Tell Me, Does Your Sun Still Shine?

[Lief]

The Silent Temple​

Teth​

Nightfall​

​

What a day.

Induction into the Temple had taken most of her time; aiding those who had just arrived to find their way around, their rooms, their lockers. There had been so much to do, so much to see, faces that she had never once seen in her lifetime, species' she did not recognize. And it had all culminated way into the evening.

Now the stars made themselves known, twinkling overhead.

Asha sat where she did most evenings within the Crystal Gardens. It was her favourite haunt within the Temple, the crystals themselves seemed to sing to her, they lulled what remained of the horrors she had faced, and set her mind at ease. Jyn had shown her some ways to help refocus such things, but it was easier here. The Force was more readily accessible.

She had long since made amends with the mysterious, mystical energy. The only Master she sought to know. From a very young age it had been her mentor, guiding her, training her, showing her the way through its infinite reach. Hers had not been a traditional upbringing, and her lessons had reflected such. Largely self taught, if one could call it such. The Force had a hand in every step she had taken, others just refused to see it.

Sargon had seen it. He mentioned it the day he arrived...

The old Force Master saw more than most, that was his focus. His life's work.

A small sigh left the child. Her mind wandered to all which had led to this point, the good and the bad. In the end it had helped, even Aellin in his own twisted way, for it had solidified her place among the Bendu. He had not managed to fully break her spirit. He had not managed to waste away the light which swirled within.

No. The Force had other plans for the Hex Girl.

She would not forsake it again.

 

[Jericho]

Asha has not seen her father for quite some time has it been a year, maybe two, since her release from the sith? Time flew, Jericho of course wished to see her at every chance he could. One would blame his activities, his constant search for knowledge, or his responsibilities with his other children and the wars fought against the sith. As a Je'daii he was needed to keep the balance in the force, one could never be more than the other, or was that merely a reason for all the fighting? To that end, of light and dark, there was balance each and everyone had the opportunity to have it but only a select few went to seek it. The road to balance was harsher than the ways of the sith but more enlightening than the way of light, the might of Bogan combined with the serenity of Ashla was a power few could truly understand let alone obtain. From this understanding even the Je'daii of old have trouble with this even then there were many that had to return to the old moon and meditate to return to the ways. They had their trials like any other....

In that Jericho knew, he knew Asha had to face her own trials as he did, alone. It was what he had trained her form despite his hate for her captor twisting her mind among the other hideous thing she had to face, as a father he could not tolerate but as a master in the force, he had to let the course take its turn. He was not a good father, he knew this well from his other children even one had shot him. But Asha, his little Asha.... He closed to the crystal gardens, he could hear their hum as if it was a call or a song. As he neared he could feel her, everything, her hate, her love, her serenity. The young girl was wiser than her years as life had forced her to be as it did for him, she had seen so much more than his other children. She was his eldest, his strongest, the one he had put most of his effort in his youth. Despite his genetic changes and his more youthful look thought hidden under his cloak and armor, he knew he was still a monster. Feeling her serenity, she was more a Je'daii than he would ever be. She seemed to be at peace with herself, while he continued to thrive in the turmoil of balance.

As she was like his old master. A Je'daii. He could not help but feel as if the young girl was indeed a reincarnation of his old master.

"Asha..." The Lorrdian man whispered with a gentle tone he used only for a few. "My daughter..."

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Jericho]

Asha has not seen her father for quite some time has it been a year, maybe two, since her release from the sith? Time flew, Jericho of course wished to see her at every chance he could. One would blame his activities, his constant search for knowledge, or his responsibilities with his other children and the wars fought against the sith. As a Je'daii he was needed to keep the balance in the force, one could never be more than the other, or was that merely a reason for all the fighting? To that end, of light and dark, there was balance each and everyone had the opportunity to have it but only a select few went to seek it. The road to balance was harsher than the ways of the sith but more enlightening than the way of light, the might of Bogan combined with the serenity of Ashla was a power few could truly understand let alone obtain. From this understanding even the Je'daii of old have trouble with this even then there were many that had to return to the old moon and meditate to return to the ways. They had their trials like any other....

In that Jericho knew, he knew Asha had to face her own trials as he did, alone. It was what he had trained her form despite his hate for her captor twisting her mind among the other hideous thing she had to face, as a father he could not tolerate but as a master in the force, he had to let the course take its turn. He was not a good father, he knew this well from his other children even one had shot him. But Asha, his little Asha.... He closed to the crystal gardens, he could hear their hum as if it was a call or a song. As he neared he could feel her, everything, her hate, her love, her serenity. The young girl was wiser than her years as life had forced her to be as it did for him, she had seen so much more than his other children. She was his eldest, his strongest, the one he had put most of his effort in his youth. Despite his genetic changes and his more youthful look thought hidden under his cloak and armor, he knew he was still a monster. Feeling her serenity, she was more a Je'daii than he would ever be. She seemed to be at peace with herself, while he continued to thrive in the turmoil of balance.

As she was like his old master. A Je'daii. He could not help but feel as if the young girl was indeed a reincarnation of his old master.

"Asha..." The Lorrdian man whispered with a gentle tone he used only for a few. "My daughter..."

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

Her mind twisted through the throws of time, wandering along the delicate strands it produced; the thick and defined past threads, the thin and innumerable futures, the void below which threatened to pull her in and never let her go. How many countless hours had she spent working on this feat? How many days had she spent knelt waiting for a command, lost within her mind... Leaving traces of herself wherever possible?

Sargon's presence in the Temple had once again opened her to the Universe at large. Her mind felt like a bubble which stored it all within at the behest of the Force, yet clarity remained regardless where once she felt as though her head might explode under the burden of it all.

Lifting a hand while in her dreamstate, she settled it over the collar and allowed her fingers to wrap around the metal. She redirected the energy she was drawing within herself, bringing it to the collar she had lamented over for so long, and felt the damn thing begin to burn...

Only this time it was with purposeful intent.

Her eyes opened, no longer lost within the strands of time, and she tightened her hold of the metal. She could feel her hand scolded, practically hear the bubbling of her skin, but she held on. Gritting her teeth. Shivering under the strain.

And then, without warning, as a voice so tender and caring rang through the Gardens, the band broke.

With a ringing thud it landed amidst the crystals, breaking two of the small shards from their home to land beside her knees; and with what lay there she saw her past and her future combined. The collar of Aellin, and the crystals which would forge her new lightsabers.

Her eyes teared up, and she lifted her gaze from the Force's most gracious gift to stare upon her Father.

Asha could be whole again.

[member="Jericho"]

 

[Jericho]

Many eyes have laid eyes on the man, from the eyes of the good and the evil, no matter the alignment most seen him a monster. There were only the few he had allowed to see him so tender and kind. Thought he was a man of few word, those that seen it knew through his actions, deep down he was a very caring man. He could feel her emotions through the force, her sadness, her happiness, her love, even without the force he knew. He knew that his daughter never lost her love for him, despite his failure to save her. He clenched his fist for a moment angered at himself for the things he could not do. He was not a good man, he was a monster and still.....

And still her heart never wavered.

She could blame him for the pain she had.

But she didn't.

She could blame him for never truly finding her.

But she didn't.

The darkness never was able to engulf her, like it did with him. She was strong in her own way, in that way....He raised her right. He lifted her gently knowing she would accept him and flow too him as he did with her when she was just a baby. He did something rare even for him. He embraced her, he revealed his heart. He held her close, he held her tight with and hand placed over her head. As lorrdians they were kinetics that spoke through the smalls of gestures. But there he was. Showing her just how much her missed her, how much her cared.

As they embraced.....He felt something familiar.....

A warm sensation....

"Asha...." He whispered, his voice tender and kind.

His daughter....His master.....For a moment....There was.....

He held her tighter for a moment longer truly taking in the moment before slowly letting go. He placed his cloak over his arms hiding them. standing tall and towering.

"Now young one, tell me tale and progess of the Je'daii, more followers have come to our wake."

 

[Lief]

There was no hesitation to be had. She moved into his embrace and allowed herself to be held there for as long as he was willing. Too much time had passed since the pair had been together, since there was anything other than tension between them, and she would not take this moment of peace for granted. While she worried over how he viewed her, she knew that this had to be a peace offering of sorts. She would be stupid to turn her back on it.

"Papa" she breathed, keeping her face buried against his chest, and then he pulled back and she was forced to look upon him once more.

As always, he went straight to official business. No personal catch up, he wanted to learn about the Je'daii and their progress. It had always been this way between them... She shouldn't have been surprised.

"Things have progressed swifter than expected, Sir. Jyn spent months cleaning up the Temple, then she sent out a small call... To see if any Je'daii even remained. What you saw today is the result of that. We have many staunch Je'daii in our wake, willing to pledge themselves to an established Order rather than leading their lives in the shadows."

She frowned for a moment, meeting his gaze.

"Are you returning?"

[member="Jericho"]

 

[Jericho]

She was quick to hold him in embrace, she was quick to show his love for him where several of his other children did not. Jericho was bred in a galaxy of war where love was shown as a weakness an opening to be nearly cut down. But he could see the pain on her face, what she had to endure without her having to even wince from it. She was strong now and she deserved every moment, in time, as Jericho thought as he embraced her, maybe was time he showed more love and care; Not this instant but in time. Though he had to admit to himself, he was slightly saddened as they parted from their embrace.

As she spoke, she had a confident and straight foreword tone as expected, as if they weren't separated from each other at all. Despite their time apart she knew what to do, how to do it and if she wanted something she would get it. Just as he taught her. The sadness he felt as they parted changed to a heated pride, it almost made him want to smile under his mask, almost. "And many more to come, Little Asha. My master, the one of which you are named after, would be proud of what you are achieving right now." He took a moment when she asked him if he was returning.

"I cannot return, if I never left."

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

Asha adored her Father, even after all that had happened, he had been the only rolemodel she had been subjected to growing up, he had played the part of Mother and Father, of Aunt and Uncle, of Grandparents, and Friends... He had been her everything, and she was more than grateful for that fact. So there had been a hiccup in their life, in the form of her disappearance, so he had been harsh on her upon her return, untrusting... She understood. That was the life they led, distrust came easier especially when someone had so obviously changed.

She could only hope that she could win back his love, his trust. That things could continue as they had been.

"Many more? I hope so, Pa--Sir. Some have decided to remain on their own, but we have a strong majority gathered here, a Council is already being formed..." She smiled, and glanced to the crystals they were currently stood amongst. Each had their own signature in the Force, each was alive and wonderful to behold. "It's more than either of us ever expected. I hope to do you proud, Sir."

She had never met her namesake, she died before Asha's birth, but the way that her Papa spoke of her made her wish she had, if only to thank her.

His next statement caught her off guard. Never left? "But I haven't seen..." Her words faded into a frown of thought, before she nodded her head. He didn't have to be seen to be there, he was as close to a Shadow as they came, after all. All composure broke for a second, and the strong young woman melted back into the child. She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him once again.

"I have missed you, Papa... More than you could possibly comprehend."

[member='Jericho']

 

[Jericho]

Jericho lightly rubbed his chin at the mentions of the council. A council of men and women who think they knew what was best for the order, of an order that has been newly built by the hand of others? He didn't like that idea, thought he wasn't one for politics and the only leadership skills he had was meant for war. It would be better than a grandmaster the silvers reign of peace ended with the fall of so many different grand masters, as did the jedi order among many others. If the people were to lead, where would they be without a leader or leaders? Without such order only chaos would reign living such a nomadic life style would end poorly for a large group of people. Asha and Jericho once lived such a lifestyle a for a time it was too chaotic.

A warmth grasped his being as he thought, once his mind went back to reality; he looked down at the little being hold him tight. She was a strong girl, a wise girl, and an elegant girl. But in the end, she was his little girl, the warrior took a pause; he had already given his fair share of affection of the night. But, this was his little girl. As he looked at her the face of the grown woman before him changed to that of a child, his child. Little freckled Asha. He returned with his arm wrapping around her shoulder and his other hand lightly placed on the back of her head, he gently held her to the best of his ability.

Jericho was known to be able to fight a Greater Krayt dragon bare handed or crush steel at a whim. But here he was holding a child like a father would.

This was a warmth he had missed. This was a warmth that he loved. Even if he rarely showed it.

[member="Asha Hex"]