ambition of do so, she is one of those.

"I have come to the courtyard to find some space", she said to continue answering his question. "My four walls of the office were starting to bare down around me". Reports and paper work, there seemed to be no end to it of late.

"May I ask what brings you out here. The day is beautiful and enough incentive, but do you require to be alone?", she asked hoping she had not disturbed him in meditation.

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[member="Auron Song"]​

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

The young apprentice nodded. "Yes. Since I was very young I have always been able to talk with animals. It was a technique mastered by many of my ancestors, too, so I have been told." He supposed that such affinity with beasts derived from a Je'daii technique of creature-making alchemy, a technique more commonly used by the Sith now. But as a Jedi family, there are many great tales of Song lords riding to battle on great beasts they had tamed against the forces of darkness.
"The day is beautiful and enough incentive," Master Heavenshield was saying, "but do you require to be alone?"
"No, not at all," Auron objected as his shook his head. "It's good to see you. I have just been meditating on things. In fact, I relish the company. I've felt quite alone since..." His voice trailed off a moment as thoughts returned to that day. Dust, blood, fire. He was blind and confused. Noise was everywhere around him but he could hear nothing. There was a taste of metal, dirt and blood in his mouth and his muscles ached. His chest was pumping at a faster rate than he believed it could handle, and his head was dizzy beyond believe. He snapped out of it, preventing himself from diving deeper into the memory. "Since Korriban," he finally managed. "It's been hard to adjust back to a normal life." He struggled to vocalise how everything had effected him, even though he was sure she also understood from her own perspective. As Jedi, they shared the same battles. "Does it ever get any easier?"

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

There was a sense of disquiet around Auron, left open, not hidden for her to pick up on. The event of Korriban had left many in the Order this way, unsure of what to believe or think about the unsanctioned attacked on the city that killed tens of thousands. And although she is tried as well, equally at odds with her own feelings over this, Coci will not rest until there is some from of closure not only for the people of that city but for those effected within the Order. Her days as one of the leaders of the Silver Order are numbered, that much she was sure of, and that much she knew she wanted. Her thoughts on this matter had developed before Korriban but that horrific turn had only served to fast track her decision to eventually leave. But, there is work to be done still.

"No", she started, "it does not get easier, and if it did I would worry about myself or anyone that grew insensitive to it". No, it did not get easier, but far greater burden to bear. There was not really such a thing as normal life, not when Jedi. The constant watch of all things that pose a threat to those that require protection, or someone to fight for them, is not a normal life. At least by comparison to people that live without the force and strive to maintain an existence through other means. Work, play, raising a family, and trying to eek out enough capacity to provide for those they love. Jedi that do have family know this, do this, but more.

"Time helps, it does not heal but it helps us cope, to be able to manage". This lesson she learned from a very young age, after the death of her parents. "Tell me Auron, where is your family now?".

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[member="Auron Song"]​

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

Auron listened carefully to the Master's words and nodded silently, solemnly. He somewhat understood. Perhaps, in time, he would find some amount of solace amidst the new burdens he bore upon his person. The conversation turned to his family.
"There are so many of us," he joked lightly. "My mother and sister are here on Voss, and some cousins, but many of us are scattered. The recent wars have left a lot of my extended family scarred. I have not seen my uncles in some time. And my father..." He sighed. After ten years, the pain was still there, and still strong. He so very much yearned to know where he had disappeared, and why. "I am not sure if you remember him. Master Rendo Song. He disappeared a decade ago on a mission to Coruscant. Many say he fell to the dark side. But I know better. The other Jedi do not know him like I. I'll find him."
As time went on, Auron's strength as a Jedi grew, and he knew he was becoming more and more capable of going out into the galaxy to find him. The only problem was he had no idea where or how to start. He had no guidance.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"I did not know your father well", she repled as her brow knitted trying to remember more of the man. "I think that was before I had advanced to the rank of master but the name of Song is very known on Voss and the Silver Jedi". She added a little more light hearted. She was also pleased that Auron had family about him in the tring days that surround the Order of late and with help of those that one loves the times shall pass. Or the force with show them it true intention.

"You must always believe in what you feel, but be guided by the force at all times, because feelings can also impede judgement", she looked at him as they sat side by side. A contradiction possibly but Jedi should never disregard their initial feelings especially if they are based in fact already known. But people change, experiences unseen can alter perceptions of life as they are set to test us and Jedi are no exception to the rule, in fact, they are more targetted by them.

"Coruscant is now open to Jedi to travel there once more, and if you go take care as there is still much unrest on the planet since the Sith have left. The people of that planet will still be suffering the pain of much change over a short period of time". The loss of the Republic of Coruscant to the Sith would have scarred them greatly, and years of rule by them would have worn the minds of the most strongest of character to change against those that had left them behind to suffer. The Galactic Alliance would be doing their best to mend the scars but even they would have their hands full and only time would at least help. But in this uncertain galaxy that could change once more .. in the blink of an eye.

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[member="Auron Song"]​

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

Auron nodded once slowly. He tried to understand, though at present his feelings far outweighed anything else, and conflict was stored within himself. Nevertheless, he strove to push aside such feelings and concentrate on mindfulness. It was a challenge, but he was a Jedi. This was his duty.
"I think I understand, Master. Perhaps I can help, in some minor way, the people there." In truth, he wanted to heal anything caused ill will by others. The people of Coruscant had been subjected to horrors he once could scarcely picture, but ever since Korriban he had a much broader imagination concerning such things. He winced a little at a suppressed thought.
"But I feel I am far from ready for such an undertaking. There is so much I don't know... about the Force, about the Jedi, about myself."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

((A little short this time, sorry!))​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"Your journey as Jedi is only beginning and already you have goals and a purpose to your path", she said while her little finger reached out to stroke the fur of the little creature near by. "This journey will take you to places you had never imagine or thought upon and you will be tested on the way". This is the lot of the Jedi, the constant watch on themselves as well as others, whether they be Jedi or those they serve to protect. Jedi also have personal purposes in which to strive for to increase their abilities to become more powerful yet the seeking of such power is not for selfish reasons but to better themselves to have the ability to achieve their collective mandate.

"Even masters have to continue to train, to continue to search for more knowledge to grow. Just because one reaches the rank of master does not mean that is the end of it. Far from it in fact. With the growth comes more responsibility not only as Jedi but as a leader among the Order", she turned to look at Auron face, so young and filled with much trepidation as well as an inward life of excitement that only the youth possess.

"But your learning has to start somewhere, and with someone to guide you, like you say. It is important to have this mentor or master to help. If you wish I would be happy to provide you with training and guidance .. to the best of my ability". Coci looked into his eyes with a questioning look.

"Can you tell me what you wish to become, what rank of Jedi to see yourself fulfilling within the Order", by this she wondered what his direction would be so she could help shape him.

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[member="Auron Song"]​