Tis the Season [SJO Winter Ball]

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

Location: Courtyard (Ice Skating Rink)
Wearing: Sasori Robes | Stun Baton
Tags: open

​

Everyone made this look easy.

Not the least was a certain Jedi who was doing circles around where the young Clone Trooper was currently flailing wildly, trying to find his balance and coming up short. The Mandalorian's butt stuck out behind him, as the child's legs weaved precariously under him. About the best he managed was to slide across the ice on his butt when he'd fallen. Again, that is.

Meanwhile, Sor-Jan was performing jumps. Sometimes he even did a spin. Or a flip. Wasn't a spinning jump called a flip? Whatever, the Anzat was a total show off. Which, was also nothing new.

The clone would be satisfied with figuring out how to just stand up.

There were Clone Troopers who had this kind of training. The 7K and 9J series had been snow troopers. Infantry and armored infantry, if Three remembered correctly. They would have had all sorts of training specific to snow and ice.

Three? Air Assault. His training had focused on orbital skydiving and various skills necessary to maintaining the different aerospace frames that the Air Assault Clone Troopers would deploy from. His infantry training had focused on the basics. He'd had exposure to snow, but it wasn't like they'd had snowball fights.

And they definitely hadn't gone ice skating.

The boy tried to pick himself up, got about a third of the way, and then his feet both went in opposite directions. Which left him on his back.

Pulling himself up into a seated crouch, the boy used his arms to start paddling toward the edge of the ice rink.

 

[Pash Tafo]

An easy smile returned to the Lothalian's face, drawn by the light laugh of his Novian companion. His grin took a boyish slant when he realized discus was not a winter sport. In his defense, Esutachya had never told him in what season Sargus Novia held thier competitions, but a simple moment of thought would have reminded him that Sargus Novia was a frozen planet. The Novian's lived only in terraformed habitats which, he assumed, were environtmentally controlled year round. After having met Eutstachya, Pash has studied her homeworld in the temple library.

"Well, in the Spring then. And yes, maybe you could teach some of the others here your sport too. Might be a fun competition." The Matukai replied with a nod and a sip of his cocoa.

It was comforting to find Eustachya so soon after his arrival. The woman made Silver Rest feel like...home. "Stach, it is good to see you. I hope we can spend some more time together." His eyes shifted slightly over the padawan. She had shared a lot with him during their day in the garden, but there was more questions. Like the story behind the wooden ring on her finger, or the scar on her ear.

[member="Eustachya"]

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

Account Name Change Pending
Location: Courtyard (Ice Skating Rink)
Wearing: Expensive Threads, Designer Jeans, Toumon Wool Scarf, HUD-G sunglasses, HoloLink
Tags: open

[ ashes ]​

​

The young Anzat moved with a preternatural grace across the ice.

Where had he been the first time that Azul Gol had taken him ice skating? Orto Plutonia? Ilum? Had it been Ilum?

By the Force, had it been so long? And he, grasping at straws to try and recall what it had been like. Or the sight of a Thisspiasian gliding across the ice. That much he could recall. He'd seen his master move across ice on several occasions in the two decades that Sor-Jan had served him as a padawan learner. It had been... beautiful.

The youngling knight needed only the subtle play of the Force to guide him. Five decades of training with the Art of Motion on display as the young Jedi shot across the ice rink with but a thought. He shifted his footing, coming up off the ice in a spinning jump. It was a triple flip.

He landed it, sliding on his skates in reverse. His eyes shut, he still managed to weave around and avoid the other skaters on the ice even without looking. Because he didn't need to look. He could feel their presence. He could taste it, in his mind. The horrible, terrible mind of the Anzat.

A single tear slipped down the side of the boy's face.

Where had he been... the first time that he'd taken Dil Andau ice skating?

It had been Orto Plutonia. The Hyperspace War was over. The Clone Wars had still been a decade away. The galaxy had been normal then. Being a Jedi had made sense then. And he, in all his hubris, a freshly minted Jedi Knight running out into the wilds and the Rim with a Twi'lek boy, hand in hand.

Turning from out of his backward slide, the young Jedi began building up speed as he made a figure eight that sling-shot him toward an empty enough spot that he could attempt another flourish.

He'd been to Kashyyyk for Life Day before.

Dil Andau had been older then. A Jedi Knight in his own right. A Jedi Healer. A better man than someone like Sor-Jan could have ever hoped to be. A better man than something like Sor-Jan had any right to become. The Yinchorri Uprising had rattled the Republic, but Dilly had insisted on showing support for the Wookiee holiday. It had been his first voyage away from Coruscant with his new padawan, a young Gran girl. Teela had been her name.

He could still see her. Pink youngling robes, holding Dilly's hand as the Twi'lek led his padawan out onto the ice.

His padawan had been standing on his own, now guiding another so that, one day, they might do the same. It was remarkable, though Sor-Jan hadn't realized then just how precious... just how very mortal it all was. Maybe... maybe if he had, it could have been different. He could have been different. Spent more time with...

...spent more time with the only family he had ever known.

Coming up from the ice, the Anzat kicked into a dazzling quad flip spin. He landed it, immediately making a second hop that twirled in another flip, before he went gliding along. His head was back, allowing the chilling breeze to wash over him. Tears were falling down his face as he started to slow toward a stop.

Dilly could have been anything. He could have been a doctor. If Sor-Jan hadn't taken the Twi'lek as a padawan learner as a boy, then maybe... Maybe he would have been.

Instead, a young Jedi named Sor-Jan Xantha had dragged a child into the most sacred of oaths -- the Holy Order of Jedi Knights. Never once asking if it was the right thing to do or not. If it was what was right for Dilly or not.

He had failed him.

He had failed him and then, what was worse, when everything that they had labored for had come crashing down around them -- the stormtroopers. The declaration of a New Order. The Jedi Purge -- when everyone they had trusted had betrayed the Jedi, Sor-Jan hadn't been there. He had left Dil Andau to his fate, just as he had Azul Gol on Yinchorr Prime.

Coming to a stop, the young Anzat brought an arm up so that he could use his sleeve to wipe the tears away. Vibrant blue eyes stared out over the lights and decorations around the courtyard to the Silver Rest. The trees in seasonal livery. The Wookiees in their celebration. The Jedi mingled among them.

He could still see a young Gran girl, holding her master's hand, as she tried to venture out on the ice for the first time...

What would his master have asked him then? And so this was Life Day, and what have you done..?

All things considered, Sor-Jan was glad that Azul Gol wasn't there to ask. Because the boy wasn't sure he'd be brave enough to answer true.

 

[Nick Dragovalor]

Jair would call back her attack dog, promising it wouldn't hurt him and likely would not appear again until he was comfortable with it. He wasn't sure how to take that, honestly. Was she trying to help, or just patronizing him? Afterwords, Jair would extend her hand, citing she wanted to start over. Not being used to handshakes and the like, but knowing the concept, he stared at it for a moment as she made a new introduction. Taking a deep breath, he would take her hand.

"Lord Dragonan-"

He stopped himself. It'd just slipped out. He was still used to his "new" memories. He did not introduce himself much, he had let his actions dictate him. But it had been ingrained in his mind enough to keep himself associated to the name. No... No, this had to stop. This had to end. He was Darth Dragonan no longer. He wanted to be away from that name and all that it represented. Taking another breath, he would clear his throat and try again.

"My name is Nicholas DragonsFlame."

That felt... Better. More like him. More like who he was. He hadn't been "Nicholas DragonsFlame" since before he had lost his memories, it was still an adjustment to get back to where he was. But that was why he was here, wasn't it? To heal?

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Epistor of Phasekion]

~ Tag: [member="Pash Tafo"] ~​

Nodding herself, Stach replied, "We shall, I have no doubt." She swung her feet out from under her and used her arm rests to help her stand. She was quite certain that he had not meant that as a dismissal, but she took it as one anyhow: others likely desired his company and she ought get to bed. "For now, I should retire. It was quite nice to see you as well, Pash."

If Pash stood along with her, the Sargus Novian padawan would give him a warm hug. "Be of good health and have a very joyful Life Day." Saying her goodbye for the night, she picked up her mug and started down the hallway away from the Great Hall, bound for the dormitories.

​

~ Exit EUSTACHYA ~​

((Merry Christmas Eve, or Christmas, as it is where you are, everyone!!))

 

[Jairdain]

The past could sometimes be so difficult to get beyond and leave there. If anybody understood this it was Jairdain. For so long she had dwelled on her memories. Allowing them to affect her into the now, causing certain personality aspects to alter who she was meant to be. Luckily she had put most of that away and had moved beyond them. Now she could try and offer that help to Nicholas.

Shaking his hand with a firm grip, she wasn't trying to assert that she was stronger by any means or show this was a battle of some kind. She included a friendly and open smile of almost welcoming.

"It is nice to meet you...again, Nicholas DragonsFlame."

[member="Nicholas DragonsFlame"]

 

[Nick Dragovalor]

He wondered for a moment when she would firmen her grip. He did the same, unsure of if he was supposed to or if... Well, he just wasn't used to social customs anymore. He'd never needed them. Not in a very long time. She said it was nice to meet him again, and he nodded his head, still unsure of what to say or what to do. Though he noticed that things had quieted... Perhaps he should retire to his chambers soon in order to rest a bit more, then later explore the Rest. Jair would be here, right?

"It is good to meet you as well" He spoke quietly. That was what he was supposed to say, right?

"I have to ask. What... What did my brother do that led you here?" He asked. "It's difficult to explain, but... He's my brother. And yet I know nothing of him."

That was an admittance that was hard for him. His pride took a hit for reasons he didn't know. And he didn't know why he had opened up to those feelings here either... He just... Did. But deep down he knew that if he was to find out anything about all this... It would be good to start with someone that his brother had helped. If he was going to be spending Life Day with his family... It would be good to figure out just what his family was all about, right?

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[WelshPsych]

Sadly, the boy did not seem to be as intimidated as Yuroic expected him to be. Yuroic was his elder at least a decade if not more. He took a longer sip of his drink not blinking as he stared at the boy firmly in the eye. He was as Yuroic suspected, a Prince of Commenor. Yuroic had seen and even talked to his father, Veiere. It was when Yuroic was Asaraa's age, a Padawan under Arisa. However, he never forgot that meeting. It was shown how even Jedi fought and disagreed amongst themselves, weakening themselves while Sith threats were and still are rising. "I thought you were Veiere's boy. I meet your father once, when I was a Padawan and he was still a Jedi." He had heard rumours that Veiere's path became complex, but then again so had Yuroic's so he refused to judge the man on that alone.

"Being a prince means little to me. I've never seen the point of a monarchy, it takes away democracy and creates a class system of the rich and the poor." Yuroic knew that classes of rich and poor were found on most worlds but generally there was a hierarchy that made those rich, richer and those poor, poorer. Intentionally or not, even the Commenori government bred that. However, that was his view, he had been told it was impractical and that amongst most monarchies, the Commenori was the best. "I am glad that your people were able to retake Commenor from Sith control and I hope your family is doing okay."

Asaraa seemed concerned that he would be stealing her date away for training, the boy seemed eager to train with him as well. There was a small bit that was impressed but he never allowed it to cross his facial features. "No. No. Tonight is for partying and enjoying the entertainment here. There be a more appropriate time to push your capabilities." Yuroic never sought to hurt or torture his students, just push them to their limits so that they knew when in danger how much they had left to give. "And Asaraa, if I shot your other leg in future aould that make you happy?" He knew that any leg he shot of hers was going to be a favourite. It was also a tease that if she wasn't careful he'd give her another hard lesson in something or another. Perhaps he did like causing his students pain, or at least teasing Asa about it.

[member="Caedyn Arenais"] | [member="Asaraa Vaashe"]

 

[Jairdain]

Giving him a smile when he said it was nice to meet her as well, she let go of his hand and maintained the personal distance between them. It was clear Nicholas would need some lessons on things and maybe she could help him with them. Time would tell on that.

Shaking her head slightly when he asked what it was his brother had done to lead her back, she held a hand up a moment. Listening to what else he said, she let him finish before speaking slowly. Trying to put the words just right...

"When we met originally, I was in a bad place in my life. Eventually, I did find my way back to the Silvers. It was when I in recovery on Voss that I met your brother. He came to visit and talk to me. Offering some words of advice, he gave me the opportunity to just be myself. He did not recoil when he learned of the poor choices I had made in my sith days and offered me all his support. Just knowing he was there helped."

Falling silent, there wasn't much else she could think of to say.

"What are your plans today?"

[member="Nicholas DragonsFlame"]

 

[Caedyn Arenais]

It was unfortunate that [member="Yuroic Xeraic"] had guessed Caedyn's connection to his home-world, the boy had specifically neglected to mention any details for that exact reason, let alone hearing someone else's views over government leadership and royalty. Being a teenage heir to the throne of Commenor wasn't nearly so grandiose as most people might have assumed. Much like Yuroic, the life of a Prince wasn't something that Caedyn clung to with much pride either. He hadn't even asked about the Je'daii nor the boy's Master, just gone straight for Caedyn's royal status, just like everyone else did...-Like that was all there was to him.

It was a life sentence of a different kind.​

"Yep..." was all that he could really say in response to the Silver Jedi's opinion of the Monarchy of Commenor, stuff that he left to his parents to deal with while he and his Sister had left their home-world at thirteen years, [member="Loreena Arenais"] moving to train under the Mandalorian Empire back then while Caedyn joined [member="Asha Hex"] and together they explored the Force and his future training, travelling from world to world and spending time with the rest of the Je'daii between Aurum, Svivren and Tython.

Glancing back to [member="Asaraa Vaashe"], Caedyn forced a polite smile and let she and Yuroic talk about prospective training, somewhat relieved that tonight wasn't the night that the older man had held in mind. He wasn't easily intimidated by subliminal threats nor fatherly warnings made out of care for Asaraa, if anything that was something the lad was glad to see from at-least one of her peers, as it meant she was well looked after, something that hadn't really crossed his mind as a concern. He had faced off against Sith, Dark Jedi and all types both in training and in real live combat...-It was never easy and when his life was at risk, it had left his heart in his mouth at the best of times, but Yuroic being the caring man that he was over Asaraa was a gladdened sight to behold.

It was just a shame that his life long gripe with socializing with those outside of his family, had showed up to categorize him so easily. Was it any wonder why Caedyn tried so hard to keep from mentioning anything about his family to Strangers.

 

[Nick Dragovalor]

He helped lead her back, she said. He was just kind to her, not much else, but it was clear that just a small bit of kindness and advice had gone a long way for Jair. Was that just how it worked? Sometimes a random act of kindness had that kind of power? It astonished him, to hear it from her. To him, it wasn't all that much that his brother had done by how she described it. Words, just... Words. Words, advice, tolerance, understanding... Taking time out for someone who needed it. And yet it did as much as it did, and it clearly had a profound effect and influence on her.

What kind of power was this? He didn't understand. He didn't know if he would ever understand. It just seemed to alien to him, such a concept. Power was taking. Power was destroying, power was manipulating. Power was domineering. Right?

She asked what his plans were, and he scratched his head in turn.

"I... Haven't really thought of any."

He wasn't used to keeping a schedule. At the moment, he was just... Riding things out as they come.

 

[Jairdain]

She was an empath and could easily read the confusion within Nicholas. Lack of understanding was a better way to say it, but confusion also matched almost as well. He had come from a different life and world she had, but there were some things they might both understand.

"This holiday is a day to be with people, family or friends. I have no plans and nobody to spend it with. Would you like to spend it with me?"

There might have been the sound of hope in her voice, but there was also a bit of hesitation. Not wanting to push herself on him if he didn't desire any company, she would accept whatever answer he gave.

"I know of some quiet places to go where we can just be."

[member="Nicholas DragonsFlame"]

 

[Nick Dragovalor]

He did have that thing he was invited to, but... That wasn't until later tonight. That left the rest of his day free and really, he wasn't sure if he knew what to do with it. He hadn't really thought of it, honestly, he was just... Kind of taking things one day at a time and hoping for the best. So when she would offer for them to talk more privately for a little while to spend the holidays doing that, he thought it over a moment before nodding his head. It couldn't hurt to remain with her for a little while longer, he supposed. Then he'd have to try and sort out this... Mess, with his own family.

"Lead the way."

[Exit]

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Kahne Porte]

Main Hall
[member="Samara Raine"]

The warm embrace was welcomed and the Jedi Master showed a big smile. "The holidays tend to do that don't they?" Kahne said as he gave her another hug, shorter this time but enough to let her know that he missed her.

"Thank you very much, Samara." Kahne replied with a chuckle when she mentioned he looked well. "Unfortunately no, Alexandra and the twins are not with me right now. I can assure you they are well though." The Jedi nodded his head as he put his arm around Samara and led them down the Main Hall. Among the chatting of fellow Jedi and the songs of the seasons, it truly was a wondrous sight.

"How's life here faring for you Samara." The Jedi Master asked with a warm smile on his face.

 

[Asaraa Vaashe]

The teenager shot a pensive look at Caedyn, her boyfriend had fallen silent, just nodding along with the conversation. She knew that his position as a member of the royal family was not something he really broadcast or went out of his way to let people know, in fact, it was quite the opposite. More often than not Caedyn went out of his way to actively hide and avoid that link, which to be fair wasn't something she was going to complain about too much. She liked him because of who he was, the kid who stopped in the street to help her when she was lost, not who he had been born as. Still, the girl flashed bout of her companions a bright smile, neither of them were going to get to retreat or to tease her without some response from the pink-haired one, oh no.

Twisting slightly she glanced over at Caedyn, eyes twinkling as she winked at Yuroic, "See what I mean, he's bloodthirsty I tell you, won't be happy until the entire Order has been riddled with arrows." she mock-whispered to Caedyn. There was a fond, teasing expression in the look that Asaraa flicked at Yuroic, eyes alive with humour as she straightened, taking a sip of her drink. The training had been useful, and more than that she knew he'd only gone that far because he cared, but still, she wasn't planning on letting him forget about it any time soon. Maybe it would be good for the two of them to see what the other was made of...as long as they didn't end up actually fighting for real. "Yeah, it was an interesting fight but I'm really glad that everything turned out well in the end." Seeing all the people from all over the galaxy arrive, band together to help the Sith off Commenor had been quite a sight, even though they had spent most of the fight actually trekking their way to the palace. From the looks of it, things had gotten more than a little heated out there. "If the two of you are going to fight then well...just promise me you'll be careful." She wanted both of them back in one piece and safe, that wasn't too much to ask in a galaxy full of war and danger, was it?

[member="Caedyn Arenais"] | [member="Yuroic Xeraic"]​

 

[Samara Raine]

Main Hall
[member="Kahne Porte"]
______________


The loving hugs from her mentor gave Samara's spirit a great lift. She had so missed being in and around Kahne. He was such a positive presence in her life, and pretty much to anyone who might be near him; always hopeful and kind.

"I look forward to seeing Alexandra again, but more so Aiden and Addison. They must be so big by now... Last we spoke on Monastery, they were just babies. Got any holopics of them by chance, daddy?" the honey blonde asked with a slight teasing edge to her otherwise sweet voice.

As the master and former student walked together towards the refreshments, the festivities reminded her that the Jedi as a whole were a family. The Liann would never truly be alone even if personal friends were far away or had become One with the Force.

"Things are going well... Missions have been keeping me plenty busy. The last one was my biggest so far. Difficult as the Silver Circle were working diligently to find a cure for a poison inflicted upon the native populace of Dac when the Sith Empire conquered the aquatic planet, and also later rescuing those Jedi stuck behind enemy lines after the battle concluded. Many were injured so I went. It was a bit hairy to say the least, but I fell back on the skills and lessons you taught me, Master. You've made a big impact on me, and who I am as a Jedi and person as a whole," Sam smiled sincerely, then returned the question upon the Jedi Master.

"And you? What have you been up to as of late?" the Knight asked curiously as she picked up a frosted holiday cookie in the shape of a star from a platter on the table near them.

 

[WelshPsych]

It was clear that Caedyn wasn't comfortable with people knowing his family and status. It was interesting, he'd expected the Prince to be proud of his family, at least with them taking back Commenor. Perhaps there was something he was missing, something deeper. It would be unlikely that he would find out during the conversation they were having today. He hadn't discussed the Je'daii Order, it was not a faction familiar to him. There was little he could ask about the Order from his knowledge about them. Taking a long sip from his drink, "so, do you still have a Master or are you a Knight now like Asaraa?" He asked, curious if the boy was fully trained.

Asaraa hadn't finished complaining about the shooting, it was all a tease he could tell. "Well, lucky for the entire Order I'm not their Master. I had you up before sunrise, exercising and training till lunch then back at it till dinner. If I had more time before I disappeared, then you would speak at least three more languages." Yuroic was an expert linguist himself and expected his Padawans to learn several, Shyriiwook was a first as they lived on Kashyyyk. "We need to get you practising with a bow, maybe you could shoot Caedyn in the leg, teach him a lesson." Yuroic joked as he noticed Caedyn had gone quiet.

"Another time, I'm sure there will be plenty of time to duel and find out Caedyn's style but for now, I'll leave you two alone." He nodded his head, ready to leave the couple alone.

[member="Caedyn Arenais"] | [member="Asaraa Vaashe"]

 

[Caedyn Arenais]

"For real though, I'd be happy to train with you" Caedyn spoke up to [member="Yuroic Xeraic"] after he had suggested leaving the two of them, the younger lad not wanting Yuroic to think he wasn't wanted or that he had to leave for any reason; the matter of his family and being 'royalty' was a touchy subject yet that wasn't the Jedi Master's fault at all, it was just how Caedyn had felt since leaving Commenor and discovering the Galaxy and a life beyond the leisure's of finance.

"My master's name is [member="Asha Hex"], though I'm not student anymore. The Je'daii have Padawan like you guys do as well, but then there are the Je'daii Journeyer's who travel around the Galaxy on what I guess you could call a pilgrimage" though Caedyn's place was somewhat different as his Master had ventured out on her own path. The two were very close, yet the Je'daii had for the most part disappeared from the Galaxies spotlight.

"Most of the Je'daii left to explore the far regions, Dad gave them an old Academy Ship from his Jedi days" Those that remained were more free-lance than what resembled the old Order. Frankly, he missed them all very much. That feeling of belonging and training alongside your own people day in and day out. "The Je'daii aren't what they used to be sadly. They're not nearly as large as you guys are".

"These days I sorta drift around, I like to learn what I can from people who're nice enough to give me their time, otherwise I'm just doing my own thing...-Though I don't think any of my training thus far has ended up with me being shot in the leg with an arrow" Caedyn grinned at both [member="Asaraa Vaashe"] and her former Master slash guardian. It was really nice to see that someone cared about her so much, given how much Cae had told her about his family and soon realized that Asa didn't have a lot to say about her own before the Jedi.

"If you're not rushing off anywhere, Master Yuroic, what was your training like?".

 

[Kahne Porte]

Main Hall
w/ [member="Samara Raine"]

"I do actually." Kahne said softly with a small smile as he reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a small datapad that had personal notes and items and such on there. Some of them being pictures of his children, and his wife. There was even on of Samara on there, from a few years ago. Kahne flipped through the pictures and landed on the most recent one with Aiden and Addison.

Where Samara had gotten one of the frosted cookies the Jedi Master reached for a small glass of juice that were be served readily to those requesting some. Kahne gave a small nod to the server and then looked back to Samara. "They are getting big. Growing too fast to be quite honest."

Kahne listened to what she had spoke of her journeys and ventures during her time here and he showed a small smile. "You've been very busy then." Kahne shook his head and chuckled slightly when she mentioned he made a big impact on her.

"That's nice of you Samara, but I merely pointed you in the right direction. The rest was you, I'm quite proud of you for that."

Kahne took a small sip of the beverage and just gave a small slight shrug of his shoulders. "I've been here and there. A lot of my time here recently has been spent with Alexandra and the twins. I'm in the process of helping Alexandra with her new found Jedi gifts. However I'm sensing that I will be needed back out in the galaxy soon."

 

[Samara Raine]

Main Hall
w/[member="Kahne Porte"]
________________

Samara leaned in when the Jedi Master brought his data pad out and opened it to his holopics. The young healer's sea green orbs looked on with awe and delight.

"Oh my gosh... They are so adorable," the honey blonde exclaimed sincerely, then added. "And indeed big. Alexandra I see is as beautiful as ever. You have a created a wonderful family, Kahne. May the Force be with you all, always."

When he flipped to the holo of the two of them, it warmed her heart. The Master Jedi had always been like father-figure to her; a lost padawan at the time fostered by him.

"I remember that holo... It was taken on Monastery by Gala in the Order of the Sacred Lotus' garden. I enjoyed my time with you there. It was very peaceful and enlightening, filling me with so much hope and purpose. I feel the Force made sure you were in my life when I needed you the most," she smiled up at him, reaching out to place her hand upon his arm tenderly.

"Thank you, Master. That means a lot to me."

Samara nibbled off the points of the star-shaped sugar cookie first as the Master Jedi answered her query leaving just the middle section uneaten where the frosting was thickest.

"I'm so glad to hear she is learning the ways of the Force under you tutelage. I can attest Alexandra will not find a finer teacher," Sam winked, then the Knight sobered a little at his last comment.

"Yes, I know. The darkness is growing, but it cannot snuff out the light completely as there will always be hope somewhere. That is something the dark does not have on its side."