Private Stay By My Side

[Jairdain]

"What must I do?"

It was the question posed to Jairdain from her friend. When she had learned this particular skill, she had been on Voss still. That world had still been the capital of the Silver Jedi. As Taiden had predicted, the Sith had moved in and taken it over. If there was only one thing she could have brought from there, it would have been this statue in front of them. She had given her word to keep it safe and the spirits inside taken care of.

At the time, she could have easily taken Aja and any of the souls inside into herself, but the presence of Taiden had stopped her. The blind woman had offered to teach him the same skill then, but he had declined. Now it seemed her vigil was over and he asked to learn how to accomplish and learn how to Spirit Walk.

Looking at him with a serious look on her face, she whispered something to Marcus. He was a good child and could sense from Jairdain he needed to follow her directions. Giving Taiden a small wave, he scampered away. The promise of food was a key item here and he knew just where to get some.

"To some this skill is belongs in the category of evil and Darkness. That is not always the case though. Please, follow me again, Taiden."

Provided he did as she asked, she walked in silence and moved deeper into the garden. Coming to a vast flowerbed, she leaned over the flowers and reached out with the Force. Speaking to the plants, some of them shut their buds, there was a handful that remained open, however.

"Each of these has a spirit of their own. When you attempt to Spirit Walk, you need to gain the permission of the spirit you wish to walk with. Once you gain the spirit, it is forever bound to you. That is why it needs to be done willingly. For as long as you live, you will always hear the spirit in your head. Sometimes to make things easier to accept, you may need to make a sacrifice of your own. Normally that means a few drops of your own blood. Observe."

Picking one of the flowers, her sharp fingernails made a small cut on one of her fingers. A drop formed and she allowed it to fall onto the bud of the flower. All the while, she spoke to the flower. Words of love, thanks and comfort came from Jairdain and flowed into the small flower. Through the Force, if he had the ability to sense it, he would pick up on her essentially stealing the soul of the flower. Not quite stealing because its life had been given willingly.

Life faded from the flower and very quickly, the stem that was once full of life had turned brown and started to droop as it wilted.

"Be very careful with a spirit you try to take. On the chance you ever attempt to take from an entity that is not willing, then you'll have a great fight for yourself. If you get beaten, then you will be lost."

Motioning to the remaining flowers showing their beauty, she stepped back. Turning to address the bed, she might have looked happy, but in the Force, she was feeling a touch of sorrow. They might only be flowers, she did not enjoy taking the life of any living thing.

"These flowers are yours to practice on and they are all willing to sacrifice themselves for us."

Taiden Keth

 

[Taiden Keth]

Taiden was even more careful with his actions than Jairdain. Now he comprehended what it would take to learn the technique and what it acutally involved. His light touch didn’t even want to take the flower. Not before its time. At that moment he realized what this path might lead him to, a flash of insight and awareness. It was a path that he needed to tread, there were many lost spirits that needed a light in the darkness, and one debt he owed in particular to those he loved.

“I understand. Thank you Jairdain.” For going through this with him. Though the sense of his body language in the force was severity and seriousness, careful approach was made toward where the flowers rested. Crossing his legs and sitting down beside them.

From sitting, he bowed very gracefully to the next flower. He wanted to know beyond a doubt that the flower was willing to take this journey with him, and he wanted the force to know, that the flower would be saving a thousand spirits if he lived long enough, or maybe just one. He could not convey words to a plant, only perhaps an intent in his emotion as he touched the petal lightly. “What happens when we die. Do the spirits find rest?” There were many netherworld rips that he had tried to put out of his mind, the last one was almost too much for the ambiguous statement's crew. If he learned this technique he might be more equipped to help some of the souls lost and wandering in their wake. Forgotten netherworld castaways.

Aja was curious also, by their sides she waited. She was wondering if it was time, or what she must do. Lingering near Jairdain and looking out at the display as a former Jedi Watchman might. The tremendous self-sacrifice present in Aja was evident, she was willing to give up eternity, just as Taiden was, only Aja didn't even owe a debt.

As his thumb moved against the flower. The petal he could sense, the force signature of the flower but the spirit? How did he sense the spirit?

Jairdain

 

[Jairdain]

It didn't matter how long Taiden took to connect with the spirit of the flower. Jairdain was patient and allowed him to take a seat and reach out to them. Sensing them through the Force wasn't difficult, but finding the soul might be. This was something that had taken her a few tries before she accomplished the task.

She sat down next to him. Close enough to touch, but giving him space for the moment. He asked what happens when a person dies and if spirits find peace. A dear friend of hers had died and she went into the Netherworld to find him. While she had found him, she had failed to bring him back. In the end, he had put his spirit into a crystal that she now carried with her. Only Jairdain knew of this item, maybe it was time to share this knowledge with somebody.

"From the people I have spoken with that have stayed in the Beyond for a while, they had found peace. I won't if death isn't better than life sometimes. Peace can be found though and rest assured, we will have it when our times come. That is not today."

Closing her eyes, she might be blind, but this was a natural habit she had while meditating. Unless Taiden pulled away from her light touch, she would place one of her hands on an elbow. Her purpose in this was to enhance his connection to the life of the flower, the Force and to help him find the soul of the beauty in his hands.

If he sensed the Force signature of the plant, then he could find its soul. As if she also wanted to help, Aja did the same as Jairdain and placed a ghostly hand on the other elbow of Taiden. All they did was try to enhance what he was already able to do, all he needed to do was open his eyes to see the spirit of the flower. Not his physical eyes, but those he used in the depths of the Force.

Taiden Keth

 

[Taiden Keth]

“The spirits inside of us? They too find rest?” That was what he wanted to know most of all, he did not ask for himself. He didn’t want to start connecting with spirits until he was sure that eventually, they to would benefit. It was not some idealistic sense of self-sacrifice but a view to their well being. Even something so small as a willing flower.

Gestures from both women caused him to better find the spirit of the action. Flow from action, from gesture, from impulse through flower stem. From their hand through his arm and to the plant. Their touch more than words, and appreciated beyond any response but warm internalized emotion. "My lady," he offered sincerely.

Happening across the petal's energy and life force was gently done, uncovering another part of the hidden natural world. It wasn’t like he expected from such a small thing. Size matters not, Yoda once counseled to a certain Jedi from myth. To Taiden's belief, outside of a body, the soul was limitless. That is what it felt like to Taiden as a white field had enveloped his eyes, immersing him within the flower's soul in reverse, its spirit like a sheet of white current filling the area before him. He didn’t know if Jairdain could see through the force, but that’s how a warrior who wielded light as his own characterization of spirit, soul and force energy perceived what he saw. While others might instead see what their beliefs and convictions framed a spirit to be.

A soft white light highlighted itself around Taiden’s fingers, an extension of force light, his own aura magnified. A thin covering along the fingers bleeding into the visual spectrum for the eyes to see, no sound but the natural ambiance around them. If Jairdain had confirmed that the spirits would find rest also, that when it was his time to die all who walked with him would also find rest. Then and only then, the spirit would walk with him from this day forth. If not, he would at least know how if the time came and make that choice.

But he could not hold the connection, perceiving it as apart from himself, and so the success he felt was slipping away once again. These things took time.

Jairdain

 

[Jairdain]

There was a solemn seriousness coming from Jairdain as she thought of how to answer her friend's question. Keeping silent as the words formed in her head. Finally, when it did present itself, she nodded before speaking.

"When our life is gone, the spirits we carry have a choice. They can return to what they had been before or move on. That is not something we have control over. Something else you might want to know. You can release them if you wish. These spirits we carry that have been forced to join, might also fight for freedom now and then. Only when they come willingly does this not ever happen."

What she said were many words and they might not even answer his questions. It was what Jairdain knew though. She could tell him what she felt would happen but that isn't what he asked.

He welcomed their help and as they all sat connected, she saw the spirit of the flower reaching out to him and it's fleeting life draining away. The flower felt no pain as it faded away. For a first attempt, he had been able to sense it. Perhaps his next few tries would bring him closer to accomplishing his objective.

Learning and skills did not come overnight or very quickly. Right now, he had just opened this door. A small crack and it was now up to him to open it further. Flowers were calling out and those wanting to help him were still open and accepting of the work in front of them.

His connection to the first flower failed and it wilted in his hand. From Jairdain, he would not feel any disappointment or anything negative. Rather Taiden would know she was supporting him and wanted him to try again. Motioning to the flowers in front of him, she gave him just a small smile of encouragement.

"We are here for you and you have our support. Try again, my friend."

Taiden Keth

 

[Taiden Keth]

Jairdain

An understatement that Taiden took time over his efforts. Matsu had once guided him to listen to the planet more carefully beneath them, Jairdain's approach was infinitely delicate by comparison. A single flower and still the same depth of spirit.

Jairdain reassured the Kethborn that all spirits within had a choice to pass when he died, this put his mind at ease greatly. He could offer them a natural window out of torment or suffering, one day perhaps even his ancestors that had brought that suffering to so many.

We are here for you and you have our support. Try again, my friend.

Distinctions. Looking upon those flowers with still open buds. Should he pick another young flower or one near the end of their allotted time? He felt spirit often strengthened toward the end, while physical form transitioned. Choosing the flower closest to closing or ending its lifecycle. Taiden took the next flower, giving thanks in a silent bow for its sacrifice. Time was taken to make sure it knew.

Sitting in meditation. Once again the Echani deepened his concentration toward the flower, a bleeding together of their spirits. His senses became a white rolling blanket as it opened to view. Their physical bodies washed over with a gentle breeze. The garden's energies promoted serenity. He could feel Aja's and Jairdain's own affirmant against his arm. They didn't end, none of this ended. His concept of time and space was gone. That's why the spirits could find rest when the physical body had faded away, because there was nowhere to go, no distance, and no time.

~Are you ready~ Taiden's voice echoed to Aja and Jairdain through the force.

Aja smiled to Jairdain, the Jedi watchman ready to complete her journey. She touched the lady's arms so she could feel her gratitude, giving it a tap.

~I am.~ She said to both of them in their minds. Readying herself for the last act of a Jedi, or just a person, a spirit going home.

Then she was gone.

Nothing happened at first. The Echani shifted and tensed, but didn't leave that deep state. If anything his identity disappeared with it. Body there, the concept of a mind, body, or spirit separation was gone. Jairdain wouldn't get a response from the Jedi for now, she could still speak to him, or join his mind/spirit/body in the force. She might find him within an image of Wodenstam, the Keth ancestral home. He'd never been, only pictured it from the records. A quaint hamlet, a stream, a library packed with books, a large tree, and the faint smell of herbs. Brothers sparring in the yard. The details lacked the fine strokes of first-hand experience, but the image was welcoming and homely.

Aja sat in one of the chairs there, she was youthful, happy, and radiant. She looked at peace and if Jairdain ventured inward, she would give her a light embrace.

 

[Jairdain]

Sight was ever a fleeting thing for Jairdain. It had been gifted to her a mere handful of times. Accepting it again as Taiden meditated, they were connected, and she followed where he went. While her mind didn't entirely understand the vision he provided for her, she reveled in the world's colors. A world she might never again get to visit. This was a place made from his memory, and she walked in behind him.

Drawing in a breath, for she had only ever seen him through the Force, she did not know if the image in front of her was an accurate one of his physical body. In reality, it did not matter, but the blind woman enjoyed the sight she was being given. Taking in a deep breath, Jairdain noticed it was just the three of them in this vision.

"Is this for real, Taiden?"

Violet eyes blinked, and she spun around to face Aja for the first time. Approaching the spirit she had guarded for so long, she smiled at her and bowed.

"Thank you for allowing me to join you today, my lady."

Taiden Keth

 

[Taiden Keth]

Thank you for allowing me to join you today, my lady.

By her side, Jairdain might sense a waver of emotion that strained to spill out into joy. After her long and arduous vigil, Aja was finally ready to find her rest. The thankful expression she returned Jairdain lay devoid of words, only commitment and gratitude.

Is this for real, Taiden?

"Yes. Where it began." Deep within their shared experience, the quaint little wooden hut looked overgrown on the outside with carefully tended plants. Much like Taiden recreated himself in his gardens, the two Echani brothers sparring moved like water together. One was leading, looking for an opening, and the other glided like a steady stream effortlessly. There was harmony in their exchange, devoid of anger or fear.

"Raien and Aiden, my ancestors. They bid their farewells here." Taiden continued in his reverent tone. The scene shifted to a shared moment in the kitchen over herbal tea. Echani didn't outwardly express emotion, but there was love and care between them. The brothers parted ways—one to seek glory, the other to live humbly. A tense, unspoken knowing in Aiden's eyes drew a lingering sadness as he watched Raien leave, a younger girl ran after him but too late to reach the ship.

As the atmosphere around them shifted, Taiden held something back, shielding Jairdain and Aja from the total weight of their family's history. He was not shaken, but he was holding something back and something out; a light, steady space surrounded him protectively. Outside the experience, several spirits could almost be seen watching; many were trapped trying to escape their torment; one petulant golden spirit laughed, one young free spirit watched in sorrow, and one malicious spirit loomed in such a pit of darkness it caused a chilling shiver down Taiden's spine.

There was a sense that Jairdain could speak to one spirit if she wanted, but the opportunity of this frozen experience wouldn't align forever. The shift might feel jarring, not letting things flow as they should, and uncharacteristic of Taiden to deny the natural flow.

"I fear exposing her to everything." He admitted, breathing deeply of the crystalized moment, hoping he might spare Aja from the more painful aspects of his past. Aja didn't seem phased; her vigil had been long and arduous; she had died doing her duty, and even that hadn't stopped her, but she looked to Jairdain for her counsel.

Jairdain