Private One Fish, Two Fish

[Roman Vossari]

Jedi Enclave | Lake
Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Cerrik

​

Roman settled comfortably on the sun-warmed bank of a serene lake within the Jedi Enclave, his fishing line cast patiently into the water. This tranquil escape was a rare luxury amidst his long weekly training, a moment to breathe and let the burdens of his assignments wash away. The gentle lapping of water against the shore provided a soothing rhythm, allowing his mind to drift as effortlessly as the leaves floating upon the surface. The air was fragrant with the scent of blooming flowers and the distant hum of life in the lush forest surrounding the enclave.

He had come to cherish these rare quiet moments, a brief respite from the complex teachings of the New Jedi Order and the weighty expectations that constantly shaped his path. He closed his eyes for a heartbeat, enjoying the solitude. The Force flowed through him like the gentle currents of the lake, a reminder of the deep connection he held with the world around him.

But even the sweetest stillness was occasionally disturbed. Roman felt a presence approaching, its warmth resonating softly against the backdrop of his thoughts. He didn't open his eyes, suspending the sensation as if the sudden shift in the air meant nothing more than a curious passerby wandering through the enclave. His focus returned to the bobbing line, the thrill of the catch was a comfort, a tether to the natural world that filled him with a sense of continuity and peace.

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik moved quietly down the bank, his steps soft, attuned to the natural rhythm of the enclave. The scene before him—Roman, perched patiently with his fishing line cast into the lake—brought a warm smile to his lips. It was good to see the Padawan taking the time to ground himself, seeking solace in the simplicity of nature. Too often, young Jedi let the weight of their duties press so heavily upon them that they forgot to breathe, to connect beyond the confines of their training.

Stopping just a few paces away, Cerrik let the silence linger, respecting Roman's moment of peace. He observed the way the young Jedi's shoulders had relaxed, the calm aura radiating from him as he let the Force flow naturally through the gentle surroundings. Cerrik could feel the same energy, wrapping around them both like the branches of the trees that arched over the lake.

"Funny thing about fishing," Cerrik finally said, his voice warm and unintrusive, barely more than a murmur in the quiet. "One must be patient, yet entirely aware. There's a lesson there for all of us, wouldn't you agree?" He stepped forward and looked out over the lake, admiring the sunlit ripples.

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Jedi Enclave | Lake​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Cerrik

​

Roman turned slightly, his gaze meeting the eyes of the older man, a stranger yet radiating a comforting presence. A smile crept across his face as he nodded in agreement. "Absolutely," he replied, his voice calm and thoughtful. "Fishing teaches us not just about waiting, but about being in tune with the environment around us, much like the lessons we learn in life."

As the man stepped closer, Roman felt the warmth of their shared connection, a thread woven by the Force that bound them as Jedi. "I'm Padawan Roman Vossari." he introduced himself, the name rolling off his tongue with a sense of pride. "And do you enjoy fishing as well?"

His curiosity peaked as he glanced at the rippling water, pondering the solitude he found in this hobby. "It's something I only picked up in recent years. Not for sport, but rather as a way to calm my mind and reconnect with nature." he confessed, the sincerity of his words reflecting the peace he felt in this serene environment.

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrick offered small smile, "I am Cerrik, Jedi Master. I do enjoy fishing. I'm from Lew'el, an auquatic world, where fishing was my life's focus before coming to the Jedi Order. I haven't been able to do it as often as I would like. The calm out here, the way the water moves... it has its own language, if you're willing to listen. Much like the Force."

He took a deep breath, letting the coolness of the air fill his lungs. "There's a kind of meditation in it, isn't there? The waiting, the listening... you start to notice things you'd otherwise miss. That's a valuable skill, especially for a Jedi. And it's good that you seek that connection in ways that resonate with you."

Cerrik's voice softened, his eyes reflecting his deep respect for the young Padawan's openness. "We learn from everything around us if we let ourselves. The river, the fish, the silence—they all have something to teach, if we're patient enough to listen."

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Jedi Enclave | Lake​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Cerrik

​

Roman listened intently, interested by the warmth in Master Cerrik's voice. He found himself nodding in agreement, feeling a deeper understanding bloom within him. The way the Master spoke about fishing, nature, and the Force resonated strongly with his own beliefs. "I couldn't agree more, Master Cerrik." he replied, his enthusiasm bubbling to the surface. "There's a certain clarity that comes when you immerse yourself in the moment, especially in such a peaceful place as this. I always feel like I'm becoming part of something greater."

His curiosity drew him closer to the older Jedi's experiences. "Lew'el." Roman repeated thoughtfully, the name unfamiliar yet intriguing. "I haven't heard of that world before. What is it like?" He imagined vibrant aquatic landscapes teeming with life, a paradise for someone who cherished fishing as much as Cerrik did.

As he spoke, Roman realized he wanted to know more about the man's journey. "How did you come to be part of the New Jedi Order?" he asked, genuine interest etched on his face. "It sounds like you have such a rich history, what guided you from Lew'el to serving as a Jedi?" The questions flowed naturally, each word infused with respect for the legacy Cerrik carried.

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik's lips curled in a gentle smile as he was more than happy to answer the Padawan's curious questions. "Lew'el… it's as wild as it is beautiful," he began, his voice softening with a warmth reserved for distant memories. "The seas there are vast, deep, and full of life. Water stretches to the horizon in every direction, and islands rise like emeralds from the waves."

He looked back at Roman, folding his hands in front of him, eyes steady and calm. "A Jedi came to Lew'el when I was young. I don't know if he had business or if he felt drawn there because the Force reached out to him. I think he saw the potential in me, and brought me to the temple to start my training."

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Jedi Enclave | Lake​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Cerrik

​

Roman's mind drifted, picturing himself on Lew'el, surrounded by endless waters and emerald isles. He imagined the salty spray on his face, the feel of warm sand between his toes, and the thrill of casting a line into the vibrant, teeming sea. He could almost taste the freedom of such a life.

Then, a tug on his line snapped him back to the present. He reeled in with a burst of energy, a hopeful grin slowly fading as the small fish swung on the hook. A little embarrassed by the meager catch and his own effort, he quickly unhooked it and gently tossed it back into the lake, before casting his line out once more.

"It must have been... interesting," Roman said, his voice softer now, "for someone to come into your life and take you away to the Jedi Order. Just, like that." He paused, a flicker of melancholy in his eyes. "I was… sent away. It was always the plan, ever since my father knew about my potential within the force."

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik studied Roman's face thoughtfully, his gaze calm yet perceptive. "I can imagine that must have felt... isolating," he replied, his voice gentle. "To have your path decided for you before you could even understand it yourself." He paused, letting the silence settle like a soft weight between them.

"I was given a choice," he continued. "Not everyone is, I know. The Jedi who found me wanted me to understand what the life would mean before I agreed. But I think it's different when you're sent away with expectation, with a plan. That can be… a burden, can't it? Almost like you're being shaped before you've had the chance to discover yourself."

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Jedi Enclave | Lake​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Cerrik

​

Roman nodded slowly, the weight of Cerrik's words resonating deep within him. He felt the burden of expectation. "You're right." he said, his voice thoughtful. "It was quite the burden. There were moment, just fleeting, when I wondered what my life would have been like had I been more than a pawn in someone else's plan. But at the same time, I wouldn't change a thing. I love the New Jedi Order, I cherish the work we do, the lives we touch, and the balance we strive to maintain across the galaxy."

He gazed out over the tranquil lake, its surface shimmering like the endless seas of Lew'el he had envisioned. "Still, it makes me curious. If you had the choice to choose your path... would you do it all over again?" Roman turned to Cerrik, searching for insight in the older man's eyes. "What do you think? Would you embrace the order and all its challenges, or would you had carved your own way?"

 

[Cerrik]

"I think about that often, actually," he admitted, a faint smile touching his lips. "There was a time when I might have wished for something else, a life not bound by the Jedi, free to go wherever the wind took me. But over the years, I've come to understand that the Force is not something I chose. It chose me. It's not a path I would have carved, persay, but it's one I was meant to walk."

He turned to Roman, his eyes steady, filled with a quiet strength. "The Jedi way, it isn't about personal freedom or ambition. It's about service, about peace, about being part of something greater than ourselves. That... has always held a sort of quiet beauty for me, even on the hardest days."

He paused, watching Roman, as if weighing his next words. "If I had to do it all over again, I would. Not because it's easy, but because it's necessary. I've learned that sometimes, true freedom isn't in avoiding the weight of responsibility, but in embracing it with an open heart. And who knows?" He gestured toward the shimmering water. "Perhaps in some way, we are carving our own path... every time we make a choice to stay true to our principles, to protect others, to bring balance."

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Jedi Enclave | Lake​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Cerrik

​

Roman stood silently for a moment, contemplating Cerrik's words. He understood now that the burden he felt was not merely a weight to carry, but a purpose, a calling. Each challenge faced as a Jedi seemed to draw him closer to the heart of the galaxy, invoking a desire to serve, to help, and to bring balance.

Though he and Cerrik had walked different paths within the Order, they had both been drawn to this moment by the same Force that united them. It was a powerful reminder that their destinies intertwined across time and space. Roman smiled gently at the older man, a sense of camaraderie swelling within him.

"And perhaps that's the beauty of it all..." he replied, his voice warm with understanding. "We are both here because the Force has guided us, even if our journeys look different on the surface. It has directed our steps, leading us to places where we can make a difference."

His gaze flickered back to the tranquil lake. "But speaking of paths," he added with a playful lift of his brow, "what brings you here today? Did I inadvertently take over your favorite fishing spot?"

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik's face softened, a glimmer of amusement sparking in his usually steady eyes as he looked at Roman, then back toward the lake, where small ripples danced in the afternoon light. "My favorite spot?" he repeated, the hint of a smile tracing his lips. "No, nothing like that. Sometimes, we need places like these to reflect. To remind us of the wider view."

He folded his arms thoughtfully, his gaze unfocused as if looking somewhere beyond the horizon. "The Force often brings us to quiet places like this when it wants us to listen, Roman. You see, reflection isn't simply about looking back. It's about letting go, allowing the Force to flow through us, unclouded by what we think we should be or do."

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Jedi Enclave | Lake​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Cerrik

​

Roman's brow furrowed slightly as he absorbed Cerrik's words, the tranquil setting seeming to amplify the depth of the older Jedi's message. He had always felt the Force, sensed its subtle nudges and powerful currents, but Cerrik's explanation added a new layer of understanding. Letting go, allowing it to flow... it was a concept he found both intriguing and slightly daunting. "If the Force wants us to listen now, Cerrik," Roman mused aloud, his voice soft, "what do you think it's trying to tell us?" His gaze drifted back to the lake, the gentle ripples mirroring the swirling questions in his mind. The Force was a vast and mysterious entity, and he felt a deep yearning to comprehend its whispers.

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik gave a faint, approving smile, his gaze still on the calm lake, its stillness a reflection of the balance. "The Force speaks in subtleties, Roman," he replied, his voice as gentle as the breeze rustling through the nearby reeds. "Sometimes it's not a direct answer it's offering, but something that can be interpret differently between individuals."

"Consider the lake," he continued, gesturing toward its glassy surface. "It's calm now, but that doesn't mean it's empty or passive. Beneath it lies an entire world, teeming with life, activity, currents you can't see from here. The Force is much the same—always moving, always connected, even when it appears quiet." Cerrik paused, letting the words settle.

"Like I have told my students in the past, if you wish for answers, then be still a moment and let the Force envelope you. Feel that life, that energy, and trust it. The answers it gives, may not always be the ones you want."

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Jedi Enclave | Lake​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Cerrik

​

Roman, his brow furrowed in thought, considered Cerrik's words. He believed he grasped the essence of the Master's teaching, that the Force, like the deceptively calm lake, held a hidden depth and vibrancy. It wasn't always a straightforward guide, but a constant, interconnected energy offering subtle cues. He knew, deep down, that he needed to dedicate more time to meditation, to truly feel that energy flow. Yet, he also found solace and a sense of connection in the quiet act of fishing, a meditative practice in its own right.

After a moment of contemplation, Roman, emboldened by the serene atmosphere, spoke. "Master Cerrik," he began, his voice respectful but curious, "I think I understand. Though I must admit, while I know meditation is important, fishing also helps me feel connected. Besides fishing and wandering the lake, and teaching impromptu lessons, what do you enjoy? Do you specialize in any particular area of training?"

 

[Cerrik]

"I'm not trying to tell you to stop fishing. If that is what helps you connected, then continue to use it. Do what is comfortable for you." He told Roman. "I specialize in non-saber combat, or more specifically, hand-to-hand combat. I feel a lightsaber should be drawn as last resort, and if one could solve a problem without resorting to their saber, they should. Jedi are meant to be be peace keepers afterall."

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Jedi Enclave | Lake​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Cerrik

​

Roman nodded, a slow, deliberate movement that spoke volumes. He agreed wholeheartedly with Master Cerrik. His own experiences on Tython had etched a deep furrow of caution into his soul. The invasion, the needless bloodshed, the horrifying images of his friends falling, it all had shaken him to his core. The memory of the searing red blades, the panicked screams, and the chilling silence that followed lingered like a phantom limb.

"You're right." Roman said, a hint of the trauma still coloring his tone. "A lightsaber… it should be the last resort. A tool of last defense, not first offense." He paused, his eyes distant, recalling the horrors of that day. "I took a vow after Tython. To not take a life unless absolutely necessary. To find a way to resolve conflict without resorting to violence if at all possible."

His words were laced with a somber conviction. "How… how have you fared as a Jedi, without relying so heavily on your weapon?" he asked, a hint of curiosity laced with a deeper longing for understanding. "Most Jedi… they seem to see the lightsaber as an extension of themselves. I wonder if it's uncommon to feel this way, to prioritize peace over power." He knew the path he'd chosen wasn't the typical Jedi path, and the question was born of a need to see if he was alone in this perspective, if it was even possible to be a true Jedi without the constant shadow of the lightsaber looming over him.

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik listened intently, a soft, approving smile pulling at his lips. Roman's words resonated with a deep truth, one that many Jedi struggled to grasp in the throes of conflict. He could see the weight of something in Roman's eyes—painful memories clinging to him like shadows.

When he finally replied, Cerrik's voice was calm, warm, and full of understanding. "You're not alone in this, young one." He folded his hands in front of him thoughtfully, his gaze serene. "The lightsaber… while it is an extension of us in a way, it's still just a tool, and it's powerful. But it's only one part of what we are as Jedi."

"You ask how I fare as Jedi without relying on my lightsaber. Well, I simply use my words. When that fails, and tensions escalate to where weapons are brought it, I disarm and restrain."

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Jedi Enclave | Lake​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Cerrik

​

Roman's heart warmed at Cerrik's words, a sense of relief washing over him. This was a philosophy he could truly get behind, a way of being a Jedi that resonated with the core of his own beliefs. He'd always felt a dissonance between the power of the lightsaber and the peace it was meant to uphold. Cerrik's calm demeanor and candid admission that the lightsaber was merely a tool, not a defining characteristic, felt like a weight lifting from his shoulders.

He looked up at the older Jedi, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "Master Cerrik," he began, his voice filled with a newfound respect, "your honesty... it's refreshing. This is a path I believe I can follow." He paused, then continued, "I wonder, would you… would you ever be willing to teach me some of these ways? To show me how you disarm and restrain those who would cause harm? And perhaps… how you de-escalate situations before they reach such a violent point?" The question hung in the air, a plea for guidance from a young Jedi grappling with his own understanding of the Force.

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik smiled gently, his calm presence radiating reassurance. "Of course," he said, his voice steady and warm. "The Force is not just a tool but a guide, a current that flows through all living things. Understanding it requires patience, humility, and an open heart—qualities I already see in you."

He stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on the young Jedi's shoulder. "I will teach you, but know this: disarming and restraining others is not merely about technique or skill. It's about intention—rooted in compassion, not aggression. De-escalation begins not with them, but with you—calming your own spirit, so you can calm theirs."

Roman Vossari