Private You Okay?

[Jasper Kai'el]

You Okay?
Coruscant, Jedi Temple Gardens
Tags: Iris Arani ​

Jasper had gone and gotten confirmation straight from Kai's mouth. He had struggled to believe that such a thing was even possible, and the felon stating they had been best friends certainly made him feel worse about it all. Jasper believed in trust first and foremost. To harm someone close to you in the capacity that had been done to Iris... it was simply unacceptable. Of course, he couldn't just sit around and feel bad for her. The duelist needed to see how she was holding up. Iris had given him important guidance back when he still had doubts about who he was. He didn't just want to pay that kindness forward; He needed to. So, Jasper did what he knew how to do best... Order a pizza.

The padawan sent Iris a message, requesting that they meet in the Temple Gardens. They were usually rather unoccupied, and Jasper liked the ambiance of the space, especially in the evening. Hopefully he'd be able to channel a bit of Ichika Masudo and support Iris in a similar manner. He was unsure of exactly how she was feeling, but he knew that he had to do something. He wouldn't be a very supportive friend otherwise, would he?

Jasper sat down at a bench towards the far end of the gardens. He hoped that Iris was in a good enough state to care to show up. The padawan genuinely wanted to do something, even if only a little. Time would tell how much that would even be...

 

[Iris Arani]

Iris rather casually plopped down on the bench, sniffing the air with a faint smile. "That pizza? Smells like pizza. You got me pizza?" Without waiting for an answer she reached towards the box, flicked her wrist to open it with the Force before snatching up a slice for herself. taking a bite almost immediately. She could tell what this was about. Honestly, she did want to talk about it.

Bringing it up? Nah, nah. That she wasn't sure how to do.

"So.. What's up?"

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple Gardens
Tags: Iris Arani ​

"That pizza? Smells like pizza. You got me pizza?"

"Yeah," Jasper nodded, smiling warmly. "I figured it might help cheer you up..."

The padawan sighed. She knew why he was there. It wasn't like Iris to play dumb, not like this. She seemed to be purposely avoiding the looming subject at hand. Jasper didn't blame her. If he had gone through that, he would surely want the same.

"I... think you know what's up," he guessed. "I needed to see how you were doing. I'm sorry. I know you probably don't want all of this being dragged up. I just... I couldn't in good conscious not at least check on you, y'know?"

 

[Iris Arani]

"Mm.. Yeah. I figured." Iris took another bite, frowning for just a moment as she chewed. To think she complained to Corin that people didn't check up on her. Ironic was a good word for it. After a second though, she just smiled. Patted Jasper on the shoulder before looking out over the garden.

"I'm fine, actually. A lot better now. If you ever have trouble I can wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Voss."

Jasper Candos

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Iris Arani ​

"I'm fine, actually. A lot better now. If you ever have trouble I can wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Voss."

"Voss?" Jasper noted. "I'll... keep that in mind then. I'm glad to hear you're doing okay. I would've checked on you sooner, but I had just gotten back from the Outer Rim."

He had just come of the end of getting his brother Jalen settled down. It was strange, suddenly being an older brother now. Jasper hoped he'd be able to properly support the kid, but he had his doubts.

"Y'know, you can always reach out of you need anything," he told her. "O-or at least leave a message. I don't always get to calls right away. You know what I mean."

Jasper exhaled, the smile returning to his face.

"So... are they knighting you yet?"

 

[Iris Arani]

"We're all busy. There's.. A lot going on, for everyone." War or not, everyone was busy. Still, helped her smile knowing he was at least worried. Yeah, she really wasn't as alone as she made herself to believe. Kinda silly to think about now. "I'll.. I know. Seems hypocritical for me to say it, but I don't like burdening others with my own problems. It's probably more of a healer thing."

Better to turn her attention to helping others than herself. Or, well. Used to be. Lots of growing still to go, but she at least accepted that ignoring her own problems would only hinder her ability to help others.

"Maybe. Everyone seems to be all about me getting knighted these past couple days. Do I really strike people as responsible like that?"

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple Gardens
Tags: Iris Arani ​

"It's funny you mention that," Jasper noted with grin. "I used to think the same thing about my burdens... But then someone gave me a piece of her mind about the matter."

Jasper completely understood what she meant though. The debate of burden was a tricky one, a debate he still struggled with at that. Still, he was trying to get better at accepting the support of others, within reason of course. It wasn't hypocritical. It was just human nature.

"Maybe. Everyone seems to be all about me getting knighted these past couple days. Do I really strike people as responsible like that?"

"I think so," the padawan nodded. "You've sorta been throwin' yourself head-first into all kinds of things lately, and I'd wager you've probably gone through all the trials by now. If I'm not the only one who's brought this up, then I'd say you've really made an impression on people. It seems to me like you've probably earned it."

Jasper shrugged, a mischievous smile spreading across his face.

"You worried about leaving the rest of us behind or somethin'?" he joked.

 

[Iris Arani]

"Leaving the rest of you behind? No. No, that's not a worry at all. Just feels weird to think of being a Knight. I mean, having my own Padawan, doing my own thing. On my own. It's.. Overwhelming to think about I guess."

Iris shrugged in turn, taking another bite of her own slice.

"I mean, technically I'll be in charge of you and everyone else. Doesn't that feel kinda weird?"

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple Gardens
Tags: Iris Arani ​

"I get that," Jasper nodded. "It's certainly a... daunting notion. I think about stuff like that myself. But... I guess we never know if we can handle the heat till we give it an honest shot. Besides, you won't be alone. Not really. I doubt that you'll no longer receive guidance, and there isn't any pressure to take a padawan immediately. Just cause you cross the gap doesn't mean that learning stops."

When Iris brought up the notion of being in charge of everyone, he couldn't help but laugh.

"You weren't already in charge?" he asked in a teasing manner.

 

[Iris Arani]

"Daunting. That's a good word for it." Iris snickered a little again, nodding in her agreement. Or chewing. Pizza was good. Really good. Or maybe it was because of the usually strict diet Valery put her on. Or just eating with friends.

Too much thinking.

"There was a time people would never think of me as a person in charge. Guess you missed that."

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple Gardens
Tags: Iris Arani ​

"There was a time people would never think of me as a person in charge. Guess you missed that."

"I guess that just speaks to your growth then," Jasper shrugged. He grinned as he continued, "People don't stay the same... but that isn't always a bad thing."

Jasper leaned back against the bench, crossing his arms. He couldn't help but think of the things they would accomplish in Knighthood. Him, Iris, Silas, Calix, Ara, Daisy... It was strange. He knew a lot of people now. It was a pretty stark contrast from when he first arrived. Perhaps there was hope for Jasper after all.

"I'm not ready yet," the padawan admitted, "But... I've been thinking about what I'm gonna do when I complete my trials. I'm gonna try to set up a satellite Academy, maybe a small temple. It's gonna have the best workshop in the galaxy. I wanna teach people how to start engineering things. Lightsaber accessories, of course, but other things too. Get Jedi started on developing skills that aren't just dueling and diplomacy."

The padawan paused, laughing awkwardly. He probably sounded ridiculous.

"It would probably be a logistical nightmare," Jasper admitted. "I don't know if the council would ever clear something like that... What do you wanna do? Y'know, when you do rank up."

 

[Iris Arani]

"Not at all. I'm still trying to figure out everything else. Healing, the wars, my place in both. I don't have any clue what I should be doing right now, let alone when I end up a Knight. I'll just.. Do it, whatever it ends up being I guess?"

To quote probably not the best advice. But it's what she had.

"Don't think too much on the future. Things change. Trust in the Force, but don't try to control it."

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple Gardens
Tags: Iris Arani ​

"I'll just.. Do it, whatever it ends up being I guess?"

To quote probably not the best advice. But it's what she had.

"Don't think too much on the future. Things change. Trust in the Force, but don't try to control it."

"That's a very you answer," Jasper noted. "Not that it's a bad thing, just... In character, I guess."

Jasper became a little bit more serious again, leaning forward.

"I mean what I said though," he said. "If you ever need anything, just ask. Even when you're a knight."

She was his friend, after all. If he needed anything, he trusted that Iris would be willing to help him out... at least within reason, anyways. She may not always be willing to accept it, but he at least wanted her to know that he'd make himself available if need be. To do otherwise would be out of character.

 

[Iris Arani]

"Oh? I'm a character now? Maybe I should be. Get my own totally real adventures."

She snickered. And was probably a bit more serious than she should've been. But rehab had her watching all kinds of shows. Auteme 's Totally Real Adventures was one of the big ones of that time.

"I will. So long as it's a problem appropriate for a Padawan."

Another smirk before she took another bite of her slice. Time would tell if that was actually serious or not.

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple Gardens
Tags: Iris Arani ​

"Oh? I'm a character now? Maybe I should be. Get my own totally real adventures."

"Maybe I could be a side character," Jasper joked. "Knowing my luck, they'd kill me off season 1."

It was good to see Iris in better spirits, and he was glad that she said she would ask him for help if need be, so long as the time was appropriate. Jasper found this to be a satisfying enough answer. It seemed that, as of now, he had done what he could to make sure Iris was doing okay. Strangely, in spite of his inability to change anything about what happened with Kai, he didn't feel completely hopeless about the situation. Perhaps he was growing as well.

"Well," he continued, "I'm glad you're doing okay."

 

[Iris Arani]

Iris snorted.

"Maybe season two. You're kinda tough."

She snickered all over again before finishing off the slice. Nodding.

"For the first time in a while, yeah. I'm doing alright."

Jasper Kai'el