Quiet Determination [Mother]

[Nina Heavenshield]

Wandering the training grounds she knew by heart by now, Nina watched as newly promoted knights taught their first students, while elderly masters hold training sessions for groups of younglings. Some instructing their pupils about what it means to be Jedi, while others show off their combat abilities by duelling their fellow trainees. While she'd been in the thick of such sessions aplenty, Nina couldn't help but feel like she'd outgrown them. Her hard work at studying and delving into matters of the mind allowed her to see things in greater detail, as well as greater scope, than her fellow classmates. She knew now what it meant to be Jedi, and she felt ready to take the next step on becoming just that.

A small leather pouch was carried over her shoulder, in which all the necessary components to construct her very own lightsaber resided - including her bright-orange crystal, burning like the sun itself. She was looking for her mother, who she'd been told was at the rifle range. While making her way there, Nina wondered why a Jedi would need to use a rifle at all, let alone practise using it. Father had told her once that Coci worked for the Republic before they met. Was she a soldier before becoming a Jedi? She'd practically grown up in the company of troopers ever since father was elected as the new Grandmaster. The times she'd see him off as he would go to war were too numerous to count.

Soon, however, she would be there fighting alongside him and mother. It wasn't something she looked forward to, but she knew such was unavoidable in the world they live in.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Beta Squad had completed target practice, Coci is running them through many drills and training so that soon she will hand pick men and women to form an elite group specifically to be trained as snipers. If an assassin was required for a mission, she would go never wanting to place someone in this position. The life of an assassin, a Shadow Assassin is paved with many dangers, for trooper and Jedi alike. She had performed this duty for many years now and knows the signs to look for if that path becomes blurred, she is strong enough to remain within the light. And Coci has something others do not, the love and connection to Thurion Heavenshield. She needs him to pull her back if she begins to walk astray.

As the last members of Beta Squad left the rifle range, Coci packed away The White Mouse and clicked the cover to lock on the long black case in which she carried the Nightstinger.

"Master Heavenshield, excuse me for the interruption but Padawan Nina Heavenshield is here to see you". The Antarian Ranger, caretaker of the rifle range informed her before leaving. Coci nodded her appreciation and placed her rifle in a secured locker and left the shoot range to find Nina.

​

[member="Nina Heavenshield"]​

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

While waiting for her mother, Nina sat with her legs crossed on a nearby bench as she watched the Rangers step out one by one. It must be a hard life, being a soldier, although it probably didn't come close to the focus demanded to train to become a Jedi. Not everyone was attuned to the Force, which she had always thought strange; the Force couldn't discriminate or be selective - it exists in everything. Yet many don't even know it in the first place. If Nina could have it her way, she would let everyone feel the Force around them as she did. The Force is a source of comfort and warmth, like an ever-present blanket to wrap yourself in.

Her thoughts were let go, however, when Coci stepped out the door wearing her training gear rather than robes. A smile reached her lips as she immediately got up and threw her arms around her, leather pouch in hand. "Hi, mom!" It was difficult to hide her excitement, as the occasion was a milestone in any aspiring Jedi's life. "I'm... I'm ready," she continued after the hug ended, admittedly a bit nervous. Not many padawans succeeded on their first try, and she wanted to make her parents proud. Théo had already gone to see father about the same thing, no doubt as eager to get started as always.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Looking to her daughter with a loving smile, Coci took Nina into her embrace. “Hello my beautiful daughter”. Nina’s nervousness is to be expected, this is a large step for any Jedi, let alone ones that are young like she and Théo. In their entire family, Nina Heavenshield is the gentle and calm of them all, a young girl that by her mere presence can sooth any misgivings, any confusion or agitation, especially for Théo. Even she and Thurion are effected by her serene nature, a natural quality that Coci hoped would never be removed or harmed.

But her parents will not always be around to protect this serenity and she knew that Nina understood this as well, even if it is a topic none of them wish to discuss. But, for Thurion and Coci there is one bright light in the galaxy that will always be there for Nina and protect her, Théo will.

As the hug came to an end, Coci remained standing close with her hands on her shoulders regarding the young woman, so flushed with youth, a rising Jedi but she could still see the child, a natural ability for a mother even though Nina did not spring forth from her own loins. “You are ready and will succeed in what purpose you have a calling for, do not fear failure as it is the only way we grow to understand success. Failure helps us learn from our mistakes so we gain knowledge to become better. To be a Jedi, to love, serve and protect does not always require that a Jedi carries a lightsaber”.

“Now, where would you like to go?”.

​

[member="Nina Heavenshield"]​

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

Nina offered her mother a quiet nod and a smile before taking her by the hand and leading her to a place where she would feel comfortable preparing for the ritual. She understood the sacred nature of days like these and would face it with a sincere wish to uphold its traditions. To her, being a Jedi was less of a conscious choice and more of a calling, as if the Force was calling your name so that it could grant you its comforting warmth and loving guidance. Having grown up watching father and mother both commit such marvellous and selfless acts inspired her to want to follow in their footsteps. She was aware of her bloodline having a close affinity to the Dark side, but she was no longer one of them. She never was to begin with.

Finding the place she was looking for, Nina took Coci to a grove surrounded by nature; trees and bushes on all sides but one, with a gentle stream of water closing off the remaining side. The emerald bed of moss and grass invited them to sit down, so that's what they did. Nina crossed her legs and sat opposite of her mother, presenting the leather pouch she'd been carrying around. Carefully laying out each piece and using the pouch itself as a mat, Nina saved the crystal for last. She then proceeded to regard each piece, wrinkling her nose in confusion. "Erm... So what do I do now, exactly?" she asked Coci in earnest. This stage was never mentioned in great detail in any of the texts she'd read on the subject matter.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Light fingers caressed on the moss, small droplets of water captured within its thickness danced upward with Coci's touch and lightly spray her skin. Within the droplets she could see the tiny spores, ready to journey to form new life. It is a beautiful green, rich and royal of hue and soft to all the senses. She watched Nina place the pieces of components that would form her lightsaber in front of them both, her crystal that had reached out to her on Rhen Var the last placed to be considered. Orange, unique, such strange 'finds' their children gather to them. As unique as both they are.

The surroundings took her attention for the moment, nature at it's finest, most elegant and majestic .. looked upon them both bearing witness to deeds of greatness, the force is here through the surroundings living within it and them. A symbiotic union that is as much a part of them both as they are to it. And so Nina's deeds will be shared with the living force as well, as great deed are not what one does on the field of battle or ripping down the walls of fortifications. Great deeds are done, when a small rodent steals a crumb of bread at great risk to give to it's young, when a seed given nourishment cracks open and grows into the tallest of trees, when rivers run with life giving water to feed all that require it's sucker .. great deeds are done, when a young girl sits to prepare the next stage of her life and walk toward destiny armed with her heart so pure.

Although an exceptional Jedi, one that will reach greatness beyond her, looks to her for guidance and Coci smiles. Leaning forward and placing her hand on Nina's arm, "There are two ways Jedi can do this, one is manually placing each piece together to craft the saber. The other is by using the force, clearing the mind of everything, before you 'see' your saber in your mind's eye. You use the force to lift and move the pieces and components and one by one place them together to complete your crafting. Let the force be your guide".

​

[member="Nina Heavenshield"]​

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

Nina sat contemplating her mother's words. Did she know what it would look like when finished? She had an idea of what she wanted it to look like, sure, but is that how it would turn out? In the end, Nina decided to stop thinking and merely trust the Force, like Coci had instructed her. A smile crept up the corners of her lips. For all his 'faults', her brother was much better at the whole 'don't think' bit. To Nina careful thinking came natural - she couldn't voice her opinions like others can, so instead she would quietly contemplate them. It's why she was so very shy and reclusive in her early years before Thurion saved her, but after getting to know him and Coci respectively she learned to open up more. Drawing had always helped, to put her thoughts unto paper so that others could see for themselves and make their own conclusions. Nowadays it had turned more into a hobby that she enjoyed doing on her spare time.

Adjusting her stance slightly, Nina closed her eyes and reached for the crystal. Holding it in both hands, she began to subconsciously piece the hilt together with her mind, using nothing but the imagined finished product in her head as a guide. She was not even aware of actually doing it, having let herself fully become embraced by the Force and trusting it to complete it for her. It wasn't until the crystal she held in the palms of her hands suddenly vanished that she became aware of what was going on outside of her own mind. And then as she gently opened her eyes, there it was, resting on the leather pouch where before there were but pieces of it.

She looked up at her mother with a surprised smile on her face. "Did I do that," she asked in earnest. She had no recollection of consciously assembling it herself.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The crystal is the heart of the blade​

The heart is the crystal of the Jedi​

The Jedi is the crystal of the Force​

The Force is the blade of the heart​

All are intertwined​

The crystal, the blade, the Jedi​

We are one.​

​

Although Nina would not hear these words as Coci spoke them, the sense of them filled the force while Nina constructed her saber. Coci sat watching as she recited the old crystal code when master witnesses the padawan take on life itself. Each piece rose in the air, and with such grace Nina placed the components together and when the crystal rose, it caught hold of the sun as if capturing its rays and burst forth in light that was almost blinding to the eyes. The crystal cradled within the newly formed saber, the leather strapping wrapped around the hilt and tied off. Nina's saber was complete.

A wide beaming smile returned to the look of confusion from her daughter, Coci cupped her face and leaned forward placing her lips to Nina's forehead, as she kissed her daughter, she spoke through the touch. "You did this, and I am so proud of you."

Coci moved back but let her hands rest on Nina's shoulders, "I am proud to be your mother", after the words, Coci held Nina in an embrace as tears welled in her eyes. So much is associated with this moment, the mark of the Jedi now written on her soul, with it all the responsibility to duty and service but moreover the dangers of answering the call of the Jedi. Thurion and Coci will make sure that Nina and Théo are 'armed' as best they can be, it would be the only way for them to be protected, through the force.

"Now, come on! lets see what it looks like!", Coci said jumping up and wiping away the wayward tears that rolled down her cheeks.

[member="Nina Heavenshield"]​

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

Her confusion turned to joy once she'd grasped the situation fully. It was done! Although one had to test it out to make sure it actually worked and not blow up in your face. When her mother held her in her arms, Nina buried her face in the fabrics of Coci's robes, hugging her tight in return. "I love you, mother. I could not have done it without you." Looking up into Coci's face, Nina frowned slightly at her mother's tears. They were tears of joy, sure, but tears nonetheless. They had no buisness being there, so when she rose to stand Nina did the same only to reach for her mother's cheeks, using her sleeve to help her wipe away the tears. "Don't cry, mama," she said with a smile.

She then turned around, remaining close to Coci, and proceeded to ignite her very own lightsaber for the first time. The orange-yellow blade sprung to life, just as bright and shining as the crystal itself. Peeking up at the sun above, she was unsure which of the two burned the brightest.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

As the golden blade sprung to life, Coci rested her hand upon Nina's shoulder as she stood behind her. The blade as bright as Nina's future and the essence of it would give hope to those that would see it. "It is beautiful".

Coci knew Nina would know the responsibility of carrying such a weapon, Théo had as well not having to be told it was not a toy. And so Nina would have to receive lessons on how to use it, for her own benefit as well of the ability to serve and protect. But the relationship of a master to an apprentice is just as much a personal one and guided by the force as is the construction of the lightsaber. This journey Nina will have to walk alone.

"Is there anything you wish to do now? or shall we go home and find your father. I am sure he would be most proud of you too and I bet Théo would be proud as well and very eager to see you and your saber". She took Nina's hand holding it with love and guidance and a will to take her wherever she desired.

​

[member="Nina Heavenshield"]​