The bigger the galaxy, the sweeter the homecoming.

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus paused before responding. She didn’t want to scare him away – but she had to be honest. But then, if he was to be a Jedi, he should go in with his eyes open. It would save a lot of heartache later.

“Where you train – in fact if you train is up to you. But I’d recommend you do learn to harness your skills. And not for some altruistic reason – but because it will keep you safe. You see, I will give you the choice. Others may decide to train you if you want to or not. And, as you can expect, those sort of people won’t care what it takes to make or break you.”

“So let’s go over the options assuming you decide to use your talents. There are the Sith. If it surprises you that I suggest them, believe me it is not a recommendation – but just an honest appraisal of your options. I won’t lie to you. They would take you and, if you survive their training, you could command great Force powers. But it would be a torment for you. You are Light-sided and those that cross the line tend to self-destruct. How do I know? A Sith Lord once told me. He despises those that cross to the Dark side – but that’s another story.”

“There are many factions within the galaxy that would take you and train you – don’t fear they would shun you. Quite the opposite. But their training is…at best random and at worst chaotic. They will fill your mind with views that you can have it all – both Light and Dark sided skills. What they won’t tell you is that this path leads to becoming a jack-of-all trades, Master of none. Those that dabble with the Dark side can never attain what is possible within the Light side and vice versa. And both true Light-siders and Dark-siders will shun you. It’s a lonely life.”

“And then there is the Jedi Order. We serve the Galactic Republic and I have to say we are the only true Light-sided Order that exists. I have been approached by the others that claim to be and so I know. Now I am not saying that all Jedi are perfect. In fact none of us are – but there will be those within the Order that will pick and choose aspects of the Jedi Code to follow. That will justify their actions with clever words. They are…misguided and sooner or later will leave the Order – either through choice or other means.”

“The Jedi Order is a place for hard work. Some fun but mostly hard work. Why am I trying to make it sound unappealing? Because the truth is worth the pain. If you wish to truly master the powers you have, to be the very best Force User you can, there can be only one choice.”

She was aware she was close to lecturing, so she paused, smiled – and then continued! “Imagine you had the gift to be the best swoop racer in the galaxy. Not just good but the best. And there were two teams interested in you. One was full of cool guys, laid back and disorganised. You wouldn’t win any races but you’d have a great time. You’d be anonymous but you’d enjoy yourself.”

“But the other team offered you the best bike and the best training and mechanics. The guys were cool enough but they worked first and partied when they had won races – not at the expense of winning races. Which would you choose?”

[member="Diego Ticon"]

 

[Dessh Ekwesh]

Diego's blue eyes searching hers as she spoke, the young man processed all of the information with a gravity not seen since he'd been at the Jedi temple. It was clear that despite his smirking and posturing, he wasn't taking this Force stuff lightly. A king of emotional decision making, Diego had spent his entire life going whichever way the wind blew, and he'd never been presented with a crossroad such as this. He had to admit, although the woman was young, she knew the twin worlds of the Jedi and the Sith like the back of her hand. He was pretty impressed.

"So let's suppose I were interested in the more organized team, since when did the Republic take in murderers and thieves?" he scoffed. Perhaps he had just implicated himself in some way, but Diego didn't care. He just wanted his questions answered. Plus, he felt he needed to make this young woman fully aware of just who she was inviting into their ranks. If that's what she was doing.

He wasn't going to admit it, but Diego had never worked hard for anything in his life. Why should he start now. But he realized he'd never had a reason to work hard, and the nurturing of these tremendous powers she seemed to think he had was rationalization enough to consider training as a Jedi.

He sighed and continued. "Plus, if I do say, 'What the frell, sign me up for the Jedi order.' Who exactly is going to train me? Some robed old dude on a power trip that makes me wear a braid and call him Master? Do you really think I'd last long in an environment like that?"

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus listened to him speak. He was possessing of power but had limited direction. Like a swoop bike with the biggest engine but no handlebars. But it sounded like he wanted to be led a little until he could find his own direction. And that was a good place to start from.

His sense of bravado wouldn’t be popular with everyone – but then her own persona offended from time to time – so she’d let him come to terms with that himself. “Murderers and thieves? Are we talking about your rap sheet again?” She smiled to show she didn’t take this as seriously as he might expect. “The Order is more concerned about what you can become rather than what you were. But I wouldn’t brag about it either.” Her smile broadened.

“Here on Corellia,” she waved her hand to indicate the Enclave, “The process of choosing a Padawan and Master is obliged to last 48-hours. To stop either side making a bad decision. At the Jedi Order, it is less formal. Either the Padawan approaches the Knight or Master they want or the other way around. If both are agreeable, that’s it. So you could wait until you got to Ossus and check out who’s available. I could recommend at least a couple. Or you could take my offer here and now.”

She narrowed her eyes in mock anger. “Of course, if you say no to me, I might just tell the authorities here you were guilty.” She immediately laughed. “I wear a robe, I feel older than my years and it’s up to you if I’m a dude or not. Braids are traditional but optional – and yes, you will call me your Master and I would call you my Padawan. I will give you the utmost respect and I would expect the same. And yes, I think you’d do fine. You have brains and a lot of talent to work with. Not all Jedi are as stuffy as you might think. In fact, I’m probably the stuffiest!”

She paused for a few seconds. “But it’s your path and your decision. And if you say yes, I ask only one promise. Not to be the best Jedi you can be – but to be the best person you can.” She reflected on exactly same the promise she’d made a few years previously – when a Jedi named [member="Tracyn"] had found a young girl lost and taken her to the Jedi on Ossus.

[member="Diego Ticon"]

 

[Dessh Ekwesh]

So Corvus herself was offering him training. Perhaps Diego was being dense after all, but the young Jedis offer of taking him on as a padawan was an unexpected development. He knew that he'd not last long under the tutelage of some stuffy old white-bearded dude before he'd end up trying to pop the old man. But her? He could do worse. Besides, she might be fun to rile up.

He stared at her, his blue eyes unreadable, as he weighed his options. Diego wasn't at all used to being praised for his intellect. Intimidation and muscle were the qualities that his comrades appreciated, not brains. He had to admit it endeared her to him slightly. On the other hand, she wanted his respect right out of the gates. It normally didn't work that way for Diego. On the streets, respect was earned. Calling someone Master was going to be a tall order for the young hooligan.

Ultimately the deciding factor was not only the memory of how right the lightsaber felt in his hands, but also the feeling of the Force flowing through every cell in his body. He'd have no idea how to harness that power without some kind of help.

"Ok, Corvus." He sighed deeply and hesitated for a moment, finding it hard to show even just a sliver of vulnerability. "I want to train as a Jedi. And as for that promise, well, all I can say is that I'll try my best."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus could not resist it. "Do or do not; there is no try." He wouldn't know why she found that so funny - but one day he'd reflect on her literally crying with laughter and know the reason why.

She collected herself. "Sorry. Long-story, no short version. It'll make sense in the end. It's a habit. It's..." She blushed slightly and smoothed the hem of her robes with her palms. "It's time to get going is what it is. Do you need to pick anything up? You can grab your weapons if you really want but..." she shook her head as if she disapproved. "It's up to you."

[member="Diego Ticon"]

 

[Dessh Ekwesh]

Diego grinned along with Corvus even though he was slightly confused. He didn't get the joke, but it was nice to see the Ice Queen loosen up a bit.

As for getting his weapons back, Diego shrugged. "I guess I don't need 'em anymore." The young man had very little besides the clothes on his back and his weapons. His brother Colap had unceremoniously wrecked his swoop bike back on Taris so he didn't even have that anymore, and his meager jobs with the Renegades hadn't been enough to keep his credit account full.

What good were his weapons going to be to him now anyway? He was giving himself over to this Order. Going all in.

"I'm ready when you are, Master." He added that last word in a slightly mocking tone. He couldn't help himself. He wondered with a smirk just how much she'd be able to take of his insolence before her icy demeanor cracked again. He guessed he'd probably soon find out.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

With a purposeful stride, Corvus headed towards her ship that was in the Enclave's hangar. Opening a channel on her com-link, she spoke slowly and gently, but each word dripped with authority. She was clearly used to being listened to without question. "This is Jedi Knight Corvus Raaf. I have determined Diego Ticon's innocence, so all charges are to be dropped...His file should be closed and transferred to the Jedi Order's central computers. All previous convictions are therefore invisible to all law enforcement agencies...Yes, that's what I said...Immediately...That is Jedi business...Thank you."

Turning to Diego she said, "Right, that's sorted. Oh, and we may have to come back here at some time. Personal business." Her respects to her former Master would have to wait for another day.

---THE END---​

[member="Diego Ticon"]